Sometimes I get mini headaches because I smile so much.
Ciao Chillins! I can't get it all in one email but here's what I can
give ya....This has been one LONG week... BUT it's been the best week
I've had on my mission. Yup. I haven't felt this happy and worked this
hard for a while. What a way to start off my third cycle in the
mission. I feel so blessed and I see so many miracles each and
everyday.
My new companion! Sister Toone.... Not Sister Taylor. Last week I told
you all that my new companion was Sister Taylor, well there was a bit
of a mix up. Hahaha for a good 4 days everyone thought a Sister Taylor
was coming up to Middletown but nope! I am blessed to be serving along
side what I now call one of my best friends. Sister Toone opened this
area at the beginning of her mission and so she gets to come back and
finnish off her mission here. It is cool to see what she started and
now where it has come. Beautiful. Sister Toone was a HUGE answer to my
prayers. I am learning so much from her. We work so hard and yet I
still feel like a real person as opposed to a robot. We laugh so hard
[yesterday I almost peed my pants in a parking Lott because we were
laughing so hard] and work well with one another. I still feel a fresh
excitement for these next 2 cycles and it's glorious.
Cat calling happens on a daily basis as we walk down the busy streets
in Middletown. Sometimes as we walk past a building they are all just
sitting at their windows waiting to taunt us. We try to just ignore
the filth but one day a man whistled and yelled out his window "Hey
beautiful ladies! I like your hair!" Sister Toone just about had it
with the disrespect, [after a full day of this kind of stuff it takes
everything in you not to turn around a scream] she looked up to let
them know we won't tolerate anymore of it. Just as her downward locked
eyes left the pavement she ran right into a trash can knocking it over
and her going down with it. We laughed for 15 minutes straight doubled
over as we tried to continue our march. It relieved the stress and we
were able to brush off Satan's belittling attacks for the rest of the
night. Thank you Sister Toone.
Tracy update! After our Law of Chastity lesson with her and Vinny we
couldn't get a hold of her and she wasn't calling us back which was
weird for her and made me quite nervous. We decided to stop by on
Sunday and just check in, she invited us to stay and chat for a bit.
We were able to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we read my
favorite scripture 2 Nephi 31. She said is not looking to get married
to Vinny anytime soon but she does want to strengthen her faith so we
will start again there and work up. We are going to start teaching her
and the rest of her family together on Saturdays and I am so excited
for that. I know as they work to strengthen their family relationships
the spirit will come into their home and they will grow a stronger
desire to act on their faith.
Danielle update! She is wonderful. Satan is working so hard to keep
this young daughter of God from making and keeping these sacred
covenants but she is enduring to the end. I am excited for her and
feel so blessed to watch her on this journey. [I know I say this every
week... But it's true!!]
Of course there is opposition in all things. Amidst my glory days here
in Middletown this week we did get some more hard news. One of the LAs
that we meet with passed away. Valerie Sorensen. She was 68 years old
and just decided to give up on life and once she made that decision it
was a quick spiral down. The news broke my heart, but I know Sister
Sorensen is in a good place receiving the love and healing she needs.
I will miss her so much. It still amazes me how even a grumpy, old,
sassy lady can take up so much room in my heart. Again I thank my god
for putting these people into my life.
My miracle for the week was Alana Villada. 26 year old college student
studying at the new medical college her in Middletown. She wants to be
a doctor. We received her records back in the beginning of august and
just didn't get around to looking her up. I stubbled across her name,
address and number one day and received a strong impression to look
her up. After a while of walking up and down streets in the humid
summer sun, with no luck, we called it quits. As we got back into the
car I received another strong impression that we could not move this
car until we have made contact with Alana. I whinned to the spirit
"What!? You want us to go back out there and walk up and down the same
streets!? It's pointless, we couldn't find her house!" I then was
invited by the spirit to take a dose of humility pills and then to
immediately call her, "I guess I could do that". Alana picked up and
after I told her who was calling she proceeded to tell me how this was
an answer to her prayers. We immediately set up an appointment with
her and the bishop so she could receive the priesthood blessed she so
desperately needed. This young woman's faith and ability to endure and
endure it well was a testimony to me. I am sorry I didn't call her
sooner but I am grateful for the miracle I witnessed when we did.
