Photos

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Week 66

Orem Utah Mission Musical Fireside with Vocal Point and Shari Dew.

Hola,

Spiritual experiences:

Well we had TWO baptisms this week!!! That was so, so, so, exciting!!!  One really tender moment was watching Rylee be baptized as we were standing on the side of the font with her mom and Sister Stillman, with tears in her eyes, smile, then look at me, and then hug me and says, " Thank You, Thank You so much."  It was so cool to see how these two baptisms worked out.  Hermana Cazares and I have learned that when you have done everything you can do, the Lord will provide and make up the difference, and it's true.  We set a companionship goal of two baptisms for this last transfer.  We worked so hard, and halfway through the transfer, we were blessed with TWO little miracles, Jai and Rylee.  The Lord always provides if we will just press forward with faith, it might not be in the time frame we wish, but the Lord will provide!!

Baptisms:

Jai: She was baptized last week, and her baptism was so beautiful.  She asked us earlier in the week if we could speak at her baptism, and she asked me to speak about baptism.  It was great.  She was so happy and so so adorable.  She ran up to us after wards and gave us huge hugs.  I love her so much!

Rylee: she was baptized last week as well.  She received so much support from her family, it was great.  It was a very intimate and small baptism, but so powerful.  The spirit was felt very strongly, and it was so cool to see and realize that a family was slowly coming all together through the ordinances (like baptism) of Christ's church.  I love Rylee and being a member of Christ's true church.


Verónica: she came to church this week! Woooooo, two weeks in a row!  We have a cita with her tomorrow. We are super excited! :)

So, I sprained my ankle playing football on Thanksgiving... :)  I was playing QB,  and I threw a pass, but another person on the other team caught it and obviously that was an interception, so the first thought in my head is my pride and I think, "oh no, this interception is totally my fault, I have to run and rip his flag before he gets a touchdown."  So, here I am, sprinting down the field and I am almost get to him (the Elder that rudely intercepted my pass), and then all of a sudden, there's a snap and a giant crunching sound, and I think, "uh oh" and I fall to the ground.  Remember when I sprained my ankle at Trek? It was the exact same thing, but a lot less cool, haha!!  So in the words of Nacho Libre, I, "took it easy" for the rest of the game and sat out because I knew that it was gonna be pretty bad, haha!!  My ankle swelled up to the size of a tennis ball, and I got carried off the field by two Sisters, talk about embarrassing, haha!  President Killpack got some funny pictures of my crash and burn, so once I get them I'll send them to you.  The AP's bought me a 10 pound bag of ice for my foot, haha!  We went to our first dinner appointment after that and these members had crutches and they let me borrow them.   Later that night I got a blessing from Elder Ruiz and Elder Juarez, my zone leaders.  I can testify once again of the power of the Priesthood and exercising faith, because I had immediate relief and was able to walk on it perfectly, just two days after the incident.  And now mom,  I am all good, so don't worry! :)  The bruising was pretty gnarly, but it all makes for a great story, and I'll never forget my last Thanksgiving in the mission. :)

So this week has been filled with many exciting events.

Thanksgiving was so wonderful, even despite my ankle sprain!  Our football game was at 10:30 and it was flag football, and we were zone against zone, it was really fun.  We played for about two hours, President Killpack even played too!  We had our first Thanksgiving dinner appointment right after the TURKEY bowl around 1:30, at one of the members in the American Fork ward (I've been in a trio all week, so we've been covering both areas).  After that appointment we went and visited several different people sharing a spiritual message and doing acts of service.  At 5:00 we went to the Stillman's for another Thanksgiving dinner.  We originally had four dinner appointments, but two of them cancelled, which was a blessing, can you imagine eating four dinners in one day, no bueno!  Thanksgiving at the Stillman's was so much fun, they feel like family to me.  It was cool, because it felt like our family get togethers we have every Thanksgiving, but man oh man, there was so much good food.  I couldn't help but think of Tubba' s rolls or Dad's turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and home made gravy.  I bet the Elders you had join you on Thanksgiving were in heaven.

I went on splits with Hermana Josie (Kirstin my trainer from Puerto Rico) on Sunday.  So fun, it felt just like old times, and now she's engaged, how times flies!  Congrats Kirstin and Blake!  You two are a beautiful couple, and can't wait to attend your wedding in March.

