Highs and Lows

6-16-14

Dear Family,
8 months.
Today marks 8 months solid.
     Can you believe it? I can't... It is so weird to think it's been that long. In some ways it doesn't seem that long at all. It's weird to think that exactly 8 months ago from right now I had just gotten off my flight, had just made it to Aunt Mindy's house, and was trying really hard to take a quick nap before being taken to the MTC in two hours. (The whole nap thing didn't really work... I was mostly trying not to hyperventilate...) and yet, here I am! 8 months down, Sitting behind a computer screen in a tiny family history center in the middle of nowhere Roosevelt Utah. I think the weirdest thing to think about is how much I feel like I've changed in that amount of time. I'm still me. But I feel better about myself, more positive, I feel more whole,  more solid,  more happy, and I feel more me. I also feel more stressed, more overwhelmed, and more desperate to just do more. It's a vicious cycle really...haha.
     This week has been insanity. I've hit some lows and I've hit some highs and I've been all over in between.
     I had another one of those awkward days where two different people made us dinner on the same day...and I felt so sick... That was an adventure... At one of the dinners there was a little boy who had a pet bunny that he carried around everywhere with him in a laundry basket... He even arranged for it to have a place to sit at the dinner table! Afterwards he was flinging the basket around the floor making race car noises...poor bunny...haha!

 Wednesday night was a rough night for me... You know how in my last email I told you about a couple we were teaching and how they got in a major fight and guns became involved...well the thing is... I love that couple. I've written to you about J and T before. I was the first one to start teaching them and I've always had a close relationship to T. I've always felt the spirit really strong while teaching her and I always felt like she was one of those people I was meant to meet. Well she has been struggling really badly with the whole thing... Obviously. After I heard what happened she wouldn't talk to us or contact us so I had no idea what was really going on or if I would ever be able to see them again. Then Wednesday night she texted us and said "I need a blessing. It's time." So we called her bishop and brother B the ward mission leader. After coordination that night we headed straight over to  Parkside Old Folks home where she works, and went into one of elderly lady's rooms that we all knew really well for the blessing. When I gave T a big hug she just started crying.  I just hugged her. She was saying the saddest things about how being around a violent abusive person for so long had turned her into one and she didn't want to be. I was so so sad for her listening to the things she said and how hurt and lost she was. Bro B gave her a blessing and it helped but she is still struggling to figure everything out. So I had another one of those times when I couldn't help it, I felt so useless because I felt like there was nothing I could do to fix it.
     I've lived a good life. With a loving family and nice home and a lot of love. I didn't know how much so many people really just hurt all the time until I came out on my mission. So I ended up crying the whole way home even though I really didn't want to. Sis Nomo was a good sport and didn't make me talk about it or even acknowledged it. Because honestly, who really wants to talk and cry at the same time.  I've only cried a handful of times on my mission, and it's amazing to me that most of them have been for the pain of others...I cried because of my back but I was in pain...so yeah. There are just so many other things I could do to fix problems than cry...But mostly now I feel like I don't have a right to whine and cry in self-pity anymore, because so many people have it so much worse than me...
       As a missionary, a lot of people treat you like a super hero, but sometimes I really don't feel like one because I can't force people to accept the gospel and let me help save their lives. And even if they do accept I can't stop Satan from throwing everything he's got at them. But I had to remember what Kayla wrote me about last time I got upset about this same thing. I can't help everyone. That's Gods job. I can't take the pain away no matter how much I wish I could just feel it for them so they don't have to. That's the Savior's job. I can just do my best to do what I can and trust that God will make up the rest.
     But T said something that night that struck me really hard. When I was giving her a hug goodbye, she is a lot shorter than me, so I had to lean down. She laughed and said "it's like you're my big little sister!" I know she meant it like "you are younger than me but a lot taller!" But the spirit hit me over the head. I am her big sister...really truly. I might be in a younger body. But I was sent here to help lead and guide her...spiritually speaking I feel as if the spirit was telling me I was older and needed to fulfill my duty and help bring her home. It was a strange experience. But impacted me a lot.
     This week I was able to get to know Sis Nomo better :) we talked a lot and got to know each other better. I think she still isn't used to Roosevelt and doesn't like it very much here...which is sad for me because I LOVE Roosevelt! She is super spunky, and has her own views on everything. She's interesting to talk to because she is super smart and well...about 5 years older than me. A lot of the time I forget she's closer to Sharee and Kayla's age than to me. But the age gap is there haha. This week she discovered the fact that I am blonde...and sometimes say stupid things without thinking. She laughs at me a lot now, which I'm okay with, as long as she is happy! :) if you don't remember... I say stupid stuff a lot and I’m Really gullible...and Sis Nomo has this quote book that she keeps of funny things her companions or people she is teaching say... Yep I've made it into the book 3 times in the last 48 hours... Simply because I asked her how long it takes her to get a sunburn (she's black...) and I also said I had portable sunscreen (apparently all sunscreen is portable...go figure)
      Thanks for sending me that back healing book! I’ve started using the stretches. Thanks Kayla for sending me Cardio too! I loved the chain letter when everyone wrote two lines! I about died laughing and I think my companion thought I was a weirdo because I kept cracking up reading it! Sharee telling me funny quotes about Hannah, Kayla talking about her birthday, Leisha trying to arrange my future marriage, Kelsy telling me about planning her own future marriage, Carl talking about basketball (always), Riley telling me the family keeps beating her up, moms own comments on everyone, and lastly Steve telling me about a burrito that changed his life... Classic. Loved it and it made miss you all a lot!

