Here is something we don't see on the West Coast!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday,
May 26, 2014
Hello from Brooklyn.
Sounds like you are busy as can be!
So, we had a ward talent show for the fundraiser for
the YM/YW camp outs, and I legitimately forgot to tell you; our district
pitched in a talent. So, Elder Thorley--
one of the 2 elders that went viral, is in my district, right? …And so he took
the song that he wrote lyrics to for the cup song and we all sang the chorus
and did the cup part. Sister
Montgomery's iPad ran out of storage space in the middle of the video so I
don’t actually have the whole thing. But if the video isn’t too long I’ll send
it home and you can get a glimpse of it. It was super fun! They were also selling some
service auction items, and food.
This week:
MONDAY--
My hair cut is still great! I love it! We were able to teach a lesson to a Recent Convert. After going to
the temple a few weeks ago, she is really thriving and her faith is growing. We were able to teach her the Restoration
again, and invited her to receive another witness that the Book of Mormon is
true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet-- so that should be a good experience
for her!!
TUESDAY--
was District meeting... It was a rough district meeting. We got interrupted by the fire marshal because
he wanted to check some fire things on the roof... So our meeting was kind of
pathetic this week, but-- my mission is teaching me to 'go with the flow'
something that is hard when you like to plan things. We were able to teach an investigator that
the Elders are also teaching. We have
recently implemented what is called 'open pools'. When a few sets of missionaries work with an
individual or family so that they can get different teaching styles and things.
We just started doing that with this gentleman. So
we will see if it helps him to progress. He has a Jewish background, and has come a
long way in knowing that Jesus Christ is real and so he is dating a member, and
looking to be married one day. That should be cool.
WEDNESDAY--
I was on my last exchange for the transfer. We were with Sister Martinez! A saint! Holy Hannah. She amazed me with her focus on the people and
the work. I was sad for them because
they have a cockroach problem. Luckily
bugs don't freak me out-- because they were everywhere. I should have taken a
picture. Haha! She planned the whole day
so well, so we stayed busy. I was in the
Spanish pool in Dyker, and so that was hard a little bit-- you don't realize
how much you show your love in words until you don't have them. I was reminded again, for the 8 millionth time
on my mission, how thankful I am the Lord knew I needed to serve in my native
tongue. We were able to have dinner with
a member there, and do some look ups, and visit someone who had just gotten
home from surgery. :) So fun. I am actually surprised sometimes how much
Spanish from high school I really do know. :)
THURSDAY--
This was our 'Deep Clean' day. We are supposed to deep clean once a transfer on
the Tuesday of week 5. But... yeah--- that didn't happen. Time is scarce to come by, so- this is when we
had the time. It worked out good. Our pad really hadn't been cleaned as well as
I would have liked when we first moved in. so- I was able to do some of that,
and Sister Montgomery was able to make TONS of phone calls which set up our
next week. That night we were able to meet with a woman who wants to get back
on track to going to the temple. That was a treat-- she is so sweet. I was sad to see how someone who had at one
time been completely active, fall away and really forget the basic principles
and doctrines of the gospel. We also met
with a family. I am telling you-- I love these kids so much. They are
hard to teach- but we got lots of their questions answered.
FRIDAY--
This was SUCH a funny day for us! We went to visit an elderly woman in the ward
that is sooooooooo cute! I think that
she is 86 years old. She is doing well,
but just lonely when her kids aren't at home visiting. So we scheduled a time to visit her and she
agreed. Something that I need to add is
that she is really deaf, and doesn’t have hearing aids. I pulled out my Drum
Major Voice to talk to her, and sometimes that wasn't even loud enough. Haha!
:) For example, "SO HOW LONG DID YOU MEET WITH MISSIONARIES BEFORE YOU
WERE BAPTIZED?" "...um--well, I don't think he is 21, I'm pretty sure
he is 26." And so we would wait until she would crack a joke [sometimes,
not all that funny] so we could just BUST out our laughter without her knowing
why. :) What a memorable experience for us. I am excited to hear some of her life
stories, I am sure she has great life principles to teach us with. Talking to older people is so fun!