On Saturday night, we witnessed a really bad car accident, and I called 911 for the first time in my life.  They were all teenagers and each one walked themselves to the ambulance.  No one was hurt. It was such a miracle and blessing.  I was reminded of the "Light the World" initiative and how in the very first scene of the video, it is an EMT person at some sort of accident helping someone, and I, in that moment, was very grateful for all those who are police officers, firefighters, EMT people, and first responders.  It was scary because we had just pulled up to the house we were going to contact and then we heard and saw everything happen, and lives changed in seconds.

We also were protected this week from two giant deer that ran in front of us and somehow just ran on both sides of our car and never hit us.  It was such a miracle.  Heavenly Father protects His missionaries!

I cant believe that my cousin Avalon is on her way home from her mission, and I will be returning home from my mission in just three months, WOW, seems like just yesterday we were leaving!  I am so proud of Avalon and her service, as well as all my other cousins (Dustin and Bergen) who are serving and having wonderful experiences on their missions.  It will be great for all of us to be reunited after our missions and share our experiences with each other.  I love our family, give Avalon a big hug for me.

MOM, I love you!!  I loved being able to reminisce about our Thanksgiving traditions at the river watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in the morning while Dad cooks, or just spending time with the family.  It seems like you both hosted a great Thanksgiving, I loved the pictures!!  Also, I got so excited when I saw all those packages of supplies, toys and candy being sent to the children of Puerto Rico!  That makes my heart happy!!  Thank you Mom, Sister Bradford, and Sister Bianucci for these wonderful acts of service!!

Thanks for attaching pictures of Sister Smart's Instagram of the current conditions in Puerto Rico. The devastation is exactly how I remembered it, but I am so grateful that help is on the way.  I am especially grateful for our family Christmas Project that we are doing for all my investigators and new converts in Puerto Rico.  Foregoing giving any presents to ourselves and sending needed supplies to these families in Puerto Rico who need it so much more than us, is the best gift we will have this Christmas, for this is the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

On Saturday night, we were contacting some houses and we got a referral to go visit this family, so we knock on the door and a man with a very warm, happy personality opens the doors and says, "Hey sisters, come on inside, it's cold out!"  Shocked, and a little cautious, we said; "okay" and we go inside his house.  He explains how timely our visit was, because he was helping his son write a talk on missionary work.  After talking to this man we find out his name was David Parra, and he works for the Church Public Affairs Department, and he's the man that made the church program, "Just Serve", I know, crazy, right?  He is one of the most humble, and amazing members I have EVER met.  He says he wants to help Puerto Rico as much as he can, that made me happy.



DAD, I love you!!  Thank you for your spiritual thought.  I think you and Hermana Josie both were in tune with the Spirit, because she sent me a snippet of a talk that talked about the same things you shared with me.  I was pondering your thought; "Isn't it funny how nice we are to other people, but how mean we are to ourselves?"  It's something that I am trying to work on, and little by little I see how much happier I am when I just let go of fear and doubts, and just be myself.

I just got a call from President Killpack and I am going to the airport tomorrow morning with Sister Allen, who works in the mission office to go pick up my companion!  She's currently on her way from Chile, and I'm so excited!!!  Her name is Sister Laurie, and President said she doesn't know a lot of English.  So, I'm excited to better my Spanish and meet her and be with her this transfer!

So far this transfer has been great.  I've been in a trio with Hermana Cazares and Hermana Zayas for the last week, and it's been such a blast.  We've had our first District Meeting for our Zone and our Zone Leadership Meeting with all the district leaders, the zone leaders, and me, the STL.  Next week we'll have MLC and CDM, so, next week I'll be chalk full of meetings, but I love the zone already, and I love my district.  It's a Spanish district, in an English zone. So, YEAH!!!
Our Cute Little Trio this week! So we had to pack our car with ALL of hermana Cazares's stuff, my stuff for a week, and food we bought that day, I was so squished, I felt like that one time when we drove up to college with all my stuff and me in the middle of it hahaha. Or like every car ride to the river. Haha. 

Life is good.  I love what I do.  I love being a missionary.  And don't forget to #LighttheWorld #IluminaElMundo by sharing the video with everyone and doing the service days that start in a couple of days on December 1st!!

Love you all,

-Hermana Kali Rae Green

Love my Companion Hermana Cazares!
Orem Spanish Zone Conference!


Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Week 65



Happy Thanksgiving! (Almost.)