Happy Happy Birthday to my momma and my sweet Elder Checketts. I hope
you had a grand day. I love you!
I come home exhausted every night but I can't even tell you how happy
I am to be out here right now. The work is good. I am being so
blessed, I can feel your prayers. Thank you. Thank you. I love you all
so much. Keep working hard and so will I.
Love, Sister Checketts
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience: we are
spiritual beings having a human experience."
-Tielhard De Chardin
PRAYER ROLL:
Zuley: She will get her new apartment.
Tracy & Katrina & Vinny: will meet with all together on Saturday.
Their hearts will be softened.
Danielle: Strength to quit smoking and drinking coffee. Keep coming to church.
Rudy & Helen: Health will improve. Helen will be able to go to the temple soon.
Sheryl & Amhad & Mckenzie: Be allowed to come to church on Sunday.
Alana: Her exams will go well this week. She will feel comfort
throughout the healing power of the atonement. She will be able to
come to church this Sunday.
We got our less active to come to church but she showed up missing her
bottoms..... Oh the things you see in New York.
My heart burns with pride for my family. I love you all so much. I
received MANY emails this week that were more than beautiful, they
were inspired, and I am so grateful. Today I said goodbye to my
Trainer, Sister Savannah Astle. Bitter sweet. She is headed back down
to Chinatown and I am staying up here in Middletown! My new companion
is Sister Taylor. I am so excited to get to know her and even more
excited to introduce her to the wonderful people up here in upstate
New York. It's going to be a good cycle.
So the report for this week..... Well upstate has been over taken by
the fall. The lush green trees are starting to turn to gold. The air
is crisp and it is my absolute favorite. It almost makes missionary
work even more exciting. :) The fall reminds me of fond days up at the
U, walking around campus all bundled up watching people pass by and
with each step stirring up a handful of crunchy leaves. Oh I LOVE it.
Okay really here is my report now. Dulce's baptism was this past
Sunday. It went very well. The spirit is so strong as you watch
someone make those covenants for the first time. As I watched her
enter the water it was like I had a little vision of her and her
future family thanking Dulce for the choice she so courageously made
on that day. We went and visited her last night and she is doing well,
she will get confirmed and welcomed into the ward this coming Sunday.
Woot!
Sister James came to church!! Yay! I know it was because of your
prayers, thank you.
Tracy hit a rough patch... We haven't been able to get in contact with
her for the past week and we are trying not to lose faith. Our last
lesson we had with her was the Law of Chastity. It was going really
well until her boyfriend pulled out the alcohol, the spirit could no
longer testify and if felt it quickly leave. Please pray for Tracy,
she needs this gospel just as much as the rest of us.
Louise Green. She is the sassiest 78 year old you'll ever meet and oh
boy do I love her. She threw a going away dinner party for Sister
Astle and Elder Gagnon in her backyard. It was so fun. It reminded me
of something we would do in Utah. We laughed all night as we went
around and chatted with the ward members. I love those kinds of
things, it makes me really happy.
This week I was listening to an old conference talk by Elder Holland,
I can't remember the name of it right now but it was directed to
mothers and he said something along the lines of.... "You are building
up the kingdom of God by being mothers".... Something struck me as he
said that. I fell so much purpose, focus and strength as I strive to
do all I can to help build up the kingdom of God, I know I will have
these similar feelings as I become a wife and a mother. I was thinking
what was my calling before my mission? What gave me purpose, focus and
strength in my teens? I didn't understand what it was and I think
that's when I found myself lost in a Worldly world. SO you young
folks.... What are you doing today to build up the kingdom of God?
Dad! I got your package! I swear it was better than Christmas. I cried
and cried to Sister Astle as I pulled out each of the things that were
so particularly sent for me. Hahaha she just laughed at me. It meant a
lot to me, so thank you Dad and family. You are the best.
Sorry this is a busy email, it's transfers and I hardly have time. I
love you all so much. I am excited for this new transfer. I am happy
and healthy. I love missionary work. I am so blessed and I see that
you are all being blessed too and that it so comforting to me. Keep
praying. I'll talk to you soon. XO
Love, Sister Checketts
PRAYER ROLL:
Tracy will continue to meet with us and progress
Zuley will find direction for her life through her baptismal covenants
Amhad, Sheryl, and Mckenzie will see the truth in our message
Danielle will be able to quit smoking and drinking coffee
new comp.