SATURDAY--
The sister training leaders are putting together the women’s conference that is
July 24th, and we are planning to record a video that talks about the
appropriate interaction with elders. The senior couples are going to be the
people in the video. We are excited to
do it. So Saturday morning, we planned
the scripts and then after that we did the Plan of Salvation chalking and
talked to some families. It was a great experience. We need to do it again since it rained... Haha!
That day we also were able to teach a
new investigator that was found from a Head Quarters Referral. She requested a
bible and wants to learn more. She really wants this for her family. We have great members, and were able to have
them teach with us. I am so thankful for their willingness. We can't do it without
them!
SUNDAY--
A lot of people were out of town for Memorial Day, but we had a great lesson on
'spheres of influence' that I just loved. They talked about how we touch so many people’s
lives, and sometimes we don't even realize it.
It really helped me to see again the importance of looking outward. It’s
kind of my new mantra in life.
Next transfer is definitely going to be busy-- I keep
seeing how the Lord makes everything pan out perfectly. He places us where we are needed at specific
times so we can bless the lives of others and so THEY can bless ours :)
I am sure there is more I am forgetting.... but oh,
well.
Love,
Sister JaLynn Freeze
Monday, May 19, 2014
Monday,
May 19, 2014
Hi!
GUESS WHO GOT THEIR HAIR
CUT?! I love it:) It is basically the same hair cut I got before, in high school, and I love it. I missed it! I imagine I will always have this hair cut for
the remainder of my life... if I am being realistic. Haha!
This week was been a
roller coaster! Just as busy as ever-- sometimes
I am like, "What are we even busy doing?" But we are needed different
places and so we are out and about.
So, starting with last
week's p-day-- we had zone activity. So
as a zone we went to Prospect Park and played kickball! It was a blast. Since we are in Bensonhurst, we are further
out from the rest of zone 2 so as a district we tried to find what part of the
park they were in and it took us 45 minutes of walking... I'm not gonna say we
were lost- but we had no idea where we were. So the zone leaders came and found us and we
went with everyone to play kickball. The
park is huge- it probably takes an hour to walk from the top of the part to the
bottom. We started playing on one of the
fields and then a team came [who had a permit] to play on the field. So, we had to leave. It was sad. Then we went to the next field and there was a
son, and a dad playing catch. It
reminded me so much of the boys and dad. I felt so bad; one of the elders asked if we
could play on the field. So as the dad
and son were walking off the field I went to talk to the dad and asked if he
and the son wanted to play with us. The dad said that he had hurt his foot
prior, but that his son [who was 6] would LOVE to play. So we had a good time. Cameron was on my team and we let him kick
first and things and the dad just watched. He was on a little league team and loved
playing. So, now fast forward to like 15 minutes later. Cameron is in the
outfield and the dad had stood up on the dugout bench to take pictures of his
son, and out of nowhere, one of the elders kicked terribly, a foul ball...
Right into the dad's head! It was
horrible! We didn't know what to do...
It was evident he wasn't too pleased- and so I ran over with another elder and
got him a water bottle and band-aid to clean off the blood from his sun
glasses. When he saw how sorry we all
were he was fine and we continued to play. His son had such a good time, and so did we.
:) The funny quote the elders always throw in my face was when I was trying to
include Cameron in the game, and as we were running to switch from kicking, I
was trying to help him know where to go. And in my really excited voice, not
thinking about what I was saying, I said "okay Cameron! We have a REALLY,
REALLY important job for you—WAY, WAY over there" as I was pointing to the
furthest part of the outfield. Haha!
Little did I realize how unimportant that position sounded until after I
said it.
On Tuesday we had district meeting and helped a woman pack. This woman was a referral. She is not a
member. But her daughter is. She is a
devout born again Christian, but she has a good relationship with God. She
prayed with us, in a very unique way-but it was kid a cool. We just held hands and she spoke very
reverently to him. We didn't really help
her too much, she mainly wanted to tell us about the things that she had and
how she valued it all so much-sometimes people are just lonely and the simple
fact we are caring about what is going on in their life means so much to them.
