Merry Christmas!!! (week 15)

Dec. 21, 2012  (mid week post)

 

Hi!

Alright so I'm in Dublin safe and sound finally! I will tell you more about how long it took when I call, but it is so cold! Ahhhh! Anyways, Christmas is on Tuesday! We are using our cell phone so we can only call one at a time. So with our schedule I will be calling it looks about 1 pm my time, so I think that's 10 am your time? (Family celebrated Christmas in Oregon.) I know that's pretty early and you'll be doing presents probably, but that's what works for us, so yeah. I am going to call mom's phone first and if that doesn't have the best reception then I can call back on dad's. I hope that time works for you all though. Sorry it's early, but I figured you guys might want to hear from me so you'd make it work! :P I'm so excited to talk to you all. I feel like it's been soooo long! For Sis Tuckett though she hasn't talked to them since she left in May, so that's crazy! We think it's definitely time to talk! ha I'm off to do mormon.org time and then tract in the snow and freezing wind! Yay! I can't wait! Love you all!

Love, Jenna

 

 

Dec. 24, 2012

 

Hello Family!!!

Can you believe that it is Christmas Eve tonight?? Crazy!! Good thing we have pday today! It was good that the 23rd was a sunday, today is pday, and tomorrow we can't really do anything. It's been pretty hard here because everyone is just like come back after the holidays. Well, that makes it hard to do our work so it's been, and is going to be, a long holiday for us with lots of trying to tract and just visiting members. But oh well. It's definitely a different Christmas than I've ever had before! haha But it's definitely a privilege to be out here serving the Lord and representing Him even if it is really hard. He never said it would be easy though and what I'm experiencing is nothing compared to what He went through for each one of us. I am learning so much. I miss Sis Little a lot, but know that I need to be here with Sis Tuckett cause she has already taught me so much and is a great missionary! More on that tomorrow when we get to talk!! This experience has been the most amazing experience ever and something that I will never forget!! Looking back on my decision making process I am soooooo glad that I pushed myself, got out of my comfort zone, and listened to the promptings I received that I needed to go. I know that this is going to affect my life for the better and is teaching me so much about myself! Ahhh! I can't even describe how I am growing in so many different ways. I feel more confident in myself and in what I know. I feel like I just got here, but in reality I'm coming up on 4 months!! Crazy!! Dublin is quite the uh, exotic destination to be. haha There is like nothing here! It is quite a shock coming from Morgantown to here, but that's ok. I need to be here :) But, Dublin is located about half an hour from the quiet little school Kellie likes to talk about named Virginia Tech! It's campus is beautiful!! I don't know what else to talk about right now, so I guess I'll close. It's been quite the eventful week but we're here, we're trying our best, and we're just enjoying being out here spreading what has changed our lives! I hope you all are having a wonderful time together! I loved all the pictures dad! I still can't believe Emry is so big! She is so cute! Also, make a list of things of things you want to know and I will probably cry tomorrow! haha Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and be safe in all that snow!! Spread the Christmas cheer because it can change lives! Talk to you tomorrow!!!!! Love, Sister Jenna Higgins

Hi!! (Week 14)

Hi Family!!

So I completely forgot to tell you guys that p day was moved again to tuesday because of transfers this week, so sorry you were expecting an email yesterday and didn't get it.

 

This week has been another crazy week that has gone by all too quickly but has been so much fun and also a learning experience. I learned how to pull up carpet and staples because we helped a single woman who is a member tear up a lot of carpet. It was hard, but I am now a pro at taking staples out of the floor, and I only stabbed myself a couple of times! Yesterday, there was like a freak rainstorm because it was just dumping and dumping rain. At one point you couldn't see much beyond the car. We got soaking wet and it was crazy, but luckily we were inside for most of the time so that was good. We went to a member's house for dinner and because of the rain we ended up getting royally stuck in the mud!! I may or may not have been driving at the time. So, after we pushed and slid even more into the grass and mud, and were soaking wet we weren't sure what to do. We got the help of some of the neighbors and they put a massive cardboard box in front of the car and we pushed the car and it eventually came out. It was crazy! But now our car is all speckled with mud! With our luck though that would happen! Also, there was a family who moved into the old apartment that we moved out of and we were trying to help them how we could. But last week the basement caught fire in that apartment! One of the guys got third degree burns all over his arms, chest, head, and face. He looked really bad. So we helped move them out and smelled all like smoke. It was so sad to see the damage though. We were just really grateful but at the same time in a state of shock because what if that would have happened to us while we lived there? We were very blessed and watched over and we are so grateful for that. There just always seems to be something happening that is so exciting and keeps us on our toes.