We drive past fields of horses everyday. Nothing new.... Until I saw
three that had extremely long necks and two huge humps in the small of
their backs! Wait a minute.... Those are CAMELS! Camels in upstate New
York being raised on a farm. I love it.
Aloha familia! I don't have a ton to report on and I don't have oodles
of time so this might be a snappy one.
Friday morning Sister Astle and I woke up real early to get down to
Ossining for Zone Conference with President. It was in the wee hours
of the morning and NY was still asleep, we got a text but that isn't
unusual. The text was from one of our investigators husbands,
informing us that that our dear investigator, Jill Rogan, had passed
away the morning before. I met Jill my very first transfer here. She
was young and had a young son but like a lot of people we meet cancer
was eating her up. Sorrow over came Sister Astle and I. It was really
hard. Death has always thrown me for a loop whether it was someone I
didn't even know or someone I knew. This is when the plan of salvation
comes in and saves me from sinking to low. I have a strong testimony
that Christ loves and because he loves so shall we. Jill has the
opportunity to accept the gospel and I know she will. I know Jill will
be heavenly help for me out here on my mission and her angelic
guidance will touch the lives of the family she left behind. Alma
40:23 Mosiah 16:7 Jill's husband kindly thanked us for giving Jill the
peace she needed to leave this life. I am so blessed to have known
Jill even for the short time I did, I thank God for the opportunity I
had to learn along side her sweet spirit and to feel of her love.
Zone conference was wonderful. The spirit was so strong and I was once
again humbled. I finished my 12 week training only to realize that my
"training" will never be over. :) I have so much to work on, learn and
improve. I am so grateful I am in a safe environment to do so.
Tracy is doin swell. Progressing and changing. She just quit smoking
and drinking coffee this week!! Wahooo! I am so proud of her. Next
step is getting her and her "man" married! This could be the tough
one. Danielle is working hard as well to be ready for her baptismal
date coming up. Dulce is all set for her baptism this Sunday, I am so
excited for her. I see and teach lots of people but these three women
are amazing. They way the recognize truth and their desire to change
is incredible. I love them so much.
Another prayer of mine was answered this week as we found a family to
teach. We found Sheryl and the 3 young kids she nannies [we are
working on softening the heart of the children's mother]. They are the
sweetest things you'll ever see. 3 little black bodies scrambling
around as they climb up our legs to ask us who the picture of Christ
was. They live in a humble home, with their beds on the floor. They
may be poor but there faith is rich. The first day we met them, 6 year
old Mckenzie taught US that we are all family and God is our loving
Heavenly Father. As we left that appointment she came running out with
tears in her eyes and yelled to us down the street "Promise you'll
never forget that we are sisters!?" I cannot even explain to you the
love I felt right then. I know Heavenly Father loves all his children
but he has a sacred spot for the little ones. As a representative of
Jesus Christ I know I only feel a portion of the powerful and eternal
love that he feels for these young spirits but it was the most
desirable feeling I have felt in a long time.
I am turning into my mother. ;) I have to wear sweaters to church
because I get so darn cold! I am now teased for it and called "sweater
Sister".
Saturday is transfer calls! Woot! I will be sad to say goodbye to my
darling Sister Astle but at the same time I am so ready for another
change and another fresh start. This has been a busy cycle, I have
learned so much and have learned that I still have so much more to
learn. :) I am happy, oh so happy. This is hard hard work and
sometimes I just cry but then I am overcome with the love my Savior
and Father in Heaven has for me and I get back to work. He is blessing
me in more ways than I can express.
I am sorry I didn't get a chance to write some of you back this week.
I might have a bit more time later today but right now we are off to a
zone activity at Bear Mountain doin who knows what. Thank you for your
love and support. I love you all. XO
Love, Sister Checketts
PRAYER ROLL:
Jill's family to find truth, peace and comfort.
Tracy will be receptive to the law of Chastity
Danielle will continue to progress
Dulce's baptism will go smoothly
Sister James will be well enough to come to church on Sunday
The Missionaries!
Teaching the Word of Wisdom.... Sister Astle: "As you get older,
Dulce, your friends will try and get you go against the Word of
Wisdom, they will try to get you to drink drugs... Wait... Eat
drugs?..."