So last night was MAGICAL, so incredible!!  We had the chance to memorize, "The Living Christ" as a mission in preparation for the Fireside with Sheri Dew, and as a Mission we were going to recite it at the Fireside.  So, I'm not entirely sure if while I was memorizing it, I was really paying attention to what I was saying, but last night, towards the end of the Fireside we all stood and recited it, and it just hit me.  Here I was, in front of hundreds and hundreds of people, testifying of the Savior, the LIVING Christ.  He is not some myth that people have believed among the years, nor is he dead.  He truly is the Living Christ, the Son of God.  Tears rolled down my face as I knew that Jesus is the Christ.  I also felt the Spirit very strongly as I had the opportunity to sing in a small group for the Fireside.  We sang the lyrics of, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  It was so cool to think that I was able to share my testimony of the Restoration through song.  I know the Spirit was felt.  It was extremely powerful when we got to the words, "Joseph, this is my beloved...", because the piano cuts out and it goes to acapella. It just was beautiful.  A very beautiful moment shared with many, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been apart of it.

Investigators:

RYLEE IS GETTING BAPTIZED TODAY! I AM SO EXCITED. So, so, so, happy!!!  The Stillman family has gone through so much, and has had quite the story in trying to help Rylee get baptized, one that I'll share once I'm home, but it really has been such a blessing to teach Rylee.  This family is so, so, so, special to me.  My heart is happy, happy, happy!!!

Jai will be baptized this Saturday! We are so excited!!

Ivan: so.. long story short, he will not be baptized on his date because of family reasons, it's complicated but he is shooting to be baptized in January!  We are going to keep working with him.

Verónica: so, we had one of the most amazing lessons with Veronica on an exchange last Wednesday with Hermana Orjuela.  On Sunday Veronica showed up at Church on her own.  We went over and we talked with her and I asked Verónica, what made you come to church on Sunday?  And she replied, " because I want my family to be living within the principles of the gospel".  I was so taken back and so happy all at once.  After a bit of talking, we asked her what her goals were and she said she knows she has to get married to her boyfriend, and she wants to get baptized and be sealed in the temple with her family.  It seriously was just so perfect!!  We are excited to be working with her to achieve her goals

The fireside was absolutely incredible. Sheri Dew was such an amazing speaker!  She told some incredible stories and is such an exceptional speaker.  We sat right behind Vocal Point during the entire Fireside.  They sang, "Nearer My God, to Thee", "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly", "It is Well with my Soul", and "More Holiness Give Me", as well as part of our official Mission song, "Send Me".  They we're AMAZING!!!  I talked with the bass and baritone guys and they were super chill.  I have the recordings they did, but they are too big to send, but man, I just am still amazed at their talent!!  The musical number I was in went really well, from the comments we received.  The two guys from Vocal Point that I talked to said we did a good job, so I basically DIED.  I got to see Lo (Lauren Snow), and Estrella (Hermana Pichiule, one of my companions in Puerto Rico).  It was so fun!


Oh, I almost forgot, we had the privilege to watch the YSA Face to Face Broadcast with Dallin H. Oaks and M. Russell Ballard before the Fireside.  It is always amazing and uplifting to hear an Apostle speak directly to you, but to have two Apostles at the same, was just such an incredible experience, to be filled with the Spirit and personal revelation.

TRANSFERS: SO, this is all super exciting, I will be staying in my same area, I'm so happy!!!  Hermana Cazares is going to American Fork and will be companions with Hermana Zayas (She is from Puerto Rico).  My new companion is a new missionary coming in from Chilé!  She won't be here until next week so I am in a trio with Hermana Cazares and Zayas until she arrives.  I am still an STL (Sister Trainer Leader) and I am the only STL in our zone.  The zone leaders are Elder Ruiz (my district leader who got bumped up again as zone leader for the second time) and Elder Juarez, one of the elders I came with from Puerto Rico.  My new district leader is Elder Brito.  He and I were in the Dominican Republic MTC together.  Currently, there are only 4 sisters in our whole zone.  I'm super excited for the opportunity to train again and I am excited to meet my new companion!

Last week I had an exchange with Hermana Orjuela and it was so fun!  Exchanges are the best.

This Thanksgiving will be super great! We are still going over to eat at the Stillman's and we will be playing football against other zones earlier that day.  I am so excited!