That night we also taught
a woman in the ward, who is trying to come back to church. She expressed
concern that she doesn't feel God’s love, and we helped her see that you feel
the love of God the most when you are being obedient. It is hard to find a teaching style that helps
her learn the best, so we will have to get creative-- it is always so special
to be able to bear testimony of the things we know are true. I know why God wants us to share our testimony
so much- it only strengthens our own testimony.
Wednesday
was our interviews with president :) they went well! We do interviews zone by zone, and then we
have a time slot. This time around, each zone also had a district leader
training meeting, where district leaders were trained in their callings. The
APs taught the training and the district leaders companions, zone leaders and
the sister training leaders were asked to go to this meeting. I was learning so much... Just a lot of
reiteration on accountability. That's the number one take away for me in my
whole mission this far, being accountable. We learn that The Lord deletes in
accountability and that he expects us to be accountable to everything that we
do. I am finding that if I want to gain
trust with The Lord I need to be accountable to the things that I committed to
do. As we all know- it’s harder to live by than to say. They taught the
importance of "teaching missionaries don't just have a district meeting”,
which is just the play on words the other phrase we use, "teach people not
lessons" so they talked about being innovative in meetings, don't always
do the same thing, make them have take-a-ways and leave the missionaries with
things that they are going to commit to, and be prompt on following up with
them.
The interview itself went great. Honestly,
this was the breeziest interview yet. We
had a 30 min interview as a companionship that was simply just about the
sisters and updating president. Then we spit and did 15 min interviews with
president on personal things. I felt no concerns. I was thinking about it and
talking about it with Sister Montgomery, and I was telling her just how much I
feel like my mission is not as personally a struggle as it used to be. I kind of eluded to the fact that I felt like
Heavenly Father made it that I could focus my efforts a little bit more on the
here and now and what I need to do. She
told me that it's not that my problems are gone, it's just that he gives us the
strength to get through them because we have a lot of people to attend to. And I felt like that was the case. So my
interview with president was so simple. Super short. I feel like it MAYBE took 7 minutes... And we
were done. That man is a great teacher. I love him.
Thursday
we went on an exchange and I took the sister I was with to her pre-scheduled doctor’s
appointment for her eye. So that got cleared up and we went on our merry way!
We had a special lesson,
our amazing Relief Society President was a champ and went with us after church
to visit someone. She didn't end up
being home so we decided to go to another house-strictly on a whim. We had the most amazing lesson! She committed
to live the Word of Wisdom then and there and she threw out the alcohol in the
sink. I threw out the lighters. We got rid of the coffee and tea. It was great. The spirit was so strong. She knew what she had to do, and knew what
would make her feel better spiritually. She wants to go to the temple, so that is our
goal after coming to church regularly :) Very special. :)
I'm learning a lot. Constantly being humbled. I feel like there is so much to do, and often
I feel like in don’t know what the fine-line is to complete everything on the to-do
list and "do it right" as Dad always says. We took a survey for the brethren, for when
the general authority comes. It was ALL
about Preach My Gospel and how much we feel like our knowledge and application
had grown. I was amazed how much I felt
like I HAVE grown.
I love the gospel. It’s
true.
Love you,
Sister JaLynn Freeze :)
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday,
April 28, 2014
Alright, So hopefully today I can write a more detailed
letter than last week!
I'll start with the yucky things, so I can end on a
good note...
I am pretty sick. I slept for 13 hours yesterday, I
almost didn't go to church so that I could rest but I am glad I did go [there
is a LA family that I have personally decided to make my first priority, and they
were at church. They came. I am so excited
to help those kids! I already love them and have only met them a few times] but
after all that sleep last night I feel better. My body just aches and feels
like led- but on the plus side, nothing else really is hurting. No sore throat,
no headaches... just my body.