     This week Dallin Foote was baptized which was a great blessing! I've been working with him since I first got here. He is a sweet little boy and smart as a whip! His mom is super supportive but his dad... not so much...we want to work on his dad. So hopefully that works! This next week is going to be crazy busy and stressful. We have exchanges this week and also the twins I told you about are getting baptized next Saturday! So we will continue to teach them as fast as we can! They are cute little boys too! We also went and saw one of my favorite families, who we are also working with. Bro. F is trying to quit chewing and he has finally started to stop!!!!! He says he's done! And he seems pretty resolved! They want to go to the temple in August, which I'm so stoked about! It will be amazing for him to reach this goal! We've been working with him forever!  To see him really start progressing is sooooo amazing! 
     So today after emails we are going hiking as a district with DUSTY!!! I love Dusty he is hilarious! I've told you about him, he's the funny one who used to be a rocker and stuff? I'll send you guys pictures next week!
     I'm sorry this email is obnoxiously long... I've come to realize how long winded I am... gosh. But I hope all is going well! Tell Carl he's a boss hippy freak for being great at basketball! I can't wait to watch you play when I get home, Carly-puff! I hope all is going well at home with all the family! I loved the little video you sent of Hannah talking to me! I've loved seeing the cute pictures on Facebook of all the baby cousins together! They are the CUTEST! I love you all lots and miss you a ton! I love hearing from you guys! Thank you all for your support and love! 
Love love love you guys!
Love,
Sister Lenise Diane Volmer

 

UFO's, a cemetary, and Chumlee

Dearest Darlingest Momsie and Popsicle (and the rest of you crazies!)
     Well this week has been scattered and crazy and good. :) where do I even begin...     Oh I know! So I keep forgetting to write you about this... But a few weeks back something happened...and you are going to think I'm nuts...
     So in case I haven't already told you, Roosevelt is like #1 in the world for UFO sightings. Seriously you could ask anyone around here and either they have seen something strange or someone they are close to has. Well you will never guess...but I have joined the ranks of those here in Roosevelt who have seen strange things. So obviously, us being the only sister missionaries in our mission who cover an Indian Rez we were bound to run into something right?
So yes. I saw a UFO. Don't judge.
     I was driving down a back road with one of our splits for an appointment and we were driving west, and the sun was setting. Suddenly in the sky I saw what I thought was a star...but it was still too bright out for there to be stars...ok it looked like a dot but more like a short strip of light. So I turned to my split Sister Haslem and was like "do you see that?" Pointing out the windshield. She squinted and was like "see what?" As I began to describe it, IT BEGAN TO MOVE! And then it just vanished....and I was like "What the heck!" She made me describe it to her and then she was like "oh no. Not you too."
     So yes. I saw an unidentified flying object.It was weird and it happened.  Great, you're probably searching your minds for mental hospitals and strait jackets now... And where to lock me up. Any who... Lets not dwell on it.
     This week was Sister Nomo's first full week here...and I felt really bad because she has super bad allergies and here in the basin it's terrible! She's allergic to pine trees and she's also allergic to cats and dogs....which the fact that we have a little scruffy dog named Buster living with us doesn't help at all.  She's had to stock up on a bunch of allergy meds and try them out. At the beginning of the week,  I think she was pretty miserable, but now that she has found some medicine that works she is doing a lot better.
     I really like Sis Nomo! She is super funny and we talk a lot. She loves things like Tennis, ballroom dancing, shopping (she loves to shop!)  It's always a new adventure adjusting to a new companion. You feel like you've finally figured out how to do and interact with your current companion, and then they transfer them and you have to relearn all over again. But I'm beginning to really like the changes. I get to meet so many amazing people and get to know them on a personal level.  You also learn the magicalness of awkward silences. haha  Each person is so different and it has really strengthened my testimony of our Heavenly Father who has created us each so differently and uniquely. We each have something to contribute to the work of God. 

