New Year's Eve!!! Soon to be 2014!

Hello everyone! It has been a crazy week like usual in the mission field. Concerning my ankle- I am doing fantastic! Christmas Day I was able to start walking on it and by the next 2 days I was great and driving again on Friday! So happy to have the strength back. Christmas was one of the greatest days in the field, such a nice break and great to talk to the family. I also have a secret... you have to PROMISE not to tell! That night.. We got in the HOT TUB! It was fantastic :) when we got out to go to the bathroom we ran barefoot in the snow back to the hot tub haha! I have never done that before! Grandma came out and said President Hiers was here and wants to talk to us. Sister K and I looked at each other with fear in our eyes, then Grandma starts laughing! Oh man. We were scared. Then she brought us hot cocoa :) yes I'm fully aware of how spoiled we are.

So I had a bit of a tough time with my comp this week. We were able to talk about it and clear things up. It's amazing how much you can truly learn from living with someone 24/7. I continue to learn patience and love and how to become a better person each day. It's easier said than done of course but I'm learning. I started reading a book given to me by a sister missionary in my district. This book has really brought new insight to me and has taught me of my supreme significance as well as my nothingness. The book is called Visions of Glory. It really makes one think.

I was able to get this book from her because we went on exchanges! Sister K is a STL (Sister Training Leader) so we will be split a lot. It was great to learn how other missionaries do things. I'm taking notes of what kind of trainer I want to be like because I fear that time is coming soon. Anyways, this one sister and I have mutual friends! She was friends with Emily Strebe (roommate in college) and others... It's such a small world.

There's so many little things I wish to tell you but I fear it's a waste of time. It's amazing the lessons you learn as a missionary. People open up to you about their lives and it is just amazing how it can humble you. I'm so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord even though it's not a walk in the park, it's well worth it. I LOVE the people. They have truly changed me for good and I'm grateful for that.

Our investigators are still struggling with the same things. The only progressing one is Joe Graham. I have gained a deep love for him and always am excited to teach him. We taught him part of the Plan of Salvation last night. He explained that he was never taught that you can have a relationship with the Savior but wants to. He told us also that before he did a surgery, the family asked him to pray. He says he notices the difference when he prays and reads the Book of Mormon he just is wanting a profound experience with the Spirit. We explained to him that it doesn't always happen that way and a lot of the time it takes time. I learn so much when I teach as well. The spirit was strong and guiding us. It was a great lesson and we're excited to finish it!

This Sunday in Sacrament meeting, they had one of the missionary's parents speak about their son or daughter and their experiences and such. It was a great meeting, I loved it! It made me worry though what Mom would say about me.. haha! But I think it's a great idea and really helps everyone get excited about missionary work. 

Well to close I just want everyone to know, I know that the LDS church has the true gospel of Jesus Christ that was established by himself on the Earth long ago. It is amazing to me that so many people do not know this. We talked to a widow about the South (where she served) and how every church preaches something different. They preach what the people want to hear! That is just idiotic to me! The LDS church is the same no matter where you go. The same gospel principles are taught and it is all true! This next year is going to be a good one! I continue to pray for you all and love you all so much. Have a great New Year and don't party too hard! 

Love, Sister Gietz  

P.S. Pictures coming soon!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Hello everyone! Hope you are all having a fabulous time this Christmas season! I don't want it to end... But it will be back next year I'm sure.

Well this week.... We've been tracting a lot! We are trying to increase our numbers for TTI which is teach testify and invite. We've been doing pretty good! SOOOO my most exciting news is about our new investigator who I told you we would be meeting with this week. His name is Joe Graham and he's a heart surgeon at a near by hospital. He heard about the church from a friend and was interested in hearing what "the Mormons" are all about! I love him. He is just so interested and soaking the information in! We gave him a Book of Mormon on the 18th and by the 21st he had finished 1 and 2 Nephi! He loves the book and knows it is powerful. I can tell you more when I skype.

