What in the world.... transfer finito!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Hey!!

How has your week been? Did anything unexpected happen?

It’s been really nice weather here. Not very raining except for yesterday morning. Sister Pelfrey loved it. She's from Seattle so that's what she'll be going back to. She loves all weather though.. And pretty much all things. She's so easy going.

So this week was a whirlwind of... stuff... for lack of a better word ha-ha. We just had loads to do, we didn't end up weekly planning or packing until the bitter end because we had so much to do. But everything got finished, we packed, the apartment is cleared out (of her stuff for the most part at least in organized piles) and we were able to finish the night with a lesson with an investigator with a member present and it was one of the best lessons of the transfer. It was with Maria. Our 8 o'clock fell through and our 7 o'clock and we wanted to end with a bang so we called up another investigator we hadn't seen in a week or so. She didn't answer so we left a message and she called right back. We were in her apartment an hour and a half later. It was great. The Spirit was strong. We testified of church. She'll be meeting with the missionaries when she goes home from school. So overall this week was a huge success. We are trying as hard as we can to fill up all our time with lessons with members, investigators and less actives so we can really strengthen the ward and so we can help to fulfill Elder Perry's advice/counsel/command to have 20 lessons a week. It was close this week =)  It’s been a really fun week.

We were able to teach a lot of investigators. Sultana, Dilanka and Vince are the ones who are progressing and they are all doing well. They all came to church and so did a new investigator named HP. It’s been a blessing to be able to teach, to invite and to help them to feel the Spirit. The longer I'm on the mission the more I'm learning about the Spirit and its role in conversion - it’s the ONLY way to conversion. Not only with investigators but also with less actives and members. The area is going really well. Some of our investigators are leaving in a week because the semester is over but we've had people fall into our laps that are staying so it will be interesting but I know that the Lord will provide. If I stay in the area... I doubt that the Lord wants to whitewash La Jolla AGAIN but if he does then I guess I'll be somewhere else.

Sister Pelfrey is great. She was SPRINTING to the finish and it was so much fun. I've learn a lot from her example and I am so grateful that we were able to spend this transfer together. She's really helped me a lot and she will be such a blessing when she goes home. This transfer went SO fast. I can't even believe it. I think it was my favorite transfer of my mission. I learned a ton, I'm happy and the people are doing so well.

These are some of the things that I learned from Sister Pelfrey but there are so much more.

- Christ like love and charity, and showing people how much I care

- Diligence

- Forgiveness (both myself and others)

- How to have a rockin' time

- How to schedule appointments like a champ so we're busy =)

- How to state my purpose in a Scottish accent

- How to story tell (I’m still working on that one)

- How to hit the ground running... allllll the time ha-ha.

Last week after we e-mailed we had fifteen minutes and somebody had given her 20 dollars to go get earrings in old town... so we BOOKED it in our pioneer dresses. Like... hardcore. Imagine - two girls in pioneer dresses, holding up their dresses, sprinting down a hill, hair streaming, dropping something, comically stopping to go back and get it and then running again. It was SO funny. We later took pictures to reenact it - same pioneer dresses and all, hehehe, and that's just an example. We were running ALL week long including from our appointment last night to the car. It was the best. I want to run everywhere. We packed like madwomen too. We had like 8 sisters in our little apartment packing Sister Pelfrey until the bitter end at like 10:24pm and then again in the morning. It was craziness.

For departures, I and Sister Smith were together and we met a man from Boston who referred in the zone leader’s area. It was cool, he was really friendly and seemed ready. I love being at the Temple. Miracles always happen. Speaking of miracles... an anti miracle is that we lost the keys to the car so had to leave it up on Mt. Solidad and (miracle) we found them in Sister Smith's bag! Miracle! So we had to go up and get it, and by that time it was time for companion study and it would have taken too long to go back to old town so we got to have companion study up on Mt. Solidad. It was way pretty.

I wanted to paint you a picture of San Diego... I don't think I've done that before.

Imagine: It’s a pretty ritzy place (especially the areas where I serve) lots of palm trees, sculptured green, lots of implanted plants. There are all different kinds of plants - some of which kind of look like they are from Doctor Seuss. With purple leaves and slanted cones. Also there is something called a Naked Coral Tree... isn't that funny. It’s these weird little trees that have nothing on them except little red buds at the end up the branches. But for the most part the places that aren't planted are just desert brush. It’s so pretty. There are tons of people. The highway system is crazy. There are so many overpasses, underpasses and lanes, lots of shopping, lots of sights to see, and every day I get to see the ocean. It’s gorgeous. It’s pretty. It’s my mission.