Lenise visited the graveside of her Great Great Grandparents

        So on Thursday we were at a lesson in Neola and the topic of relatives and families came up and I told Bro Crozier that I had family over here in Roosevelt and that Grandma Merkley told me that some of them were buried in the Neola cemetery. So after the lesson we had some extra time and Bro Crozier took us to the cemetery and we found Great great grandma and Grandpa Workman's grave! Pearletta and German Workman. It was really cool to see! It just felt really neat to know that I have roots in Roosevelt and to see firsthand the places where my ancestors once lived. No wonder Roosevelt feels so much like home in some ways. 

     So another cool fact! I'm teaching a woman named Terra Rich...and guess who her brother just so happens to be.... Chumlee from Pawn Stars!!! Hahaha I about died laughing when I found out! She was telling us all about it. Apparently he comes to visit Roosevelt once in a blue moon, but I told her that my dad was a HUGE fan of Chumlee and that Sharee had once bought Chumlee t-shirts for Dad, Carl, and Steve. She thought that was super funny and ended up calling him and getting me something... That I shall send for Father's day for dad.... If it doesn't fit...oh well frame it or something... I'll wear it! 

     So something crazy happened this week. A couple that we've been teaching on and off for a while (wife less active, husband nonmember) got in a huge fight... and somehow the husband ended up getting shot in the back of the calf while trying to wrestle a gun out of his wife's hands that she had grabbed to protect herself...and now they are both in jail and we aren't allowed to go over anymore...Just because I'm in Utah, doesn't mean crazy things don't happen people....
     Yesterday we met with the R family again and somehow got on the topic of little kids and how as missionaries we aren't allowed to hold them or pick them up. Their little 1 year old son K is adorable! Somehow we got on the topic of pregnancy and I think I learned more than I ever wanted to know about pregnancy, labor, and post labor....I think I'm scarred for life ...oh my gosh... They kept laughing at my facial reactions to what they were saying....Too much information.... gosh.
     We've been trying to do more service and we got the opportunity this week to help wash cars and windows and sort clothes for a garage sale. Hopefully we'll get more!
     The work has been picking up here and it's been great! We met twin boys this week who were adopted this last year. They want to get baptized in two weeks and are so excited to learn more about the gospel. Their new parents are active and so supportive...so the next two weeks will be a marathon of teaching them the lessons every day and preparing them for baptism. They are great kids and super cute little boys. We also have a nine year old boy named D being baptized this next weekend and it should be a lot of fun. He's a cute little kid too! I'm so excited that the work is picking up! There are always ups and downs, and we've been in a down for a while, but the Lord truly does prepare people for us and places them in our path! It seems like we've been flooded with these people this week. This next week should be super busy! 
     So life is great. Life is grand. I love this missionary work and this life I live! I missed you all a lot this week especially know that you were all together, but I know I'm needed here. You should send me a huge group letter or something! Hope you guys are having a blast and looking for people to teach the gospel to over there! Congrats to Kelsy on Graduation and Carl for making the team! Riley is a superstar!!!! Seriously get her into some voice lessons and let her shine. She rocks! 

     I love you all and miss you all! Have fun at the baby shower! Have fun with all those babies! 

     I love you all to pieces! Miss you loads! Have a great week and end of school!
Love forever,
Sister Lenise Diane Volmer

 

Keep Keeping on!