 

On Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity to go serve the homeless food and presents for an Eagle Scout project! It was really great. Sad but good to know we were helping people in need. They served 800 plates. Amazing. We also helped wrap presents which was fun, especially watching Elders wrap. Overall, good week! 

So today I went sledding with Sister Kuwahara and I did something really stupid.. We were going down together and were heading straight for a tree. For some reason in the moment my reaction was to kick the tree with my foot. It probably sounds really strange and it was! We crashed and burned. I did at least... I thought I had broke my leg and foot. We went home and Grandpa fixed me up. I will also show you that tomorrow. Well we've been going on with our day and now my foot REALLY hurts so I will have Grandpa and his daughter ( foot doc) look at it. No worries though! I will be fine :) But my email will be a little short because of it. 

I wish you all a very very merry Christmas this year and pray for you always. Remember Christ lived and died for you. What have you done for Him lately? Hope your Christmas wishes come true and that you are all safe and well. 

These pics are from today! 

Love, Sister Gietz

The Mishy

So TONS of Christmas parties this week. We had our mission Christmas party and it was really great! The talent show during the dinner was kinda lame but that's okay. Also, I was the chorister for the hymns at our meeting while Sister K played the piano!!! It was intense. Elder Fisher came and talked. The funny thing is though, his wife's talk was my favorite of all of them.

Richard Benedict, an actor, came and showed us a WONDERFUL movie called Ephraim's Rescue. Everyone needs to watch this movie!!! It's amazing... We watched it then and we watched it again for FHE with our zone last night. WARNING: It will make you cry. So worth it though. It was so cute, Sister K put her head on my shoulder and just cried haha she cried just as much the 2nd time as well. 

We've been doing lots of activities with our district and zone and I love it! We played a funny card game on Saturday that had to do with planting beans. I really like my district, unfortunately though, transfers are tomorrow and we are losing our District Leader and Sister Horvath (girl I went to high school with). But oh well! Life goes on. So happy I'm still with Sister K and in the area. I'm at the best of the best. 

At one Christmas party we were able to talk to a non-member Spanish family that came with some friends. They are awesome! One of my favorite things: The dads were holding each others babies... I about died it was so cute. They are super good friends and after we left, they agreed to take the lessons! Woohoo! They are out of our area so we still have to work with that though. 

Not much to update on people...

Sister Jolley: We will continue lessons next month hopefully. Her and her husband our going to do a program to stop drinking. I hope it works! 

Jake: Still leaving this weekend :( so sad. He is a wonderful investigator. 

Sister Hernandez and Chase: Continues to fall through with lessons...

NEW PERSON! Jo Graham is a referral and we will have our 1st lesson tomorrow. 

Ferguson: Still breaking W.O.W. but he likes us teaching him 

Well! I love my mission. I love being a missionary! It's so funny how a name tag can change the way people act toward you. I haven't had one door slammed in my face yet though! Woo! I love living with the Gladwell family who treats us like their own. This Christmas will be fantastic! Something that Sister Fisher talked about was something like this: "What has been your favorite Christmas? Do you remember the presents you got? I bet you don't even remember. My favorite Christmas was when I was in the Hospital. It's not about the presents but the joy and happiness from being with your family." As I thought about it, I was struck that the Christmas I really didn't care about the presents, but the family, was my favorite. I also spoke in Sacrament meeting again this Sunday. I talked about the kid's presents to Mom and David this year. An act of service and a letter to describe our experience. I was happy I could share that with others! Maybe they will start doing that as well! So fun little story... Before that meeting, we walked in and passed by a family. I turned around and started to talk to the woman and her kids. She was so excited because her dad ( non-member) would be joining them. Afterwards, we met him after and he took our hands and said, " This was the first time I enjoyed Mormon church because of you young ladies!" Haha it made me so happy and I was amazed that I had that little prompting to go talk to his daughter. 

Pictures: 3 Generation. At Transfer Breakfast this morning! Reindeer! Our breakfast... I eat Cheerios and she eats a banana and hot chocolate every morning. We came home late last night from FHE and Grandpa was worried. He called the mission president... Hope we can still do FHE haha oops... 

