Happy Halloween (late post)

Well looks like my email didn't send and it deleted itself.... I am really really sad about that. It was my first time getting to sit down and write a real email to you wonderful people in a while. It's crazy that even these top notch technologies can't get a sad sister missionaries email back. Welp, I guess I couldn't call it a mission with out this happening at least once. 

I will try to remember all that a wrote....

It was Elder Palakiko's first time jumping into a pile of leaves.... I guess the excitement was too much because he over shot and missed the pile.

This week has been a crazy one, full of ups and downs, but I am learning a lot. I am learning to trust my savior. All in all I am happy and I see so many miracles EVERYDAY here. Oh I am so blessed.

We had interviews with president this past week. That was wonderful. I have to take a moment to express my gratitude for righteous priesthood leaders. Sadly, I have seen leaders throughout my mission and my little time of life who does not lead righteously. It is discouraging and frustrating but at the same time it is definitely teaching me to love, support and trust my leaders as well as my Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the wonderful righteous humble leaders I have had, President Morgan and his wife are defiantly one of them. I love them.

Remember those days you would go to bed every night just dreaming about the day you would be on a mission? And now you are waking up and you are already 6 months out or your parents are picking you up or you are already home!! It's crazy how fast the time flies. It wasn't supposed to go this fast. I love Clark. He was a wonderful missionary and I know he'll be a rockin RM. :) GIVE HIM A HUGE HUG AND A KISS FROM SISTER CHECKETTS. Gracias. Welcome home Syd. Thank you for being a wonderful missionary and cousin. I love you!! Ben, keep it up. I love reading your letters grandma sends. Justin! I am so proud of you! Yay for missions! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: Genesis 29:20. "And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." Of course right after I read this during personal study my mind went off into la la land day dreaming about the day when my sweetheart and I get married. Just as soon as I was about to say I do in my dreams the spirit whispered to me.... "And Sister Checketts served 18 months for Heavenly Father and his children; and they seemed to her but a few days, for the love she had for Him and His children." 

I must tell you about Hilal.... She is like my mother with her beautiful skin decorated with soft smile wrinkles and of course the topper her dark hair lined with silver. Hilals husband moved to the states with their oldest daughter to find a job and left Hilal and their youngest daughter back in their home land, Turkey. While here Kurt (Hilals husband), after a long investigation of the church, was baptized. He once told me "I have done a lot of things for my family but being baptized and baptizing my daughter has been and will be the most valuable thing I could ever do for them." Well his baptism wasn't all butterflies and rainbows for Hilal. She came to join them here in Connecticut after four long years and she was devastated by his choice to join this church. She vowed to divorce him. To her he was blatantly going against everything they knew to be right and true especially coming from an rich Islamic background. Two years later and still married, Hilal is opening up and her heart is softening. She doesn't speak a lick of English and who better to teach her than sister missionaries!? :) She sees through our smiles, love, determination, and laughs that we are something good, and every good thing comes from God. Last night we were over at her house and she invited us for dinner!! Turkish food here I come! This is a huge step for her. I want to be here to see this family sealed for time and all eternity. I love this family.

Hmmmm....I think that's it. I love Danbury, it is hard work and partially because there isn't much work but we are working!!! Hehehe did that make sense? I love you. Thank you for your prayers, keep them coming. XO

Love, Sister OPC

I love this time of year

I found a pair of tights in our apartment, left over from another sister missionary probably ten years ago. Score for Sister Checketts... Until they shrunk while on my body! By the end of the lesson the waist of the tights was sliding down my thighs! I tried the lunge move but that's a no go with cotton garmies. 

It's been a speedo week and so much has happened... I think. Well it was Halloween this week, I don't know what other missions do but we had to retire a few hours early that night because the crazies come out. So Sister Oluwalana, Sister Ponce, Sister Tirado and I had a sleep over. We had mattresses laid out and jammies on so it quickly turned into a wrestling match. Of course I dominated. 