Dulce:"I think it's sniff drugs?"
Oh boy. We are far from perfect teachers.
Hi Howdy Hey. This week was speedy! But let's start off with the good
stuff! A week ago i got to go down to the Manhattan temple! Bahhh! It
was an answer to my prayers to be able to go. A huge thanks to my
friend Sister Davis, for taking us. I feel like I belong down in
Manhattan! My time will come. The Manhattan temple is right in the
middle of the busy city world but as soon as you walk in it is sweet
silence. Being inside the temple felt like home, I felt safe and
secure and emotions ran high. :) The temple is such a good reminder to
me of the big picture, it is so easy to get caught up in the little
things in the now but there is so much more to all of this. It was a
wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back.
I walked in to church and Sister Davis ran up to me and yelled
"Congratulations!! You're and aunt!!" I almost cried. If I was
actually hearing this from HUGE news from someone in Middletown before
a family member I would have flipped. Well turns out I am still just a
cousin. Congratulations Brent and Ann on the new babe, he is darling!
:)
Beryl got Baptized!! It was a wonderful service. It was so good to see
her and her family and to feel of the spirit and to see it brighter
than ever in her face. She will actually be moving back to our area so
we will be able to go visit her and give her the new convert lessons.
Woot.
Sister Astle and I went on splits this past week with the STLs. I got
to go up to Poughkeepsie with Sister Mitchell. It was so exhilarating
to go to a new area! So interesting to see how other missionaries work
and to see the people that they love and have come close to as they
invite them to come unto Christ. Splits are also nice for the fact
that it makes you grateful for what you do have. I LOVE MIDDLETOWN!
Guess who has a baptismal date!? Yup, Tracy! I don't think I told you
about her yet because I'll be honest, I didn't think it would happen.
The Lord proved me wrong. :) She has a lot to change before her
baptism on September 21, but we are working hard, she has a desire to
change and we have The Lord on our side so anything is possible. We
have 1. 2. 3!! Baptisms in the next month, it's crazy trying to
balance who we've seen, who we haven't, what has been taught, what
needs to be taught, ect. I know God is blessing this area, because
it's flourishing more than it ever has. I just hope I can keep up with
all of it.
I got a package from one of my "friends" back at Waterford this past
week [8 year old, I would play with at recess]. It was the best
surprise. What was inside? Oh just a clay made Olaf!! Hahaha my
companion and I had a ole good laugh.
Hey just in case you didn't get the memo... Our Church is awesome.
Have you been on LDS.org recently? It is fantastic. You guys! We have
so many wonderful resources and they are just waiting for us to take
advantage of them. This is the new age! If you have a smart phone and
do not have gospel library downloaded on it I would invite you to
repent and then, with haste, download it. ;) We are so blessed, there
are so many things that God provides for his Church that will help
hasten the work and protect us from the world. Find it and use it.
https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng
So... How is your mission going? I love you. I am so grateful for you.
Thank you for your prayers. I'll talk to you next week! XO
Love, Sister Checketts
Nobody like to watch Mormon messages with me. I know someone in
probably 89% of all the movies, videos, magazines, clips, ads ect.
that the Church produces, and when I see a familiar face I like to
point it out.
It was a solid week I'm tellin ya. Hello loved ones! Hey family, I got
your package! Gracias. That was so fun to get! Thank you for the
pictures, notes, letters, art, and the darling bracelets! I jumped for
joy and then quickly hung it all up on my wall that I stare at during
studies. ;)
Heavenly Father blessed me so much this week. I have watched him
answer prayer after prayer. I want to share a few examples of this.
Número one.... I was having a hard time last week, I was struggling
having the confidence I needed to go into our lessons with so I could
teach clearly and simply. It was extremely frustrating for both me and
Sister Astle. I prayed with all my might that The Lord would help keep
my mind clear and I could teach with power and simplicity. One morning
as I was preparing to go to a lesson with an investigator I prayed
specifically for these blessings in this lesson. We taught the
restoration. I was able to teach Tracy clearly and simple doctrine and
as I recited the first vision to her from memory the spirit was able
to bare strong witness to her. I was so relieved and soon as we walked
out of Tracy's home I knelt and thanked my Father in Heaven for
keeping his promises, and loosened my tongue.
