We will stop eating sweets if she stops smoking weed!

 I forgot to tell you... last week the library had a display up for Harper Lee. Go, Set a Watchman was sitting there so I HAD to read the synopsis on the back. I think I read it 10 times. I want to read it so so so SOOOOOOO badly. But two librarians told me it was a bad book! They said it got terrible reviews!? What the!? That just makes me want to read it more!

Oh and I am the ward organist :) Our branch president wants the organ, so the organ he will get! Yesterday was a little rough...it has been a while since I have touched an organ!

 So my mission is being extended one week. This transfer is a 7 week transfer, so that will align us with the MTC. I think that means I get home the first week of December...something like that. This week is my half-way mark! Can you believe it!?!? I can't!

The interesting thing about our branch is that it is part of a English Stake. I guess there are three Spanish stakes in the country, and one of them is in the San Fernando Valley! But the Santa Clarita branch I go to is part of the english stake. So the Primary and the YW/YM in our branch are combined with an English ward because they all speak English, but the adult classes and Sacrament meeting are all in Spanish. It has definitely been a change coming up here. I kind of feel like my Spanish is struggling a little bit, but I love the members up here and the investigators we are working with! 

In a Tree.....

The branch isn't able to feed us everyday of the week, so we are fed about three times a week by English members! They are all super nice :)

Here are some updates on our investigators:

L.... in her late 50s, has a son who is a recent convert, and is serving a mission in Michigan! She has been coming to church  consistently even though she works two jobs! We are planning to go to the temple visitor center with her next week!

G......... 15, has a baptismal date for 20th of March. She is working to stop smoking weed. Some we made an agreement with her! We will stop eating sweets if she stops smoking. She holds us accountable. We hold her accountable. Hopefully this can help her beat her addiction and be ready for baptism this month!

This week the Spanish branch and another

ward had a combined spaghetti dinner fundraiser. But this totally kicked the 7th Ward's Spaghetti Dinner in the pants. They auctioned autographs from David Hasselhoff for $800.00. Some cupcakes went for $600.00. Then they sold 4 front row tickets for a Dodgers game for $1100.00 and 4 front row tickets for a GIANTS GAME for $1500.00. Sorry dad, I tried to get them for you :)

This week I also had the opportunity to eat with Presidente and Hermana Henrie twice! They took us out for lunch after interviews and yesterday they randomly invited us over to the mission home for dinner. It was great! I really love the Henries! Hermana Henrie studied interior designing so the mission home is beautiful. They have art work everywhere! This week the missionary department from SLC is coming to tour/audit/train the mission. Presidente, Hermana Henrie, and two members of the mission department are going teaching with certain missionaries, and Hermana Henrie chose to come with me and Hna Salazar. We are pretty excited! Then this Wednesday the leadership of the mission is being trained for almost the whole day. It is going to be a great opportunity. I feel very blessed!

I think that is everything...thanks for everything Mama! I love you! 

Un brazo muy fuerte de

Hna Moo

Service at William Hart park

 Throw back to lawn mowing days

The Plan of Salvation is not a level playing field. It favors you

Hola Mama!

 I had a great week. 

We did a lot of service this week. It started on Wednesday when we carved out a hiking trail. Thankfully it was a cloudy day, so we did not fry in the heat. Basically we climbed up a mountain with a few grandpa park rangers, they handed us some shovels and rakes, and we went to work! I've got lots of blisters on my hands, but I loved it! 

We also were able to help an older lady vacuum her house which sounds like a small job, but she has a very sassy bird that likes to throw bird seed everywhere hahaa she is not healthy enough to vacuum, so we helped her out while her bird squawked at us! 

 Then on Saturday we were passing the mall when we saw a sign for The Linus Project. We decided to check it out. Turns out it was an event at the mall, and they just gave you some fleece and a pair of scissors and we made blankets for children with cancer! It was so fun! Just imagine everyone sprawled out on the mall floor making fleece blankets! Hna Salazar and I were able to finish two blankets. Thankfully it was not my first rodeo cutting/tying fleece blankets (shout out to mom and YWs) 

This week I had a very humbling experience. We accompanied our investigator to the 12 Step Recovery Program at the church. About 20 people attend the class, and I felt a spirit there I have never felt before. I was in awe at the courage and the grit of the people coming to this class. Everyone was so willing to support and help one another. It was very interesting to see how everyone was at a different spot in the recovery process. Some were recovered addicts that had been sober for 5+ years, some were sharing stories of how they had relapsed, others were sharing experiences of being able to forgive themselves or family members who had wronged them. I felt like I was seeing the atonement in its most raw/vulnerable state. I truly have a testimony that Jesus Christ can change lives. He can repair any broken thing: broken promises, broken minds, broken hearts, broken covenants, broken trust, broken relationships...all can be made right through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, hard work, patience, and grit!

Yesterday I had to honor of cutting my companions hair! Her hair is sooooo long, and I took off about 5 inches :) All I had to do was cut in a straight line which is still hard for us lefties!

