An Apostle and a Pentecostal 1.20.15

BEST DAY EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! This week we met Elder Neil L. Andersen,
precious apostle of the Lord. The conference was in Lake City so we
had a little road trip. It was so nice to be back in the woods of the
Lake City zone. Driving past all of those prisons made me feel quite
at home! We got there and the only seats really available were either
in the very front or the very back. Of course we picked very front,
best decision ever!! We were feet away from him the whole time and he
would stare us in the eyes periodically, right when we needed it. I
went with a few questions and all of them were answered! How amazing
is that. He also looked me in the eyes at the end and said "You're
sick of me, and I'm sick of you". Referring to the whole group of
course, but to have an apostle tell you he's sick of you is pretty
humbling.
He also make some great funnies. He said, "I can't just quit! How
would I quit? There's only one way for me to quit."
It was a great testimony builder. He talked a lot about faith and
miracles and Joseph Smith. He encouraged all of us to gain a personal
testimony of the Prophet Joseph and we could do that by recording
ourselves reading Joseph Smith History. He also told us to study the
New Testament more, which I think is exactly what our mission needs,
especially being in the south. His wife addressed us too! She is from
Florida and has such a great love for the south. We really are so
lucky to be in a place that believes in Jesus so much.

This week we also were blessed with a stark contrast to Elder
Andersen. We were out knocking and met a craaazzzy lady who thought we
were Jehovah's Witnesses. She went on about all of this stuff we were
wrong about until we figured out that she as quite confused. Sister
Yeakley told her we were Mormons and then she told us we were still
wrong, but that we were a little more right. She had some pretty great
stories! She told us about the time that she smuggled bibles into
China and these 30 foot Angels were protecting her and her friends.
Then she, in a very lengthy manner, told us about how we needed to be
saved and properly born again. She was so very sweet to share her
thoughts, ideas, and convictions with us. She's very passionate! Then
out of the kindness of her heart she decided to pray on us. Yes, ON
us. We got the royal laying-on-of-hands treatment. She also insisted
on calling us by our first names.
She kept saying Laura, and I no clue who she was talking about...She
made us put our hands up and surrender, and then she said a very nice
prayer on Ssister Yeakley and then on me. She was so nice. So nice, in
fact, that she offered to speak in her new language! Then she did. How
thoughtful! There was some pretty interesting stuff going on.

On Saturday we helped some other sister missionaries with this house
they are cleaning up. The missionaries have been visiting this old man
for years, but he had no interest in joining. He just needed someone
to talk to him. Well now this old man is in a home with this house
just sitting there, so he just gave it to the church! Lock, stock, and
barrel so that some missionaries could live in it. That's what he
wanted. So the missionaries have been slowly cleaning it up with the
help of a member who lives across the street. They want to have
someone move in by February. We did a lot of dishes today and found
the most interesting things. We found this teeny tiny little knife
that is like a little cleaver for cheese. We also found a "food
glamorizer" still in the box and everything. I read the instructions
and it really does make your food glamorous! I also came out of there
with this big giant bowl shaped like a leaf and some little bowls that
are too. The big one is broken, but I'll fix it. It's too good to get
rid of. They just don't make stuff like that anymore! I'm going to put
my thinker to thinking and figure out how to fix it.

This week we did some more trash pick up. People make me so sad
sometimes with their poor decisions of throwing all their junk out of
the window. Shame, shame, shame. DONT LITTER. I picked up 5, yes FIVE
Carl's jr. cups, along with some other very unappealing objects.
Littering is bad, y'all. Don't do it.

Oh, yes. Tomorrow is transfers. Sister Yeakley is headed to Georgia
and I am training a new missionary. This was our branch mission
leaders response, and I quote, "Uhohuhoh! Wazzup Sister Perkes is
havin a daughter!" Oh, YSA. This little missionary doesn't know what's
coming.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Sister Perkes

I made a piñata. It had candy and band aids in it. We had to get creative.

Sometimes Florida can be pretty, too. Did I mention it was perfect
weather all week long?  This is why people live here.

This came out of the food catcher in the sink at the church. It looks
so tasty, yeah? I even put a little leftover lettuce garnish on it. I
also convinced someone to eat it, but I stopped them before they got
too far.

Cats and Katy 1.12.15

What an eventful week! 

This week after zone meeting we went and had lunch with Austin and the other elders at this gorgeous pier by the St. John's river.... Just kidding I think it may have been Julington creek. WHATEVER. It was a lot of water. 

We went to the wrong one at first and met this less active man who is angry at God because of a lot of death in his family. He used to be a branch president in New Hampshire. I think we were the first sister missionaries he had ever seen. He looked at me and asked us if we were in MIA.... Sir. You're really dating yourself. That program hasn't been around for quite a while, but thank goodness I like reading old church magazines and I knew what he was talking about. Everyone else looked thoroughly confused and Sister Yeakley thought he was talking about the CIA. I politely told him that we were sister missionaries and that we did everything the elders did, even knock doors. He was quite astounded. You would have thought we told him that we cry chocolate kisses with the way he looked at us! But I think it was a great way to soften his heart and he told us where he lived. That's a dangerous thing to tell a missionary... We might just stop by. 

