week 13: grapefruit&oranges fer dayz

Monday, January 25th 2016

Hello all! How are you!? Things in Scottsdale are going good. The weather is perfect. I still can't believe that it is sunny everyday here pretty much. I'm not used to it.

Monday we got to see Sue and she talked to bishop about going back to the temple! I really want to go with her! She is thinking May! So we will see if I will still be around here. She also really wants to speak in Sacrament, she is not shy at all haha I love her. We had another miracle that night! We went to see less-actives, normally they aren't home and just the husband is home so we can't go inside. But they were both home! We had a great lesson about simplifying our lives and then I invited them back to the temple! And then Brother Terry opened up, which he never does and he was telling us all about his family history. He is related to Brigham Young! And he was telling us all the stories that the pioneers in his family had to go through.

Tuesday we went to a new move ins home. We got to know them and then we found out that her husband isn't a member! He then came home from work so we got to meet him. We saw Mike Gonzales, Lavanne, Brother Ellis, and the Luongs that day as well. The Luongs had both of their sons there, they are both not members. Jason will be here for 3 months! I don't know how interested in the church he is though.

Wednesday we had a world wide missionary broadcast which was super good! They really focused on teaching repentance and baptizing converts. Elder Anderson said that if you don't know what to say, speak of the Savior. We need to always have His name on our lips. If we don't tell them to repent, they will not change, which is critical to conversion. What I loved what Elder Bednar said was that we can put it into their hearts but we cannot push it into their hearts. It is so true. We are vessels for the Lord and this is HIS work. And truly it is not about us, it is about the Lord. Whitney Clayton said "the restoration is a fact". I love that and it is so true. It was amazing to hear the words of our leaders, they are truly called of God and receive revelation. There are 75,000 missionaries all around the world. How amazing is this!? We are ALL in this service together. We then had district meeting. Sister Jones and I gave a training on gossiping. haha it was really funny. We then we to see Brother Ross in the life care clinic. He is pretty sick. We brought him cookies and a large Book of Mormon. We hope he gets out soon! He is so funny, I love him. We then saw a less-active, her name is Tamera. She is very nice and cool.

Thursday we volunteered at Amber Creek Inn! I love the days that we do service there because it just makes my day. The old people there are so kind and always make me feel good about myself haha. The ladies give me kisses and make me feel so important. They all have such amazing lives. We helped them write letters to their families and it was the funniest thing ever. We then got to see the DeBenckendorffs! It was our last time seeing Megan! She flew out on Saturday! Sister DeBenckendorff texted us yesterday and told us all these amazing things that are working out because of God. She told us how much we have done for them and that Megan wants to go to church in New Jersey! Miracles! We then went to the Rossi home! Oh my goodness I love them. We had more miracles then. We hadn't seen them for over a month because their son went to Guatemala and their work was just super busy. We asked Jenn how keeping the Sabbath Day Holy blesses her life and then she just went off about all her concerns. She really opened up which she doesn't that much. It was really good and the spirit was so strong. We tried to help her the best we could, I could really feel the Holy Spirit guiding me on what to say. She later told us how much our words have helped her. She just feels really confused because her whole family is getting baptized and she doesn't feel ready. But I know one day her family will be sealed in the temple and I cannot wait for that day!

Friday we went to a member's to teach them. In our stake we are trying to get at least 1 visit in a member's home in each ward. We went to Glenda's but she wouldn't let us in because she was eating dinner...we might have to drop her because she isn't keeping commitments. We then saw Jennifer Tortice, she also really opened up to us. I know she still knows the church is true. It's amazing to think that the people we teach are someone's family. These family members are just praying for their hearts to be softened. This work is so important. Less-active work is so important! I love teaching them.

Saturday we had a really good first lesson with an investigator named Brenda! She was a referral from missionaries in Gilbert. The missionaries found her walking on the street! She is so prepared! She really opened up and wants to know more! We brought a member who was perfect for her!! It really was a miracle because they had so many things in common. We saw the Holdimans and invited them back to the temple! I was scared for their response but they said that yes of course that is why we are going back to church. We are planning in going in a year! We met with the Lara family on Saturday night and brought a member with us. They didn't read the Book of Mormon so we read with them. 

