Letter 25 Mesa, AZ April 24, 2017

Hi everyone! 

This week has been crazy, and I don't have too much time to write. But, we have been finding a lot of new investigators, and we've been meeting with a lot of less active members. I absolutely love the work!! The mission changes you for the better - for sure! 

I have been reading the New Testament, and I have loved every second of it! I have loved reading about Christ's teachings from He Himself! I love Christ and all He has done for me. Always strive to come closer to Him - He is waiting with arms wide open!

Sorry this was so short! I promise to send a longer one next time! I love you all!

Hermana Valenta

Our zone playing volleyball!

Our zone out for dinner for Sister Blyel's birthday (the Sister right next to me)!

We went to the Temple with a recent convert and his family! 

It was a great experience!!

Letter 24 Mesa Arizona April 17, 2017

Hey everyone! 

This week was transfers! My companion, Sister Anderson, finished her mission! It was sad to see her go, but I am so excited for the life she has ahead of her. My new companion is Sister Bound! She is super sweet! She is from Chicago, and she has been out for 9 months - just a little longer than me.  This transfer should be a fun one!

This week, we were able to meet so many cool people! One man came up to us, and as we were talking he said that he had talked to missionaries before. He said religion had always been the back of his mind, but didn't really want to figure it out. We asked him, well wouldn't be the best time be now? We're right here to help you and lead you to your answers! He said, "You know what, I wouldn't usually say yes. But I am! Let me give you my number. Come by this Wednesday at 7!" ...... Sister Bound and I were so shocked! It was a really cool experience!

Another woman saw us outside, and asked our names. Once she found out we were Mormon, she told us to come upstairs and teach her our message! We taught her of the Restoration of the Gospel, and she loved it! (Who wouldn't?). She asked us to come back, and continue teaching her! She also said she would pray about the Book of Mormon! Such tender mercies!

I am so thankful for this Easter season, and the Atonement of Christ. Because of His sacrifice and Resurrection, we can overcome ALL with His help! I a, so thankful for our wonderful Brother, Who was willing to atone for me and for you. 

I love you all! Have a spectacular week!!!

Sister Valenta

 We found a Raising Canes here in AZ! Shout out to my old Kentucky home!

Our cute roommates! Sister Junn, Sister Blyel, Sister Bound, and me!

Sister Bound and I found this crazy cool wedding reception set up in the church gym! It felt like the masquerade from the Phantom of the Opera!!! So cool!

Questions From Mom

How was your stake conference on Easter Sunday?  Did you have dinner with anyone for Easter?

It was really good! We had one of our less active members that we are working with come! He also brought his daughter, who hasn't been baptized yet! We had Easter dinner with the Courter family! They are super sweet, and definitely helped us to feel at home!

Did you get the box that we sent to you for Easter?

I did! Thank you so so so much! Everyone loves the sweater you got me! Also, Sister Bound loves all of the stuff you out in there for her! She says thank you! :)

So are you in a car now or are you on bikes?

Our entire area is under construction, and they have closed all the sidewalks. So, we have to drive everywhere... darn 😊

Anymore people progressing to the point of baptism?

Not right now... but Sister Bound and I will change that! We have been able to meet several new investigators every day, so that is great! We'll get someone soon!

What was your best experience of your week?

We were knocking on an investigator's door, but he wasn't answering. I was in the process of writing a note to leave on his door, when his upstairs neighbor got out of her car. She said hi to us, and asked us what church we were from. After we told her, she said, "Well my name is Meg. Why don't you come on upstairs and teach me your message." We were so shocked! We taught her the Restoration, and she loved it! She said she would pray to know Joseph Smith was a prophet, and to know the Book of Mormon is true! She asked us to come back again this week as well! We are so excited to continue working with Meg!

Tell us about your new companion and where she is from, how long she has been out, etc. 

Her name is Sister Cadmium Bound. She is from Chicago, and she's been out 9 months! She is sweet, and really likes missionary work, and working with people!

Is there anything that you are needing us to send to you that you need or want? 

I don't think so! Our apartment is pretty set with everything - including candy haha.

