That's a wrap! She comes home tomorrow!

8-7-2017

Hola amigos!

Me voy a mi casa! I'm headed home. I'm all done.

This week was fun! Allen's dad finally gave the ok for the baptism, so
he will be baptized on Saturday. He's great! His dad even thinks a
mission will be great for Allen. We'll see what happens!

We are teaching a handful of people who are learning so much. They
attend church, read the scriptures, pray.. I know Sister Garrity will
take care of them.

I know Christ lives!

Hasta miércoles!

Hermana Laney Valentine

1. Sister Fairbourne and I
2. Cute children who love missionaries. They didn't want me to leave!
3. Hermana Erives and her son!
4. Fernanda! I love her! She's grown so much!
5. Garcia family. They are great.

7-31-2017
Hola Amigos!

This was quite an eventful week! We did some interesting things and
had meetings.

We have a member who is a sushi chef, and he made us sushi for dinner.
Homemade. Right in front of us. Super fancy.

We had MLC this week. It was my last one! I bore testimony about
Heavenly Father loving us. He really does.

We happened to be in the right place at the right time as we followed
our first impressions. On exchanges, Sister Gulley and I found people
who were interested home in the middle of the day. That is a rare
thing!

We referred a former investigator (someone who was learning about the
gospel) to a different area about 1 month ago. He was just baptized!
His uncle is a member who doesn't come to church anymore, but Martin
really want his uncle there. The elders don't speak Spanish, so they
asked us to go invite him. He came! He brought his daughter and
Martin's brother! It was fantastic. Martin was super happy! When he
bore his testimony at his baptism, he said that when he was first
taught a few years ago, he never thought the day would come for a
baptism. Then the sisters knocked on his door (us!) and set him up
with Elders Bean and Edmondson. He was very grateful. I think it's
neat to know how long it took for it to stick with him. Now he is
looking forward to seeing his Heavenly Father again one day and living
with Him and Christ. That's what he said!

Right time right place happened again. On our way home from Martin's
baptism, Sister Garrity and I saw a baby stroller on fire. We flipped
around to check it out. No baby. I called 911 and opened water battles
while she helped a homeless man out the fire out. The fire department
arrived and all was ok. The homeless lady whose things were on fire
was not happy... It was an adventure for sure.

Listen to the spirit!

Today we played life size clue. It was super fun and didn't take long
to prep. It took a few hours to play, but once people got the hang of
it, it was fun. The idea is that since Sister Gulley, Sister Patterson
and I go home, we "died," and the zone had to figure out who killed us
where with what.

Hasta Luego!

Hermana Valentine

1. Sushi with the Garcia family.
2. Sister Training Leaders at MLC
3. Sister Fairbourne and I saying bye at MLC. She's great. I'll miss her!
4-5. Martin's baptism. Elder Bean, Martin's family, Martin, Me, Sister
Garrity, and Elder Edmondson
6. The best board game ever. We make up first names to go with last names.

2 more weeks!

7-24-17

Hola Amigos!

The past two weeks have been fun. It's been raining quite a bit here, so it's nice and humid. It doesn't stop us!

We had a meeting two weeks ago that focused on helping people understand the importance of attending church. There are several good reasons and even a few better reasons! Sister Garrity, Elder Cedeno, Elder Froisland, and I gave a training to the zone on prayer and scripture study. Our goal is to help the missionaries understand the
very same basics that we teach to everyone. I know that the better we understand our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we will be better able to help others learn about the love They have for us. Hopefully each of us will become more concerted in the process.

The branch has been doing well at welcoming people as they return to church and even come for the first time. Hermano Ramos came and that night he text us thanking us for us persistence in inviting him. There was a sweet feeling during sacrament meeting as members--some reary-eyed--greeted him.

Last preparation day we went bowling with our friend Jenny! She is the activities director Ag a nursing home at which we volunteer. She's getting married soon, and we celebrated with her! I'll add a picture.

This past week I scratched my eye. I was down for about three days. No fun. The Fourth day, I was at the mission office so that Sister Garrity could go out with someone and teach. In the office, I did several jobs given ti me. It was kind of fun, and my eye didn't hurt anymore, so I didn't die! I just couldn't handle the sunlight. I was fine the next day!

I haven't been updating on the 100 day countdown, but it's going well! I'm a little behind, so I do two a day now and then.