Sunday was normal. Our only investigators there were the Rossi's. We had a lesson with Isaac and had priesthood holders there. He said he didn't like the ysa ward because everyone was on their phones...ahhh. We invited him to our ward and he said maybe. I guess he played football with the YSA ward and really liked it though. 

Today we hiked camelback mountain!! It was so nice to get outside!! I love hiking and I was in my element. It was pretty steep, not long though. But a good work out. We then got in n out. yum. life is good.

I read a talk this week called "cast not away therefore your confidence" by Elder Holland. He talks about if it was right when you prayed about it, it is right now. Life gets crazy and things are thrown at us but do not fear. The Lord is on our side and he is always constant. "Fear Ye not, The Lord shall fight for you." That was so true about deciding to go on a mission for me. I knew it was right but things got in the way, every time I prayed about it, it was the same answer. I came out with faith that I can do this, but only WITH God. He does give me my strength. 

LOVE,

sista fisha

P.S. everyone is giving us grapefruit and oranges, they are so good!!

Visiting Brother Ross!

Chubbiness never ever was happiness

Matching on accident

Meet Bee!

The Holdimans! (My mission grandparents)

Hiking camelback

In-n-out!

week 12: I got to see family this week!

Monday, January 18th, 2016

This week was so good!! Lots of miracles and great things happening.

Monday: We got to see Sue! And then we went to go see if we could contact a woman that we met on the street! She told us where she lived so we went by! She said she used to be a member and her two kids were sealed in the temple. She is divorced and has some health problems. We don't know if her records got taken away or if she was excommunicated. She is really nice and wants to feed us dinner sometime! She had a good discussion with her!

Tuesday: We had a full proselyting! We tried to see a lot of less-actives. Many didn't answer their door of course. We got to see Joy Christensen. We went to see the Ross family! They were doing well but then Joe went to the hospital on Saturday so we made sure that their home teachers went over and gave them a blessing. We then had a lesson with the Luongs!! Their son Jason was supposed to be there, he is staying with her for 3 months to help his dad start a business! But he wasn't there because he decided to drive over the next day.

Wednesday: We had 6 lessons on Wednesday! It was a really good day! Some times you don't expect to see miracles but God does bless us. Almost everyone we tried to see opened their door! We got to see David Klemm, he is very nice but hasn't come to church in years. We then got to see another less-active named Karen Cummings. She owns a petting zoo! So we got to see all of her animals! I got kissed by some alpacas. Only kiss I'll get for a while. We got to see Glenda for a bit and she found her Book of Mormon!! She has opened up so much from when I first came here. We then went to the DeBenckendorff's! They weren't home so we left but then we saw Megan (the nonmember) driving in on their street! So we turned around! We had a really good lesson with her and she says everything we have been telling her recently has been just what she needed to hear! She is moving this Saturday though, but then will be coming back in a month or two! So I could still be here! She is having a hard time but she is so amazing! We got to see the Holdimans! They made us cinnamon rolls. Haha they are cuties. We then went to see another lady we found tracting, she told us to come back later so we did! No one answered but then she came up walking her dog! We had a really good conversation and shared a message with her. We then found out she is lesbian so this shall be interesting! Her name is Jessica and she is really sweet!

Thursday: We had interviews with President! It went well! I then got to see Mom's cousin Robin finally! It was so amazing!! I got permission from President to see her. We went out to a Mexican Restaurant. She brought her husband Robert as well! It was really nice meeting her! All my life Grandma Udell has told me I have Robin's eyes. We had a good conversation, I asked them if I could share a message with her. The spirit was so strong. I just shared a scripture with them and then said "I know that God is mindful of you and that He loves you" and she started crying! That made me cry as well! I bore them my testimony and how I think it is no coincidence I am serving right next to them. The Lord's timing is perfect. I know that I was meant to see them and share the gospel with them. She has not been through the temple. I invited her to meet with her missionaries, the ward just next to mine. She said she didn't need the missionaries. She said she would love to have me over though. It went really well! We then had ztm and there are some changes in the mission! We can watch inside out, cokeville miracle, and freetown any pday! yay! and we don't have transfer meeting anymore so if we are being transferred then we need a member to drive us! We went to Laine's that night. She said she will never be a mormon...we will see about that.