 

For example, transfers. There are no new sisters coming out this transfer (19th), and only one going home, so we figured that we would most likely be ok until the february transfer when we start to see the first wave of the age change. Well we were wrong. We got the phone call on Saturday night that we needed to find a ride because one of us was getting transferred. boo! We didn't like that very much because we are finally breaking through and making headway and finding some people, and getting used to the area. I'm getting familliar with the area and trying to direct us because the university elders needed their gps back. So that has been an adventure. Sis. Little is terrible with directions and gets all confused. haha But we got the phone call on monday night about what would happen. Turns out...I'm moving...again!! hahaha What the heck! This will start the 3rd transfer of being here and I will have moved at each one. I'm getting to be a pro packer! But we just barely moved into our new and awesome apartment so I'm sad to leave that one already. But, I'm now heading to Dublin, Virginia to serve with Sister Tuckett. Anyone know where the heck Dublin is? ha I'm so sad to be leaving Morgantown because I love it here! But I guess the Lord needs me elsewhere to help more of His children. I didn't want to be transferred but once we found out somebody was leaving I had a feeling it would be me. There are certain people that we are teaching or just met that we will teach that Sis Little just has a connection with. I tried to brace myself for it cause I figured that would happen, but still I wasn't all the way prepared for it. So, Christmas will be interesting. ha I have no clue what the heck will happen that day or anything. Maybe I can email you monday, but you may just get a phone call at a random time. It's going to suck cause I'm not going to know anyone there at Christmas so it will just be weird and I will have a new companion. yay! I hate change and sis little likes change so of course it would happen like this! ha But neither one of us are happy about this though. I will have to tell you more about that later. As for Christmas though I don't know when you guys (mom and dad) left for oregon, but check the mail. You should have gotten something monday or tuesday in the mail. If you can't get it maybe kellie could get it? I just don't want it to be left out or rained/snowed on because that would not be good for it. So hopefully you got it before you left.

 

So much more has happened but I don't have the time to write it and I can't remember it all, but I love it here and am learning so much! It is definitely an experience but it is so much fun! It is amazing! I hope you guys are all doing well and that you have a wonderful time together! But not too great cause I won't be there! ha Be safe in all your travels and don't do anything I wouldn't do, ok?! I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! Merry Christmas!!!! Talk to you in a week!!! :) And check the mail mom!!

Lots of Love, Jenna

 

PS. if you or anyone sends anything right now, send it to the mission office. I have no clue what my address will be. Thanks!

Hello!!! (Week 13)

Hi, hi!!

So first, lindsey- why are your children so adorable??? It's not even funny!! They are so cute! Thanks for the pictures! Also, I'm glad I'm doing something for you all and helping you get jobs and all that good stuff! Congrats mom and kellie! That's so exciting! Last week I got the dreaded flu that has been spreading like wildfire around Mo-town so we were out of commission for a few days. We watched all of our church videos we had, played lots of games, did puzzles, wrote, and studied. I feel like this transfer has been crazy because there has been one set back after another. I'm convinced that there are a lot of people here who need to hear us and we are getting so close to them, so Satan has to take us out in every way we can be taken out. We are persevering though and are going to get through all this! If the Lord amps it up so does Satan. Anyways, people have been telling us that it gets cold here cause it's way the heck up here and we were just like oh ok. No, no, no...we almost turned into icicle pops last night and it was snowing! It was crazy! We will have to change our game plan and dress a lot warmer. ha Mom- thank you so much for all the news from facebook! I love hearing about what everyone is doing! It helps me know what all is happening! I decided too that I actually would like another of the same journal as I currently have. I can't find any good journals here and I think it would be neat to have the same one. I didn't think you would have a package on the way yet, but if possible could you please send me that journal when you get back? I have a bout 12 pages left so I should make it! I decided for this journal I would like either the pink or purple one. Whichever is cuter :) Also, did i ever get a daughters in my kingdom book? I don't think I did and if possible I would love to read it. And, kellie or anyone could I get some family pictures to hang up? Sorry, I just remember things at random times and should have told you this stuff earlier. Thanks though!

