It's a long one and more to come next week

Sister Olivia Page Checketts

New York New York North Mission

700 White Plains Rd Ste 315

Scarsdale, NY 10583

"Sister Checketts, Haught Dwog or a Hamburger?"

In all my 19 years of living never have I eaten so much meat. I think

my body is in shock.

Hello family and friends. My my my the days have gone by SO slow but

this week passed in a blink of an eye. I got to New York just one week

ago but I feel like I've lived here my whole life. When I got my

assignment I was so pumped to be starting off this cycle upstate, I

didn't even realize how blessed I was to be going to where I am.

Middletown New York. Look up Goshan on google maps, Middletown is not

far from there but the homes in Goshan are B E A U T I F U L. I feel

like I'm in a movie everyday all day just because this is so unreal to

me still and New York is so gorgeous everywhere you look looks like a

movie.

Blessing number one: I've got a car. What!? Yeah. I do have to back my

companion out every time because it's mission rules so we look like

nerds but it doesn't matter cause The Lord has blessed us with a car

and it doesn't matter what we look like. :)

Blessing number two: the rain is beautiful. The humidity is not bad at

all yet. The humidity does wonders for my hair. When I leave it down I

look like Emma. My curls are fantastic and huge. Hahaha I know I look

like a mad woman. :)

Blessings number three: our apartment is a humble abode but I feel

safe and we have everything we need.

Blessing number four: Sister Astle. Oh man oh man she has so much

patience with me. I have been brutally honest with her but that's the

only way I can function out here because it is devil hard. I won't

lie, a day does not pass where I wonder if I can make it out here much

longer. The times I feel the most join and the most motivation is when

I am baring my testimony or listening to a less active, investigator,

member or another missionary bare their testimony. This work is divine

and even though I'm uncomfortable most all day everyday emotionally

and physically I have never felt The Lord support me more. I love

being here. I love Sister Astle even though she drives me nuts

sometimes. I am not supposed to be anywhere else.

Blessing number five: the wardies! They LOVE the missionaries. We are

fed every night. Hence the beginning of this email. They feed us so

much and so much meet. It all taste good and I think The Lord has

placed a blessing on my mouth and my tummy. The elders try to stuff as

much in and then it's yo to the sisters to Finnish the rest. Crazy.

But this ward is wonderful. Father's Day on Sunday the primary sang.

It was unreal. Hahahaha I was dying and dying for someone to laugh

with me. Pits a bunch of black, Asian, Hispanic, white, red headed

kids who can't sit still.

Okay so now I'm gonna ramble off a few thoughts I want to share....

iPads. It's hard but it's a blessing. We have to carry them with us

where ever we go because it's our everything, our area book, planner,

lesson manual, email, notes, camera, communication, address book,

EVERYTHING. I would rather write everything down but this does

simplify in ways. We also give lessons over FB and share spiritual

uplifting messages through FB. I can see how it would be distracting

but there is no time to doddle around. Ha I found Emma's video she

made for me on FB but I can't watch it! Now that's killing me! :) it's

nice because in lessons we can pull up videos and conference talks,

pamphlets, pictures, songs, ect. It's pretty cool how God works.

I wish I could tell you all about the people I've met so far but it

would take way to long and this email is already long. Here are some

of my favorite people....

Sandy: 72 Year old lady. Has the thickest New Yorker accent. Super

duper negative and grumpy but when we sing hymns to her she softens up

like melted chocolate. She he has a hard life and every time we go

over she has something new to deal with. We try really hard to help

her see The Lord working in her life.

Tracey: recent convert of 3 weeks. Amazing testimony. She reminds me

of Lucinda. She is going through a really rough time right now

(prayers needed). Satan knows how strong she is so he is working his

hardest. She helped break me into mission life that's for sure.

Mama Rose: 80 ish year old Hispanic. The cutest thing you ever did

see. She is probably 4 feet tall, no joke. She got offended 10 years

ago at church and won't go back. So sad but her testimony is

beautiful. I love seeing her.

Beryl: our Progressing investigator. She is (hopefully) getting

baptized on the 29th.nwoot! She needs to be interview by president

Morgan first. Please prayer that all goes well. Yesterday when we met

with her we talked about how God has asked us to keep our body's clean

and pure and how she will need to take out her piercings before she

can be baptized. She cried for a moment because she loved her per

icings that much but then we prayed and after that she took all of

them out. I was astounded. It was the best testimony she could ever

bare. The change she has made because of this beautiful gospel is

incredible.

Sister Walker: 65 year old black lady. She is like my momma here. I

love her hugs. She is a less active coming back to activity. I love

going to her house even though I smells strongly of wet dog.

After leaving members homes I become more and more grateful for my

family. How amazing they are and how strong our relationships are.

Bing at members homes kinda make me homesick but then I am just

grateful for my family.

Well my fingers are sore so I will say goodbye for this week. I love

you all. Thank you for your prayers, I feel them and I need them. I

wanna hear from Seth, Meredith and viv. Chin up!! XO

Love, Your Sister Checketts

Sent from my iPad