Then we were at the pier and they all started feeding these seagulls the pizza we were eating. I was pretty sure we were going to die. I've seen The Birds and I am perfectly happy with staying away from those murder machines. I value my eye balls.

 The other night we went to try a less active, but actually met this really nice cat that Sister Yeakley named Zeek...which is exactly what she named the last cat.... This cat, whatever its name is, was delightful. He was a SOLID cat. He even let us pick him up and hold him and love him. I just wanted to steal him, but he was too round to be an outside cat. Plus he enjoyed being held, so I'm sure he's the Members cat. It was a tender and beautiful moment to hold such a regal kitten.

Oh, yes. Welcome to my uncomfortable life. Yesterday we got up and went to the Jax beach ward. I. Saw. Katy. Dill. I couldn't say hi. I just couldn't. I got too nervous! I just wanted to lay down and die. It would be like someone walking up to Justin Beiber and just being like, "Oh, hey. I'm pretty much your biggest fan ever and I just want to be you and all your fabulousness." No. That doesn't happen. People just don't walk up to Justin Beiber. People pass out and scream. That would have been me.... Right there... in the chapel. I figured it wouldn't be appropriate. Oh my goodness, her outfit was stellar and she had on a HAT. YES! You go, Katy dill! Bring back the hats! They deserve to be brought back! It was fabulous. I'll try again next time. (Is Justin Beiber still even popular? Does he deserve to be compared to Katy Dill?) 

I think that's about the bulk of my exciting activities this week. Everyone better keep their eyes peeled for next week. I think next week might involve a general authority.... Hmmmmm. Surprises! 

Have a good week!

Love,

Sister Perkes 

We tried on some gentile shoes when we helped a sister member move.

Sister Yeakley missed the part where she was supposed to get my face.

Bam. 2.16.15

Hola.
Zone conference! It's come around again! My very last one. We got up early and worked on our car. It is beautiful! We then hurried and got ready and left and had to get gas and hurried on our way. The gps said it was half an hour away. Lies. An hour. So we rolled up late, but we weren't the last ones. Ha!  

It was a great conference! I learned a lot. We talked so much about the atonement. You never realize how much it is working in your life until you take a step back and be grateful. It's amazing. It really is! I bore my testimony at the end and just blubbered through the whole thing. I was just a mess today.

The assistants were roll playing using the new survey approach and elder cordon was the missionary. It was a great role play, kind of funny because you can't really help it with those two, and then he asked elder Jorgensen if prayer helped him and elder Jorgensen said it did when his wife died 3 years ago. The whole atmosphere changed and the spirit was so strong that I just sat there, crying, in the middle of a role play. Such a penetrating power, the spirit is. I really felt it pierce the very depth of my soul, as so beautifully described in the Book of Mormon.

 It was wonderful. I'm so sad to think that this was my last one, but it was great to go out with such a bang. We also won the 100 extra miles!! Wahoo!! When I went to retrieve them elder winter said, "now. I want you to think about the car you and sister Elliott handed in when we shut down your area... (I profusely apologized for the oatmeal) when I saw that this was your car, I checked it and I checked it again. Good job, you earned it." Hahahahaha YES YES YES. 

This week we saw Shelly and Theresa. What a funny bunch of people! Shelly played is a few of her songs and we did our ballet moves to them. It was great! Then we had a really spiritual lesson from ether 6. The spirit was very strong, and then they invited us girls over for dinner on Sunday! How exciting!! 

One night this week when we got home I cut myself a slice of banana bread and then went to the bathroom. Whilst I was gone sister malm ate the good crusty piece of my bread!! What! Who does that?! I was funny mad, but forgave her. 

Ee were at the Hendricks building this week and bishop Ellis showed up and he was coming to marry some people... Odd. So we went and sat in with them. We witnessed a wedding! How exciting! They are from Cambodia and just needed to be legally married in the states. Not everyone can say that they've done this. How strange.

Sela's Baptism

Today we went to st Augustine and it was great. 

Lots of fun

Hope you have a good week!

Love,

Sister Perkes 

Sent from my iPad

Blurrr. 2.09.15

What an intensely short week. 

We went to the library this week and there was this guy there who was breathing extremely loud and Sister Malm whispered to me,"90% sure he's deaf." We got up to leave and he looked at us, so she signed some things and turns out he was. They had a really nice chat and she sent him to LDS.org/asl. What a neat site! How amazing to have such a great companion this has so many talents. 