 

Specialized training was good yesterday and I learned so much! It's amazing how much you can learn there and apply to yourself. President taught as well as the assistants and zone leaders, and they all were amazing! They also taught us about being a trainer because so many of us will have to train in the coming year (mostly it will be up to us sisters though.) We will be getting 60 new sisters by the end of next year pushing our number of 18 sisters up to about 80! How crazy!! It is going to be awesome, but a big responsibility! I'm excited though and actually am pretty calm about it. Last transfer was so funny. I thought I was going to have to train so I was freaking out. Sister Little always teases me now because of that. But I just feel so much better about what I'm doing out here that I'm ok with it. Transfers are next week (19th) so we'll see what happens. There are no sisters coming in so I won't be training this transfer. The next one is Feb. 1. So now the question is if we get to stay together one more transfer or if someone else needs me. Right now we are really both hoping that neither of us get transferred. It's amazing what the Christlike attributes can do and how it can strengthen the relationships that you have. We have grown close and don't want to be split up yet, because we finally are getting to know the area and ward, and we have a great relationship with each other now. I still give her reasons to pick on me though because I say things I don't mean to or I'm just a clutz. For example, we were out tracting saturday in the pouring rain (if you haven't tried it you should because it is oh so much fun) and we had to go up a flight of stairs to get to some doors. No one answered so we were heading back down. I was going first, but when the stairs are rubber and the bottom of your boots are rubber too and it's wet then it makes for some fun to happen. I went to take a step and my foot completely lost its footing and I slid/fell down like 7 stairs! I was trying to stop myself with my hand so my thumb is all battle scarred now, but my thigh was the thing that caught me before I plowed the wall. It hurts so bad now! But, oh my goodness it was so funny! Sis. Little was trying to see if I was ok in between all of her laughs, and I was just sitting there in shock but was laughing! So I make for a good show, but it was so funny!

 

Um, let's see, basically missionary work is amazing! I am learning so much and can tell that I am changing so much for the better! It's so neat to see things in myself start to improve and become perfected because I'm focusing on the gospel and helping others. When I do that you forget about yourself and serve them, and that in turn changes you! I love this work! This was the best decision for me because it changes you in ways that you didn't know you could change. I feel more happy (shocking I know, cause I was already so happy!), and I feel like I know myself better. I'm not saying I'm perfect but I'm growing and seeing just how much I can take and handle, and how much good I actually am giving to people. Everyone loves me! :P I don't want to get transferred yet because I don't feel like I'm done here yet or with Sis. Little yet. We'll see though. We will find out saturday night. As for christmas and calling, when is good for you? If I get to stay here we will be at a family's and I think the early afternoon may be better or just whenever. If I get transferred then I have no clue until later. I guess we'll keep in touch. I haven't seen a package here yet but will look out for one. I'm so excited to talk to you all!! I hope you guys are all doing well and that you are staying healthy and safe. I love you and miss you! I'm doing well though and am loving it here!! Tomorrow will be three months! Crazy!!!

 

Lots of love, Sister Higgins!

Hi! (Mid-week)

Hi,

Just a quick email today cause we had to do some area reports online today so we're at the library. We just found out that we have specialized training (like zone conference) on monday as well as our zone christmas party. We'll see how that goes ;) Anyways, since that is on monday, pday is not until tuesday, so I wanted to let you all know so none of you *cough* mom *cough* would have a heart attack about why there was not an email in their inbox on monday! ha So yep. Also, if I remember right, Emry's bday is tomorrow? (niece turning one) Happy Birthday!! :) I'm doing well! Love you all lots!! Jenna

Hi!!! (Week 12)

Hi Family!!!

Wow, this week has been a crazy week and has gone by so quickly!! Dad, thank you for sending all the pictures. I love it! I love the one of kellie's and mom's heads peeping in the picture of the Temple and you just say 'self explanatory!' ha  Mom, our RS was on forgiveness as well and I remember that clip of that man (Chris Williams). So sad but so cool as well. You can send the package before the 19th or send it to the mission office and they can send it straight to me if I get transferred because they have all our addresses. They are getting christmas packages and aren't sending them out yet to missionaries cause they want them to get them right before christmas. ha I'm fine with either one. We haven't had that much time to teach or tract this week, but I'm thinking that will change this week.