Also, starting this Friday is the "#Light the World Christmas Initiative".  The video and details for it will be released this Friday and I invite you all to join in and do the challenges each day with Me!  It is the same idea as last year; a short 3 minute video, and for each day leading up to Christmas, there will be a scripture and a small way to serve your family, friends, and community just as the Savior would!  What better way to end thanksgiving and show our gratitude for our loved ones than serving them?  Once the video comes out, I invite you all to share it with those you love, through Facebook, or in person, and serve them!  I promise you that you will feel the Light of Christ, that each of us has inside us, to help us do these good acts of service, and you will be used as an instrument to help the lives of others.

This Friday, I'll have 15 months in the mission, and this new transfer is my second to last transfer before I come home.  Time is seriously passing so fast, but I am loving every minute of it here.  I love the fact that I came to this Mission.  Despite all my trials, I know without a doubt that this was part of Heavenly Father's plan for me.  Heavenly Father truly is involved in the details of our lives, and I know that without a doubt.  I know that the message we bear is one of light and hope, and that the Restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ was restored, and what a joy it is to be apart of this great cause, moving the work of the Lord along.  This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for so much, my wonderful family, friends, my mission, but most importantly, my Savior.  He lives, and he is the reason for why I have hope in a darkening world.  He is the reason why I can still feel joy in the midst of my trials.  He is the reason for how we can overcome trials, addictions, sicknesses, and weaknesses, through His Atoning sacrifice made for each one of us.  But it simply is not enough to believe my words, you can find out for yourselves just as I did.  Ask our Heavenly Father in prayer if these things are true, and be willing to act on the promptings you receive, for that is the key to receiving answers to our prayers and our ability the gain the greates amount of blessings and opportunities from our Heavenly Father.

I love you, family of mine. Happy Thanksgiving. Save me one of Tubba' s  famous rolls!!

-Hermana Kali Rae Green

Our districts last district meeting. We made it Christmas themed because we didn't think we would all be here together for Christmas. 


The Nordfelts sent me a,"Thanksgiving and Christmas Care package"  It was such a surprise and so nice! Give them A BIG HUG for me! 


Saturday, November 18, 2017

Week 64




Hi!

 Last night we had a ward missionary fireside, where we watched, "A Standard to the Nations".  For anyone that hasn't seen it, it's about how the gospel got to every single continent since the Church was restored.  Not a lot of people came, but while watching it, I was so blown away by the sacrifices made by these first handful of Missionaries who literally sacrificed everything to go serve these missions.  For some it took them 6 MONTHS by boat to get to where they needed to serve, and their missions were  A  (LOT longer than 18 months or 2 years.  After we watched it, our Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Ochoa bore his testimony, and had recorded a bunch of members from our Ward saying how they received the gospel.  A lot was through parents, some through friends, some by playing basketball with the missionaries.  It made me reflect on how just a single testimony shared can change someones life.  I asked myself how I received the gospel, and even though I have been a member my entire life, I remembered a very fond memory of mine that happened a while back and how it's thanks to Neno's (My Mom's Dad) friend in the army that shared the gospel with him, is how I have the gospel.  I just started thinking about how different my life would be, if that friend NEVER opened his mouth and shared the gospel with Neno.  I don't think I would be here, let alone, be adopted into our wonderful family, and have the blessings of the gospel in my life.  But because he opened his mouth, shared his testimony, Neno got baptized, married in the temple, had kids who went on missions and now many grand kids who have served and are currently serving around the world, helping others receive the blessings of the restored gospel that our family has had.  All because one man decided to open his mouth.  That really hit me, and I remember when all of our extended family came over to our house and his friend came over and met all of us and saw, "the fruits of his labor" or the effects of what one testimony had on one man who was ready to hear the gospel.  It helped me understand just how important it is for me, as a missionary to always open my mouth.

Investigators: Jai is doing wonderful.  When we invited her to be baptized, she snapped her fingers and did finger guns and said, "heck yes"!  I wish that was the response I got every time we invited someone to be baptized, ha ha!!  We are going over to their house again tonight and I'm so excited! She's going to be baptized on the 25th of November. :)

Jai's Family.