So, last week was great! P-day was great, we just
loaded up the car and went to Plainview. It was mine and another elder’s
birthday-- let me tell you. It was SO awkward to be the center of attention. Granted-
everyone must be laughing that, but a year without being the center of
attention is bizarre to all of the sudden have a whole day about you. Forever
changed, I suppose.
It was funny, because we lost the keys to the car the
night prior-- and had to break into our house through the window. Ha-ha. The elders helped us, and so did our
landlord. It was a tender mercy, the elders found them last Monday morning in
the couch of the church cushion. We felt so blessed! Mom asked about the rap
that Sister May, and the elders in my last district wrote-- here it is:
"
BIRTHDAY RAP
PARTY IN THE YSA - FROZEN STATE OF FREEZE
Yeah, She was off in Cali.
Now She's here in New York
Exact Obedience
Now you know how she works
She's the new STL
And since she made it here
She can make it anywhere
Yeah, they love her everywhere
She use to pump in Midwood
Kickin' it with Zone 2
Right there up on Prospect
Followed by her own crew
Now she's with a new crowd
Moved into Zone 8
Joined a new family
Ya we're better than great
Fender bender prophesy
'sato muscle gimme sigh
Maybe this'll make you cry
But you know you're always fly!
Even when the time's breezy
Teachin’ like its comin’ easy
I know I may sound cheesy
Just cuz we love you Freezy
Cruisin' down Round Swamp
Off Old Bethpage
Driving so swift
Actin' like she's got road-rage
Time for a remedy
Here comes the melody
Tell by my attitude
She's from the New York South Mission
Forever Chaaaaanged (Sister May Jump in)
New York!
One year older, time for a replay
Big shouts for your birthday
Serving in New York!
PowerRanger Fuchi in Plainview
May Freeze can inspire you
Let's hear it for Freezy, Freezy, Freezy
She walked out the door on transfer day
Everybody's looking at her now.
Like who's that Sis gone STL?
She's gotta be a powerhouse!
Jumps in the car. Here we go for the first time
Looks to her right and she sees the city fade by
This is all so crazy
She hasn't seen a tree in ages
The winter season was a time for lots of service.
"Ain't no thang." cause she ain't nervous
And so we're here to drop your favorite tune
And the remixing is on,
and the remixing is on,
and the remixing is on...
Freezy, put your hands up we're singing your song
We got you on your own birthday
20 years old like yeah
Fearless for days like yeah
Freezy, put your hands up you're in the best zone
You know it's gonna be so great
YEAH!!!!!
It's your party in the YSA.
New York!
One year older, time for a replay
Big shouts for your birthday
Serving in New York!
PowerRanger Fuchi in Plainview
May Freeze can inspire you
Let's here it for Freezy, Freezy, Freezy
Freezy, put your hands up we're singing your song
We got you on your own birthday
20 years old like yeah
Fearless for days like yeah
Freezy, put your hands up you're in the best zone
You know it gonna be so great
YEAH!!!!!
It's your party in the YSA.
YEAH!!!!!
It's your party in the YSA."
Tuesday was District meeting and we talked about the
things that we want to implement here Bensonhurst- since all but 2 of us are
new. We talked about wanting to do street sweeps for finding activities, which
is some of my favorite things to do. A street sweep is just a table that is has
pamphlets and stuff, and then we just sweep the street. We also talked about
implementing the 'fearless the 500' goal here too. It may take some time to get
everyone on board, which is okay-- it is worth it. We need to show The Lord we
are working to teach people.
Each week we go to different leaders meetings with the
zones that we are over, and this week the one in Zone 1 was really good. The
Zone leaders head the meeting with all of the district leaders of that zone. We
talked about having a good work ethic and also about doing everything with the
intention of serving The Lord and our fellowman. I was really intrigued, it
helped me to remember the reasons why we do things.
I am now in Zone 2, this is the same zone that I served
when I was in Brooklyn the first time. Let me tell you-- I. love. This. Zone. Boy
have I missed it. A lot has changed in just 2 transfers, but it still feels like
home. We find ourselves in Midwood- where I served before- a lot. It is like 10
minutes away in the car.
