Tuesday, December 26, 2017

"Another day another weave snatched" Elder Couillens

TIME IS FLYING!

Seriously what is life.  I am not fully in my very last transfer of the mission and slightly panicking but doing swell.  I am still here on good old Boynton Beach which is just the most inspired thing.  These people are seriously my family here.  I said bye to Sister Staffieri (so dumb but there may have been some tears shed. Won't see her until she gets home... too weird.  She is just my bestest bud.  Miss her and welcomed in Sister Napier.  She is great.  We are very different in many things but very similar others.  She has a very similar interest as I do as to what I want to study and do after the mission so I am just 100% sure that this is why we were put together.  Not that I am getting all trunky but I sure have avoided for quite a while now what I would like to study, where I want to go etc, and she's a gem, listening to all my thoughts and helping me sort through my nuts brain. I've been praying for quite a while now about it all and really have just received the answer, don't worry about it yet it will all work out.  So I just didn't worry, and now Heavenly Father is putting specific people in my path which I am very grateful for. 

This week was a little interesting as far as the work goes as everyone is just in the Christmas mode and not really wanting to talk about Christ, ya know the thing that is most important, but they were sure much more receptive than last year. We still saw many wonderful miracles and had a few lol experiences:

-The Creole Elders found a family with 9 children and they are all from Haiti so they were teaching them, but they found out the kids would much rather prefer being taught in English, so they had Sister Napier and I come over and we got to meet them and do a pass off lesson.  This family is so cool and the children are so elect.  About a year ago missionaries came to their home and taught them and they went to church a few times, however, the parents were not very interested and they work Sundays so the kids never got to come back.  But for this entire year that no missionaries have been visiting them they have been reading in the Book of Mormon every day.  They have it highlighted and marked and have been praying for a way that they would be able to come to church.  The oldest three are the ones that we are really going to work with, at least start with, because 9 is a lot. good grief a lot.  But we are so excited. The parents are very supportive of them going they are just not wanting to change at this time. We are still trying to figure out all the logistical things, because we are not about to baptize ANYONE who will not get to remain active and stay that way. 

-After that crazy nuts lesson the Elders and I had to use the bathroom so we went to Subway and as we walked out we definitely witnessed three girls just going at it punching each other.  Some weaves were lost, some videos were taken in the parking lot from pedestrians, and the cops showed up.  Oh Florida, as elder Couillens, just my bestest pal says, "another day another weave snatched."

-Went to go knock doors one day so we began by praying as usual and as we opened our eyes we look out of the car and on the road next to our car this 30 year old man was lying on the ground looking at us and smiling with his leg in an "L" position going up and down and then he starts dancing around our car.?  Yep.  Hahahah, that is one i won't forget. 

-Walked into Walmart Sister Napier's first night here to grab a few essentials and thank you to my tiny bladder we ended up walking past this guy at just the right time.  We walked past and he goes, "Hi Sisters."  I had never met him before but he began to tell us that he was part of a YSA branch down in Davie and that he served a mission and is the only member in his family but he really wanted us to start working with his mom and siblings who live here in Boynton Beach.  So we got her number and their address and are going to try that this week.  Super awesome. 

- And then the week just ended wonderful.  Wow yesterday was just the best day ever.  The most special Christmas!  There was such a different feel here than last year in the mission.  The Garns really strived to make it special for us so we got to all go together and have a mission conference Christmas Eve.  We decorated gingerbread, we all dressed up and did the nativity, we met Santa, sang carols, and did a big mighty prayer together.  So wonderful.  Then Christmas day the ward just made sure we were extra taken care of with Christmas breakfast where we got to watch them open presents, we read the Christmas story, we had dinner.  They even killed it down to the "fake snowball fight".  Oh I just love them.  It was so wonderful to talk to my sweet friends/family as well.  Right after we hung up I realized I don't think I even let a breath go bye.  I think I talked the whole time.  I could have just talked for hours.  So so grateful.  It was the best motivator to just GO HARD these next few weeks. I LOVE YOU FAM. bless you 

Well thanks so much for all the support and love and cards and wishes that I received. I am just so happy.  Hope you all had the most special Christmas.  Enjoy this New Year!

xoxox 
Hermana Dimond

Boynton Beach Cuties

Some saying goodbye pictures


Christmas Dinner
Chinese Dinner with Jenney





BARF - Not sure I am ready for this.








c
Christmas Eve



The deer suit I got as a White Elephant gift!



Elder Dick reading the scriptures for us!



Our Christmas breakfast.

Christmas Eve!



The District.




Elder Loftus definitely sprained his ankle biking Christmas Eve, 
poor fella!





The fake snowball fight.  Not gonna lie a straight party! 











Tuesday, December 19, 2017

"Success starts wth YOU and ends with 2 S's"

If that is not the grossest email heading you have heard I don’t know what is.  Sister Staffieri and I were a little bored one day driving in the car and definitely coming up with life mottos.  LOL, This is the just one. It’s the little things as a missionary.  The little things.  Hahaha! 

WELL MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU JOLLY OL FOOLS! 