Rylee: we went over yesterday and taught Rylee about the Plan of Salvation.  It was a good lesson and we invited Rylee last week to be baptized and she seemed hesitant at first, but the next day, we got a phone call from her Mom, having to cancel an appointment to come teach Rylee.  So that was a bummer, but then she said that Rylee read two chapters in the Book of Mormon and told her Mom, "Mom, I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that I need to be baptized".  We were so happy to hear that! She is getting baptized next Monday! :)

Ivan: IVANNNNN, he is the best. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and went last Friday and watched "Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration" movie with him, one of my all time favorite movies.  After we watched it, we invited him to pray and ask Heavenly Father if Joseph Smith really was a prophet.  He prayed to end the lesson, and said, "please help me know if Joseph Smith really was a prophet, I think he is, also I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it has your fingerprints all over it".  I just about DIED.  He is seriously so golden, and he and Surya (his mom) came to Church for the last two weeks in a row!

Ivan's Family and Cousins.

Veronica: SO craziest thing happened yesterday.  Sacrament meeting ended and we stand up and Hermana Cazares says, "AN INVESTIGATOR CAME TO CHURCH" and ran over to a lady sitting in the back with her family.  I was really confused because I had no idea who she was talking about, because all of our investigators are kids, haha!!  It turns out, that a woman named Veronica came to church with her entire family.  Since I've been here, we've never taught her, but she is married to a member of the church, and they don't come to church too often.  Last transfer, before I came, Hermana Macias and Hermana Cazares dropped her, but she came to church yesterday totally on her own!  The ward fellowshiped her super well, and we have an appointment with her this week.  She's super nice and I'm super excited to start teaching her.

ZONE ACTIVITY WAS THE BEST.  It was the most fun zone activity I have EVER been to.  We went and played blaster tag, and it was like the idea of paintball, but with really fast shooting Nerf guns.  IT WAS SO FUN!!  Everyone was so sore for like DAYS, but it was so worth it.  I left with some gnarly bruises and scars, but it was really fun.  Sorry, I forgot to take a picture, but it was amazing!

We had MLC (Missionary Leader Conference) last week, and after it ended, Sister Killpack came up to me and asked, "do you sing soprano or alto" and I said, "uh both" and she said that she needs more help with the alto line because it's really hard for a musical number they are preparing for the Missionary Fireside, you remember the Fireside where Vocal Point is performing and Sheri Dew is speaking.  I told her that I was willing to do it and if I got the sheet music that I could learn it.  Well, I got the sheet music today and the only time I'll be able to rehearse it is on the day of the Fireside, and Vocal Point will be listening to me sing, No pressure, Haha!!  I am grateful for those crazy Troubadour assignments that helps me not feel worried in times like this.






I am going shopping with Sister Killpack today, the mission is offering to pay for running shoes (did I tell you I left those in Puerto Rico at the Mission Home.  I threw them away because they were pretty thrashed after that last week there) so, I am happy to get some new running shoes, and start exercising again!

These last couple weeks have been so insanely busy, but it's good!!  Busy means we're working hard.  Transfers are next week, and next transfer will be the second to last transfer before I come home.  Ha. Ha. Ha. Help.

Last Tuesday we had MLC (Mission Leader Conference) and they announced that starting next transfer there will be no more Spanish zone, and we will be put into English zones, and in small Spanish districts.  So we're all getting separated. ):  I related it to the scattering of the 12 tribes of Israel, hahaha!  We are bummed, but there is a purpose in all things, so at some point I'll figure out why, until then, I will just be obedient to the Lord's will because he knows better than I do!!


Orem Spanish Zone!

Last Time Together as the Utah Orem Spanish Zone!

Wednesday we got together with the zone leaders and planned out our CDM (combined district meeting), which is pretty much another way of saying zone meeting.

Thursday we had CDM, and all four of us presented a 20 minute training lesson based off of the training we had received two days before at MLC.  I presented the training that one of the AP's (Elder Kentish) presented, about Peter and the Christlike attributes of faith, obedience, and diligence.  It was one of the most inspiring trainings I've ever received on the mission, and I got the chance to share it with the zone.  We basically ripped Peter apart, pointed out his weaknesses, and then built him back up.  I'll have to send a picture of my notes because my hand hurt so bad after hearing this lesson, because I was just writing EVERYTHING Elder Kentish was saying, but it was fun and I worked hard on how I wanted to present it and it paid off, I think, Woo!