Love you all! Make right choices! 

Sister Gietz

Mission Update!

It is FREEEEEEZING!!!! It reached 5 degrees last night. I have thought several times that I'm going to freeze to death.

This week has been pretty crazy. Grandpa gave me a driving lesson in our car (Chrysler 200) and it helped a lot! I've only slid and hit a curb once! Haha 

 

 So we had some Spanish sisters come over and spend the night because one is a visa waiter and would be flying out the next morning to get her visa. The next morning this is what I remember: I knew it was super early but not time to wake up. There was loud talking and then I heard crying. I thought to myself, "she's probably just scared to fly alone." I turned over in bed and fell back asleep not thinking much of it. At 6am Sister K answers a phone call and says that we'll be right there. I get out of bed confused and ask what's going on. She says we need to go to the hospital and she'll explain on the way. Well to make the long story short, Sister Puig woke up during the night throwing up with a high fever and pain in her side. They woke up Grandpa and he said they needed to go to the ER. They spent the whole night in the hospital and even our mission President and his wife came. Sister Hiers asked Sister K where I was and she said, " She's in bed asleep.".... Yup! I slept through the whole thing! Pretty crazy huh? So the next day was recuperating for them but I was well rested and ready to work! So I taught a lesson to Sister Jolley by myself! It was a bit scary but it went okay I think. 

 

   We've had tons of Christmas parties this week... On Saturday, we had 4! My favorite one however, was at lunch time and we had a less active family we are teaching come! We had Mexican food ( so so yummy ) and sat with the Gailey family. They are my favorite little family. The kids are the sweetest and they are just so well behaved. As we were eating, I took a chip from Sister K's plate and said, " I'm stealing a chip." Lexi ( daughter who's 8) gives me the funniest look! I ask her what's wrong? She says to me, "You told us not to steal..." Haha! I was laughing so hard and felt bad. I explained to her and then told her I would stop saying that. Man... That one came back to bite me! 

Later, the local high school choir sang and it brought back sweet memories and actually made me a little sad. I miss choir... I'm a dork.

On Sunday, I gave my 1st talk! We were just suppose to bare our testimony so I didn't prepare anything. I spoke for 6 mins though and it went great! Very happy :) 

Update on people:

Sister Jolley: The 1st lesson was the Restoration which went great! The spirit was so strong and she even began to cry. She said she believes it's true! She's a bit scared of baptism and is feeling a little pressured but I think that she will accept it soon!!! 

Mimi: She lives in a care center that we cover. She just turned 91 so we took her a birthday letter. As we read them to her, she began to cry. She breaks my heart! I love her so much! She is just the sweetest woman and she is southern so she always calls us darlin and honey. She goes to church but promised her husband she wouldn't join the church... 

Enrique: We teach him on Facebook! He lives in the Dominican Republic and is just amazing! He is so funny and is full of curiosity! Sister K taught him in her 1st area when he was going to school here. 

Jo Kelley: Poor Jo. He is a less active but is becoming much more active! He just recently found out some things so moved out and is getting a divorce. We were wondering around one day and saw him outside of his apartment. We felt like we should go help and talk to him. He was there to get a few things. He was a mess but was so glad we came. He said," It's funny how prayer works... I was just praying for help because I didn't think I could do this and then you sisters pull up. Wow He's fast!" It was amazing to know that we were in the exact place at the exact time we needed to be. 

Augie Weichman: UGH. This man is... so many things. He is hard-hearted, unbelieving, and doesn't even know what he's talking about. He is in the same care center as Mimi. We taught him twice and I think it will be the last. You try to answer or address his concern and he continues to talk over you. I realized that he just wants to argue and confuse us with what he believes. I laughed to myself as I had an answer to every ridiculous question but he refused to listen. It strengthened my testimony in fact! As we left, Sister K started to cry, what he had said shook her. It was good to comfort her and help her see that we know the truth and he is just lost in his own understanding. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I left that scripture with him. I could go on and on but I'll stop :) 

Chase: He is 23 and has been out of jail for a year..? I'm not too sure but I've had the chance to meet with him twice. He wants to be baptized but the only thing holding him back is smoking. I'm cheering for him though!