 Hna Salazar's birthday is tomorrow, so I have lots planned for her. Tomorrow we have interviews with Presidente Henrie, and because we are sister training leaders we will be at the interviews from 9:00-5:30. It will be a long day, but I bought some decorations (while we were on exchanges) and the Zone Leaders are going to decorate the church, and bring a banana cream pie. Hopefully that will make her day and little more special!

Love you mom. Thanks for always loving me. 

Quotes of the week:

"The Plan of Salvation is designed in favor of your success. The Plan of Salvation is not a level playing field. It favors you. It favors not only your success but the success of each and everyone of God's children. Everything has been organized to maximize your opportunity to succeed." -Elder Lawrence Corbridge

Love people and you will not fear them!

"Trying to co-opt or win over someone is always a mistake, because it means trading in your authenticity for approval. You stop believing in your worthiness and start hustling for it" -Brene Brown   

Alright, I don't have much more time, but we must remember that the Savior cares more about our growth than he does about our comfort! Forget our fears, realize our success means everything to Heavenly Father, and aim high! Those are three things I am trying very hard to implement in my life! 

LOVE YOU!

Hna Moo

I made awkward eye contact with Brother Kirby Heyborne in his red van!!!!

Toto...I don't think we are in the valley anymore!

Valencia is awesome. I still miss the valley, but here are some of the perks of my new area

1. We have lot's of service opportunities at parks

2. My apartment has a gym and a washer and dryer

3. It doesn't smell like weed :)

4. We have two awesome investigators preparing for baptism!

Yep we live about 10 minutes from Six Flags!

This week was a lot of fun. I have enjoyed meeting the branch members (there are not enough members for a ward here) and exploring the new area.

Here are a couple random things that happened this week:

1. We do service at William Hart Park. It is a combination of Chesterfield, ID  and a farm. It has some historical houses and animals. There is a cow, a deer, some chickens, horses, bunnies, pigs, and geese! I LOVE IT! I haven't seen a cow in almost 9 months haha! We raked leaves and me and my companion were assigned to clean a horse memorial...apparently William Hart had a favorite horse named Fritz and it is buried at the park, so we cleaned up his grave! It was a little strange :)

2. My companion caught a lizard as we were cleaning the horse grave. I conquered my fear and held it! There are lizards everywhere. My mission goal is to catch a lizard. They are fast little buggers!

3. I was licked by a deer. They have a deer named Abby (get it??) at the park. She is very friendly and she licked my hand :)

4. Our Spanish branch is a part of an English stake. Yesterday we had a regional stake conference. We got to the stake building, I got out of the car and BOOM I made awkward eye contact with Kirby Heyborne in his red van!!!! Then we awkwardly walked into the stake building together until he went into the chapel and we went into the Spanish translation room. I was freaking out! I kept my cool though...I wanted a picture with him, but I didn't want to be that weird missionary asking for a picture with Brother Heyborne at stake conference! I will have to figure out what ward he is in! I also hear Napoleon Dynamite lives around here. My life will be complete if I meet him out knocking doors!

Here are my favorite quotes of the week:

"Alas even when you and I do place something on the alter, we sometimes hang around as if waiting for a receipt" -Elder Maxfield

"The work of devils and of darkness is never more certain to be defeated than when men and women, not finding it easy or pleasant, but still determined to do the father's will, look out upon their lives from which it may seem every trace of God has vanished, and asking why they have been so forsaken, still bow their heads and obey" -The Screwtape Letters (I LOVE this book)

I have been working of yielding my heart completely to God. Heavenly Father knows our full potential, and what we need to do/endure/or experience to reach that potential. At this point, it is easy (well easier) for me to give my possessions to the Lord like leave my family, not listen to T-Swift, or not see Star Wars :) but what is hard is not being stubborn and doing things the Lord's way or in the Lord's timing! 

I love you all! Have a happy valentine's day and President's day. Thank you for the package mom. Our apartment smells like popcorn deliciousness :) Love you mama!

Hermana Moo

(today we are emailing at the Apple Store because the Library is closed)

he calls his young men's leaders so he can get to church to pass the sacrament! I love him!!!

This is J..... He got the priesthood two weeks ago! Sometimes he needs a ride to church, so he calls his young men's leaders so he can get  to church so he can pass the sacrament! I love him!!!

“We will get promptings of the Spirit when we have done everything we can, when we are out in the sun working rather than sitting back in the shade praying for direction on the first step to take.  