Also that same day, Hermana Cazares and I prayed that we would be an answer to someones prayer that day.  We decided to return Sister Wilbert's cookie sheet we borrowed, but we didn't text her telling her we were coming, we just kinda showed up.  So we knocked on her door, and Meredith, her daughter who came on splits with us, opened the door and we went in said hello and told Sister Wilbert we were dropping off her cookie sheet.  She seemed super stressed and Hermana Cazares says, "Sister Wilbert can we help you clean your house?" it turns out she had to clean her entire house, in less than 2 hours, because there was a really important real estate agent who was presenting an open house that day, and she had to write an email that was going to help her get this job she wants, so she was so relieved and said, yes, you can help clean my house!  So, we helped her clean her house, and she just thanked us after wards and said, "you are such an answer to my prayers, if you two didn't come I don't know how I would've done all of this".  Mission accomplished, we felt pretty happy after that knowing the Lord had helped us accomplish our desire of wanting to be an answer to someones prayer.

Last Saturday I had an exchange with Hermana Peter! It was so great, and we reminisced all the good times we had in Cabo Rojo together, and in Puerto Rico.  It was fun getting to see her.

Hermana Green & Peter.

Hey dad! I wanted to show you the notes I took on your Spiritual thought this morning! It really tied in with what I've been working on, which is being a consecrated missionary.  I sure do love your Spiritual thoughts and how the Lord speaks to me through your words and the inspiration you and I receive through the Spirit.  Thank you and I sure do love you!



This week and next week we will be preparing for the Mission Musical fireside this Sunday, we have zone conference where I am giving another training on Wednesday, and 3 baptisms coming up in the next 2 weeks, and transfers, and I have 2 exchanges this week.  Busy, busy, busy, but I'm so happy happy, happy!!!!

I love you all.  I am humbled and grateful for the blessings of serving a mission.  It is the best thing I have ever done in my life!!!


-Hermana Kali Rae Green-


October 31, 2017 we had the opportunity to all be together to learn more about the Temple from President and Sister Killpack, to prepare for the Mission Musical Fireside, to have dinner together and attend the Mount Timpanogos Temple.








Monday, November 6, 2017

Week 63





Y un otro mes ha pasado...

Spiritual experiences:
Well, we went to the temple this week on Halloween! (I forgot Halloween happened this week.) The temple really is just the best place to be.  The more I go to the temple, the more I understand my place in Heavenly Father's plan.  I think one of the coolest things that night was to see our whole mission in white, that was a sight.


Another spiritual experience was with Ivan, Surya's 9-year-old son we are teaching.  So, originally, we were just visiting Surya, she's a member, and she has a son named Ivan.  We go visit her because she's great and has had a lot of trials in her life lately and we've gotten really close to her.  We've been trying to get her to come to church and help her feel loved.  So, about two weeks ago, we went to visit her, and Ivan answered and said, "can you come back next Sunday, my Mom doesn't feel good.”  We were sad, but we didn't want to annoy her, so we waited.  Monday night, Hermana Cazares and I had all of our plans cancel on us.  We thought of 2 people we could go by and visit, so we prayed to see who we should visit.  After we prayed, I didn't feel like we should go by either of them, and Hermana Cazares said that we should go by and visit Surya.  So, we went, knocked on the door, and Ivan answered the door saying, "finally, you came!" and he let us inside.  Shocked, we walked inside and started talking with Surya and Ivan.  After some talking, she started telling us how Ivan has been taking his Book of Mormon to church.  His uncle, who is our Bishop, gave him a Book of Mormon a couple of weeks ago and he had mentioned Ivan before, but we totally forgot until that moment.  Surya explained how Ivan is the youngest of all her kids and how he hasn't been baptized yet, and how he's been asking repeatedly, "mom why aren't I baptized yet.”  "Mom when can I be baptized."  " Mom let's go to church."  "Mom let's say our prayers.”  Basically, Ivan is perfect, haha!  So, we told her we would love to start teaching Ivan and help him if she would like.  She said yes, and we set up the first appointment.  As we were leaving, I was saying bye to Ivan, and he said, "Sister Green, I have a question? Can you guys come back, like, more than just Sundays? Can you come every day?"  My heart just melted. It has just been so amazing to see how each one of the kids we are teaching are just miracles, and so ready to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Investigators:
So, we haven't heard from Jesus or Virginia... sad face, but these 3 kids of ours are KILLING IT and are our only active investigators at the moment, and they've been keeping us busy!