 

Also, my new address is 205 Western Avenue Westover, WV 26501.  So our move was quite eventful, but we are out of our apartment and into a wonderful, clean, and NEWER apartment. It was crazy though because this week our motto was pretty much service. We helped the Brumley Family (RC)(Recent Convert) a lot this week because she had the surgery and couldn't bend down, lift things, get up by herself. She was helpless, so we did a lot for her by just spending a lot of last p-day with her to help her move around, getting things for her, and cleaning her house because it was messy. We kind of went OCD on the house and spent a day just cleaning their house. They were both so appreciative and don't even know how to thank us enough. Our ward mission leader was a little skeptical at first about doing that cause he thought we were just going to baby sit, but we never watched the kids and just cleaned. When he saw it and when he heard from the Brumley's of how grateful they were he called us and couldn't say enough good things about us. haha We also helped another family clean their house because they have health problems but are putting their house on the market. So we helped clean their house as well. We both agree that if a ward member is in need we need to do what we can to help them and make their load lighter. We also need to have service hours each week too, so that was good. Then we had to clean our entire apartment for when we moved out and that took a lot of work. We had to pack and just de-junk the entire place. So that was fun. We have reached a new level of physical exhaustion, but at the same time I feel so good inside. Doing cleaning things I hate, for these people was so easy! I was doing anything I could and asking for more because when you see how it makes them feel you want to do more for them. I love serving others and seeing the happiness and joy that simple things can bring them. It was so cool and a great experience. So even though we really didn't tract and teach much at all this week I still know that I made a difference in people's lives. Also, Sister Little was reading an email and said that a lady we were really helping in Covington who was progressing so much bore her testimony yesterday. She talked about healing and specifically thanked both of us because we helped her so much! I feel like I didn't even know her or help her as much as I could, but hearing that made me so happy. Even though I didn't get to hear it or help her more, hearing that I had made an impact on her was awesome. I forget sometimes how small and simple things can help someone so much even when you don't realize it. You're always watched so always strive to live a good life.

 

I had a great experience when we were teaching a member family the 1st discussion for practice. I was reciting the 1st vision and the spirit just hit me like a brick wall. It was so strong when and I was overwhelmed because I finally got so many answers to questions that I had when I was reciting that. Of course I started crying, but it was amazing. I knew that what I was doing was right, what I believed in was true, and that the Book of Mormon is completely true and that the 1st vision did happen. It was so cool. Then it happened again and I knew that I did have importance and worth, and that I was a daughter of God and that I just need to believe in myself because He believes in me! I can't even describe it, but it was so neat. Sis. Little said that she had been praying for a miracle for me to know/realize certain things, and this was not what she or I were expecting at all, but it happened, it was there, and it helped me grow so much! AHHH! I love it! We got two new investigators this week (mom/daughter) and the mom is like a spirit roller or something different like that, so our lesson was interesting, but the daughter was so interested. Sis. Little bore a powerful testimony about the atonement and changing her life and the girl said she felt a little something when she was talking! It will take time I think, but I know we can help them both.

 

Times can get really hard and trying here and can test you in every way, especially when you are with someone 24/7. You have to really talk things out and work through things. Neither of us are perfect and we have to work together and figure it out, but I'm learning. I'm getting more confident in speaking up about what we should do, etc.  Because when we are obedient, then the blessings come. So, it's definitely a challenge, but it's good. I know we can do so much more together and neither of us want to get transferred cause we are finally in a new apartment, and getting to know the ward and area. We just need to tighten up things in our companionship and following the rules. It's like we're married! ha Anyways, I have to write President though but I just want to say that I love you all and miss you! Thank you for being so helpful, insightful, supporting, and praying for me. I can feel your love! Oh, it's rainging outside. Boo! We rode our bikes here and I'm still wet from the sprinkling. Good exercise though. K, Love you!

 

Love, Sister Higgins

 

P.S. Kellie, thanks for the letter. A dvd of the videos would be better for me. I was going to say something else but I forgot. Sorry.

Hi! (Week 11)

HI!