6-2-14

Lenis's new companion Sister Nomo

Dear family,
Well it's been another long crazy week!
     Last Monday and Tuesday we spent all day teaching and going around visiting people so Sis Balero could say goodbye to them. It was a surreal two days. It didn't feel real that Sis Balero was leaving. I felt like I had been serving with her for forever. I know that transfers are all part of the experience and I know that she lives in my home town, and out of all of my companions she will probably be the one I stay in contact with and hang out with for years to come...but what i didn't expect was how much I was going to miss her. She's like a sister to me now. When you spend every waking moment of every day for three month straight with someone, how do you not get close to them and love them! I never even spent every waking moment with one of my own siblings or parents...but you get to know someone really well as a companion on a mission. I miss our inside jokes, the looks we could give each other and just know what each other was thinking, singing together, going on adventures and teaching together. She could just look at me and know when something was bothering me and the same went with her. I'm sure we both had pet peeves and sometimes we would disagree but that's life. I miss her a lot and I hope to be able to serve around her again sometime soon!
     So Wednesday rolled around and we headed out early to transfers. We stuffed the car full after packing whenever we got the chance the day before. The two hour drive is super nerve wracking when you know that at the end of it you'll be separated and put with a stranger and sent off. So we did our best to distract each other. We listened to music (even though it was the same CDs we've listened to over and over again...I really need new ones....) and Sis Balero told me the whole story of the movie Quest for Camelot, because it's been years since I've seen  it and couldn't remember it at all. Once we finally got to the transfer chapel we lugged everything inside. I've been told I'm not allowed to lift heavy things for a while so I wasn't much help... But I got to see Sis Jones and give her a big hug! We sat next to her at transfers and she is still a bubbly ball of fire, as always. Because I'm serving in eastern Utah, they always call us first so we can leave first, eat lunch, and head back out to the east side of the state. So I was one of the first companionships called. So I stood up and President McCune called out my new companion’s name!
Drum roll!!!!!!!!!    My new companion is Sister Nomo!!
     Sis Nomo is great! She is originally from Cameroon and Togo Africa but moved to the states as a refugee with her mom when she was young. She lived in Washington D.C. For a while and Maine. She was devout catholic all growing up. When she was 16, she would watch the BYU channel and had no idea it was even an LDS channel. One day she came across the Round Table discussions that they have on early in the mornings and she listened as they discussed the doctrine and covenants....and she became curious because she had never heard of D&C, so she invited the missionaries to come teach her. At first she didn't like them, but her mom did. Her mom went to church by herself for a year, before Sis Nomo decided to look into it more and get baptized with her mom. Her home town is now Mesa Arizona and she misses the heat a lot. She's 24, so I feel like a youngin' serving with her. Oh yeah, and she's fluent in French....which is legit! I don't think she was too thrilled to be called out to Roosevelt, and she is still adjusting, but I think she will do great here. She is super funny and has all her own opinions on things that she openly shares...which makes me laugh. I'm excited to get to know her more and become better friends :)
     But here's the thing. She doesn't sing...hahahaha! I feel bad because everybody here asks her if she can sing too and she is like "No! Not at all! I do not sing" I feel bad that she gets asked so often about it, but Sis Balero and I got asked to sing everywhere, and also had so many people talk to us about it, that now Sis Nomo is getting the after effects. But I'll keep singing. I'll try at least....
     Thanks a million for the summer shirts you sent me!!! They were all perfect and really cute! The floral one from Walmart you sent, I tried on before and really liked but talked myself out of buying it because my debit card wasn't working at the time. Thanks so much! Super cute! And also the pics you sent were great too! I'm sad I'll be missing Sharee's baby shower and also Kelsy's graduation party, but maybe there is someone who will really need me those days, so have fun! Wish I could be there! I'm sad I'm missing our family reuniting this week! But just send me pictures and I'll be good. I love pictures. They are my favorite for reals. That and when I can feel your prayers working in my life. It's like they literally carry me sometimes. 
     This weekend was Stake Conference in the Roosevelt West Stake, and they got a new Stake President. Elder Walker and Elder Jensen of the 70 both came and it was awesome to hear them talk. President and Sis McCune also came for the Saturday night meeting and spoke. I had no idea they were even coming so when Sis McCune walked in and gave me a big hug, I was like "Oh! You're here?" haha President was like "Yep! And when we saw you talking to people it felt like seeing family so we came to say hi" I love them so much. I swear that man could be a general authority himself. He is so powerful and humble and full of the spirit. I always feel comfort when he is around. After the meeting he came up and talked to me about my back. He told me again that I need to be more honest about any pain I'm in and made me promise to tell him immediately if it got bad again. I explained to him that I was grateful that he had called off the epidural, and that honestly I had been scared and overwhelmed when everyone started blowing my back pain out of proportion. It made me think it was worse than it really was, when in reality it's usually just my leg being numb. Stupid ironic life decided to make me sleep on my back wrong a few days before my appointment and scared everyone into thinking it was worse than it was, even me. My back really doesn't hurt that much anymore at all. I wear my back brace and take my meds and I'm fine. President made me promise to get a blessing so I'll be getting one today from my district leader Elder Davis. The whole experience scared me more than anything and I've just been a little sore. Sleeping helps a lot. And I've been working out more regularly and eating right more.  The doctor never gave me exercises but I stretch and do the palates that Kayla sent me.  I don't know who Doctor Crane is by the way....He's never spoken to or met me...but apparently he's the one who helped veto the epidural...which I'm glad about. Thanks Doc, whoever you are! :) 
     I hope everything is going well and Kelsy enjoys her graduation!!!! Hope Sharee has a good trip and gets there safely! Kayla sent me a video of Elsy dancing and it was the cutest! Thank you for all the letters. They mean so much to me and always make my days a lot better. Thanks for the back help and everyone's concern. I didn't mean to scare everyone so much. I'm just so grateful the pain is mostly gone and I can get back to work. The worst feeling in the world is feeling like a useless missionary...
I love you and miss you all so much!!!
Love,
Sister Lenise Diane Volmer

God Loves Broken Me!

5-27-14

Dinosaur Femur in honor of
Kelsy's femur break!

Dearest Family,
     Well...what can I say...I'm sure a lot of you have heard a lot of the events that have been going on this week because of the numerous phone calls between you and my mission president/mission president's wife.
This week has been a doozy that's for sure.
Let's start at the beginning with the fun stuff.
      Last Monday was super fun! As a district we went on a vernal trip for p-day and went to the dinosaur museum!! Hence the bajillion Dino pictures sent to you! It was a lot of fun. Sister Reed who is in our district is HILARIOUS and loves the Dino Museum. She's pretty much the one who made it so fun because she got so excited about everything there and kept posing like the statues of Dinos. It was a really fun trip!   At some point during the trip we got separated from the elders and it turned into more of a sister’s trip than a district trip. I love the sisters in my district! We were all really sad with the idea of transfers.