Friday: Nothing too exciting happened Friday. We saw Isaac, our investigator!! We brought 2 priesthood holders and then lesson went so well! We read the Book of Mormon with him because he hadn't been reading it. We all shared insights. He said he was going to singles ward on Sunday and he went! But I guess he had a terrible experience...ugh. 

Saturday: We contacted a referral! Her name is Berenda! Very nice lady! She said for us to come back on Wednesday! We then went to a pizza place with investigators and had a lesson there because we couldn't get a female member to come with us! We called like 15 people, it was very last minute though. It went really well and we got more of where they are at. We went on a nature walk with them today! They are so kind.

Sunday: Oh my goodness we had 6 investigators at church today! MIRACLES. We applied what we learned in district meeting last week and it worked! During weekly planning, we planned out how we were going to help them get to church that Sunday. In McDowell ward we had Danny come to church for his first time! He really liked it! We had a lesson with him later that night and it went SO well. I think it was our best lesson with him! I really enjoy teaching him! We told him about ysa, he says he can't right now because of work, the YSA is at 1pm. He said he would love to go to the activities though! In Larkspur ward we had Theresa come! That was seriously a miracle because we have been trying to get her to come to church for weeks. She was really nervous at first but then she relaxed and even started singing some of the songs! The DeBenckendorffs also came! Megan came with her two kids! It was amazing seeing them there! We also had Jason come with his family (the Luongs)! 

Being a missionary is so rewarding. I already can't imagine my life without it. It is hard work but when you see people progressing there is nothing like it. I love these people so much. I know I am here for these people. I have learned so much from them and from my experiences. I know that we all have spiritual gifts. We need to find out what they are and work on them! We can also gain others. I know that the atonement is so real and that we can become like Him! We can only become more Christ-like if we change though. We are here to change and progress. I am grateful for repentance and how it can change hearts. This work is so good!!

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Alma 26:12

I love this scripture and I know this to be true. I have learned it on my mission that I really cannot do this work by myself. I need HIM and I find my strength through Him! I really can do all things through him!

I love you all! Have a blessed week! Happy Martin Luther King dayyyy

Sista Fisha

Sometimes I get bored...and my whitegirlproblems come out

Kisses from alpacas!

Robyn and Robert!!!!

Our investigator Danny!!!!!

Investigators Ruben and Lindsey!

week 11: rainy desert, chipotle, and yarn

Monday, January 11th, 2016

HELLO ALL. I don't even know what happened this week, it's all a blur. It rained ALL week. I LOVE rain!

Monday: It was a normal pday, pdays are literally the best, I couldn't do a mission without them. We got to see the Debenckendorffs that night. All of them were home! They might be my favorite family...I mean if we are allowed to have favorites it's them. We talked about church, pray, read, we called it CPR, cause you need it to stay ALIVE (salvation). They were all so open and want to come to church and read their scriptures more. Megan, the nonmember one is moving soon :( but will be coming back in a month or two to stay for a while! I love her and her kids a lot! We then dropped by an investigator who once was dropped, her name is Laine. Sister Oldham said to go over with brownies, so I made brownies! She was really nice and wants us to come back! Sister Oldham said she was pregnant, she definitely was not pregnant anymore so we think she lost the baby. We think this would be a great time to talk about the Plan of Salvation! We are going to try to go over tonight to see her! Also did I tell you Stephanie Myers lives in my stake? Just the next ward over. And her dad is Elder Porter (one of the missionaries in our mission). Also there are some baseball players in our ward, one of them used to play for mariners, paul would probably love to meet him.