Ok, so these past few days have just been insane and I don't really have much time to write, but I'll tell you what I can. First, Congrats Isaac!!! That's so exciting and great!(brother-in-law interviewed on TV) Kellie- sorry about your head, but you looked great in the picture with mom and dad!(Sister took a tumble on Thanksgiving Day) Sorry about Shelby, that sucks! (Cousin diagnosed with mono) My stomach has usually been fine. There are days when it hurts but then it will be ok. No more peppermint. (Has been fighting an infection since before she left on mission) Yes, a gps would be great if you can find a cheap one. We are using a garmin nutri or something like that and it's good. But whatever you want. They doubled elders into Covington so there are 4 elders in there which is not the best because there are people there that need sisters, but whatever. Sister little has about 6 months left.  Thanks for the jasmine update! (former roommate - also on a mission) Do you have her address I can have?! Also, did you know there's a Village at Harvest Pointe or Park? It looks like grandma's continuing care center but maybe not as big. Also, do you know a Jim and Beverly Call? Their daughter is in my ward and they live in mapleton.

 

I was sick this entire week with a stuffy nose, sore throat, and headache. It was awesome. Thanksgiving was good. Different but fun. Um, mainly though, a member was in the hospital these past few days and had to have immediate surgery. They took a lot of cysts and polyps out and had to go through her belly button and all this stuff. It has been crazy and she is in a lot of pain. We have been taking care of her, but today sister little had something wrong with her back. She like couldn't even move and it was really scary. So I don't know. It's been rough with her but whatever. I'll get through it. We move in saturday as well. I wish I could tell you about an amazing lesson we had with a member family, but I don't have time to.  :(   I definitely got answers that I needed though and the spirit was so strong. I am learning so much! I love it! Oh, an old man got mad at me cause I wore my Virginia Tech sweatshirt here. haha I was trying so hard not to laugh! It was awesome. Anyways, that's all the time I have. I love you guys so much and I'm sorry this is so short!! Love you!!

Hello!!!!! (Week 10)

Hi Family!!!!!!

Goodness it seems like it has been forever since I have talked to you all!! Mom, there were things you said in your email that I was like "what? When did I write that?" haha So, first, I can just get my own journal here since it's so expensive. Thanks for looking! Yes, I'll get a haircut sometime too. I have no idea on when I will call on Christmas. I don't even know where I will be yet, so I will just keep you updated. For Thanksgiving, we will be eating at a family named the Lewis's at 5, and there is an institute dinner at 2 if we want to go to that. Also, we are going to a family on wednesday night and they are having thanksgiving then so we'll be fat! ha As for winter coats, I have no clue if I need a warmer one. Winter last year wasn't that bad so people don't know how this year will be. I think I'll be ok, but if not I can get something here cause there are stores here!

 

You may be asking where here is, well.......welcome to Morgantown, West Virginia! Home of the #1 party school in the country!!! Hola!! haha It's very close to the Pennsylvania border. And to those *cough dad cough* that said Pennsylvania was not in my mission, it is!! Ha Morgantown 2 elders have it in their area. As we were driving in both of us were just in awe because there were so many people and cars, and stores, and everything. It was crazy! Like entering a new world. So our area here is massive but it's all good. We are in Westover which is across some river from Morgantown, but still very close to everything. Our apartment was pretty bad when we got there even though the elders said they cleaned it. We have been cleaning it, but they are moving us into a better apartment on Dec. 1, so that should be good. Right now we are in a nice sketchy neighborhood, but no need to worry cause I've got good protection! :) I won't give you my address cause it will change soon, so if you do want to send me anything before dec. 1 just send it to the mission home. Ah! I don't like this computer here cause there is a time limit of an hour, and there is a big box on the top letting me know how much time I have! It's stressing me out! Um, as for investigators I guess we kind of have one. He is this massive guy who is a sex offender, but is really trying to change his life and be better. He loves mormons so we're making progress I guess. He loves to talk so it's hard to teach him cause he'll just go into stories. The elders before us were really bad at keeping up their area book, so as if doubling in is not hard enough we have nothing to go off of. It's really frustrating cause we're starting from scratch cause the only other investigator they had is this guy that likes to bible bash. So, what we have to do is now just go out and start finding people in anyway we can to build our teaching pool. I really think we can make a difference here, but it is going to be a lot of hard work, but we can do it. Faith,obedience, and prayers! Pres. Pitt wrote an email saying some general authorities were talking to him and saying that the Lord is hastening His work and is putting people directly in our paths to help them come to the gospel. We have to be doing all we can though to find them as well. It's hard getting to know a whole new ward and everything, but everyone seems really nice. Both wards in the building were so excited to get sister missionaries cause they hven't had sisters in a long time. We have meals with members every day this week! Crazy! The last elders were not the best at all, but they did baptize this awesome family the sunday before we came. Our bishop is crazy, but is great and really cares about the ward and progressing the work.