Jai: so, we taught Jai twice last week, the first two lessons. (The restoration and the plan of salvation) she is adorable and is so funny.  Sister Holland, her grandma, invited us over for dinner tonight and to teach Jai.  We are going to teach her the gospel of Jesus Christ, and invite her to be baptized!  We are super excited.

Rylee: we went over to her house yesterday and taught her the restoration.  She wasn't paying much attention, but it was still a good lesson.  We invited her to be baptized on November 20, and she was unsure.  So, we invited her to pray about getting baptized on November 20, and we are going to have an FHE tomorrow and watch Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration movie with her and her family, to help her understand Joseph Smith's role as the instrument in God's hands to restore the church of Jesus Christ back here on the earth.  It'll be fun!

Ivan: Ivan is just this perfect ball of sunshine who will probably be a Prophet some day, haha! We had dinner with Surya, Ivan, and the Villatoro's (Bishops family) last Thursday and taught Ivan the restoration.  He and his cousin, Sammie, have been talking about the idea of getting baptized on the same day, December 2nd.  After the lesson, we invited him to be baptized on December 2nd, and he said yes!  He is so excited, and he told us he loves reading the Book of Mormon and he knows that it's true. He is so great.

Next transfers are the day before thanksgiving.  I'm reaaaaaallly hoping we both stay.  The Stillman’s have already invited us over for Thanksgiving and we will have 3 baptisms soon... So, if Heavenly Father wants me to stay then I'll stay, but if not, I will go and serve wherever He wants to serve.

 So, Dad, I took a LOT of notes from your spiritual thought on the Sacrament last Monday, and I was trying super hard, every day, to think of ways and apply the things you said into my week in preparation to take the Sacrament, yesterday.  And I was able to feel so much peace and an even better understanding of how the Atonement and Sacrament coincide with my life.  Speaking of that, last night we had an FHE with this family we are helping reactivate and prepare to enter the temple, the Muñoz and Rodriguez family.  They are wonderful and remind me a lot of our extended family and when we all get together.  Brother Rodriguez talked about how the Garden of Gethsemane was so symbolic because of all the olive trees.  He related how olive oil is pressed out of the olive, and related that to how the Savior bled from every pore.  In order to remove the oil in the olive, you turn this wooden machine thing (I think its called a press) that puts pressure on the olive, and you push and push and end up putting so much pressure on the olive that the oil seeps out from the olive.  I did a terrible job explaining how intense it is, but the Savior felt that same pressure, as he took upon him all of our pains, sicknesses, sadness, trials, and sins.  Every, single, person's pains and sins, which caused him to bleed from every pore.  It just helped me understand and appreciate the Savior even more.

So, I have made a decision that I would love my family to support and participate in with me.  I want you all to use the money that you would spend on me, to send me packages for Christmas, and use it to send supplies to everyone in Puerto Rico, I mean all of the family money combined.  Also, I have added up the money I've gotten from family members like Grandma (after I pay tithing) and I am going to use it to print out pictures and send picture frames filled with pictures of me and their baptism, or me and a good memory together to my investigators and converts in Puerto Rico, and any money left over I am sending them supplies of what they need.   I am going to be able to celebrate many Christmases after the mission with you both, but we don't know when will be the next time these people will get to take a warm shower or even receive anything for Christmas.  I don't need anything!!  I only want the people of Puerto Rico to be happy.  Money is money, gifts are gifts, these are material things that don't matter to me.  My gift from you two this Christmas is, serving and helping send things to these special people of Puerto Rico, and our Skype call, that's enough for me!!  I just want to give to my family in Puerto Rico, they deserve it and need it.  Thank you for supporting me in this great cause!!

I had my first exchanges this week!  I was with Hermana Zayas, the Sister in my district from Puerto Rico. We had a great time and we learned a lot from each other.  We should definitely add her family, and Elder Leslie's family to our list of families from Puerto Rico for our family Christmas service project.  Elder Lespin is also in my zone, also from Puerto Rico, and him and Hermana Zayas grew up together. What are the odds I get called to this mission, this zone, and find 2 Puerto Ricans – tender mercies from the Lord.  The Lord is truly involved in the details of our lives!!
Hermana Zayas and Me!

Mom, the fact that you heard from Alex in Puerto Rico made me so incredibly happy. I was so worried.  I'll email him today.  I definitely started tearing up and crying as I thought about the service projects that are being done for the people of Puerto Rico, makes my heart happy.

I love you two so much, and I am grateful for all you do.