Final Companion battle before transfers.

      Tuesday is when I got the phone call from Sis McCune. (The mission president's wife) After a lot of putting it off, not caring, being busy, begging from mom and then finally being forced by my companion when it started bugging me a little bit more, I talked to Sis M at zone conference about my leg and asked her advice. She told me she would talk to the mission nurse and get back to me. So Tuesday she called me and told me that she and Sis Stuart, the mission nurse, had set up an apt for me on Friday in Provo for me to get my leg checked again.
     Thursday morning rolled around and I woke up with a really sore back. I think I slept on it funny or something, but it was the lower right side of my back and it was hurting my hip and my dumb numb leg. I was pretty stiff and it was hard to bend over and stuff. I put up with it for the day, and just did the usual for the day. District meeting that day was amazing. We had a super spiritual meeting and testimony meeting. I love my district so much.. I'm glad we aren't all separating. Actually Sis Balero is the only one in our district who is getting switched out.
     I'm really going to miss being Sis Balero's companion. I learned soooooo much from her. She really has become one of my best friends and I've loved being a part of her life and having her in mine. She has taught me so much about patience in trials and overcoming hard things. She is a fighter and I've grown so much with her. I can't wait to hang out with her after the mission! Next summer we'll both be in the Tri-cities and we've already been planning our road-trip to Roosevelt together :) haha!
    So the dreaded Friday appointment....

Dino friends - duh!

Lenise takes flight with her friend.

    So we woke up really early to get to Provo on time for my appointment. Sis. Stuart and we went in and talked to the doctor. One of the doctors was feeling my hip bone and back bones and he would push so hard on them!!! I didn't realize how tender they were until he started pushing everywhere. I was in a lot of pain when he did it, especially when he kept touching the super recent sore part of my back. Sis Balero thought I was going to start crying. The doctor came in, Dr. Rich and checked it all out and told me he wanted to get an MRI of my back before deciding anything else. He gave me a back brace (which has helped a lot...but it gets really hot to wear) and some prescription for an anti-inflammatory. Then I went straight to get an MRI. They made me wear some pajama pants...then they took me into this room and gave me some lime green ear plugs to wear while in the MRI tube thingy. I was trying really hard not to move at all the whole time, but every now and then my leg would twitch and I'd be like "Dang it!!! I ruined it!" but they never yanked me out to tell me to be still. 

Not happy about a Dr. visit!

     Back up to the doctor’s office, they told me that I have a minor disc bulge in my back that is pinching the nerves in my leg and causing the pain and numbness. Shocker! But then they told me I needed an epidural. No fun. I thought only pregnant women got those!!!! I kept telling Sis Balero that I was going to be paralyzed or get polio or something!!! She kept laughing and saying "No you aren't!!!! Stop freaking out!!!" But I really was super nervous and that day especially because of my sore back I was in quite a bit of pain...especially with all the poking and prodding. 
           So, Friday I was freaking out a bit about the whole situation, but then I just prayed and prayed. Then a voice whispered. "You haven't had time to study today. You need your spiritual food." but I didn't know where to start. So the little whisper said "Read Mountains to Climb by Elder Eyring." so I was like "okaaaay...." and when I read it, I cried.
     Here's the thing. God didn't put us on this earth to have a part. To have fun. To be happy 24/7 and dance around in a field of daisies. It's not all rainbows and butterflies. This life has trials for a reason. On my mission I've had mental and emotional trials. A lot of them. And I've come out stronger than I thought I could be in some ways. So He said..."Ready? I need you to do this." and so He handed me a physical one.  That's it. In the talk Mountains to Climb President Eyring says his mother went through 10 years of painful cancer. Spencer W. Kimball talked at her funeral he simply said that the pain wasn't from something she did wrong. She just needed more polishing. God thinks I need more polishing. So I'll do it. In the talk he says when you want to cry out "When I have tried all my life to be good, why this has happened to me?" it isn't the end. It's not. I felt like that. I thought, "I've been trying so hard to do what you ask. I've been trying so hard to be a good missionary and share your message. Why has this happened to me?" and then something from another talk spiked its way through my mind as I read those words "I am the Gardner here. I know what I want you to be." I cried. Because instantly into my mind popped my response word for word what the answer of the Current bush was in Christoffersons talk. "Thank you Mr. Gardner. Thank you for loving me enough to cut me down. Thank you for loving me enough to hurt me."
     Trials are there for a reason. To build us. Strengthen us. Complete us. I am convinced that God loves broken things. He loves broken hearts and contrite spirits. Broken spirits and souls that turn to Him. He loves the broken flesh of His only Begotten Son. He loves the broken cries of His children as they turn to Him. I am convinced that God loves broken me. 
     So it was hard. I was scared. But I know God loves me. I love Him. I know He'll watch over and protect me.
     President called me last night (Monday) and he told me that I wasn't going to be given the shot. He told me that I needed to be honest and tell him how much pain I was really in. He said if it's bad and I need this shot, then I was going to need to go on medical leave, for fear of possible paralysis. I told him no. It really isn't nearly as bad. I've been ignoring it for 7ish months. I can ignore it for 10ish more. My back pain has already gone back to normal and I should be fine with my back brace and anti-inflammatory meds. I love this work. You can't make me go home. You would have to drag me kicking and screaming from this place. I love Roosevelt. I am so blessed to have the chance to stay here. By the end of this next transfer I will have been here for a third of my mission. I didn't know it was possible to have more than one home, and here it is really beginning to feel like it. 
      I'm nervous to get a new companion as always....But it just means new things to learn and new ways to grow. 
      Thank you for all the prayers and love. I've really felt them. Really. 
      Sunday I spoke in one ward and Sis Balero and I sang in two others. It was our last time singing together as companions, but we didn't know it yet. Yesterday we spent saying goodbyes and packing for transfers. Everyone was surprised that I was staying and Sis Balero is going, because I've been here the longest. It has just been so hectic lately. Sorry I didn't get the chance to write anyone back this Monday. I'll try to catch up next! So for Aubrey, Natalie, Paige...it's coming next week! (P.S. I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I HEARD ABOUT AUBREY GOING TO PERU! AAHHH!!!) I love you all so much.  Thanks for all the advice and love. I love you all so much. Don't forget it. Miss you!
Love,

