La Nieve Pinta La Montaña Hoy

So do you remember how I said the only CD Hna Davis has is Frozen in spanish? Yeah, well we've listened to it for 5 weeks straight now. I know all the words of all the songs in spanish now. #languagestudy #alldayerday There was snow covering all the mountains, including Mt. Sunrise, which is in our mission. We were going to climb it to play in the snow, but the Ap's said no. Sad day. So we've been running errands today, and looking wistfully at the snow covered mountains. Yo quiero.

I made the best chicken breast ever last pday!!! Like seriously, it was juicy and awesome!!! Pro chef status! #cookingshow #chef. Also today I learned how to make tamales with a member. If that whole college thing doesn't work out, I'll just start making and selling chicken tamales, because that's what I'm good at!!! ;)

I got hugged by a random preacher man on the sidewalk. I testified of Christ, and told him that God loves him. He was so happy and just went in to hug me. It was a pretty cool experience.

The other day, the Elders in our ward picked up dinner for us. They left it in the fridge for us. They wouldn't pick up the phone, we called 6 times to ask what the dinner was. We finally decided to just take the tamales, we ate them. They were aweful. We then found out that dinner was actually the pizza that we weren't sure if we should take. Then we also found out that the tamales were a month old. We got so sick that night, but we had appointments that we could not cancel.

Exchanges were amazing. I stayed in our area with the english STL. We found a new investigator, taught the Restoration three times, and talked to some awesome golden people. Every time I go on exchange I can feel the Lord blessing me with the gift of tongues. It is so hard to be with someone who speaks no Spanish, and cannot help when the investigators have questions.

When we were on exchange we went to talk to a guy who was smoking in his garage. We said hi, and then he walked inside. It was awkward, but we felt like we needed to stay and wait for him. So we waited, and then a lady stuck her head out the door and said, "Oh my gosh! How did you know to come here!!!" She let us right in and told us how she is a member, but she had fallen into some bad habits and stopped going. We offered a prayer with her, and then got her info, because she wants to go back to the Poly Ward (we have a Polynesian ward in the valley)!!! It was been my mission goal to send a refferal to the Poly Sisters, and I finally got one! Her guy friends are no members, so they'll hopefully be able to teach them! :)

There was an ice cream truck playing Shakira in our sketch area. Hahahaha!!!!

The members here have been feeding us! :) Yay! They love fat missionaries, so I'm golden. They seriously feed us so much food, it's like thanksgiving everyday. The sister who taught us how to make tamales, fed us 8-10 each, "to taste them". hahaha. Then homemade tortillas...... man I'm an addict. I need to start working out more, somebody want to send me a work out plan to help a sista out?

A guy in our area plays the bagpipes. We hear him practicing everytime we go to our investigators house. "What is that noise" "Oh, that. Well there is some guy playing the trombone on the street corner, it's kind of weird." I think the elders win.... :/

The Pina's, dropped us. It was the saddest day of my life, because there daughter yelled at us and told us not to come back. MY heart literally broke, it took all my self control to not cry.

Jose and Cristian are getting baptized this Saturday!!!! Jose finally felt ready, and he knows that it's true!!!!!!! Oh my goodness! I love him and his cute family! His wife died about a year ago, and he is raising two kids all by himself. The kids love church so much, and they have such cute testimonies. I love love love them!

Y'all! MY mission is amazing! I love every single exhausting second of it! This week we shared Alma 32:26-30 with our investigators, to help them understand faith!!!!! I know that as we build our faith in our Heavenly Father, in His son, and His plan, we are going to see miracles. Faith precedes the miracle. We all go through trials, we all stuggle, everyday Satan and his followers want us to mess up, they want us to be miserable. But you know what. They are just jealous because they don't have a body. YOU are in control! YOU make the decision! YOU are a child of God.

I have learned patience and love on my mission. Two very important attributes of Christ!!! This week, please work on these two attributes. I know that you will see so many blessings from striving to be more like our Savior.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

*Snow!!!!!!!!!

*Hermana Maas!!! Tamale queen!!!

*Tamale queen trainee

Adventures in North Las Vegas!!!!!!!!!! #oin (Only in North)

So this week was quite the adventure. I may need to get a rabies shot to go with the killer scar that I have. I totally got attacked by a obese chihuahua this week. It was the most unexpected thing, I went to go pet it, because I thought we were friends, and then it turned on me. I laughed about it with the investigators. That dumb dog totally drew blood. Hna Davis bandaged up my arm for me. #kissitbetter I wasn't paying attention, and I realized too late that she was taking the wound to kiss it. Hahaha. I freaked out, it was hilarious.

"All these beautiful women." This would have been a compliment, except I'm pretty sure he was high..."Hey gurl, can I get witchoo". Hna Davis whispered to me, "Does that actually work?" We took the long way to the car, because we were super sketched out. 