All my love,

Hermana Kali Rae Green

My District


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Week 62




Familia Mia,

Hope you all had a great week. I sure did!

 Spiritual experiences: Okay this week has been FULL of miracles, but I think our biggest miracle is a girl named Rylee.  So, President Killpack called us Friday morning with a special assignment.  He told us about this girl named Rylee, her family is very active in the church, but she didn't feel that getting baptized at 8 was the right thing for her.  Now she's 9 and wants to give it a go.  After a lot of complications with a lot of different things, Sister S. (Rylees mom) called President Killpack and he said he would handle it.  He referred Hermana Cazares and I as the pair of sisters that would be teaching Rylee from now on.  So, we called them and left a message.  We went over last night to test the waters with Rylee so she can feel comfortable with us and so we could see how we were going to teach her.  After a lovely visit, we were talking with Brother and Sister S, and she explained how she had been really struggling with the fact that Rylee wasn't baptized, but she knew that at 8 years old it just didn't feel right, and that ever since then she's been struggling, and after all the complications with lessons in the past she was scared it wasn't ever going to work out.  She then told us how she called President Killpack and how he was an answer to her prayers.  Then she turned to me, and said, with tears in her eyes, "when I heard your voice on the phone, I was so overwhelmed because I knew that everything was going to be okay, and after meeting you both I know this is going to work out. She said, I know it was probably hard to leave the people you loved in Puerto Rico, but we needed you here, it could've only been you two that could save and baptize Rylee."  I couldn't contain my emotions, I was so grateful, and I was so blown away but it just shows HOW INVOLVED Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives.  I know Rylee and her family are part of the reason why I am here in Orem.  It was a night I'll never forget!!

We also had another crazy experience on Saturday.  We stopped at a church building to go to the bathroom.  There was a trunk or treat that was ending and as we were walking up to the doors of the church, a woman was squinting at our tags and I said, hello.  She came over and asked if we were Missionaries that covered her Stake and we said, yes.  Her name is Sister Holland and she has four granddaughters that she is raising.  One of them, is 9 years old and is also not baptized.  After a lot of talking she asked her 9 year old granddaughter if she wanted to try hearing the lessons again from the Sisters or the Elders, and she looked at us, and said, "the Sisters!"  So, we exchanged info and she called us last night, and we have our first appointment with them in a half hour.  Heavenly Father has blessed us with 3 little girls to teach,  all different families and different situations, but we have just felt so humbled and grateful that he trusts us with these daughters of his.
 
Also, in the last week we have had 2 people pay for our meals, a lady today walked up to us and said, "lunch is on us."  Then, while we were eating, a man starts talking to us and mentions that he's the owner of a new restaurant called Cubbys.  He says, "stay right here" and he comes back, with TWO $25.00 gift cards for both of us.  later, we went grocery shopping and a lady comes up to us and hands us $20.00 and says, "buy yourself something extra today on me".  Seriously, we are so amazed by the miracles and generosity at the hand of the Lord.  The Church is true!!


Investigators:
So I talked about the three new girls already.  We haven't been able to meet with Leslie, Jesus, Virginia, Kaiya and Morgan this week.  Those are our eight investigators, the rest either dropped us, or we dropped them, but in the last 3 days, we got 5 new Investigators, so we feel very grateful and blessed!  So tonight we are meeting with all of them pretty much haha. So we will update you next week on how they go.

We went over to Sister Wilbert's (a member in our Stake) house and made cookies with her for some widows that are in her Ward.  She seriously is the best,  and also the best cookies I've ever tasted, but I've got the recipe - Stoked!!
Hermana Cazares, Sister Wilbert and Me!


DAD, let me say you are the BEST!  You are so incredibly in tune with the Spirit!  For months, and especially this last week I've been really trying to figure out how to make the sacrament more meaningful for me, and BAM your whole spiritual thought is on that!  Seriously how crazy is that!  I mean there is no such thing as coincidence in the gospel but wow, I was so happy studying your Spiritual thought this morning.  Thanks for being an answer to my prayers!

I'm so excited to go to the temple tomorrow on Halloween!  Life is oh, so, good!!!

I LOVE you all, thank you for everything.

-Hermana Kali Rae Green
Reunited with Hermana Josie! Got a New Investigator! Just like old times! #Dreamteam

Splits with Hermana Josie!!

Hermana Josie brought Sunday Dinner to us!  She is the Best!!!