Sister Lenise Diane Volmer

Roosevelt Rocks!

All those years with a snake in the house
made her a brave missionary to hold
a boa.

5-19-14

Dearest Family,

Well another crazy week! 

     As I've become aware, the song that Sis Balero and I recorded on monday has already been spread like wild fire, due to mom's efforts. Haha! I got an email from Garrett saying he had a download of it...and I was like "WHAT? We don't even have a copy of it yet! How on earth!?" so yeah. Glad you all liked it :) We sing it almost every single week in sacrament meetings. We wanted to record for mother’s day and we got an extra nudge when a lady from one of the wards we sang it in (who became obsessed with our performance of it) had her sister die. Her daughter called us and said that she hadn't been able to stop talking about the song since we had sang it and asked if we could record it for her. We had already been planning on it, so we buckled down and called up Bro R. He's a counselor in the Bishopric in the Roosevelt 8th ward. He's awesome! And such a good singer and guitarist! I LOVE their family and its super fun to see them!
     This week has been random... But good. We almost met our goals this week, but barely fell short! Dang! But oh well, life goes on, and it isn't all about the numbers. I love the people here. I just do. I love Roosevelt, it Rocks!
     By the way!!! Transfer calls are coming on MONDAY!!! Roosevelt has become my second home and I love the people here so much. After three transfers here I wonder if I’ll be moved.
      So on Wednesday we invited some less actives and investigators to go to a local free concert with us. It was by Daniel Beck and Jessie Funk (Two AMAZING LDS vocalists!) We had one investigator show up, but it was amazing! If you haven't heard them sing before, do it! They were fantastic! He had such a stellar voice! I was blown away. I'd heard Jessie Funk before and she did amazing like usual :)
         Remember that stomach ache I had before I left on my mission that one time, and we went to the Dr, and everything?  Then I didn’t ever have it again until this Saturday.  I was in a lot of pain. And it kind of freaked Sis Balero out. But there was nothing I could do. I barely made it to my bed before all I could do was lay there and try not to move and relax but nothing made it stop hurting. It went a way a little after taking medicine, but I was still in pain. I was trying to stay positive. But what we figured out really fast is that if I laughed or sneezed it made it worse...Then we remembered a story from the John Bytheway CD we listen to, where John donated a kidney to his brother and they were both in the hospital in a lot of pain and they found out that laughing hurt, so they would try to make each other laugh! John's brother would say "Hey John! Love your guts!" and they would start laughing then be in a lot of pain! So I started thinking of that and then laughing and then being like "Stop! NO! I can't laugh!" 
     But yeah. So we called the District Leader and they came and gave me a blessing. Elder Davis is our district leader and he's the best! He gave me a blessing, and it was so inspired. Not only did he give it to heal me but he said some things in my blessing that were exactly what I needed to hear. I love the priesthood. It is so powerful and so inspired. I'm so thankful to have it in my life and I respect it so much. 
     My whole mission, instead of getting angry, or mad, or snapping, or becoming sad at something someone says to me that's negative or cynical or criticizing, I've been working on repeating to myself "God knows my heart." He does. He knows when I'm being falsely accused. He knows when others are being unfair or mean to me, or just making me feel like dirt for not living up to things or expectations. And believe me that happens a lot on the mission.  And instead of being mean back or talking back or retaliating, I've begun to repeat that one little thing in my head "God knows my heart."
     And I was so surprised when those exact words came out of Elder Davis's mouth. "God knows your heart. He knows your efforts and He is aware of you." It just hit me. God really knows me. He knows me so well and He knows every single tiny detail.
     He also knows those same things for everyone I teach. Forgetting yourself is so easy when you feel his love and appreciation for everyone you teach. I love being a missionary. I love loving these people and sharing the gospel and helping them realize who they are and what they can have through faith in the gospel. 
     I love you all and thanks for all you do! Shout out to Kayla for hand-writing out palates for me to do with little hand drawn pictures! And thanks for the Care package! Yes it's true! I'm 7 months out now. In just July I will be at my half way point...weird...
     Well I love you and pray for you! Miss you!
Love,
Sister Lenise Diane Volmer
P.s.
Pain went away and I was able to work later that day. I'm all good now!