Hasta luego!

Hermana Valentine

1. Zone conference! I bore my testimony because I go home. Ah! All six of us, two elders, and an elderly couple spoke.

2. Party with Jenny! My eyes are closed...

3. We saw a picture of an elder trying to bike with a cabinet. When we saw this cabinet, we just had to take the picture!

7-10-17

Hola Amigos!

I can hardly believe that this week was the Fourth of July. I love America.

On the Fourth of July we sang a hymn, "I am a child of God," in
Cantonese and Mandarin and English. It was really hard, and Sister
Garrity and I had lessons during the practice, so we hadn't practiced
with the rest of the zone. We helped with a Chinese cultural event! It
was strange to celebrate China on the Fourth of July, but it was fun
to volunteer. Several of the performances were to celebrate the Fourth
anyway.

Allen passed his baptismal interview, but his dad still hasn't given
permission, so we have to wait.

We are being counseled to be aware and beware bed bugs.

Hasta luego!
Hermana Valentine

1. I probably thought she had already taken the picture, so I moved
and look like a goblin.

2-3. Happy Fourth!

4. This picture is from a while back, but the elders added to it to
remind us that bed bugs are no fun.

7-3-2017

Hola amigos!

This week was a pretty interesting week. We had a meeting almost
everyday. I don't like meetings because we aren't in our areas as
much, but meetings are what help us improve.

We taught a family yesterday, and I love them. The dad is a member,
and he shared why he goes to church. He has been through more than we
thought, but he said he knows that without Christ and without his
family and church family he wouldn't know what to do.

Today we celebrated some birthdays by going to Top Golf. It was
actually really fun! We had two booths right by each other. It was
kind of like a miniature living room with both of the booths. Then we
had ice cream!

Allen and Selena are doing great! They love church. They love learning!

Hasta luego!

Hermana Valentine

1/2: We went up to Payson for a meeting. The video idea was from
Sister Fairbourne! Sister Garrity drove a truck there and back! It was
super fun.
3. I saw this cutie at a baptism. Her family is from my old area, but
her cousin was baptized were I am serving right now!
4. Today we celebrated Sister Knudsen and Elder Stevens' birthdays! We
went to top golf.
5. Me. Golfing. I only missed the ball twice. I think I won most
improved by the end.
6. Elder Stevens, Elder Wallin, Sisters Knudsen, Garrity, me,
Fairbourne, Lewis, Smith

6-26-2017

Hola Amigos!

This was a pretty good week. Last Monday night, I climbed a palm tree.
It was really scary, and it was falling apart, so I didn't climb very
high. But I did ask my companion to try to trick all of you to make it
look like I was way up in the tree. Ha.

One day, we were talking to a girl at her door, and her neighbor came
outside and gave us water. He was a little silly but very thoughtful.
He signed "I love you" and asked us what it meant. Then he told us
that Jesus loves us.

It was super hot this week. About 120.

We always tell teenagers and college students to contact us if they
need help with homework. We finally were invited to help out! We
analyzed a poem.

Last week, another missionary asked me to make a list of things I
didn't know about Jesus Christ until I joined the church. I was
surprised at how many basic things I didn't know! I didn't understand
that because Jesus Christ was resurrected, he has a physical body. I
didn't understand what it meant that Christ is the Son of God. I
didn't understand that Christ bled from every pore as part of his
atoning sacrifice to cover our sins as we repent. I'm still learning,
but those are a few things I remember being new to me when the
missionaries taught me. There are a number of details I didn't know. I
know He loves us!

I have 6 weeks until I come home! Pray for missionary work!

Hasta luego!

Hermana Valentine


1. Climbing a palm tree.
2. Today we are training new missionaries and trainers.

Hermana Valentine is alive and well - 4 weeks of updates....

Hermana Valentine is much more diligent at writing and sending updates than I am at posting. She comes home August 9th - so send her one last letter or two!!!




6-19-2017

Hola Amigos!

Happy Father's Day!

Hasta luego!
Hermana Valentine

1. Father's Day party
2. Thai food approved by Guy. It was really good.
3. Bella is kind of dirty, but she's cute.

6-12-2017

Hola amigos!

This week was pretty cool. I've been slacking on the 100 day thing,
but one of them was to make cookies, so I did that.