Anyway. That's my week... transfers tomorrow 0_0.... Every time. It’s just a shock! But anyway! I sure love you! I'll tell you next week what's going down in the life of me.

I love you all so much! Keep up the good fight! And smile!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Hey Everyone

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Hey Everyone,

How is it going down in... Utah, and Massachusetts.

The reason for my late e-mail is that Sister Pelfrey and I went to the zoo today! Wahoo!!!! We saw pretty much everything in about 2 1/2 hours. It was definitely a speed tour but we got to see everything cool and most things were moving. I was going to upload pictures but for some reason the camera isn't connecting to the computer. But I saw a giraffe and a zebra, an elephant and some otters, a hippo and a rhino and lions, tigers and bears. Oh My! The sloth bear was my favorite, it was dancing for us- and the arctic wolf, and the polar bear. =) Good times at the zoo! We got to go for free because some members let us in. 

As far as updates for my week go: 

This week we had a lot of fun. We were able to stay really busy and to be able to teach a lot. We didn't quite get the 20 lessons a week but we are trying as hard as we can to have appointments at every available space. We have been able to teach a lot of less active and borderline less actives and help strengthen their testimonies. The apostles have asked us to teach 20 lessons a week, either to investigators, less active members or members just so we can stay teaching and spend our time most efficiently. It’s been great to really work towards that goal. 

Our investigator William is still gone - in Texas right now living with someone he wants to marry. He was taught the law of chastity so we're not quite sure what is going on, but I have faith he will come around. He wants to be baptized so badly, he just wasn't happy here in California. His phone has been shut off. We think he may have run out of money. Poor guy. Sister Pelfrey and I both feel like he's going to come back sometime soon though. 

We have three other investigators who are progressing nicely. One is Dilanka. He wants so desperately to receive answers to his prayers. He sent us a text yesterday that he said he prayed in the shower and in his room, long prayers with lots of questions and he just doesn't feel anything. We're working with him to recognize the Holy Ghost in his life. He's so funny! I love teaching him. He has a pet flying squirrel called a sugar glider. The other two are Sultana who came to church and Maria. They both want to know with real intent as well so its fun to teach both of them. Dilanka and Maria are going to be leaving in the middle of June because University of California San Diego is out but we have some solid potentials and some other investigators that we're working with that have a lot of potential in the Gospel. 

Sister Pelfrey is a gem. She is the example of selfless sacrifice. I'm learning a lot from her. I want to be more like her and follow in her example. She's one of the most Christ like people that I know. She's doing really well as her mission comes to a close. She's focused, positive and on fire. I love her. This is her last week in the mission and then she is getting transferred homeward bound. I'm going to miss her. She is a great missionary, and a great friend. I'm going to try to make this week the best week of her life. =) 

So that's my life right now. Solid. =) The church is true, the book is blue ha-ha. I was thinking the other day as Sister Pelfrey and I were walking towards a member’s home quoting Elder Holland’s testimony of the Book of Mormon about how grateful I am that I am on a mission. Where else would I learn how to quote that from memory? Where else would my testimony have solidified like it has here? It’s been the best year and a half for my life, that's for sure. =) 

I feel so much better than last week as to my feeling of no hope. I talked with Elder Seegmiller about it. He came up to me on Sunday morning and said I was looking a little sad. We talked about perfectionism and success and then he gave me a blessing. I feel so lucky to be part of the Battalion and to have such a good support system all around me. This experience has given me an opportunity to really rely on the power of Christ and his atonement. One thing that really stuck out to me was that God would never keep one of his children from coming into the covenant of baptism just to humble me - or to test my faith. He is trying just as hard to help all of his children come into covenant. I feel like I understand more of what it means to be on the Lords team. He's not trying to punish me or force me to learn, he just has to work with other peoples agency too.

Mother's day was good! We received no gifts at all - I guess that's what happens when you are in a singles ward. It wasn't really recognized at all except by the talk by me and the one by another guy in the ward

I love you all so much! Keep up the good work and the smiling. You all are examples to me! I love you! 

Love, 

Sister Tardiff

Teri's Birthday

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

 

Hello Everyone,

I wished Teri a happy birthday before anyone even reminded me! Wahoo! Go me!

I'm doing well today. It is not raining here. It’s nice and sunny and warm. We had to take Sister Pelfrey to the eye doctor so that took up a big chunk of the pday but its OK. It’s been nice and chilly and for the first time my whole mission I bought a bottle of grape soda. That is good news. 

William disappeared. It’s really sad. He went off to Arizona and we're not sure why. I started crying. He needs to be baptized. I feel like I try so hard to help these people to progress and I don't see much results. I guess that's kind of how Heavenly Father feels towards us as his children sometimes. But he keeps trying to help his children endure to the end. 