Jake Johnson: Awesome kid! He's 14 and taking seminary and wants to be baptized! However, he isn't getting along with his mom so he's moving to Nebraska December 21 to be with his dad. We may have to send a referral. He's not the kind of kid you would expect to accept the gospel though and that's what makes him even more awesome! He loves reading the scriptures and praying... what kid does that?! 

Sister Hernandez: Well... She didn't speak to us for a whole week after her meeting with Bishop. We were really afraid and concerned until this morning. She explained she had to go to Idaho because her aunt has stage 4 Cancer. We set up another appointment so please pray for this one!!! 

Now that I wrote a novel.. I'll end. I'm so gratful for the gospel and know it's true! 

P.S. If you haven't found out yet, the Presidency released an official explanation for why Blacks weren't given the Priesthood. They have 2 more coming out and they are on Polygamy! BIG things are happening everyone... I only know about the Polygamy one because I have the hook-ups with Grandpa! Anywho... you should read it! It's pretty crazy!   

Love, Sister Gietz

Happy Mission Days!

Hello Hello! So lots has happened in this past week and I'm very excited to share!

So first off... HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Oh my, I thought I was going to blow up from so much food. The members we live with (Grandpa and Grandma) took us to Snow Basin... We are very spoiled yes I know. Anywho! It was a beautiful ski resort and the food was fantastic. My favorite part however was the loooooong table of desserts. I went a little over board but it was worth it :P I later crashed on the couch and took a nap. Not a good time to proselyte. After my nap, we took Mooshie (the doggy!) on a walk but mostly it was to take me on a walk. After that... WE ATE AGAIN. I know... No wonder the average weight gain for sister missionaries is 40lbs! AHHH! Just kidding but not really :) no worries for me! I work out ;) So not to say the food wasn't good at Snow Basin but having a homemade Thanksgiving dinner was like Heaven (even when you're full). It made my Thanksgiving Day complete! 

So wonderful news! Our 2 baptisms went fantastic! Logan's was Saturday and unfortunately.. he had to be dunked 3 times ha I was so scared he was going to cry. He was really nervous about it but the first time was the other guys fault. No biggie though, the work was done! We sang a musical number ( Sister K and myself ) and I saw his aunt crying so I started to get shaky and even more nervous! I lived to tell the tale though! We went to his grandpa's house after and it was just... fantastic. Some of his family are inactive and it was just a great experience to be with them and talk and to show them that we're not scary or weird! Haha 

Brother Paris had his baptism this morning! It went really well and we were quite happy with it. We sang the same song at his which was I am a Child of God. After the baptism we gave the restoration presentation ( we do this after each one while they get dressed ) and let's just say I got a little emotional. It was annoying. Haha but I guess sometimes you just can't control the Spirit! I truly love him and his family. They are just fantastic people and are so loving. I didn't get to really teach him but I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I had to know him. Can you imagine putting your life on the line because you want to follow Christ and be baptized? Amazing example. 

Some fun things: 

-I let Sister K drive in the church parking lot yesterday... She had the time of her life haha! Don't tell anyone that I let her... I don't want to get our car taken away! :)

-Grandpa answers my questions and we always have very deep and insightful conversations. I love it! 

-We helped Grandma decorate the tree last night and it is looking a lot like Christmas here! Eeks! 

-Sister K taught me I am a Child of God in Japanese and it was so cool to sing with her and she also is teaching me a beautiful Japanese song on the piano. I like having her teach me things :) it makes her happy which makes me happy!

- Met and have 2 people in the Stake that are in MOTAB Choir! One is a black guy and the other her name is Sister Penman. SO COOOL! Oh only in Utah :) 

- Went to Olive Garden with about 14 Elders... Someone paid for all of us... Oh only in Utah :) these crazy Mormons. 

-It SNOWED today! Please pray for us that we will be safe on the roads!