We had an awesome street contact this week! We taught 2 teenagers a brief overview of the restoration, and also answered their questions about prophets. It was awesome. We asked them at the end if we could leave with a prayer. We asked them for specific things that wanted in the prayer. "I want God to help me cut back on weed man" #beingreal. He also said he knew we were missionaries as soon as we walked over, because we are so jolly! Hahaha.

I love love loved giving a training. It was scary because it was in front of a lot of missionaries, but we prepared, and followed the spirit, so I knew I didn't have anything to worry about!!! I am so excited to help investigators, and recent converts get into family history work!!!! I now have caught the spirit of elijah!!!!!!!!

Member miracle!!!!!!!! We took one of the teenage members of our ward out with us on Friday night. It was a really really slow week. Our investigators refused to answer the door, and we had to drop so many of them. So anyway, we bring Steph out with us. She prayed that everyone in our plans would open the door and let us in. Guess what??!!!! We were able to have blessing contacts with everyone in our plans!!! It was such a miracle!!!! Go out with the missionaries people, it will make them happy, it will make the Lord happy, and you will be happy!!!!

We sang the "baby shark" song with our investigators on friday! It was so cute! Hahaha. We're obviously the coolest missionaries ever!!!!

We were at dinner on Friday, and I found out that the members pitbulls are named Sam and Dean. Supernatural fangirl!!!!!!!! Hahaha!

We didn't have a member dinner on Saturday, because the members moved to the west mission. We went to Arby's. It was a tender mercy. WE got awesome cheese sticks, and horsey sauce galore. We also happened to eat 2 loaves of cake/bread. It was banana bread made out of cake mix, we tried to convince ourselves that it was bread.... Let's be honest though...... We are on a diet this week, so we don't become diabetics....

"I was really worried, I thought I was bleeding, but then I realized it was just a red sprinkle." Hahaha. Fun times with my companion.

"It took you 3 weeks to stop crying over mormon messages, and even now I'm pretty sure you still cry sometimes"-Davis, about my mormon message addiction. 

I also read a JW magazine during lunch the other day. It's so interesting to see what other religions believe.... I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints is TRUE!! <3

I LOVE You all!!! HAve a great week! Make good choices!!!!! Remember that our Heavenly Father loves you!!! I pray for you everyday!!!!!!

BY THE WAY: I love my area, I love the investigators, and my companion cracks me up! It has been a crazy awesome 4 weeks!!!! So excited to continue learning and growing!!!!! ONLY IN NORTH!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

<3 Hermana Cordova

*rocking the bouncy house life

*Arby's is the same in every state. They never spell my name right

*Om-nom-nom-let!!! I made diss!!!!

WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY!!!!! #north #rockinit!

So this week. Nothing really eventful happened. I did get over my first area homesickness. Finally, it only took 3 weeks. Hahaha. My companion had a serious talk with me, and pretty much told me to just get over it. So I did. It's been really hard. I knew my old area so well, and I knew all the people. I was in shock when I came here. I have truly come to love the members, investigators, and recent converts here though. I'm pretty sure North members are the best ever. Most of them are converts, and they are so centered on missionary work. They are amazing. I love seeing them fellowship our investigators, and truly become their friends. They are so willing to help us out, 2 different members gave our investigators rides to church. It was so awesome!!!

WE got a new obispo yesterday!!!! "I have released so many missionaries. And every single one cries when they have to take the tag off. When they take it off, they are no longer an ambassador for Christ. They work, and work hard. They represent the Savior in all that they do. They change lives, they change YOUR lives. Missionaries changed my life and the life of your new bishop."  -Stake President

I totally cried. Even though being a missionary is the hardest thing emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and sometimes physically; I never want it to end!!!!!! I get sad when I think about the fact that I really don't have that much time left. I love my mission. I love being able to be a full time representative of my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm exhausted all the time, because I'm always trying to be better, find ways to help our investigators. (I have investigator dreams like every night. hahha. not even a break while sleeping).

I don't have much time left for this email. Sorry.

This week we danced to "What does the Fox say". Our member really wanted us to meet her neighbor friend. She's a stripper! She had the game Just DAnce on, and her sons were dancing, and she asked us to join them. So we did. WE rocked it. After that one song, we stated our purpose as missionaries, and prayed with her. Apparently she loves us, and wants us to come back. "They were so real." Too bad she only speaks english! :(

Okay!!!! I love y'all!! I promise to write more next week!!! :)

<3 Hermana Cordova

*cupcakes with recent converts. Also, this was 2 seconds before they shoved a cupcake into my face. hahaha. 

*thanks for the package, letter in the mail now!!!! :) LOVE YOU ALL!!!