I've been having a hard last few days. I just feel sad. William won't be able to be baptized, Teddy has still disappeared and even though good things are still happening I just feel like the odds are stacked against me. I've spent so long in my two areas and what really have I done? I know some things, but some I don't. I just hope that God knows what he's doing. Of course he does. I just need to gain faith in that. We are meeting with Maria tonight. She's another golden one. But I just have no hope anymore. It’s really sad. I'm working on it. I'll probably talk to Elder Seegmiller about it tomorrow. 

I went on exchanges with Sister Tanner yesterday. That was cool. Obviously we're used to each other and we teach well together. We were also able to paint some lady's house. Both of the investigators that we saw yesterday in the Ghetto (Sister Tanner's area) want to be baptized in the coming weeks. So that was cool. Good things are happening in other parts of the mission. 

But other than that things are going well. I'm going to send pictures to everyone! =)

Love,

Sister Tardiff 

Steph as a guide

Hello

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Hi Everyone,

So the last few days have been great! And by the last few days... I
mean yesterday. We had Sister Pelfrey's last full day proselyting of
her mission and it was sick. We started the day by chatting with
someone named Bridget who had questions about Mormon’s because she
watched Sister Wives. That was really fun. It was Sister Pelfrey's
first time chatting, ha-ha and then we taught the Gospel.

Let me tell you, Sister Pelfrey and I have been very blessed over the
past couple of weeks. We were able to teach Alicia's friend Maria and
we invited her to be baptized and she just flat out said yes, but that
she would have to think about the date and schedule it around finals.
She is precious. William, also, told us after our lesson yesterday that
he needed to be baptized as soon as possible. So he's set to be
baptized on May 26th =) Miracles!

Also, we are helping a less active person come back to church. His
name is Mike and he is really awesome. He came to mission prep with
us.

The Gospel is true. The work is fun. The people are great and I am so
excited to be here in San Diego on my mission. It’s teaching me a lot
and I am so grateful for God's planning and his love for me - and for
all of you.

I love you all!!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Happy May 8th

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Happy May Day! So this week was pretty fun! Sister Pelfrey is a party and a half to
be companions with. We just have too much fun ha-ha. For example we just laugh all day. She can't really direct me too well yet in the area so I pulled out the GPS and she started complaining and laughing and it was hilarious. It will be a lot of "you have to be there" moments I think from this transfer. We ate at Panera yesterday. It was delicious!

We also are able to see miracles together. For example we added James’s friend, Chen, last Saturday and she is golden and so precious. It was actually really funny because we had just taught Dilanka and she was going to meet us at the institute- we had even confirmed with her but she didn't show up. So we decided to eat dinner and right when we were about to leave, about 30 minutes, she walked in and told us she hadn't
been able to find parking. God works in mysterious ways.  She's learned about Jesus Christ but never joined any of the sects but she has God in her heart. She's seen  God's influence in her life and she just wants to change and save the world. I'm not even kidding about that. She wants to double major and then allow people around the world
to receive education. She and Sister Pelfrey are perfect because Sister Pelfrey went to Kenya to help educate kids. It’s been amazing having her in this area at this time.

We also added a guy named William. He's 21 and had a hard life but he knows and accepts Jesus Christ and he wants to be baptized. We just have to REALLY explain authority and the priesthood because he goes to like 4 different churches every week. It’s been way awesome though.

I love the people we are teaching right now. They are great and all of them have so much potential. They are all so different, and they are at different stages of progression but they all want to progress. They all want to know. They are all really important people in my life. It’s kind of cool. I know that this is nothing in comparison to motherhood or what  not but I think I kind of know what parents feel like. I know, I know, that the Gospel is the way that they can truly be happy, and rely on their savior. It’s been a great week.

Recently I've really been seeing how much the Savior and Heavenly Father have blessed me for serving a mission and it just increases my desire to be a servant to other people. I want to help others to see the joy that I have received from actively being part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know I'm making small steps but I want to be an even more effective servant and representative of the Savior.

Sister Pelfrey is a miracle worker and has gotten me a free pass to the zoo. I had pretty much given up. I mean other people had gotten free passes, and then out of nowhere a girl in our ward said “Guess what! We're going to the zoo!!” It’s really funny =) I don't know when we're going but I have a free pass whenever I want it. Sister Pelfrey does miracles other than getting me to the zoo obviously. She's teaching me a lot about myself and I'm learning a lot from her and from her example. We teach really well together.