I cannot really believe that Christmas is only 6 days away!  I still cannot decide if I need my snowy white Christmas or my hot and humid one?  I love them both.  But I sure miss you all.   It has just began to start feeling like the Christmas season here, so luckily I am literally in the best ward that straight up treats Sister Staffieri and I like family.  Not even kidding, this entire week people have been bringing us the sweetest gifts and just including us in their family traditions and it has just been such a memorable holiday season. They have all literally been freaking out as well about us getting transferred.  Sadly, last night was the transfer call and Sister Staffieri, my homie, is leaving me for Hollywood Hills, but I am so happy to be able to stay here in Boynton Beach for my last transfer.  These people are seriously like my family here and I couldn't be more grateful.  Hate to say it but they have already planned Sister Staffieri and I's vacation back here.  It will sure be weird to be here without her but I am excited for her, and excited for my new companion Sister Napier to come in. Should be fun. I don't know much about her at all but I do know that we are going TO GO HARD this last transfer of mine.  PEDAL TO THE MEDAL FOLKS 

This week was great.  Nothing too crazy happened but a short recap:

-We decided to get festive and made gingerbread houses together as a zone.  It looks like Willy Wonkas’ factory threw up on it but its the thought that counts.

-I really expanded my horizons and continued on my journey of trying new food.  This week’s delicacy: soft shelled turtle made by the one and only Deitra.  Literally do not even know how they caught it or if it was safe but hey ya know, it’s all about the adventure.  That was Sunday and I am still living so all is well. Then last night this recent convert Carmen who is literally just the most on fire convert ever, found out my love for sea food and good grief, she straight up made us a 5 course meal.  I am not even joking.  All home made and it was just the most extravagant meal appointment that I have ever been apart of.  Lol. S he had us close our eyes each dish that was brought out.  Hahaha!  Oh my word she kills me.  She made us fresh lobster that her husband caught on their boat (which he already told me he is taking me diving and fishing when I come back (Mario her husband is not a member), we had mussels, shrimp, octopus, steak, etc. Literally it was out of control.  She told me she is going to do my last meal in the mission.  Stay tuned folks.  Stay tuned.  I think I have eaten the best in this area and in my mission than in my entire life combined.  (I think I have decided to just bump college and join the food network and fulfill my dreams of being a food taster).  And this is what I get for serving in the most diverse mission in the world.  Bless up!

-We went caroling with some ward members to visit recent converts, less actives, and some of our investigators and it was just the funnest thing.  Everyone was so in to it and the spirit that was brought was so powerful. Music is just such a tender mercy.  Although my voice alone could just shatter a window, the people just couldn't stop smiling.  We got to actually get into a less active woman who we have been trying to talk to for so long.  It was a little miracle.  This ward is so incredible to help in any way that they can. They are straight up my family.  I am so grateful to be able to have them as I am away from my family. They have treated me like a queen.  I do not deserve it.

-It was wonderful to actually see a fruit come forth from that giant nativity that our stake put on.  This week we went to try and visit one of the referrals’ from it and we ended up being led right into Beth Aho's home. Her friend is a member and so she came with her friend and now is so interested in learning more about the church (granted she is waiting until 2018 for the time change of the service to be 1:00. yes mom you would get along well with this one:) but she is wonderful.  Truly was another example to me of simple member missionary work.  I know that the little things that we do matter to others and that we never know who will be touched, whether they are members or not. I have just learned to follow the Spirit in all things. 

A quick quote I wanted to end with.  "It is not an easy thing to be shown ones weaknesses and succumb to despair.  Some attempt to hide, ignore, or compensate for their shortcomings because of pain and embarrassment.  But the Lord told Moroni recognizing and acknowledging a weakness is a necessary part of overcoming it."  Let us all remember Christ more this Christmas season and what he makes possible for us.  That we are allowed to see our weaknesses, and know that through him they may be made strengths. That because of Him, we will one day be able to fulfill the commandment to "be therefore perfect.”  I know I am so for from perfection and am made aware of it each and everyday, but I am so grateful for Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for this season.  I hope you all have such a happy holiday gathered together as family and friends.  I will be thinking about you all day!  Thanks for making me feel so special and loved even on this side of the country. You’re all the best! 

XOXXO 

Hermana Dimond 





The cute ward caroling :)

With Deitra and her kids <3





The good old turtle that I ate!  Yum!

Our ward Christmas Devotional and party.  And then they found out transfers were happening so everyone wanted a photo shoot.



My favorite child ever, Carter Jensen.  Remind me to tell you the story of him.  So we are getting married.  lol.  He's 8.  This pic will be the first one in our wedding vid :) 

The rest of the clans



The dinner with Carmen.

She is sending me the other photos soon.  Hahaha!  Just go to her face book (Carmen Cordova) LOL



Even down the the virgin SANGRIAS LOL  She made sure to make it known to us they were virgin!  Hahaha!

Just casually modeling the food.

We would like to thank our fans!

Shout out to my wonderful $49.99 camera for these high quality pics!


The Meal!  The Feast!





So yes and this concludes the Food Network Channel.  Pretty sure every pic I send home is food!

Taking a quick tour of the boat I will be embarking on LOL


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