Tuesday: We had Sister Oldham this day because of exchanges! SO we were in a trio! I had to get a TB shot to volunteer at this one place cause I didn't have records of it when I did it last. Of course it swelled up just like last time but luckily they say I don't have it. We volunteered for like half of Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic! It's a place where they treat cancer patients. It was a pretty random service project, we counted yarn that someone donated and colored coordinated them into boxes! It was a lot of fun! I was in charge of the colors, haha duh! Half of our district came. and guess how much money worth of yarn was donated...$32,000. WHAT. so. much. yarn. We then had a lesson with Isaac. We told him what our missionary purpose was, next time we are going to bring a priesthood holder. We then went to Glenda's, it was a bad time for her so we just sang her a song!

Wednesday: We had district meeting, I learned a lot! We mainly talked about how to get our investigators to church. I made cookies and we brought them over to a less-active who just had a baby. She is really sweet. Seriously it is so hard not holding babies! We talked about motherhood and how it relates to the atonement. We then saw Sue! We taught her the Plan of Salvation. We then went Brother Ellis's house, a less-active. It's so hard to see him cause he is so flakey. But we finally saw him and his kids! He is divorced so he only sees them half of the time. His kids are cute. We then ran into a hispanic lady who is neighbors with him. She was so funny. She was basically telling us that we were preaching not the truth, but she said it in the nicest way. She just kept talking and talking. She actually went to the mormon church because a friend invited her. She said she didn't understand why it was so quiet because at her church they all shout when they feel the Spirit. Haha oh goodness.

Thursday: We did service at Amber Creek Inn! I love volunteering there! The people are way nice. One of the employees is a member and asked us for a swahili Book of Mormon and he wants to give it to his friend! We painted the Old ladies fingernails, haha so funny. It was hard to do for some people. And we also gave some hand massages. They are all just so sweet. We then saw Sister Holdiman. She was making cinnamon rolls. Literally she is a grandma on the mission. She is so loving to us. But when I first came she was not, she was very stubborn. And they came to Sacrament meeting again! We just need to get them to stay all three hours! I think next week they will! Cause Brother Holdiman will not be on call. We saw Mike Gonzales. He was also at church, but only stayed for sacrament. We then saw Glenda and that was good! She says she knows the Book of Mormon is true! And we had a miracle with her! We got her to PRAY. She has never prayed for missionaries before! I told her that I knew she could do it and tried to resolve her concerns. Then Sister Jones asked if she would pray right after her prayer and she did! AMAZING.

Friday: We had Sister Devlin that day because Sister Oldham had MLC. We got to go to Cave Creek and have a lesson with an investigator who is getting baptized on Saturday! It was wonderful to teach her! She is 17 and is from Zimbabwe. Her name is Kimberly and I love her! She wants us to go to her baptism so we said we would! We then went to see Theresa! We were going to meet her at the church building, but last minute she said it would be easier if we came there. Bummer. We really need to get her to church. We wanted to give her a church tour. We brought a member with us. Her kids are very crazy and it's hard to talk over them so Sister Devlin played with the kids to keep them quiet which was so helpful! She didn't come to church yesterday...she said that God understood...and that finances are more important right now. We are going to have a pre-drop lesson with her this week. Sad but needs to happen. 

Saturday: We did weekly planning which took forever cause we were very detailed. We then got to see a less-active, Sister Tortice. She let us share a message. We talked about faith and courage and showed her the mormon message called courage. It was really good for her. I can tell she isn't happy and is going through a hard time. We tried to get a recent convert who is also going through a hard time to come who lives in the same complex but she said she was busy. She said next time, she would be so good for her! Fellowshippers are the BEST. Sister Tortice said she knows she needs to come to church, which is awesome cause she has never said that before. We had dinner at CHIPOTLE! #whitegirlprobs and the members gave us a referral! We called that night but he wasn't interested. I love when members give us referrals though. We then had a lesson with the Lara's. They are investigators. We brought a YW leader with us because Lindsey is 13. It went well! We met at the church and she sang and played the piano for us! She is so good! We told her we would love for her to sing at church! She wants to! She is not shy at all! She is sooo cute. It would be a great way to get her to church.