 

Um, let's see- I guess it gets pretty cold here, there was something in our bushes last night that freaked both of us out and we couln't get in the door fast enough, there are sirens all the time, and everyone loves to stare at us. It's great though and I'm learning so much! I miss being at home right now especially since so many things are triggering stuff that make me miss home, but it's a sacrifice and is worth it. Thanks for all your love, support, emails, and prayers. Sorry I can't write one to each right now, but I have to write president and I'm running out of time. I love each of you very much and am so thankful for you!! Have a wonderful thanksgiving and I hope all is going well!!!

 

Love, Jenna

P.S. Mom- that's cool that you fed the missionaries. People do that to us too and we sing our west virginia mission song to them (basically called to serve).

Say What?!? (Week 9)

Family!!!!!

 

Ahhhh, hi!! It was good to read emails today! I think seeing Brandi and Tammy (cousins) made me really want to hear from you guys! But it was so good seeing them and talking to them! I was a little worried cause I didn't know if it would be awkward or what, but it was really fun.  Tammy said that a few days before some Jehovah Witnesses came to her door and she decided to be extra nice and talk to them cause she knew that I do that. So maybe I'm helping in some way :)  It was really fun to see them though and they gave socks and candles to both of us, and a hat and scarf to me! So nice! Brandi pretty much covers the whole mission (with her work travels) so she wants to see me again and was like maybe I can bring Aunt Barbie and I can bring you treats. haha

 

Um, I have a lot to say so I'm just going to say lots of random stuff. A member gave us their old treadmill so now we have one! Did a lady named Cheryl Gibson tag me in facebook pictures? We raked leaves for them Saturday and she had pictures that she was going to tag us in on facebook. If she didn't tag me then maybe she requested to be my friend first? I don't know. People may ask to be my friend so just accept it and then I'll look at it when I get home I guess. So yes, we do service mom :) We had huge piles of leaves and did a running jump into it which may not have been the smartest thing, but we don't have any bruises so we're ok! Dad, or someone, just let me know where to call for Christmas (since you may be traveling) . It's weird not being there. We set up someone's Christmas decorations and it made me miss being at home at this time of year :(  Sounds like you guys had a busy day at the polls. Last week our district went to Lewisburg which is close to white sulphur, and talked with our district and zone leaders, then had lunch and went bowling. It was fun! We played skittles bowling and on my lane I won!! One elder who is really competitive was not happy that I beat him in both games! ha! I had to recite D & C 4 at zone conference and only messed up once so that was exciting! I joined the ward choir yesterday even though I can't sing, but the song we're singing is really pretty! :)

 

Um, let's see there are lots of happenings this week! First off, I killed a squirrel!! It was so sad, but technically it was his fault. He's the one that ran into the road and then kept going. We've now each killed one.

 

Did you know that China is opening up in the next few months for missionaries!!!! AHHHH! So exciting! A lot of the missionaries in Taiwain will be going over to China. And a lot of kids getting their calls are going to be serving three year missions!!! Isn't that crazy!? A girl that lives here but is in Utah at school right now said he got his with the date that he was leaving in march and a number to call to see where he was going. He called church headquarters and said his name, then got transferred and the next person to answer was President Monson (our prophet)! He wanted to tell him personally that they were a extending a three year call to him. The first year in Taiwain and the next 2 in China! Crazy! The work is moving forward.

 

We had just finished choir practice yeasterday when this guy just felt really sick and couldn't walk and was like falling to the ground. He finally said we could call the ambulance, so we were all just in the church hallway waiting for the ambulance to come. And oh my goodness, they have the slowest response time ever! It took so long, and then they had 5 people jump out of the ambulance. It was a good thing they got there when they did because as they were putting him on the stretcher he passed out. I guess his heart is missing beats and is under alot of stress, but he's out of the hospital now! It was crazy though! His bp was 160/110 and oxygen was 97 if you wanted to know!