I would like to take another minute to talk about FB. Some of you who are on FB can see some of the work we are trying to do and I need your support! Thank you for all those who have liked or commented on posts. Please feel free to share them, leave comments, and continue to like them. If you have ANY ideas, advice or critique let me know! I would really appreciate it. At the beginning of my mission I was VERY skeptical of online proselyting and it took a lot of praying to my Heavenly Father for him to soften my heart. I have seen miracles as we have strived to use this tool appropriately and effectively. I know social media is not for everyone and it is a powerful force for bad but i can also testify that there are ways to use it in healthy, safe ways. It can be a powerful force for good too, it's your choice.

Through this technology I am able to communicate and have conversations with people across the world! I recently had the opportunity to talk to someone in Serbia about the gospel. I have been blessed, as I have prayerfully brought names to the lord, to help several loved ones come back to the goodness of the gospel. I also had the sweet opportunity to communicate with one of Clark's investigators in Germany. This work is Gods and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. You can be too! It is a wonderful way to introduce people to the church, they can meet with the missionaries online which in some cases is a less intimidating way for you and for them. I am allowed to teach people all over the world so if you have referrals for me.... EMAIL ME. I would love to reach out to them or help answer any questions they might have. My Facebook name is Sister-Olivia Page Checketts. 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"

1 Peter 3:15

Okay I'll step off my soapbox now. :) 

We had dinner at Hilal's this past week. Turkish food is so good! I get to try so many different things out here since we are surrounded by diversity. It's pretty sweet. But anyways.... We were able to share a message with them and that was the very first time because before it wasn't allowed. We had Hilal read some of the Family Proclamation to the World and though she didn't understand to much of it the spirit was so strong. Hilal is slowly recognizing it and you can see it as the light enters her countenance more and more. 

For the past three weeks the spirit has kindly told me over and over and over again to ask for a blessing. Three weeks is a long time, the spirit has serious patience. I was [still am] stubborn and prideful. I had no serious reason to be asking for a blessing and, to be honest, I didn't want a blessing from anyone other than my pops let alone an eighteen year old tease. Heavenly Father finally had enough of my pride and asked me "Why won't you let me bless you? These are my servants." It was serious humility time calling the Elders that night, but right after I asked them a weight, I didn't even know was there, lifted. I received a blessing from Elder Palakiko and I know without a doubt in my mind that the words he spoke were from my Father in Heaven. It was a beautiful experience. 

This area ain't easy but it feels good to be pushed to have faith and grow from it. I am happy. It feels wonderful to be out here. I love you so much. Hope you have a lovely week! XO

Love, Sister Checketts

Big City Life

First day in Danbury? Hit by a car. NBD. How did you not see the chunky redhead sister missionary crossing the road!? 

Hello loves! Okay a few things for starters.... Today is another one of those pdays where I have zero time because I went to the city and got on a boat to look at the green lady [insert Clark saying "Statue Tad-de-ity"] It was a blast and I felt like I have having a dajavou 24/7 as I remembered the trip that my dad and emma and I went on a while back. Also another heads up... Next pday will be another lame email because I won't have anytime again because I will be in the city again for a temple trip and some play time. Woot. We get to do all this fun stuff because my companion, Sister Oluwalana [spelled it wrong in my last email], is dying [going home] in 6 weeks. 

So a little bit about my new life... Sister Oluwalana is the craziest thing you will ever meet. I love her. She sings to me and tells me funny stories so we are golden. ;) This is my first transfer with roomies and it is the BEST. We live with our STL and her greenie. We have such a good time and I can't even begin to tell you how nice it is to have more female sister company. This area is BEAUTIFUL! I'd never thought I would fall in love with Connecticut. Most of our area is wealthy rich pocket people who seem to be completely content with their current life so it takes a lot more effort and faith on my part especially since I just came from the hood of upstate that was full of humble crazies. :) it is hard work getting to know a new area and people but all in all folks, I am happy to be here. 