After last Sunday I think I've taught every class except Gospel doctrine/Temple prep on my mission. We taught Mission prep last week and it was really fun! It kind of motivates me to want to teach at the MTC eventually. But I’ve taught relief society, elders quorum, gospel essentials, talked in sacrament meeting and now mission prep. It’s really fun. =D

Sister Newman said something really profound to me the other day. She told me that on missions we're here to discover our weaknesses, and that we have a lifetime to help overcome them. God doesn't expect us to be perfect after only a year and a half. Then she said she wants to know as many of her weaknesses as she can now, so that she can start
working on them right away. It really struck me. I want to know all of mine too. It’s the only way to overcome them and progress the way the Savior wants us too.

Anyway. I'm happy. I'm excited to talk to you all next week. =D I hope everything is going swimmingly! I love you all so much! I care about you and I pray for
you!!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Hello!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Heya familia!!

OK! Big news! I know you've been waiting for it, on the edge of your seat to know what is happening in the life of your favorite San Diego Missionary (OK... so favorite missionary serving right now) and the big news is ….. I'm staying in La Jolla! Wooohooooo! (Do you know how much I love this ward and these people? OK probably not exactly, but let me tell you I love this place so much. I feel like its my home)AND I have a new companion, Sister Pelfrey, and she is going home in 6 weeks... which means I'm most likely going to be staying in La Jolla for the rest of my mission. =D Crazy. I'll spend my entire mission in two proselyting areas. It kind of rocked my world for about a day... it feels weird to have knowledge of what is happening a transfer away, but now I'm happy and excited and not rocked any longer. I am so content to spend the rest of my mission here =) and either way- it’s all about the attitude.

It was kind of hard for awhile to not have Sister Tanner as a companion. 3 transfers.... I know that sounds really funny because she's still at the Battalion and I see her every morning at least, but I just love that girl so much. She's taught me a lot, we've been through a lot together and she'll always be one of my best friends.

So let me tell you about Sister Pelfrey. She is a gem, a real gem. She's the one I told you about whose dad passed away back in January. She is a strong missionary with a huge testimony and a hard worker and she reminds me a TON of Heather Dolan. It’s like being a companion with one of my best friends from the get-go. It kind of throws me off at times because she looks a bit like Heather too and I have to remember that it’s not Heather... it’s Sister Pelfrey so that's kind of funny. But we're going to have so much fun I can already tell. As this is her last transfer we have GOT to live it up. =D She has all sorts of funny accents and she really cares about people. It’s really fun. I'm going to learn a TON I can already tell.

Teddy has disappeared. I'm really worried about it. He has been doing great, meeting members, feeling the Spirit and in the last 4 days he's just... gone, for lack of better words. We don't want to be too pushy and kind of stalking but we also don't want him to fall off the face of the planet because if he doesn't get a job in the next five days he's going to be evicted from his house. Pray for him please, and for us that we'll be able to connect again.

However this week is looking real good. We have a lot of potentials that we have appointments with. Some look really promising and we have members going with us so they will have automatic friends. We've ALSO started to get member referrals. HUZZAH!! I'm quite excited about that one. I feel blessed to be able to stay in the ward, to be able to continue to see these people, and see James! He's awesome. We were able to teach a bit last week and testify and help others to come unto Christ. Also we've started taking the less actives from all the other wards who are YSA and have started calling them and inviting them to church and what not. I love being a missionary.

We got to do Mormon helping hands on Saturday. Phew. I'm a little sore (only my thumb) but we got to do INTENSE jobs. We exterminate palm trees (who knew that they aren't native to California??) and extricate shopping carts and wheelchairs and eliminate bamboo (also not native- who knew??) and it was work. Palm trees have roots that are like 3 times there size. The shopping carts had been there so long that tree roots have grown through them and there was more than an acre of bamboo that we cleared out. It was a blast. I have pictures! I was really sweaty and I was really happy. Also James came to it and we thought he might get poison oak - but he survived. We asked him about it later that night and he said "no I didn't get any. God bless me!" It was so cute. I've decided that my mission language is that I'm learning simplified English with a Chinese accent which is kind of funny.

We also got to clean out the courthouse. That was gross.... it was so dirty. I'll show it to you. We mopped and everything and did spring cleaning. It was actually pretty funny but gross and very dusty.

But anyway, I had the coolest experience at the Battalion. A lady came in named Velma and she just felt drawn here. She had a cool tattoo (and I know Tattoos are not allowed) but it said “faith” in one direction and “hope” in the other. Her brother had died a year ago of cancer and her faith had been rocked. She came here and was really interested in learning more, and about the plan of salvation and she thanked me a lot. I passed her off to the elder in her area right away so we'll see how it goes. But she is a really special person and I hope that she comes back and that I get to know the end of her story.

 

That's pretty much my week! I hope that you all are doing well!! I love you so much!!

Love,

Sister Tardiff