And Illness Strikes Again...

January 16, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was interesting....It began with my companion going to the doctor. Diagnosis—Strep Throat. So, the next day, Tuesday, we were stuck in the apartment all day long because she was still contagious. We couldn't go to district meeting so we had to just be on call for it. That was very interesting. This meant a lot of down time that day so we decided to start a puzzle that we got from sister Aldrich a few weeks ago. It was the hardest puzzle of my life! It is 3D and everything is the same freaking color! But it was so fun :) It took us a good long while....

Then on
Wednesday she woke up feeling even worse than Tuesday, so, not a lot got done that day either. So, the week was off to a great start....

Thursday was exchange day! Sister Gillespie finally felt better, so I went to Lake Shawnee with Sister Pritchett and sister Gillespie stayed in Kaw Valley with Sister Chappell. It was super fun! Sister Pritchett also served in Abilene. She was there with Sister Nail right before I got there. The first day we just visited a lot of people that Sister Pritchett didn't know so we were going in blind most of the time haha. But that night we stayed up late making jokes and laughing about funny moments in our mission. Funny story though, we were walking in the freezing cold and saw people unloading a truck so we decided to go and help. Well, the guy was moving from Ogden, Utah and knew all about the missionaries. He was really nice but wasn't interested. so, we decided to give everyone there our card. As we walked away one of them texted us and was wanting to go on a date with Sister Pritchett... hahahaha we laughed so hard about it.

One of the best things about this week is that we met this really cute old man named Don! He just recently lost his wife and was really struggling with it. We told him about the Book of Mormon and read him a verse and he got really excited to read it. We also met this suuuuper cute lady named Arlie at McDonald's. She has hair so long she can sit on it. We felt prompted to ask her if she would like a picture of Jesus and she started tearing up and said "on a day like this, I would really love one." We now have an appointment with her on Tuesday. I am super excited. We also finally got back in contact with Daniel! And he still wants to be baptized! We are so excited!

I cannot believe that it is already the middle of January!! Time is going by too too fast. I want it to just slow down for a second!

I hope you all have a lovely week!! Love you all!

Sister Magda

Ever Heard of Wind Chill?

January 9, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This week the weather is absolutely crazy. We had one day that it wasn't a freaking -8 degrees!! That is insane.... And ever heard of wind-chill? It's like the worst thing ever. It might be 10 degrees but it feels like -10. Stupid. It is stupid. Sister Gillespie has a picture of me hiding in my bed ha ha!

The strangest thing that happened this week was when we saw a man yesterday night walking down the street with a weird scrappy wagon thing. Except, he wasn't pulling it... There was a chain attached to it... that was attached to his waist... and he was carrying an ax. Yeah. An ax. He looked very.....intense? Let's just say he was "walking with purpose"... Very quickly. He looked super shady. Topeka blows my mind sometimes. We decided to follow him and he went into the back door of a house with the ax!!! Then when we went around again he was sitting on his wagon and it looked like he was sharpening something... Then he saw us and we booked it out of there.

We met an awesome lady named Deidra. She is amazing. She is super excited about the Book of Mormon and wants to come to church! We're super excited to see her progress!

Last Monday, our P-day, Sister Aldrich took the whole district bowling! it was so much fun. We spent practically the whole day with her doing puzzles after that. Now I'm addicted to puzzles... It's bad.

Today the elders let us pick out what style to cut their hair.... I was very excited... They look so much better. And then we played an intense game of Frisbee with 8 people.  Super fun!

The Jordan family are still working towards baptism. They keep coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. They are doing so well! They just need to get over some trials of faith. I love them so much

Hope you have a great week!

Sister Magda

Memories of Christmas and a Brand New Year

January 2, 2017

Dear friends and family,

We got a new district leader named Elder Mortensen. He is really cool and has been “following me around the mission”. It’s actually kind of funny. He was in my first zone, then he became my district leader in Wichita. Then there was one transfer where he wasn't in my zone, and then he became my zone leader in Salina. Now he's my district leader again in Topeka. Funny, right? We were joking about it today and he said, “I never have to wonder where I am going to go because I’ll just see where you are and know that’s where I’ll be!” It’s super funny to me as well because we go home the exact same time too.

