The Book of Mallory

Chapter 10

Hna Showalter starts her own plates - Many gifts are bestowed - Flesh is consumed - Gloria is glorious - Joy is found only in the Gospel

1. It came to pass that I, Hermana Showalter, saw the plates of Nash and that they were good and so made my own in a similitude.

2. And the week had been long but full in a manner that caused us to rejoice. For we saw many people and knocked many doors and saw the blessings of heaven rain down upon us in the form of English members

3. For we encountered many and they did find joy in us, the missionaries, and gave us things such as giant bottles that would keep water cold and our bodies refreshed.

4.Not only that but they gifted us bug spray so that I could find relief from those that continually consumed my flesh, for they were many and my legs did itch in an exceeding manner. And behold, my bug bites did exceed the count of twenty.

5. And they also knocked on the door of a member who did have a wall of candy. And they invited us in and behold, we did partake in a manner that was like unto savages, for we hungered mightily.

6.We did also at this time settle a dispute that had arisen as to how long it would take to mop and sweep the floor, for there was contention within the house about this subject. And behold we did flee rapidly for domestic matters were not to our liking.

7. And we did have lessons with our investigators in which the spirit was strong and they desired to know more, especially one named Gloria.

8. Now Gloria was a favorite among us and did attend the church and a meeting for those recently converted and did find much joy in these things and we found joy in them as well.

9. And behold, Gloria did defend the faith even unto an unbeliever in which I, Hermana Showalter, rejoiced exceedingly in and both were edified in our testimonies of Joseph Smith, for he truly was a prophet who was mighty in works, yea, even unto the translating of the Book of Mormon.

10. And we did continue on in our work and knocked on a door that said "Bienvenidos" but behold it was a liar for people from the land of Asia did dwell within.

11. And we also did find this place, which those who dwelt within called "The Land" and behold they were very strange so we tarried not long there.

12. And although many doors were knocked, those that desired to know the truth and spoke Spanish were but few. But behold, Hermana Shaffer and I did find joy in a knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the happiness that is found in the scriptures.

13. For we know that their words are true. For the edify us and strengthen us in our afflictions, even in the great heat that does dwell upon the face of the land of Gilbert.

14. Therefore we preach and share our message with a lightness of heart, even as the sun sears upon us. For this is a joyful work and a joyful message and we love it even more than we love Mcdonalds
59 cent ice cream cones.

15 And with this message of joy thus ends the tenth week of my time here in the land of Gilbert.

To the Moon and Back
Hermana Showalter

And I got eaten alive...

We heart attacked a recent convert

This week has been pretty weird. So our area is pretty unexplored Spanish wise so we have been doing a lot of OYMing and let me tell you, you meet the strangest people when you knock random doors. It does make it interesting and you just got to laugh as you go.

This week though we saw a lot of miracles! We were able to find a new investigator named Noehlia. She is 12 years old, feels at home in the church and reads the Book of Mormon when she has time. It was literally such a blessing finding her. She had been a referral given to Hermana Cedeno and I but we looked everywhere and couldn't find her house. It was so weird. We found the house # after and before but not hers. So when Hermana Shaffer and I looked I have to admit I lacked a little faith that we would find it. Well within 4 minutes we had found it and were talking with her on her porch! I was literally getting eaten alive by mosquitoes but it turned out to be a blessing because her parents let us in and we got to talk to them...first
Noelhia...then her parents!

We also had this really amazing lesson with Gloria last Monday. We got to her house and were just talking when she was like okay okay lets pray!! I was a little taken aback but after the prayer she started telling us about this dream she had had. In it she was baptized by immersion. It went on a lot longer but the spirit was so strong. She is so excited to get baptized and really has such a strong testimony. We did have to push her baptism back though because she is getting stressed out by a lot of stuff and she wanted it to be baptized with full peace of mind. But it will be soon!

There was a lot of other stuff that happened this week but it has been great. The work has really started to pick up in our area and we were able to have interviews with president. The time we have with him is so special and being able to get a blessing by him really helped me recenter my efforts and thoughts. I know I still have a long way to go but I'm learning to just try and better myself everyday and that will be enough. I love this work with my whole heart, being a missionary is the best!

To the moon and back!!

Hermana Showalter

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!
PPS I currently have 14 bug bites on my legs

 

We got some interesting looking cotton candy but we ate it anyways!

"Teen Mom"

We got to skype!

So I may have deceived you all with the title of my email but in a weird way it is true. In the mission if you are training you're called that missionary's "mom" or "dad". Hermana Cedeno was my "mom" for my first 7 weeks and normally you'll have a trainer for 12 weeks or two transfers. Well there are only 6 Spanish sisters here and three of us came 7 weeks ago and 1 came last week...so we were short trainers with experience. And that is the short, complicated way that I ended up training at 7 weeks....or being a "teen mom".

So in other words...I"M TRAINING! I feel a little (re: a lot) under prepared and a little over my head but I'm excited to get to work with Hermana Shaffer! She is from Draper, Utah and has a voice of an angel. Like she was literally on some church cds and stuff...shes legit folks. And like I said I am still in good ol' Queen Creek with  a few minor adjustments. We now have 6 missionaries in the ward which means that areas had to be changed a bit. We ended up losing half our investigators which was hard but we have an area that's pretty unexplored Spanish wise so are excited to get to work in it and find people!