I just saw your face!

5-12-14

                      Dear Family,

It's strange...I feel like I just saw you guys...Oh. Wait.  I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha!

     It was soooooo fun to see you all yesterday! The babies are getting sooooooo big and it was super fun to see Sharee's baby bump! What is strange to me is that the new baby will be almost 8 months old when I get home off my mission....weeiiirrrdd....

The picture we got of her on our big screen
TV was pretty blurry, but this gives you an idea
of how she still feels about her mission. 
SHE LOVES IT!

     I know we talked a lot about random things...and I'm glad you were all able to ask me your questions! It was so fun to see your faces and talk to you. What's weird is I always get nervous before talking to you guys, and then the second I see you and hear your voices, it's like everything snaps back to reality and feels normal, and suddenly the mission feels like a dream. But then when I hung up, it was like waking up from a dream...It was a weird feeling. I always think I'll cry and be sad when I hang up, but I always feel pumped and energized. It's like seeing you guys gives me the energy I need to keep going. All week long I was feeling like I missed you all a lot and just wanted to talk to you, and doing it gave me a boost and I think I can make it until Christmas now! Which feels forever away...But just think, the next time I Skype you it will be the last time until you see me in person! Thanks for all the laughs and stories...I'm still trying to get over how blonde Leisha looked! haha!
     Yesterday was a crazy day. Holidays are the worst for missionary work, as I've told you before! We made mother’s day cards and dropped them off at a bunch of Sisters houses who are super nice to us and take care of us. It was fun to see them all and wish them a happy mother’s day! We went to two wards yesterday and it was so cute to see all the little primary kids sing! I don't know why music affects me the most, but I wanted to just cry the entire time they sang. I was kind of emotional all day because everyone was talking about mothers and eternal families all day and I was just thinking about how I was going to be able to talk to you in a few hours!!!! In one ward they had the laurel presidency speak and they had extra time after so they called on random sisters to bare testimony...yeah and they just happened to call on me...which I totally wasn't expecting...they didn't even call Sis Balero, just me...Sis Balero said it was pay-back for volunteering her to pray the day before... But I was really nervous. So I went up and introduced myself and explained that this mother’s day was my first one away from home. I told them that I didn't realize the divine role of parenthood and mothers until I was separated from mine. I was super emotional because like I said before all I could think about is that I got to talk to you soon and everyone kept asking us when we would get to talk to our families. What was funny was after each ward they handed out chocolate or something, and they insisted that us sister missionaries take some. Every time they said "You'll be mothers soon..." and both Sis Balero and I were like "Uh...."
      On Saturday we didn't have much going on. We got invited to a Steak Fry for one of the wards and our ward mission leader promised that our investigators that we haven't seen in months would be there....they weren't. We had fun talking with D though. D is this hilarious guy we've been working with from when I first got here. He is probably early 30's. He used to be a drug addict and a rocker, but now he is super awesome and going to church and trying to make it to the temple. We are trying our hardest to help him kick his cigarette habit. He is seriously the funniest person I have ever met in my life. He used to have a Mohawk but now he just has a long beard and loves superhero movies and the Hobbit and goes to concerts all the time. He has the funniest sense of humor and Sis Balero and I seriously die laughing every single time we talk with him. We are having dinner at his house tonight before his lesson, and it should be good :) He's making us breakfast for dinner!
     This week was pretty basic. We got canceled on a lot. But we had a fun time. We got to go to mutual at the White Rocks branch and we taught them about missionary work via Missionary Jeopardy. It was a lot of fun and our Ward Mission Leader Bro. Crozier played with us and was SO competitive! We were playing with 12 year old girls! And he was smack talking them and going all out at it! It was hilarious! He's this elderly man and it was funny to see him all fired up. He is really into sports and could probably tell you every single statistic or player in every single sport for the past 50 years... 
      I still love the work to death. Being a missionary is the BEST! The spirit is constantly here and I love living with it as my constant guide. I'm so grateful that families are forever. Especially ours! There is an elder in my zone who is a convert and at the end of this month he gets to go to Salt Lake and get sealed to his family. Remember he was the one that was the only member of his family when he left on his mission and now his family of 7 are being sealed.  COOL!  We sang Families can be together forever at the end of our meeting and he just cried and cried. It was the most touching thing. I can't take it for granted anymore. Some families don't have the promise of forever like we do! And it is one of the most amazing things to watch as they make the idea of an eternal family a reality. I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you. Thank you so much for all your support and love and all the laughs and smiles. I miss you all so much and can't wait to see you all again. Hoorah for Israel! I love you all to the moon and back!
Love,
Sister Lenise Diane Volmer 