Anyway, today Sister Aldritch, a member in our ward, took our whole district out to go bowling! it was so much fun... although I realize I didn't inherited my grandmother’s talent at bowling which stinks. She then made us all lunch, chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes... it’s
a Kansas meal, I guess, but it was really good!!!

Christmas was wonderful. A member of our ward let us use their house and our entire district played the game Settlers of Zarahemla and watched Disney movies (approved for that day only) then I got to skype my wonderful family and laugh and tell them all about Kansas. it was awesome!

Afterward, we all went caroling for the rest of the night!!

I just love Christmas on my mission because you truly get to experience the true meaning of Christmas.
Happy New Year!

Love,
Sister Magda

P.S. So, everyday this month Sister Gillespie and I went into the elders' apartment when they weren't there and took one tie a day until Christmas.

Then we bought them each a tie and signed the back of it and wrapped them, and put them at the bottom of the box and folded all 46 ties and put them on top. then we wrapped the whole thing and gave it to them for Christmas. Elder Monson wore his new tie for Christmas. 

Thanksgiving of Ice Cream and Crackers

November 28, 2016

Hello friends and family!!!

So this week was Thanksgiving week!! We, the missionaries of the Wichita Kansas Mission were told last Monday that all holidays were p-days so we could do whatever we wanted (other than emailing that had to be done on Monday). That meant that Thanksgiving Day would be a P-day.  Hooray!  The cruddy thing was that last week Sunday I started to feel really sick and on Monday it got worse. So, I went to bed early taking Nyquil to help me sleep but it only helped for three hours in the night the rest of the time I was awake and coughing like crazy with chills and a fever. Then on Tuesday we went to district meeting and I was still feeling so sick but I was hoping it would just go away and I could go out and see people.   Well, not quite. I ended up sitting in the car because I couldn't move. We went to dinner with a member that night to Pizza Hut and all I could think about was how badly I had to cough and how I felt like they could bake a pizza on my face. We then got home right after dinner and I attempted to get some sleep but ended up coughing the whole night and passing out a few times.

This lovely Sister is waiting in the car as her companion and my companion go shopping.  I am not allowed out into the cold!

That did it.  I had to call the mission nurse. She gave us options of medicine and our lovely district missionaries were kind enough to get them for me and bringing us ice cream and crackers. THEY ARE THE BEST. My companion and I also had members bring lots and lots of medicine—the Kaw Valley Ward is amazing. Thanksgiving day I spent sleeping on the couch at the church until 5pm. We went to dinner at the Fruen’s house and they had an amazing Polynesian Thanksgiving but sadly I was not feeling well enough to eat it and had to leave early because I had a fever. The rest of the week is the same. I was stuck at the apartment very sick, and today went to the doctor and found out I had Bronchitis and must stay inside for another 4 days.... HELP... can’t wait for this to be over!!! so I can go back to working haha :D I miss seeing people and teaching !!!

Love you,

Sister Magda

Changes and more Changes!

November 21, 2016

Dear family and friends,

This email is going to be a little rushed, sorry. So, this week has felt like a short week!! Last Monday we found out where we were being transferred... and I got transferred to... Kaw

Valley Topeka!!! and Sister Goff went to Harrison park Derby. This means we were officially “whitewashed” out of Abilene, KS. (To be “whitewashed” means both missionaries are transferred away to other areas leaving two brand new missionaries coming into that area at the same time.  Neither will know the area or any of the people.  It will be completely new.) It was so hard saying goodbye to all those I loved in Abilene especially Ibet, Kala, and a whole lot more people.

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Abilene has a huge part of my heart!