Revelation comes when the children of God are on the move.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I am getting transferred! I am headed to Valencia which means I am leaving the valley! Valencia is right next to Santa Clarita. I am moving tomorrow. My new companion is Hermana Salazar. I hear she is super cool plus she is a native speaker, so even if there are not a lot of latinos in Valencia I can still practice and learn :) I am very excited. Honestly am I sad to leave the valley, but Canoga Park will always have a huge chunk of my heart. I have also been called to be Sister Training Leader, but the weird thing about the Valencia zone is only two sets of sisters are in the zone....then there are like 9 sets of Elders. It will be an adventure! I feel very content leaving my area. After 7 1/2 months here I have become very attached to the people. I cried for a little bit when I got the phone call that I was being transferred. I have said my goodbyes and I shared my testimony in church yesterday. And guess who shared their testimony with me???? E .....M......!!! She was so brave and shared her testimony about how she knows her grandma and aunt are in heaven and that they are proud of her. She also testified that she knows the church is true, and that she has been happier since the missionaries have come over. Yep, she got me crying. That was the perfect way to end my time here. I know good things are in store for the M.......... family :)

FUN STUFF

1. For English class this week only one person showed up. His  name is M......... and he is probably the nicest/most faithful person you have ever met. He is about 30-years-old and we want him to find a cute girly-friend so bad haha so the class was dedicated to "how to ask a girl out in english/spanish" It was a blast. The Elderes were there so it was funny to hear everyone's commentary on how to ask out a girl. M's  homework is to ask a girl out by next Tuesday...hopefully he does it :)

2. Remember that  guy I talked about... the guy who was looking up at the sky and testifying of nature being a witness of God??? He came to church yesterday!!!! Haha we ran into him a few weeks ago, but he randomly showed up yesterday! He speaks English so we sent him over to the English Ward. We heard he really liked it!

3. Right now I am emailing in the Apple Store and Budapest by George Ezra is playing...I think i am going to die!!!!!!!

C. Scott

Grow 

It begins with a desire

Awake your faculties –

Let it work in you. 

Can you believe just a little bit? 

Allow a particle of belief into your heart –

Then listen as God talks to your soul

QUESTION

What is it we do or think or don’t do that keeps this from happening?

Your Answer

(as an experienced,wise,  

beautiful missionary:)

 Answer to Mom's question and my random thoughts...

I think sometimes we think Jesucristo died on the cross and suffered in Gethsemane so he could be put on a pedestal when in reality he suffered and died, so that he could completely understand and become a part of our lives.

We need to stop making Jesucristo into someone who is untouchable, and turn our relationship with him into a partnership.

Christ is our advocate and our partner. He is rooting for us! So we need to make Christ a part and a partner in every aspect of our lives.

If we do that, then we will be able to recognize answers to questions and prayers. We will allow that Lord to "work in us". We will trust him to "work in us". We will put down our barriers and truly yield our hearts to the Lord!

I love you all so much! I am excited for the future :) Everything will always work out. Keep smiling. Enjoy the little things. 

Hna Moo

(some of the beautiful, wonderful saints Emily has worked with while serving in Canoga Park, CA )

"Why are you serving a mission when you could be out dunking basketballs...you're huge!" Thanks...

Hola mama! I got your packy :) I loved every minute reading and looking at the wedding announcements, talks, and other stuff. I love getting all the updates! Thanks mamas

FUN THINGS FROM THE WEEK

1. I went on an exchange with my STL Sister Jackman from Colorado. I did English work, and we had a member dinner where they served us beef stew, rolls, and a banana split. That is the first time I have eaten food like that in a while! I am very used to tortillas, rice, meat, and flan. yummmmmmm

2. While out knocking doors a very nice Indian man asked me, "Why are you serving a mission when you could be out dunking basketballs...you're huge!" Thanks....

3. Hno. Ramirez (my gpa out here in Canoga Park) told me I was meant to be Latina, but I was kidnapped by some gringos...hahaha I laughed so hard

4. Yesterday we were fed a lunch and two dinners...I couldn't say no! Two of the dinners were with less active families so we really wanted to go. I was so full...I am afraid all these tortillas are started to settle in my tummy hahaa and my companion Hna Henzi likes to play this game called "Ella quiere mas!" which means "She wants more!" I am not a fan of this game :) pretty much the goal is to fatten up your companion! The Hermana will ask if we want more food and the first one to say, "Estoy bien, pero ella quiere mas" wins! I have lost many times...

So my talk went really well yesterday! I was pretty nervous that I would get up there and forget all my spanish, BUT thankfully the spirit was there and I was able to share the message that I wanted :) Pretty much the gist of my talk was nothing will make you happier than sharing the gospel and giving service to others! I invited them all to be more converted because a great indicator of our conversion is our desire to share the gospel. I don't know if this was appropriate but I made a lot of phone calls/visits inviting less active families/investigadores to come hear me speak...a few showed up :)

This week my testimony was strengthened that as missionaries we are not smart enough to ask the right questions and to know when someone is "ready" to hear the gospel! I have really been focusing on asking inspired questions, and this week has been great. We had one door open to us that has not been opened since I got here! I was basically being a pessimistic missionary thinking, "We set up this appointment, We are going to show up, and she is going to cancel on us like she has done for the past 6 months..." We got to the door, and she let us in! Get out of the way Hermana Barfuss! Let the Lord do his work! We went inside and she really opened up to us after we asked a simple question of how she has seen the Lord bless her family. I love mission work. We are now going to meet with their family once a week!

Have a great week. I love you lots and lots :)

Hna Moo

Quote of the week: "It's important that we eliminate the weakness of one standing alone and substitute for it the strength of people working together" Presidente Monson