63: do 63 squats/push-ups/crunches/ (64)lunges
62: hair bun day
61: make cookies

I did those things!

We had a family home evening at the church building. No one came
except the family we asked to share a spiritual thought! We played set
up an obstacle course. The person had to follow a string to the end
while we tried to distract them. The string represents the scriptures,
the word of God. We and the obstacles represent things in the world
that distract us from staying on the path!

Allen and Selena came to church again today! We also had a surprise
person come to church! Cecilia came to Tony's baptism last Saturday
and came to church yesterday with her grandson. It was super neat! She
told after that she hadn't planned on coming, but she asked her
grandson if he wanted to go. He said yes. Last week, she wasn't home
for our lesson, so we went sure what was going on, but she was happy
to be at church. We had a lesson with her afterwards about the
restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of
priesthood authority. She has read parts of the Book of Mormon, Jesus
the Christ, conference talks, and other church sponsored literature.
I'm excited to see what happens!

Tony has a few pets and one is a gecko. I asked him if it would bite
me, and he said, "Uh, yes hermana! Only if you put your finger right
by his mouth." Ha, so I did. It didn't hurt, and now I'm not afraid of
Tony's gecko named Tony. He named it after himself.

Hasta luego!
Hermana Valentine

1. Cookies for days. The recipe made so many!
2. Iron rod activity at the church building
3. Tony and his gecko during our lesson

6-5-2017

Hola Amigos!

This week was pretty interesting. We had a baptism! Tony was baptized!
His testimony was really cute. He talked about the restoration of the
gospel. He was talking about his experience being taught when his mom
walked up to help a little bit. He took her suggestions then asked her
to sit down... It was the funniest thing. I'm grateful for Tony. Even
though he is 10, he knows the gospel is true. He knows Christ is his
Savior.

Grandma was baptized! I should have pictures next week.

Hasta Luego!
Hermana Valentine

1. Sister Pratt, Tony, me.

5-29-2017

Hola amigos!

This past week was pretty good! Those we are teaching are progressing well. Michelle, Tony, and Antonio came to church! I'm impressed. Allen and Selena were sick, but maybe next week. 

I'm grateful for church! It is so much easier to feel the Spirit and learn when we are surrounded by people who are also learning, improving, and trying to be Christlike. We all make mistakes and are human, but we can all repent and choose to not be offended.

Tony is getting baptized on June 3rd! I'm so excited for him! He has changed so much in such a short amount of time. Pictures to come...

Fun fact: my grandma is also getting baptized this next week! Baptism is an important promise we make with God to take Christ's name upon us, keep the commandments, and remember Christ always. Who wouldn't want to do that? Christ was baptized, and he was perfect! Let's follow his example. 

This week and last week I had interesting experiences with bathrooms. One day, I really had to pee, but the person's bathroom didn't have a door. I went to the bathroom anyway, and Sister Patterson and Sister Pratt were the door. Another day, someone's power was out, but I had to pee, so I went to the bathroom in the dark. It's ok. I drink a lot of water here in the desert. 

Sister Patterson and I really slacked on our 100 day activity list this past week. 

79: buy something you've never bought

78: drink 1 gallon of water

77: cry

76: go to bed 1 hour early

75: climb a tree

74: wear zero makeup

73: share a comment in relief society (women's group at church)

I bought something on Monday, I drank a gallon of water, I cried, I went to bed early; however, I did not climb a tree, wear zero makeup, or share a comment at church. To be fair with the last one, I wasn't there. We taught the little kids. I did talk quite a bit in Sunday school. We had a lesson on baptism, and the teacher asked solid questions.

Next week:

72: go to a new store

71: do a kart wheel in a skirt

70: every time says "what," stick your tongue out

69: make a video

68: build a fort

67: go running

66: best your testimony at church

This will be an interesting week. 

I don't have many photos from this week.

Hasta Luego!

Hermana Valentine

1. Sister Garrity is really sick.

TTI means teach, testify, invite

Hola Amigos!

My weekly is coming a little late today. I typed it up when I didn't have wifi. 

Today was a fun day! I played ping pong at someone's house for a while with some other Sister missionaries. I haven't played in a long time, but don't worry; I'm still not great at it.