Here is my crazy story for the week [besides ending up on the front of some old mans car my first day here, p.s. I'm fine]. We were having an online lesson [over FB] with an investigator, we asked a member to join to be a member present. We decided to teach the word of wisdom but half way into the lesson our member started preaching false doctrine and our investigator started wiggin out but whadda do over FB!? We quickly tried to clear things up but it wasn't happening. Whoops. We cut the lesson short and told our investigator we would talk more about it. In the moment it was frustrating and intense but now we can laugh about it. 

This past week I have had to let go of my will and my pride and trust and rely on the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how anxious I am to feel completely comfortable here but I have learned that my Father in Heaven can't help me grow and progress when I'm in my comfort zone as well as the spirit, he can't comfort me when in still in my comfort zone. It's been a hard lesson that I am still learning but it is has been God given. :) D&C 101:14-16

Ooh hey I saw Meet the Mormons this past fridee! What a cool thing huh? It was lovely and reminded me of what a peculiar but beautiful people we are. I am feel so blessed to be a part of this work especially at this time. Someone once said there is no greater joy then being actively engaged in building up the kingdom of God and I'm here to tell that is so true. Yes, sometimes it is far from fun and pretty uncomfortable most of the time but it does fill you with joy and eternal happiness. That folks, is why I'm still out here. 

I've got to go for this week. I am sorry I don't have more time. I love you all. XO

Love, Sister Checketts

Goodbyes to the people I love

Me: "What are you eating!?" 

Toone: "Ummmm a found a raisin in my skirt pocket.... So I ate it."

Me: "Was it good?"

Toone: "Not really... But I was hungry."

Sister Missionary struggles. It's real. 

Where to begin! Well I guess I'll start by apologizing about not writing last week... I realized that was pretty selfish of me, so I will ask for your forgiveness. I've got lots to write about this week and in so very little time so excuse the wacko email. 

I feel like Nephi, but not in the sense that I'm practically an amazing prophet. I read 1 Nephi 1:1, [Starting the Book of Mormon over again. Score.] he talks about how he has had sore afflictions and still he is remembered and loved by the Lord so much that he feels grateful and oh so blessed to have a knowledge of this goodness. I also have been born of some darn good goodly parents who also love the lord. I thought Nephi was writing my life story for a second. 

Well some pretty big news.... IM BEING TRANSFERRED! I guess President and the Lord decided I needed to spend some quality time with Dave Checketts because I'm headed to Connecticut! Wow. Yorktown Connecticut, right on the other side of the Hudson. So lesbihonest... I didn't really want to leave Middletown yet and I REALLY didn't want to leave Sister Toone. I only got 5 glorious weeks with her and man oh man they have been the best of the best. I feel emotionally exhausted after saying goodbye to so many people I love. I cannot even begin to tell you how hard it is to say goodbye to these people and I know it hasn't really set in yet that I probably won't see most of them again. Nobody could have prepared me for this heartbreak... BUT the gospel unites us and I know I have given it my all here and the things I have learned I wouldn't trade for the world. I am excited for a fresh start and a new challenge. Watch out Connecticut, here comes {another} Sister Checketts. :)

My new companion is Sister Oluillana! Funny story is we are already buddies. She gave me a beautiful ring a few transfers ago just because I told her I thought is was pretty, so here I go, just like some sloppy love story, to bring it back to her after wearing for a few months. :) She is a hard worker and I am so excited for that. Sister Oluillana will be going home at the end of this cycle (7 weeks) so I will have another "one and done" companion. Kinda a bummer but all is well because the Lord has a plan, I know it. 

I don't have much time to report on conference but wasn't it wonderful!? It always is. I second Elder Checketts, it seems to be just that much better when you are a missionary. :) Women's conference was beautiful as well and I can hardly wait to read the priesthood session. If you missed out on some of these things never fear LDS.org is here!! What was your favorite part of conference?