Sunday: Nothing too exciting happened besides we had our second lesson with Danny! We had it at the Estradas again! He read the Book of Mormon! We answered his questions he had about it. He said he will continue to read it and pray about a baptismal date! Also when we were leaving he asked us if he could give our card with our number on it to his friend! Our investigator is giving us referrals! WHAT! Amazing! His friend is a member and is also going through a hard time. I don't think he has been in years though.

Life is good! My ponderize scripture for the week is John 16:33  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

I love that! It gives me such hope! I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation and that we can change through Christ! We can only become like Christ if we change! Also ya'll should definitely ponderize. I started it in the MTC and haven't missed a week, it's great!

I hope you all have an amazing week! God loves you!

{ Sista Fisha }

Yarn at the mayo clinic, this is not all of it

new mission president come june

My NEW MISSION PRESIDENT COME JUNE. CRAZY. I'll have him for half of my mission. Can you see the pic? They are so cute. 

Dear Elders and Sisters, 

Sister Sweeney and I are delighted to announce that President and Sister Robinson from Fresno California will be succeeding us as the Arizona Scottsdale Mission President and Companion effective June 20, 2016.

We will be introducing them to you over the next several months as we get to know them.

We fully sustain President Monson and the Twelve who select and call those who serve as Mission President and Companion.  As in your callings, so in these callings, "whom the Lord calls, He also qualifies."  We testify this is true!  

Attached is a picture Sister Sweeney got from their facebook!  More to come! 

Karl and DeAnne Sweeney

Arizona Scottsdale Mission President and Companion

week 10: inside out, pigs, and lots of tracting

Monday, January 4th, 2016

HELLO 2 0 1 6

How was everyone's new year!?

Tuesday: So it was the end of the month and we didn't have barely any miles left. So we decided to go TTIing or tracting at apartment complexes. So I got a lot of practice in!  We saw miracles! We walked up to this lady, her name is Lavanne. She was glad we were mormons because she thought that we were Jehovah Witnesses. But guess what! She grew up in the church but was never baptized! She said that her mom wanted her to get baptized when she wanted to. She never did. And then she said she went for 3 years because she had to go at least 50% of the time because she played volleyball with the church. How awesome! We are excited to go back! She said she would love to speak with us. Pray that it goes well! We then saw Glenda. We hadn't seen her for a while because she was gone for the holidays. She is doing well. We are going to start reading the Book of Mormon with her. I invited her to church, she didn't come though. We asked her if she wants to know that our church is true, she said yes. We then went to see the Ross family! Joe is pretty sick. They haven't been to church for a while because of it. I love that family!

Wednesday: We had district meeting that day. I also learned a lot from it. I seriously have the best district! We found out one of our sisters was going home on Friday :( Sister Lyons had been out a year and had health problems so she had to go home. sad day! We went tracting more in an apartment complex! We met this lady who said she "used to be mormon". So we don't know if she got her records taken away or we don't know where her records are. Her name is Constance. She said her kids are still members. We asked if we could come back and visit with her, she said yes! And then right then a member pulled up and they were acquaintances. The member said she would love to come with us to meet with her! MIRACLES. We then had a lesson with Sister Holdiman. We brought the Relief Society President. It went well!! Sister Holdiman doesn't know like any members, she just stays in her apartment all day. It is quite sad. Her and her husband came to church again on Sunday!! They didn't stay for the last two hours though. 

Thursday: NEW YEARS EVE. We went to meetings that morning and then did studies later. So it felt like the day was way long. Doing studies in the afternoon is the worst! I get SO tired! We had a lesson with Sue! She is the greatest. Then we went to see a referral! They actually answered! It is a man named Vipin, his wife was sleeping so we said we would come back later. He said Saturdy would be good. They have an 8 year old son as well! A family! They are from India and are a referral from the Mesa Temple Lights! We went to our Assistant Ward Mission Leader's home, Brother Miller. They are so awesome! We were talking about missionary work the whole time. He brought sparkling cider! So it (kind of) felt like new years, besides the fact that I went to bed at 9:30, I was so tired.