Número two.... I told you all that I missed the temple. Well I missed
it so bad I asked my father in Heaven to help me some how get down to
the city so I could go. Miracles do happen folks. Right now I am on my
way to the temple [well by the time you get this I will have already
gone] Sister Davis offered to take Sister Astle and I. I know this is
my Father answering my plea.
Número three..... We have been meeting with a less active named Helen.
She is absolutely wonderful. Her husband, Rudy, isn't a member and is
pretty disgusted with the whole "Mormon deal". He wouldn't ever talk
to us when we would showed up. He is a pretty small, old, stubborn,
Italian man. Recently we have been doing some family history work
with Helen and yesterday when we went over The Lord decided it was
time to soften Rudy's heart, he wants to do family history with
Helen!! Bahhh! We were dumbstruck. Even Helen was shocked. This was an
answer to our prayers.
Número four.... We got to call Marietta! She is doing so well. She is
definitely bringing some New Yorker umph to her new ward. :) It was
the biggest comfort talking to Marietta and to know that she is still
cleaving to the tools that will help her endure to the end.
Número five..... Danielle. 19 year old girl who was inspired to wake
up last Sunday and walk into the closest church she could find. That
was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint. We got her number
and since this past Sunday we have been able to meet with her twice
and yesterday we were able to set a baptismal date! She has had a hard
life and to see the hope the Savior brings to her and her life is the
most divine thing I've ever witnessed. I am so proud of her. She is
working really hard to quit smoking so the date is set for September
21.
"The feeling of love from our Heavenly Father is like a gravitational
pull from heaven. As we remove the distractions that pull us toward
the world and exercise our agency to seek Him, we open our hearts to a
celestial force which draws us toward Him. Nephi described its impact
as “even unto the consuming of [his] flesh” (2 Nephi 4:21). -Elder
Paul E. Koelliker
[He Truly Loves Us]
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/he-truly-loves-us?lang=eng
Okay now I'm ready to share my nightmare for the week. In all
seriousness, it was a nightmare. First off I must specify that I
strongly dislike ground beef. There is something about it that freaks
me out and it doesn't even taste good [sorry if that hurt]. Now try to
picture this. Sister Astle and I just left a lunch appointment with a
less active member. She had boughten us two huge pizzas after working
in her yard. The pizza was so yummy and our bellies were poppin, and a
little uncomfortably so. We got in our car to head to our next
appointment at our dear Mildred's home. We got there and the almost
the exact moment we sat down Milly started to tell us about the
spaghetti she has just made to last her for the month.... "No. No. No.
No." That's what was going through my head. It wasn't to much longer
after when she offered us some. At first we kinda just tried to ignore
the question, then we pretended we couldn't understand what she was
asking... That didn't work... So then suddenly we "lost" our hearing.
She wasn't giving up. The longest three minutes of my life passed and
then Sister Astle caved. She replied with a solemn "sure Milly, we
would love some." I started to cry as Milly shuffled past me into the
kitchen. She plopped a ladle full of saucy noodles and then came the
soggy ball of the meat that makes my skin crawl. She threw it into the
microwave and then tossed it onto the table in front of us. We started
to eat. I tried to just spread it out on my plate but Milly noticed
and yelled "you chose to eat, now eat!!" She then proceeded to open
her 1900 fridge and show us the pan full of uncovered spaghetti. I
won't go into to much more detail but I don't think I will ever
willing choose to have spaghetti and meatballs ever again. It was a
nightmare and my tummy hated me for the few days that followed.
I love New York. I feel so blessed to be out here around these people.
Glory be to God, for this is his work. Thank you for your prayers, I
know the things I see and am able to do is not only Heavenly Father
answering my prayers but yours as well. I love you. I will talk to you
next week. XO
Love, Sister Checketts
PRAYER ROLL:
Zuley- She will find a place to live.
Tracy & Daughter- Read the Book of Mormon. Come to Church. Return to health.
Danielle- Strength to quit smoking. Peace to prepare for baptism.
Dulce- Wont be scared to go into the waters of baptism.
Rudy- We will be able to do family history work with him.
Shenickqua- She will feel the truthfulness of this Gospel