Letter 23 Mesa, Arizona April 10, 2017

Hey Everyone!

This has been a great week, as usual! We were able to have such amazing things happen the last week of the transfer! We are meeting with a woman named Billy Jean! She says she already knows the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet! She says she wants to be baptized as well! So exciting!!!

We also had another baptism this week! Our 11 year old investigator Mikey was baptized on Saturday! Sadly, he had the flu!!! But, Mikey still came because he said he needed to be baptized in the only true church! So cool! He had a bowl right next to him the whole time hahaha! But, nevertheless, he was still baptized! So exciting!

My companion, Sister Anderson has finished her mission, and goes home tomorrow! So, I will be getting a new companion on Wednesday! I am so excited for the adventures ahead!!!

I love you all!!

-Hermana Valenta

The Mesa Zone! Loves these missionaries!

One of our investigators asked us to walk her dog for her, so that was fun!

We went to the Easter Pageant this week!!

Mikey at his baptism! He said he doesn't feel good health wise, but he feels super awesome and clean on the inside! The power of baptism, y'all!

Letter 22 Mesa. Arizona April 3, 2017

Gooooood Afternoon!

This week has been great - as usual! We started off the week with the best way we know how - a trip to the Temple! It was really beautiful and added a sense of peace into the rest of the week!

We had a few really cool experiences this week!

First, we have been praying for a new progressing investigator. Someone who has really been prepared to receive our message. As we were walking to an appointment, we turned the corner, and there is a man with a young boy, around 3 years old. The boy, named Drew, ran up to us and hugged us out of nowhere! He asked us our named, and he told us he loved us already. It was super cute! Eventually, his dad came up and introduced himself. It turns out that the dad, Ryan and his wife have been meeting with missionaries for the past few months! They moved to a new apartment complex, so they lost touch with the missionaries. He said he has been looking for a sign from God, and there we were! He said he would love for us to come back and teach his family! So cool!

Second, we street contacted a man named Chief like last week. He said he lives in Scottsdale (out of the mission) so we didn't think we'd ever see him again. Earlier this week, we were going over to a less active members house, and who opens the door? CHIEF! We were like whaaaaaat? He apparently stays at the LA's (less actives) house every now and then. We were able to teach him of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and he cried the whole time. He asked us to come back in a few days. We go over, and we teach him again, and he committed to coming to General Conference! So, on Sunday he walked into General Conference with his cowboy hat on, and watched BOTH sessions. He loved the talk on baptism, and cried the whole time. Later, he asked us for a Book of Mormon. After giving it to him, he held it in his hands for a long time. He looked at us with tears in his eyes, and he promised us that he would read it.

So many tender mercies and miracles of the Lord! I love the mission!

Have an amazing week! I love you all! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. They are definitely felt!

-Hermana Abigail Valenta

Questions from Mom

Dad wants to know if you were able to see the priesthood session of Conference because there was a talk by Elder Bednar on missionary work that he wanted you to hear!

We didn't get to see it :( but all the Elders told me about it! We read the summaries of all the talks! They seemed like they were all good! I saw the Elder Bednar talked about reassignment due to injuries or due to other things. I cant wait to watch it once the recordings come out!

Who were some of your favorite speakers in conference? 

I loved Elder Holland's talk as well! I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk, and also D Todd Christoffersen's! There were others ones I loved as well, but I just don't have my notebook with me right now to look up their names!

Where did you watch conference? Were you a good notekeeper? :D

We watched Conference in our Stake center. It was just the missionaries serving in this Stake that showed up hahahaha! 

And of course, I kept great notes!

Do you know if you will remain English speaking or go back to Spanish?

I am not sure. I have an interview with President tomorrow, and hopefully he'll tell me then! I have a feeling I will be staying here in this area for another transfer. But we'll see!

Anymore baptisms scheduled?

Yeah, we have another baptism this coming Saturday! It is an 11 year old boy named Mikey!

Anything special you want in your Easter package that we will be sending to you?

Oooooooh how about those Cadbury eggs! The ones with the sweet filling on the inside!!!