Update:

Brother Ferguson- Challenged him to the 15 Steps to Stop Smoking and he has accepted! We also have a bap date for him! Jan 10

Chase- Finally got a hold of him. He's been playing hooky but now sees the difference in his life. Bap date for him as well! Dec 21

Sister Jolley- She came to church with her husband and seemed to enjoy it! We are meeting tomorrow to have a 2nd lesson! We are excited for this one :) 

Sister Hernandez- Not too sure... She came to church with her son and was really into it. But, there were some "needs" of hers that the bishop couldn't help with. She hasn't talked to us since she told us. Really hoping she wasn't using us.. 

We are teaching lots and I love it! THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN RESTORED! Did you know that? A lot of people don't... count your blessings! And remember, you are a child of God who has sent you here to have happiness which is through the Gospel. He leads and guides us by a living prophet, the Holy Ghost and the scriptures! 

Love you all! 

Sister Gietz

Happy Turkey Day!!

Hello everyone! So this past week has been awesome! My companion and I are on FIRE! We've been able to have 18 lessons a week and a baptism every week.we're really hoping Logan and his family feel better by this Saturday :( they are all sick! 

So I want to tell you about 2 new investigators that made my day. 

Sister Jolley- We met with her and on our 1st visits we just get to know them and share a little gospel here and there. She and her husband were homeless for a while and just got an apt. Her husband is a Vietnam War Veteran and has since then fell away from the church. But! He wants to get active again and she wants God in her life. She already is trying to quit smoking. They are so funny and are so lovey :) he said he wants her to quit so she can be around longer.. he's 14 yrs older than her but I'm rootin for them ha. At the end, we asked her to be baptized in December. She said she wasn't ready. We told her we would get her ready and that we know she can do it. She said if she knows it's true she will! Sweet! 

Sister Hernandez- LOVED. She welcomed us in and explained that she had referred herself by mormon.org. She was close to baptism but was on drugs so she and her husband went to jail. Her family is Catholic but she has always felt like this is the truth. After getting out of jail, she went to a halfway house and would attend church. She received a blessing one day and described it as an experience like nothing else. She motioned upward with her hands by her chest and described it as feeling so " light". We told her it was the Holy Ghost :) we later extended the invite to be baptized and she said YES! Woohoo! We  were  so excited and I thought I was going to fall over and die... We've just been having such a great time. The work is moving! 

Last night we had FHE with an active member family to show them what their son is teaching on his mission. I had the opportunity to share the 1st vision. As I told of Joseph's experience, I was overwhelmed and started to cry. This lesson is amazing. My testimony continues to grow each day. 

Alek's baptism was great! This was a HUGE event for their family. They've had missionaries for 7 years... Brother Ruiz ( father) is really coming around and softening his heart and guess what... He is moving to ARIZONA next week! He's going to work at the Williams Field Airport and is looking at homes in Queen Creek and on Power and Guadeloupe! Mom- he said he will find you but you may need to find him :) so cool right?! 

I've been learning a lot about the family and the Gospel. Without one, you can't have the other. Heavenly Father, with all his wisdom and understanding, see's it fit that a family made up of a woman and man legally married and their posterity is the BEST unit for mankind to have joy. My landlord ( Grandpa Gladwell ) told me of this principle. Joy is the greatest we can achieve. You can have pleasure and happiness and everything else but without a family and the Gospel, you can never reach true joy. 2 nephi 2:25 replace be and are with the word exist. We exist to have joy! The scriptures carry such spiritual truths and they are vital to our joy. 

" make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment... If the language of the scriptures at first seems strange to you, keep reading. Soon you will come to recognize the beauty and power found on those pages." -Elder Packer 

I'm so thankful for my family, the gospel of Jesus Christ, My savior, and the scriptures. I'm grateful for a lot more than that but those are most important. I hope all of you are grateful for our Heavenly Father's wonderful gifts he has given us and to not take them for granted! We have them for a reason and we are extremely blessed. 

Love you all and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll be up at Snow Basin for lunch ( spelling?) with my Grandpa and Grandma Gladwell as well as their family. :) I'll be thinking and missing you!!! 