This past week has been full of adventures. We had several set appointments and not much time for finding new people to teach. On Saturday we went through a very long list of people who have spoken with missionaries once or twice before missionaries lost contact with them. We even set up a few return appointments! On Sunday, (happy Mother's Day) while Sister Pratt FaceTimed her family, I called several people on the list we didn't get to on Saturday. I'm excited to see what happens this week in the lessons we set up. It's neat to see that as we take care of the people who we or other missionaries have already met, we find that they still have a great desire to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That includes all of you, so keep learning about Him!

Alan and Selena are two teenagers we are teaching right now. I'm not sure if I have mentioned them yet. Alan is reading so much in the Book of Mormon lately! We stopped by Monday, and he was pretty far into it. On Friday, he looked a little sad when asked him how his reading was going. He told us that he had only read twenty pages. Twenty pages is a lot! They are doing great. Now they just need permission from their dad to come to church. 

The Estrada family has decided they don't want us to teach them anymore. It's kind of sad! We've been working with them for so long, and each of them have come a long way. I hope they continue to let Mariza read in the Book of Mormon and compare its teaching with the Bible. I know they both teach about Christ and His gospel.

The 100 day countdown is going great. Or interesting. I don't have pictures for two events. This week (Tuesday-Sunday):

92: wave at 50 people 

91: sing a Christmas song

90: do someone's hair

89: give to a homeless person 

88: High jump (The track was closed on Saturday, so Sister Garrity couldn't teach us how to high jump. It's ok. Workouts still happened.)

87: shake 40 hands 

If you want to have fun with me, feel free to do the next activities for this week:

86: go on a walk

85: play 20 questions 3 times

84: play the piano

83: eat something you don't like

82: study outside of home

81: tti 30 ppl

TTI means teach, testify, invite. So, you can bring up something about Christ in a conversation and ask someone if they want to learn more. You can invite them to a church activity, to go to Mormon.org, to meet with missionaries, to watch a Jesus video... lots of options. Inviting is important. 

Hasta luego!

Hermana Valentine

Pictures

1. I waved at sooooo many people. The videos will be of me waving at people while we drive. People loved it. 

2. We sang Christmas songs at a meeting

3. Kimberley is great. Sister Patterson and I almost forgot to do someone's hair, so we braided her pony tail. 

4. They were grateful! I meant to get a pic of the two people, but I didn't. 

5. At church I told people that I was playing a game to see how many handshakes I could get. They thought it was pretty funny.

 

 

 

Hola Amigos!

We had a solid week. We were pretty busy each day with set appointments whether people were there or not. We found a handful of new investigators who seem genuinely interested in increasing their faith in Christ, and I look forward to helping them in the weeks to come!

Alan and Selena are doing great. They read the Book of Mormon like crazy, and they ask thoughtful questions. This past week we taught and reviewed the plan of salvation several times to help them understand it. The plan of salvation explains where we came from, why we are here, and where we go after this life. It reminds us that we must have faith in Christ, be repentant, be baptized by proper priesthood authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and continue faithful for forever. We focused for a little while on what repentance is and what it means that Christ paid for our sins. Selena picked it up really well! Alan even prayed hoping that his family could be together forever. 

Tony is getting baptized! We started teaching him this month, and he is a super cool kid. His mom is already member, and she helps him out! He has a lot of desire and real intent. I think I've sent a picture of the two of us with a cat. 

An update on doing things each day before finishing the mission: we changed a few things. 

This past week:

86: go on a walk

85: play 20 questions 3 times

84: play the piano

83: eat something you don't like

82: study outside of home

81: push cars for work outs 

80: pet a dog

This week:

79: buy something you've never bought

78: cry

77: drink a gallon of water 

76: go to bed 1 hour early (because of the schedule change, we are actually encouraged to do this!)

75: climb a tree

74: wear zero makeup

73: share a comment in relief society

My adventures will be displayed via pictures. I don't take a picture each day, but some fun things happened. 

Hasta luego!

Hermana Valentine

1. Day 84. I only know the very basics of piano playing, but it's not enough without practice. Sister Patterson is the only actually playing. 

2. Day 83. I really really don't like banana flavored candy. 

3. Day 81. You know. Practice for when we have to help someone push a car. 

4. Day 80. The people I asked told me that their dogs were too vicious and would bite me. Enjoy. 

5. Sister Patterson was sick one day, so we did splits. I stayed with her. I laughed so hard I cried.