Friday: We had a tri-zone activity day! YAY. Oh my goodness I watched three movies that day...I felt like the laziest person ever. We had a nerf gun war and pizza and such. It was a fun relaxing day. We got to watch inside out! I love that movie! We also watched Freetown and Cokeville miracle. Both good movies! We went to see Joy Christensen that night and had a lesson with her. She wasn't feeling very good. She just needs to come to church!! Also we ate at the Daughtees with Sue (love them) and the Daughtees have a pet pig! FOR REAL. It just roams around the house lol.

Saturday: We had three lessons that day within like two hours! We first saw Kathleen. We hadn't seen her for a while because of the holidays, she was out of town. This was just our second time seeing her. It was another doorstep lesson. I don't think she likes stop bys very much. She said out schedules weren't working out very well and that she will call us. Which we haven't even really tried to work it out so that was an excuse. We will see if she calls us. She is the one where her husband has just recently passed away. She is still struggling. I gave her a Book of Mormon and told her to start reading and praying about it. I hope she does!! We FINALLY saw Margaret Merlino! She is never home when we go over. I have never even had a lesson with her. She is a less-active. She hasn't been to church in YEARS. I think some of her kids are active. She is 80 years old and her house reeks of smoke. We had a good lesson with her. We asked her to work on a Christ-like attribute this week and she said well idk cause I have doctors appointments..haha she is so funny. We then saw the Rai family! This is the Indian referral. We went back with our Ward Mission Leader and his wife. The wife answered and she let us in. Her husband was on a business call so we didn't see him. We got to know her. She has lived in the states for 6 years. They are very much hindu. I think they are just being nice and don't understand what missionaries do. So we described that to her. I don't think she is interested in the church at all. She is very very nice. It was pretty cool though because we said a kneeling prayer with her and after the prayer she said it reminded her of the prayers they said at the baptist school she went to when she was younger. So that might be a way in! We will see! We then did service for some other sister's investigators. We cleaned their house! She is going through a really hard time with health problems and other things. Really sad. 

Sunday: Fast Sundays are really hard sometimes! Having a purpose always makes it better though. We had our first lesson with an investigator that night! His name is Danny! Earlier this week we got an email about him that he wanted to take the discussions! He is 21, going to the community college here. He played church basketball with the youth and that is how he got involved with the church. It sounds like he really never went to church but he went to EFY! It sounds like he loved it and still remembers feeling the Spirit there! Especially when he bore his testimony! We had the lesson at Brother Estrada's home. It went SO well. Our member present was prime! He said all the right things! The spirit was so strong! We taught the Restoration and then I invited him to be baptized as he comes to know these things are true! He said yes!! We are going to meet with him again this week. He is pretty busy. He seems like a great kid! His mom has cancer but is doing well as of now. He said the past year has been hard and he resented Christ and God. He said that he is now turning more to God. He also said a really great prayer at the end! I'm excited for him! He might go to the YSA ward though...

My week was great! Sister Johns and I are teaching well together and we have a lot of fun! I think having fun on your mission is SO important. She is a very hard worker and is SO obedient! Which really helps me with being so new. I still can't believe I am a missionary sometimes. I am a representative of Christ! How cool is that?! I'm looking into this new year with faith and 

hope! My goal this year is to become more charitable and to LOVE. I was wondering this week on what Christ-like attribute I really wanted to focus this year on with is being a full year as a missionary. I was reading the talk Character of Christ by Elder Bednar this morning (you ALL need to read it!!!) and it just made sense that that is what I need to work on. Turning outward. Christ is such a great example of helping others when He is going through trials and when it is hardest for him. That talk is the best and literally brings me to tears. Read it this week!

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27)

I love you all SO much! Have a awesome week!

love,

sista fisha

p.s. it is kind of cold here, like what who woulda thought it would be cold in AZ?! I'm wearing tights and sweaters almost every day! It's also raining today! YESS.

Nerf war vs. zombies

We had a district lunch at canes to celebrate elder calls birthday! He is excited as you can see...

Sister Lyons went home

WE SAW havalinas!!! I don't know how to spell that but look them up! They are soooo weird.

I LOVE THE RAIN