We also had stake conference this week.  Elder Pino from the first quorum of seventy came.  It was amazing.  We found out that our little branch is the highest baptizing unit in our stake!!!!  The stake had a total of 64 baptisms last year and 22 came from our branch!!!!!!!!!!  How crazy cool is that?! -Hermana Allen

<3 <3 Alta Vista for life!!!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

Worthy Goals

We hit 92 street contacts this week!!!!! I've never even gotten 50 on my mission in a week. It was so awesome. I overcame my childish fears, and talked to literally everyone I saw. Which of course means that I have quite a few crazy stories this week. At Zone Council and elder told a story that changed my mission. He said that a recent convert in his ward is a big, black, biker guy. He lived in the same apartment complex as the sister missionaries. He saw them talking to everyone in the complex, but they never came to talk to him. One day he approached them and asked what they were sharing with everyone, and to make a long story short, he took the lessons and is now an active member of the church. Who am I to judge another? Who am I to choose who to talk to? All of God's children deserve a chance to hear and accept the gospel. Of those 92 people we talked to only like 10 wanted missionaries to teach them, but I do not regret for a second the other 82 people, because one day they will want to listen!! This gospel brings happiness. This gospel changes lives. We have a loving Heavenly Father, and He loves ALL of His children!!

We had an awkward chastity lesson. *sigh* Chastity. The dad said he would live it, and the 13 year old said no. It was awkward. WE explained chastity 3 times before he finally said yes.....

We got a referral the other day, and when we went to contact them they were on their way out. We set an appointment, but they couldn't meet until like 4 days after. When we got to the appointment they welcomed us with open arms. I invited them to be baptized and they not only said yes for a specific date, on the first lesson, but they also thanked us for inviting them!!! It was beautiful!!!!

"The doctor takes away my food. And the Hermana's take away my coffee." Our investigators who struggles with coffee, and also just got diagnosed with diabetes. He laughed about it. He is doing very well. He wants to get baptized on the 27th, which is his birthday.

All of our dinners, except for one was scheduled with the elders. We have really stressed exact obedience in our companionship, so we didn't go. Oatmeal and fast food for days..... In other news, I lost 4 pounds this week. #fastfooddiet #tacobell

One lady we talked to this week would not take one of our Jesus cards. Why, you may ask. "You people just feedin' lies. The bible even says, Jesus had hair like wool. I aint never seen no white folk with nappy hair. SO I know that Jesus is black." I bore my testimony about how it doesn't matter what color He is, we just need to have faith in Him, and try to follow Him. Then we left, and laughed about the whole situation. She also told us, "It's a good thing y'all aint one of them mormons". (we used the church's full name) Hahaha. awk. Also she refused to make eye contact with sister Davis. She was only talking to me. #racist

Then yesterday to break the fast we had a member sign up to feed us. First off they never called us back, so we were on our way home to eat when they called. Then we went to the address on the ward list. We got all the way to the door, and heard Katy Perry blaring (superbowl?). The door was already opened, so we knocked on the side panel. We then were waiting to get invited in, we wait, they stared at us. We were both so confused (hna davis hasn't been in this area very long so she didn't know the family). Two guys stood up and came to the door and asked us what we wanted. We realized to our horror that they were moving in, and the members no longer lived there. We should have introduced ourselves, but we were in shock. We call the members, only for the wife to say, "Oh I forgot to tell you we moved 2 weeks ago".

"No espeeke english". We were talking to them in Spanish, then they slammed the door.

"My name is Jay2, but you ladies can just call me Jay." #thanksjay

"Embrace the ghetto, share the ghetto" #northlasvegas

"Where are you from" "Texas" "Oh, that's why your Spanish is awful". Not going to lie, it hurt a little. Jokes on you foo, I learned Spanish in Nevada. hahaha.

"I know about your little books of morons". "DId she just call me a moron?"-Davis

Then we went to McDonalds. Worst mistake ever. Not only did we see a prostitute, but we also heard a 3 year old cuss his dad out. Then this family started yelling and fighting while we were in line. #wejustwantedfries

I seriously love being here. I have so many stories, every day. And it seems like the more people we talk to, the more crazy people we find. Oh well! On the Lords errand, yo.

I'm seriously exhuasted all the time. This area is hard work. I love it. I've never been so busy!!! I love y'all! Have a great week!!! Remember who you are and who you represent! This week I encourage y'all to find at least one friend that you can share an uplifting mormon message with, or one of your favorite scriptures. YOU make all the difference!

Okay, okay! One last story! Today at the 99 cent store a couple from an english ward bought our groceries!! It was the nicest thing ever. And a brother at the temple bought our lunch. When people do nice things like that I just feel so loved. <3 OH and the couple used to live in Texas like 30 minutes my home town!! I seriously love people, yes, even the crazy ones....

Les quiero mucho!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

*we went to the temple this week. Beautiful as always!!

*Hippie outfit yesterday. I found the shirt in the closet. I'm in love. hahaha. 

*My companion on the kitchen floor, in her laundry basket. Being out 14 months does things to sisters...... hahahaha.