P.S. Sister Toone and I kept tradition and went and got hot bagels before the Saturday session started. So good. 

Last Thursday I had the wonderful opportunity to go down to the city and going to the temple with not one but two recent converts to do baptisms! It was a BEAUTIFUL experience (shall I use the word beautiful one more time). They weren't my converts but they were my dear sisters, Abi and Migulena, whom I love dearly. I was able to help Migulena find her grandmas name so she could perform the baptism for her and what a wonderful feeling that was. I love them temple. While I was here I ran into a familiar face, I think several of you got a text about it. I found Ryan and his wifey {Clark Cousins} It was the weirdest feeling and I may or may not have quite known what to do with the excitement that I just hugged him... Everyone kinda freaked out... You know sisters and hugging? It doesn't blend well. ;) We took some pictures, he gave me a laugh or 12 and I was on my way. Prayers need to be said that I am sent to Harlem so I can be around those crazy folks. 

MEET THE MORMONS. Who saw it? Who is going to see it? I get to see it with the rest of the missionaries here in NYC on Friday and I am pumped. I think this will be a really good missionary opportunity for us all. So invite your friends!! I'm serious. [FHE activity? Invite a nonmember friend or somethin?] 

The past few Pdays Sister Toone, the Elders and I have been waking up at 6am and playing soccer up by the church. It has been GLORIOUS. [we decided to take a break from the bear watch runs] There is nothing like breathing in some crisp fall air while playing that beautiful sport in the morning. It makes my day, and thats why I needed to include that in this email. :) 

Well good gravy son. I just sat down to write and felt an overwhelming feeling because I had so much to write but I really summed it all up... It's hard to try and express all my feelings let alone tell you about all these amazing people. But I try my best. Plus transfer pdays are nuts. 

A lil shout out to my dear Sister Brayton who leaves to serve the Lord today. I love you. 2 years never looked so good. XO

Well my loved ones I love you. I could not do this without you or a living loving Father in Heaven. This is a glorious work and remember you have been called to do it to! I'll talk to you next week! Ciao. XO

Love, Sister Checketts

I mean the Bears....

I thought it was the parking lot to the one dollar ice cream. Turns out it was the town of Pine Bushes annual car show. Two Sister Missionaries pulling up front and center in our silver Chevy Malibu. Awesome. And now please excuse me while my companion gets out to back me up, good thing she was Miss Hyrum and she has that smile and wave thing down. 

Oh so much to say, so much to say. Hello! This week was a speedy one because so much seemed to happen. I gotta say I am learning so much about myself and who I am as an individual here in this world and as a daughter of God. It amazes me, but the most amazing part about it is how I can connect with myself and my Father in Heaven when I love and serve these amazing women out here. In the words of a wise mother "... I feel like when I am out in the world with people, I can see my own spirit through theirs.  It's like a mirror for me, I can see myself more clearly when my spirit connects with someone else's..." Whether it's my companion, an Investigator, or a member of the church, watching women strive to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord is the most empowering thing.

Speaking of covenant women. Who is excited for Women's Conference!? EMMA. CYNTHIA. MEREDITH. VIVIAN. MOM. AMY WHITING. SHA NAY NAY. BARBISHA. MOE. I want a report on what you loved about it and where you went to eat after. ;) Deal? Any other ladies who read this please feel free too as well. 

