Rice squishbies – WEEK 20

Out of my short 19 years of life, I think this week was one of my very favorites. I've also never been more busy in my entire life and every day was nonstop WORK. We had so many lessons back to back and almost never a moment to even catch a breath or eat but it brought us so much JOY!! Training a new missionary has also helped me discover so much more about myself and my strengths and abilities! Hermana Petersen is such a great companion and she's thriving in her training so far! God's work is our joy! So thankful to be a missionary :))) Also- week 20 already?? Wow! Time flies!

Spent more time outside enjoying the sunshine and working in the park and by the pool!! On Thursday we did a lot of street contacting and went to the Green Hills mall with the elders. Found so many new people to teach! We even went into this super fancy watch store and talked to all the salesmen for more than an hour. Got all of their numbers and scheduled times we could meet with them again. Also ran into the BYU dance team coach and she bought us all cookies and Gelato haha. Had lots of the people we're teaching come to Institute with us that night and we all had a blast playing volleyball!

Met with Pete several more times this week! We were able to do some Book of Mormon studies with him and teach a lot more about the gospel! He used to give tours of Belmont University so he showed us around the campus and all the buildings. We were able to teach some lessons in the gardens there and it was absolutely beautiful. Met his roommate Ethan and he wants to start meeting with us too!

Got fingerprinted on Friday which was the last thing I needed for my visa! Had several more lessons that day then all the missionaries got burgers with Jordan for dinner :))

On Saturday I went on an exchange with Hermana Harris <3 who I absolutely love and adore. I feel like I grew so much from all our conversations! We also laughed until we couldn't breathe which was super therapeutic. She's an angel. Good vibes always. That afternoon we went to Anthony and Amanda's with the elders and a few members of the ward for a barbecue! Lots of singing and music. Someone would play a song on their phone and in less than 30 seconds, Anthony would figure out how to play the whole thing on the guitar. PURE TALENT. We played with their adorable, but really insane puppy for a bit. She was basically bouncing off the walls the whole time somehow got ahold of the chip dip and licked the whole jar clean. Soooo cute though haha. Also discovered one of the guys in our ward is the "undefeated rap battle champion" in Utah (whatever that means) but he legit was able to freestyle rap about random things and people in the room while making everything rhyme for 5 minutes straight and we were all kinda shook.

Saturday night I killed a spider with an umbrella while on the phone with the elders and it was terrifying and they were all laughing hysterically.

Sunday was stake conference which was incredible, and Abbey spoke about her conversion story! We were all in tears. Pete came with us and even he got emotional. Had so many good chats with people after church. I feel like the same message was repeated over and over through the talks, our conversations and lessons with people today, and even the missionary devotional: there's nothing you're struggling with that you can't overcome by reading the Book of Mormon every day! It will provide you with strength to draw on and guidance beyond your own knowledge. I invite you all to continue reading from the Book of Mormon everyday, even if it's just for a minute or two. The Lord will recognize your efforts and pour out His spirit more abundantly upon you!

Quote from Anthony: "Is one of the temple recommend interview questions- do you drive a Chevy equinox?" (All the missionary cars LOL) Another random running joke: Hermana Petersen told us to squish our Rice Krispy treats until they're as flat as a pancake and then eat them that way. It makes them strangely more tasty somehow?? Instead of Rice Krispies, Elder Gee calls them Rice Squishpies.

Taught a lot of lessons and new members lessons on Monday! We got to visit Nicole who is so so so sweet. For FHE that night the ward played sardines and hide and seek but all the missionaries, Abbey, and Anthony just ended up hiding in the kitchen and finishing up the cereal stash. Had root beer floats with everyone afterward! On our way home, we drove a different way just so we could pull up next to our friends and yell "I love you!! Miss you already!" out the window. So much love <3

Had several missionary trainings on Tuesday, a mini district council, then went to lunch with Cardin! That night around 8pm, Hermana Petersen and I prayed we could teach at least 2 more lessons. We started randomly calling some of the people we're teaching and one of the guys we met at the mall earlier that week picked up so we were able to teach him a bunch of principles! Then we called one of the girls I've been messaging on Instagram and discovered that she hardly speaks any English. A goal we have this transfer is to do Spanish language study every day and thank goodness we've been doing it because we ended up having the whole conversation with her in only Spanish and we got to teach her about the restoration and the Book of Mormon too! I'm excited to be in a Spanish area hopefully at some point during my mission!! (But I'll stay in the YSA as long as I can :))

I feel like Heavenly Father has been giving us new eyes to see each and every day. I've found myself tearing up and getting emotional in almost every lesson or during our interactions with other missionaries because I can feel God's love for these people so strong!! His love for us is perfect! It is infinite and eternal. It has been so hard not being able to accurately describe my love for everyone because words just don't cut it! Then I realized this is how God feels all the time, and we are just getting a glimpse of it. His love for us is SO strong. It is incomprehensible to our mortal minds. I can imagine He looks down on each of us every day and wishes we knew exactly how He feels about us. He sees us for our potential and divine worth. We are His children, His precious creations. We are priceless to Him. He wants to bestow all of His matchless love upon us!!

Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He sent His son to die for us and pay the price of our sins so we can return to live with Him one day. I'm so thankful for His love and His unending mercy. Thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ!

I love each one of you beyond words and so does your Father in Heaven! Never forget that :)

<3 hc

- the gals

- Abbey <3

- abbey, E. Hart, E. Allman, Anthony!

- twinning

- ysa missionaries + Jordan

- throwback from last week before transfers (sister pocock- if you're reading this, I miss you so much) :(((

- lunch with Cardin!

- more proof that elder Hart is a king (he looks gr8 with my bag)

- twinning part 2

- i love cardin!!