This week we also played bean boozled that my sweet mother sent for some holiday, but no body wanted to play with me. I can see why! They were all absolutely disgusting. Words cannot even begin to describe. YUCKERS. Sister Malm got booger, puke, and skunk spray. I got stinky feet, skunk spray, and grass clippings. Euuww. 

(Editor's note - wish I could figure out how to add the video.  It WAS disgusting!)

On Thursday we went and got sushi for dinner and when we were sitting down this girl flagged down Sister Malm and asked if we were Mormons. We said yes, and she came and sat with us. She looked awfully familiar and was wearing a BYU jacket. Hello. Turns out she used to be a member, but had her records removed. Her roommate was going to cut my roommate's, so that's where I know her from. About a year ago she was preparing to go on a mission and was engaged once upon a time, and then she just felt like she didn't believe in God anymore. Then she said that she was thinking about sister missionaries and how she could get in contact with us, and then we showed up! She has decided that she needs to spend more time with a better crowd. One that has her morals, so she decided she needs to start hanging out with more Mormons. WHAT A MIRACLE. 

We also saw another investigator this week. Her and her crazy friend Tim. We knocked and like she had on pretty much no clothing and they were sitting at the table drinking. I'm sorry, but a sports bra and shorts does not constitute as appropriate clothing for guests, especially male guests and missionaries. No thank you. They made us eat some of this "hot dish"/shepherds pie they had just made. Whilst eating this...concoction, Tim starts talking about how they didn't have any spices so he added some peach mango vodka..... We both stop mid chew and sort of get big eyes and Amanda shouted something about it cooking out. Well, I didn't taste peach mango nothin'. We attempted to have a lesson with them, but he was just plain crazy. He kept taking about the three days of doom (not biblically supported) and how Jesus had a rosary (also, not biblically supported). His evidence was he saw that Jesus had one in pictures. This was also after he had rambled on about the movie "The passion of Christ". My lanta. We finally escaped in one piece. 

What a miracle though! We are teaching her twin sister now! Yay!! 

This week we also helped with farm share and had a grand time! What a blessed group! Turns out members are all over there. Makes sense, y'all. 

We also met a man from Puerto Rico. his name was Lesdey. His parents were hippies. Now his name reallll slow. Hint hint. It's LSD. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. 

Hope y'all have a good week! Be grateful you're not named after drugs! Huzzah! 

Love,

Sister Perkes

Sister Malm's GREENIE dinner at the Caruso's a! Everything was green!!!!!

Me during companion study

Second Child 1.28.15

So. What you've all been waiting for. Sister Malm is my new companion. She is from Payson Utah and both of her parents are deaf, so her first language is ASL. How amazing is that??! She goes to SUU...well not right now, but you get the point. She was on the track and cross country team. How neato! She's great! 

This week we got to help a less active with her family history. She's back to 1680 on one line and it's getting really intense now. We tried our very best though, but it's kind of hard to find people that lived before the United States of America did. After that we left and tried to see some people. We stood outside of one person's house eating peanut m&ms and some gummy lifesavers, since we missed dinner time. Great first night in the field for sister Malm, but she took it like a champ. If my trainer hadn't fed me my first night, heads would have rolled.  

Then we went and had the most golden golden hour of my life! Obedience pays off! We found 3 new investigators and have appointments with all of the tomorrow! Wahooooo! Sister Malm was really nervous, but she did such a great job! I'm so excited for her. She's going to be a fabulous missionary. Even better than she already is. 

On Thursday we had a lot of lessons lined up, so we found a returned sister missionary to come out with us. What a gem of a lady. She is wonderful! We were driving to our investigators house and then I got lost and we ended up in ORANGE PARK. Orange. Park. Noooooooooo. Then we tried to get back and it was a hot mess and we weren't going to make it before we had to leave, so we just went to our next appointment. The gps took us all the way downtown and then all over hill and dale. Near and far. Hither AND thither. We finally made it there by the grace of God, and the our appointment wasn't home. But that's life. I'm pretty sure we went through 2 of the 3 stakes we cover. 

Sunday! It was a good Sunday. Not as many people hate me as I thought! Yay! We taught gospel principles and it was great. My area book also broke this week so we are kicking it old school with the paper planners. We tried so hard to fix it, but my iPad is very much brokey broke. Sad day. No hope.

Then we went and tried to see a bunch of people and finally someone was home. I think he was yelling at his mom in Tagalog asking who let us in... I love it when people hate us. It's the best! Then we went to dinner at the Caruso's. They are one of the married couples sent as Angels from above to mediate the YSA branch. I have not confused that much food in a long time. They just kept feeding us, and feeding us. Everything I learned on Friday went out the window. 

 Apparently they know Katy dill and. I. Died. They thought it was too funny that I couldn't talk to her when we went to their ward. One day I'll muster up enough courage. One day. 

Well, hope y'all have a good week!

Love,

Sister Perkes 

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