This past Saturday was the big Hamptonburgh Fall Festival! Wahoo! A women in our Ward is on the committee so she recruited my and Sister Toones skills and had us face paint all day. It was a blast. The day previous we went down and washed probably 100 pumpkins for the pumpkins painting booth and it was freezing. It felt like a Winter festival! ;) Anyways it was a good way for us to be seen and have some good gospel conversations. I was in heaven [mostly because it just felt like I was kickin it at the wasatch fall festival. Good days]

Our dear Investigator Sheryl. She is the nanny of 3 young kids. When we found her we knew right away that someone had been preparing her for a long time to receive the restored gospel. She doesn't have furniture to sit on so we go outside to have our lessons. We plop down on the sidewalk in the middle of the ghetto and talk about Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, I have never felt the spirit so strong as when I am blessed to teacher Sheryl and these three amazing kids. Two days ago my heart was ready to burst with love for this women as she accepted the invitation to be baptized! I am so excited for her and for the light that will continue to come into her life as she makes these sacred covenants. 

We have have met with Danielle a few times this week and she is doing well. Yesterday she really opened up to us and shared some of her past. As I heard these stories come out of her mouth I pleaded with God "what do you want me to say!?" It was then when my father in Heaven invited me to put my faith in him and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned a valuable lesson as I bore testimony to Danielle that through the atonement of Jesus Christ she and the rest of us can be healed. I am constantly amazed by where Danielle has been and now where she is going. :)

Two near death experiences in one week folks. The first happened last Thursday as we were making our long journey home through the twisty roads of upstate New York. I had my brights on to better illuminate the road and my surroundings but as a car came to pass by me on the other side of the road i graciously turned them off as soon as the car passed I turned them back on. As soon as the lights lit up my view again I saw a huge deer in front of me! I slammed on my breaks a swerved to the side as it leaped out of the way. The Elders were driving behind me luckily. I had to pull off because I was shaking so bad and Sister Toone had to take over the wheel. It was nuts. Good thing the Lord is looking out for his missionaries. 

Second experience....Yesterday morning held quite the adventure for Sister Toone and I.... 6:20am the alarm goes off and I crawl into the fetal position to pray. 6:30am we are pulling clothes and shoes on to our zombie bodies. 6:35am pray again before we leave the apartment. 6:40am outside ready to run.... Well maybe not completely... 10 feet into our run I realize I had forgotten to throw on the one important thing, a sports bra. Darn it. I said "Sister? Looks like we are going to have to stick to a brisk walk this morning." About 15 minutes into our "brisk walk" a moment I had been preparing for for my whole life came all at once. I have read books, listen to lectures, a dreamt about this time to shine. I was off in my own little world when Sister Toone grabs my arm and I look into her eyes to see her glance off with sheer terror, just as my eyes leave hers to look at what she is looking at I hear the words "That's a BEAR" slip from her lips. There I see it. A monster of a thing. Big and black. Sister Toone and I stop in our tracks. This would be the time that all the knowledge I have acquired over the years about bear safety would come into action but nope it went all down the drain in an instant and all I could think of was Jim Gaffigans advice to "Cover myself in honey. Climb up on a dinner plate and play dead." We stood there like sitting ducks for what seems like a millennium until a car passing by scared the beast into our direction in a full on sprint! The car rolled down its windows as it passed and some man yelled out to us "RUN!!" It was like I forgot how to run... My clumsy converse shuffled around in the moist grass but before the bear is across the street the fight or flight reflexes kicked in and Sister Toone and I are flying down the slippery slope to our apartments. Just imagine it, a big black bear chasing two white sister missionaries in the hood of upstate. All I can say is, so much for our "brisk walk". Oh the things you see in New York. 

Wowzas this was a long one, but I hope you enjoyed it. I thank God everyday that he has given me to be a missionary out here in New York, it is a glorious calling and it works me real good. All is well with Sister Checketts. I love you. Talk to you next week! XO

Love, Sister Checketts

P.S. I love you Mom & Dad. I love you Layton & Nile. I love you Elder Checketts, Elder Udell, Emma, Winnie, Seth, Meredith, & Vivian.

PRAYER ROLL:

Danielle: strength to change

Tracy: will be able to come to the women's broadcast

Helen: will have to faith to continue to prepare to go to the temple

Abi: will get a job

Sheryl: will get answers to her prayers