Because I am STL I have a car here in Brooklyn, and
metro cards for the trains too. Driving the car is sure annoying to park, and
it takes just as long to get anywhere. It really is just great to be able to
get to our meetings that are far away. It was actually really a blessing we got
the car, we were able to get the last car that the mission had available. For
some reason, they hadn't accounted for our transportation so we just asked for
both. We drive a Toyota Corolla 2013.
We have been blinded in to Bensonhurst, and that has
been quite the experience. We are really busy, and always have things to do,
which I really love. We have MLC this Thursday. I am pretty excited- there is
always revelation that comes from those meetings. We also started our exchanges
this week. We have already had one in Bushwick. We associate a talk that we do
with the exchanges. We were able to fearless people, and we had a few neat
experiences. I met a girl that went to the chapel in Queens and wanted to come
back for the youth programs! Then we met a less active on the street whose
records were lost, and that was epic! Another
one that was cool, was we found a former investigator that one of the older
missionaries in our mission taught. It
was super cool experience! It just goes
to show that The Lord leads us to the people that we need to talk to if we just
open our mouth. Honestly, there is a lot of things I want the sisters to learn,
but I think at the end of the day that
is one of the biggest! Sister Michalsky is spectacular! She is training on transfer 5 and just doing
a great job! Miracles are coming because
of their obedience!
So, we also had a meeting with Sister Calderwood, we
were able to start planning the sister’s conference that is happening in July.
We plan it all from top to bottom. It
was originally going to be in June, but due to a really special visit from
Elder Nielsen that same time we moved it to July. There are now four sets of
Sister Training Leaders, one for each of the stakes since the addition of the
new stake... man. Sorry this email is so jumbled. My thoughts are not in order!
So all 4 companionships met up and planned together with her at her house. It
was amazing out of all the principles and doctrines we could have chosen, when
we came together we all had similar themes. We decided on "Forget-Me-Nots"
by President Uchtdorf. :) These conferences are there to help the sisters be
reminded of the love that God has for them. I am super excited. It was amazing
how clear it was that that was the talk that we needed to do. It was just clear
in my mind. I have never had an experience like that. Pretty special!
Whoa. So, about Sister Montgomery. She is. So. Great! I love her! We get along really well. She is always on to
the next thing, and we have the same work ethic :) It is great!!
The weather is getting nice, I am excited! The snow has
been miserable!
Lately I have been learning a lot about the atonement.
I feel like there is a never ending amount of trust. I just know that The Lord
loves us. He literally wants us to understand our potential and he knows our
needs. I have been feeling that over and over. We are blessed to be his
children.
I love you all,
Love Sister Freeze!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday,
April 21, 2014
Well Hello Friends,
There is so much going on. To be honest there is a lot that needs to be
reported-- but this p-day we drove back out to my old area, and got an
opportunity to celebrate Elder Shippen’s, and my birthday. :) They did a great
job. I had a good time! I didn't know about anything that was going on
before it happened, except where it was taking place, and who was in charge. But they ended up doing a little talent show
and had some really great different things going on. It was so funny. They made
a rap about me. I died :)
Okay, so a lot is different about the things going on
in life here in the mission. One of the
biggest transfer meetings happened. So
many different things manifesting the hastening of the work. The whole mission was invited to transfer
meeting for the first time ever, and 2 new zones were made. So we have two more
zones out in the furthest part of the island, where there is just farm land and
rich houses. Haha :) There are a total of 12 zones. Some powerful talks were given. My companion is Sister Montgomery! I am back in Brooklyn [my home!] though!! Zone 2 again! There was Spanish Midwood District, English
Midwood District, and Bensonhurst District.
I am in Bensonhurst! I love being
back. :)
Definitely lots of things to report. I feel bad I can't
expand. Next week will hopefully be a little less busy. :)
Love you!
Sister JaLynn Freeze :)
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