LOVE, Sister Gietz :) 

My head is going to explode..

I'm sorry I didn't get to write last week! They didn't even give us an option and I've been so busy I can't write. I try for a few minutes a night but it's so hard :( not complaining.. just wish I had a voice recorder for my journal so I would have more time! Okay so my trainer/companion is Sister Kuwahara ( spoken like so: Koo-wah-holla!) yeah. She's from Japan and has been out 6 months! Her English is pretty good but she does have a heavy accent. Some investigators have a hard time with it (mostly the one's in the care center) heck I have a hard time with it sometimes! But she's good :) she is very obedient and hard core. It took a while to break her shell but she's coming around. She told me openly that she didn't get along with her last comp very well but was happy when she got me. She always says nice things about me to the ward members and other important people :) she says she doesn't even have to train me... NOT TRUE. Haha it's been a crazy week. The 1st day I was out we had to move Sister K's stuff to a new place. We live with the nicest people in the world that spoil us. They are the Gladwell's and I love them! We had 5 lessons my very 1st day! Ahhhhh! I survived though :) it slowed down after that. Right now we have a couple baptisms! 1. Aleks Ruiz is 14 and getting baptized this Saturday!!! We're so happy because he's wanted to for so long but his Dad is a Baptist and didn't want him to. Now that Aleks has shown him he really wants it by going to church by himself every week, attending seminary, reading the BOM and praying, he has said YES! We teach him and his family but he's the only one right now that has permission. 2. Brother Paris. LOVE this guy. He's Muslim and is quite the character! He's wanted to be baptized but he's the oldest in his family, has to take care of them but can't return to Iran ( I think..) if he does. So happy for him! He's married to a member and has been married to 2 other LDS women. He's super funny and I love his family. He's getting baptized Dec 3 which is their wedding anniversary!  3. Logan he is 10 and his parents are inactive. He has ADHD but is super cute. 

So we were teaching Bro. Ferguson about the Word of Wisdom... again.. He said he would try his hardest to quit. The moment we walked out, we looked through the huge windows and he puts a cigarette in his mouth. Ha! Seriously? Grr... 

Yesterday was ROUGH. After eating lunch we get a phone call.. "Are you coming to lunch?" Oh... NO! "Yes we'll be right there!" I wanted to die. Thankfully it was just a HUGE salad and tapioca pudding. Haha it was such a grandma meal :) I laughed. Then, a couple hours later we had dinner. I was so scared as I looked down at my bowl with zucchini and spinach. "Please please help me to eat this..." It was surprisingly delicious! Then after brownies and ice cream I wanted to die. You'd be so surprised and proud of me... :) I ate guacamole the other night. Haha just with a few chips but this lady was authentic and it was pretty good but still not a total fan. 

Last night we met with a women named Debra. She found us at church and got our number so we could talk to her brother who's on drugs... Well we ended up talking to her for forever and I'm pretty sure she was talking 50000 words a minute.. Poor Sister K.... It was hard for her. It was hard for me too. She has lots and lots of burdens because of her family and their problems with drugs. Drugs are so stupid. :( it breaks my heart. Sister K wasn't able to relate and so it wasn't affecting her as much but I could see the pain in her eyes and the trama that it has caused. I could go on and on about this but I wont. Satan is so jealous of us and so he attacks the family and the body. Why do you think we have the Word of Wisdom and The Law of Chastity? Our bodies are gifts! Treat them with respect because they are temples! 

I'm so glad that I have the gospel in my life and know that it is how we can truly be happy. I want to help everyone and anyone but I can't do it alone and neither can all the missionaries! We need the members to extend a loving hand and fellowship! That is the most effective way we can spread the gospel and help people know the truth! We are children of God and everyone needs to know that. Okay okay I'll stop it ;) 

LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

Sister Gietz 

Brother Gladwell (homeowner) calls me Sister Geeks haha he's hilarious. This morning he gave us some great insights to the Book of Mormon and how it was transcribe