But in very good news...Gloria is still in our area! I love her so much and am so pumped to keep working with her. We were able to set a baptismal date with her for this weekend and she is so excited! So hopefully all will go well and we will be able to get her baptized!

Yesterday also was awesome because we got to Skype our families! Its so great to see the Showalter Clan and hear their voices and see their faces. Families really are the most important thing we have and I am so grateful to know that they can be together forever.

This past week has been filled with the some of the best moments and hardest moments of my mission so far. Since I was without a companion for two days I got to hang out with the English sisters, Sister Baggley and Sorenson. We had a blast working together and taught one of the most powerful lessons on my mission so far. The spirit was so strong that we were all in tears. Those are the moments that just make everything worth it. We also had a cool experience yesterday where a referral not only talked to us but invited us back for dinner! Miracles are real!

Funny moments this week include:
- an old (ish?) man hitting on Hermana Shaffer and I
- we got anti-ed (?) by this really strong Christian
- Sister Sorenson and Baggely actually having a draft for transfers to try and figure out who was going where...it was kind of awesome actually

But anyways that was my week! I know that in the hard moments of our lives that we always have a loving Heavenly Father that we can rely on. As long as we are doing our part He will make up the rest.

To the Moon and Back:
Hermana Showalter

RIP Hermana Cedeno

We have a lady we visit that has a ton of bobble heads lining her house so we took a pic with them!

Yup it's true folks....Hermana Cedeno dies (as in leaves the mission) today.

It is so hard to say good bye to her. The things that she has taught me about being a missionary and working hard and leaving it all behind are things I hope to carry throughout my mission and I know that I am a better missionary because of her.

But in other news...TRANSFERS! Well it looks like I will be staying in good old Queen Creek and the Bella Vista Zone for the time being and I couldn't be more excited. I love this area so much and am excited to continue to work with Gloria who is the bomb diggity (shout out to Katie).

Gloria

 In exciting miracles that happened this week she asked for Sundays off....AND THEY SAID YES! So she was able to come to church this week which means that she can be baptized either this week or next depending on how she feels. Hermana Cedeno and I were literally dancing when she told us. THE CHURCH IS TRUE.

This week we also had two of our investigators feed us which I like to think is their way of showing love to us. The problem is they may love us too much. Juan and Sandra literally fed us so much I had to sneakily unbutton the back of my skirt or else I was going to throw up. 99% sure that Heavenly Father helped me out though because I managed to keep it all in and not die. But they also fed me the spiciest pepper of my life and I high key thought I was allergic to it and every part of my face was in intense pain and felt like it was on fire for 15 minutes. Turns out I wasn't allergic but it was just really hot...Moral of the story: Beware of peppers that Mexicans feed you and say is only "a little spicy"...its a lie.

But other than that not a ton happened this week. We had Spanish zone conference which was a blast and super spiritually uplifting and then president bought us all lunch #blessed.I love every second I get to spend with President Wheeler. He was truly called of God.

Oh and I don't know who my next companion is until Wednesday so I guess we will all find out soon! All I know is that I love this work even though it can be really hard. We just need to put it in Gods hands and trust that He will provide the rest. I truly love this Gospel with all my heart! I invite all of you to really try and strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father. I know that this will bring you so much peace...it has for me! I love all of you!

To the moon and back!!

Hermana Showalter

Spanish Zone shirts and pictures during our soccer game today!!!

LOOK how hot!

me and my enemy...the bike

 Sister Baggley and I living the English life

SHOUTOUT to Hermana Coulom for sending me pringles and a really cute necklace!

We had the same dress so we decided to twin for Hermana Cedenos last Sunday!

Letty and Andrea and Diana

Lucrecia and Jose

Another great week here in Queen Creek, Arizona! I may have been kissed....

I'll start with funny moments today....

  - I thought an old man was going in for a hug and froze because I didn't know how to respond. Turns out he was going in for a kiss but because of the awkward angle I was frozen at, kissed my neck instead. And they say you don't get any action on your mission...
  - went out with the English sisters for a bit and this lady told us that her husband was a Mormon bishop so she wasn't interested....we were a little confused but turns out she thought we were the Jehovah Witnesses
  - accidentally threw raw chicken at my companion when I made an Elder Pass noise (our zone leader)
 
But in other news I gave a 10 minute talk in church yesterday....IN SPANISH! Everyone was quite impressed (including myself) and now I am no longer the white girl but the white girl who can speak Spanish! So that was exciting.

In sad news we have to push back Gloria's baptism until next week. She wasn't able to make it to church yesterday because she has a crazy work schedule but is really trying to change it which is awesome. She is so ready and excited to be baptized its amazing to be a part of.

Other sad news is that this is Hermana Cedenos last week. I am going to miss her a ton. She is an amazing missionary and friend. She has taught me so so much and I know that I am (semi) prepared for the road ahead.

We also had exchanges with Sister Hanson this week which was so fun to party it up with her again. A thing I love about this mission is that you see everyone all the time and it really lifts your spirits.

Well time is kind of crazy today so I got to go but I just want to tell you all how much I love this gospel. It is hard sometimes and  difficult but the rewards are so great. This is a gospel of joy!! Christ is the way. Eternal Life is the goal. Joy is the reward!

TO THE MOON AND BACK

Hermana Showalter

One of the most poisonous lizards in the world