It is where I came closer to Jesus Christ. We had only a day and a half to say our goodbyes and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

We then Had to pack ALL our stuff plus clean the whole apartment and then fit everything in our little Toyota Corolla plus Sister Goff’s bike on the back. But after playing a little “Tetris” with our stuff, we got everything fitted nicely. Wednesday, we had breakfast with the Salina Sisters before we all headed up to Wichita to the mission home. 

While we got on the freeway I of course got lost for a second but it was all good and I found my way haha!  I told Sister Goff to keep an eye on her bike which was strapped to the bike rack on the back of the car because I couldn't see it in the rear window. We were by then half way to Wichita when I asked her if she could still see it and she just went white.... It had completely fallen off the car while we were going 80 on the freeway (speed limit was 75 just so you know)!!!!!!!  So... we quickly called the Salina sisters and asked them if they saw the bike.   We were so relieved when they told us that it fell to the side of the road. Thank goodness it didn't hurt anyone!

 When we got to Wichita I got to see all my favorite people! I even got to see Sister Tafua for first time since training which was so nice to catch up with her. I also got to say goodbye to Sister Petersen before she went home completing her mission. She has been one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever met!

Yaaaaaay!  My Mission Mom--Sister Tafua!

My Mission Mom (Sister  Tafua) and
Mission Grandma (Sister  Peterson).

We finally got to Topeka and I met my new companion Sister Gillespie. She is from Layton, Utah and has been out for 10 months. She and I get along so well and have had so much fun and have seen so many miracles in the last 5 days. We had a baptism on Saturday that we had just found out about two days before I got to Topeka! Right away we went and taught her.  Her name is Kaylee G. and she is nine years old. She is a part of the most awesome family in our ward. Kaylee was baptized with her 8-year-old sister Payton, it was so cute!!

Baptism Day with my new companion,
Sister Gillespie

Then on Sunday we had stake conference and a member of the Quorum of the Seventy was there—Elder Anderson and his wife! It was so such a good stake conference! I also got to see my Aunt Teresa as well which was one of the highlights of my mission :D !

After stake conference, we had another zone conference with the Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence zone to hear from Elder Anderson and our mission president.  The neat thing was that we got to have two hours of asking Elder Anderson questions about missionary work. we then had a mission president devotional which is where our recent converts come and bear their testimony. So many people bore their testimony and almost all of them bore it on how the Book of Mormon changed their life. It is so true—reading the Book of Mormon is the way we can truly come to know our Savior and of His restored gospel It is the keystone to everything! I have loved being blessed with seeing how by reading and studying it that it has changed so many people’s lives including my own life.  Studying the Book of Mormon has shown me how much our Heavenly Father and our Savior loves us and how we can return to Him and be with our families forever. Every day I read it and every day it changes me. I love my mission more than words can describe and I love my Savior even more!  I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving !!!

Love,

Sister Magda

Aligning Our Will With His

November 7, 2016

Hey Family and Friends!!

So, I have had the best week of my mission—full of miracles and spiritual revelation. This week was Zone Conference and Zone Training. Both were just so revelatory and amazing. It was all about personal and companionship study and how we can be more unified and prepared
for the Lord’s work. We are also doing a mission wide Book of Mormon challenge by reading 9 pages a day until Christmas day. It is the best!  I have loved every day of it! It is so amazing how as we read the scriptures, the Lord makes certain things that had never stood out before suddenly stand out! I just love it!!

A super cool miracle that happened this week was during district meeting. My companion and I had been talking about the changes we were going to make as a companionship to become more unified and in tune with the Lord’s will so that we can receive His blessings.

Right after Sister Goff and I discussed what we were going to do, our phone rang and Sister Goff quickly answered it. It was from Sister Brunner, the bishop’s wife. She said that she had a “golden referral” for us. A member of our church from Mexico contacted Sister Brunner and wanted missionaries to go and visit her friend Maria Munoz, right here in Abilene, KS.  She had been talking to Maria about the Book of Mormon and now Maria wanted to learn more. Right after we got off the phone we said a prayer of thanks to the Lord and then drove back from Salina to Abilene and got in contact with Maria and set up an appointment with her the next day. After our lesson with her, she was excited to prepare for baptism on November 27th!! I know that as we show the Lord that we are willing to change and align our will with His and show Him our desires that He blesses us.