6 months up in smoke!

5-5-14

Dearest Family of mine!

6 months

     Well, I can say that this week was a lot better than last week teaching wise.... Guess what?!?!? Not a single person canceled on us this week!!!!!!! GAH!!!! Can you believe it!? We couldn't when we realized it. Our numbers this week also went way up. 
    So funny story time.
     There was this less active guy we have been seeing on and off (We've been trying to get into his home for lessons for months) and he randomly started coming to church on his own and started taking the lessons this last week. But we had this problem...we couldn't find his records in our ipads....which was strange. A few different people had told us he was less active and we couldn't find any info, so finally we called the bishop.... turns out....HE ISNT A MEMBER!!!!!  He had been a progressing investigator the whole time! He even got up in church yesterday and bore his testimony! You should have seen our faces when we figured this all out, I was in shock!

Good bye shirt!

     I went on exchanges this week, which means I got to hang out with my awesome Sister Training Leader Sister Lolofie! She's the one I told you about last time, where we got locked out of our house?  But this time we were in Vernal at her apartment! It was soooo fun being with her. She has the funniest sense of humor and a great personality. It felt good to not have to worry about my area for a day and just talk and laugh a lot with a good friend. She's half Samoan and 23 and only has 3 months left on the mission. At night when we were falling asleep, we literally talked for way too long!  I hadn't laughed that hard in a really long time and it felt so good. Made me miss the nights Aubrey and I stayed up until 4 in the morning because we couldn't stop laughing over the stupidest things which made it impossible to fall asleep. But Sis Lolofie is awesome and has so much insight into the gospel.  The next morning we got up early and went to Denny's!!!! (They actually have on in Vernal!....not like Roosevelt. Roosevelt has subway and McDonalds....and that's it.) And then we headed back to Roosevelt for Zone Training Meeting. It was super good...except...they came out with reminders and some new policies about letter writing and emailing.... 
     So I'm only allowed to write letters on P-days now....which will greatly limit my letter writing.... :( ugh. I usually do it during my free hour at lunch so that I can get some extra-much-needed-sleep on p-days.... but I guess not. I'll be writing letters like crazy on p-days now... I think they will be sending out a letter that will inform you about the new rules and stuff.
       So anyways. Back to my week
       Thursday was Sis Balero's One year mark!!! HAPPY MISSION BIRTHDAY!!!!! Haha it was a good day! We celebrated my six month mark that day too. It's tradition for sister missionaries to burn a shirt on their six month mark, a skirt on their year mark, and a dress at their 18 months. So we went to the Felkins and had a bon-fire for dinner... >:) wahahaha!! And yes we burned a cheap blouse of mine that shrunk to the size of a toddler and then we burned a pink velveteen D.I. skirt for Sis Balero... her skirt stank really bad when we burned it. But it was a lot of fun!!! 
      Yesterday was a looooong day and super-hot outside. It's been like 80 degrees here all week long! Which is nice! 

6 months went by fast.  Here's hoping the next year
does too.

      Sounds like life back at home is going stellar. I love all the letters and pictures and fun things you send me! I appreciate them so so so much! Never doubt it! Even though I can't write back nearly as much as I would like to, they really uplift me and make my days so much better when I hear from each of you.  I really feel the prayers as well. When it gets hard on the mission, I'm surprised I'm able to make it through the things that I do... I feel like a lot of the time something is carrying me and lifting me that I can't put my finger on. And I'm positive it is the prayers you send my way. They really do help. They change everything. They have really been answered as the work is picking up and I'm able to overcome obstacles that have appeared in my way. I love you all so much and miss you to bits. Can't wait to see you in six days :) Happy anniversary to mom and dad! Sorry I missed out! But I totally loved that you posted the family picture without me in it...I should have cropped myself in with a really ugly creepy face or something! :) haha.
    Love you always and forever,


Love, Sister Lenise Diane Volmer