Alisha’s mom asked if there was an Abilene Ward AND a Salina Ward or if they were combined.  The people in Abilene must drive 30 minutes to get to the church building in Salina, KS.  For her friends and family in CA, that is a distance!

So, the Salina Ward is Abilene and Salina mixed together but we are hoping to someday have an Abilene ward.

Her mom asked when the next transfers were.

Transfers are next week. We will find out next Monday if either of us stay or leave or if both of us leave... cuz that happens too.  

Alisha’s mom likes to ask what was the funniest thing that happened this week.  Sometimes she isn’t sure she should have asked.

The funniest thing that happened this week was... hmm.. oh!  Sister Goff and I like to see how many cockroaches we can kill while in some people’s homes and then when we get back in the car, we tally them and then make up stories on how the cockroaches reacted when they saw our foot looming over them.  Then we make up screams for them!   Hahaha so freaking funny!!!

Well, that’s all! I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Magda!

Watch Your Words

October 31, 2016

HEY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Sister Magda knew that her mom, aunt and grandma were meeting at McDondald's on Halloween for Swiggies and Giggles so she sent this picture to show her solidarity.

I know that I have been super bad with sending emails out ha ha. It’s mostly because by the end of the week I can't remember what happened that week.... the days all blend together; it’s so weird. But, I will do my best to remember. Last Monday was Ibet’s 18th birthday so we took her out to Joe Snuffy’s for dinner.

It was super fun! She’s just a ray of sunshine. She’s getting her patriarchal blessing soon and she’s excited and so are we.
We’ve been working with Karla and she’s doing well. She had the Priesthood bestow a blessing on her home this week and the Spirit was so strong. She is such an amazing person! She loves learning more about the gospel and she loves reading the Book of Mormon! Last week she committed to living the Word of Wisdom and quit drinking coffee! She is preparing for baptism on November 20th.

trampoline smiles

So here is a funny/odd story... we went to a less active member’s house to visit a lady.  We brought a member of our ward with us.  This lady wasn't home but her mother was. (Her mother is not a member of our church.) We were visiting with her and admiring her Halloween decorations. The conversation then turned to speaking about her daughter and the Gospel.   The mother then opened up to us and told us she had listened to the missionary lessons when the elders were teaching her daughter and that she almost got baptized.  The sad part was that when those particular elders were transferred to another area, she decided not to. The member we had taken with us said, "It sounds like you were only interested in converting for the elders and not for the Lord or his Gospel"... I thought to myself, "uh oh" and then those two just went at it and were like bickering and the member said, “Your daughter is less active because of you and your stubbornness!" Then the mother got so mad and walked back to her house yelling "GET OUT! GET OUT!  THIS IS WHY I DON'T LIKE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE" and slammed the door.... I was mortified. Later that day the less active member that we were trying to visit in the first place called us and asked who the member was that argued with her mom so she could go talk to her. It was so scary!  We must be so careful with people!  Even if we are saying truthful things, if it hurts someone, it may be best left unsaid. 

Last Tuesday I went on exchanges with Sister Dingman in Salina, and we had such an awesome time!

I love having the chance to learn from other missionaries and see how much they love the Savior and how they share His love for their investigators through them. Afterward, we exchanged back and went to Olive Garden and talked and laughed and had a great time.

I love my mission so much there is literally nothing better than to be the Lord's missionary preaching the gospel to my brothers and sisters. I love Kansas so much!!

It is the most wonderful and beautiful state. The Lord has blessed me so much; he sent me to the best mission in the world!!!

I love you all so much have a Fantabulastic week!!!

Love,

Sister Magda

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 [jm1]