 

Also, please don't send anything to me this week because I won't get it because...I'm getting transferred! hahaha! Oh my! We got a text on Saturday night saying we were both staying and we were both excited. Then this morning we got a call from President Pitt wanting to talk to each one of us personally, and then he explained that they were doubling out, so both of us are getting transferred. Um...what? ha  It's crazy!  President Pitt was like I know you have a lot of things change here, and so I'm throwing another change at you. ah Thanks President! So, we have to pack everything and clean the whole apartment today and tomorrow, cause we are now going to transfers on Wednesday in Charleston. We don't know where we're going or if we'll be together cause it's a transfer that they didn't know would happen. Since they have to double us out and double some in it might be harder to keep us together, but who knows. Needless to say we've had a crazy morning so far! So, just don't send anything to me yet, and be ready to change my address so nothing comes here that is meant for me.  Everyone thought we were staying and now we're just packing up and being like see ya. It's sad and I'm nervous and stressed again. I still think I have a lot to learn from Sister Little and don't want to be split up. But I know the Lord knows what I need and will put us where we need to go, but just pray for us! :) Yeah, so that's the news that I have for today! haha Nothing too exciting or anything like that. I just hope that I'm put somewhere that I like and that I can help the people there. I'm actually really sad to be leaving here because I was really learning to love it a lot here because there are so many people that I really love. It's sad to say goodbye to them. It's weird too, cause I just feel that I'm not supposed to be leaving here. I feel like I still have work to do and people to help serve. So who knows what will happen. Only the Lord knows that and so I just have to trust that everything will work out! So, farewell from Covington and next week I will be somewhere else with maybe a new companion. I hope that you all are doing great and keeping busy, healthy, and safe! I love you all and miss you!!!

 

Love, Jenna

 

 

 

Hi! (Week 8)

Hello family!!

So this week was great with so many things happening that I really needed! I loved all the pictures dad! Although most were sideways so I now have a kink in my neck...thanks! That shed is nice and blue! haha Kellie-I loved your outfit at the temple and you looked so good!! Mom is that a new jacket? I loved the picture of you guys with shelby too, although um, mom...who said you could wear my shirt huh??? ;) Glad you got lots of shopping done for Lindsey's kids as usual! Dad- don't deny it. You loved it instead of just tagging along! And ya, as for the storm we just got some rain but that's about it. A member showed us some pictures on her phone of some of the damage and it's crazy! Didn't like 40 people die or something? Some of our mission got hit. President Pitt lost power for a few days and stuff. Our phone was constantly going from district leader, zone leader, AP's, and sister Pitt. Is there snow, is it snowing, raining, windy, etc. We were always like no, no, no...it's not even wet here.  :P  Thanks for the morning cookies and fruit leathers!! I love it! Also, if you get a prompting to do something for your Visiting Teachers's just do it. You can't just sit around and wait for things to happen. That reminds me of Pres. Eyring's talk at the RS broadcast about VT's. You don't really need to send the weather report cause it's just cold here. Thanks though! We don't really have a time limit on the computer  although I do have to leave in just a few minutes though cause we have to meet our district up in white sulphur springs, WV soon. I was writing other emails and I had a lot of emails in my inbox! That's so exciting for Nathan and Liz (mission calls of friends)! Ahhh! Tell them and Matt Erickson congrats!! And let me know of other calls!

This week has been such a growing experience and so many little things have stuck out to me that have really helped me grow!! First, 2 Nephi 4:16-35. I don't need to doubt myself at all!! I have the ability and gifts to succeed and I don't need to worry!! I can do it! Also, I was in a lesson when someone prayed for the first time ever. It was simple yet from them, and it was such an amazing experience! We have been given so much and can always rely and communicate with the Lord through prayer! Also, sis. little and I watched the testaments this morning and it hit me so hard! The Savior gave so much for me and suffered so much!! We are soooo blessed to have this gospel and a knowledge of Him! He knows each one of us and can heal all of us in different ways!! Church is the hospital for sinners!! Faith is a wonderful thing as well as scriptures and preach my gospel!! I am learning so much and am loving it! Shoot, um I have to go. I'm so sorry that this is so short. I will make up for it next week I promise!! Just know that I am doing great and am learning so much!! Each day is a new experience and oppportunity to learn so much!! I love it!! Take care and I hope all is going well!! I love you so much!!!!!! Love, Jenna

What storm?! (Week 7)

(comments inserted in italics are from Mom)  Also, here's a blip that she included with an email last week that contained photos:      Yep. People love food here, but not vegetables! Lots of biscuits, gravy, rice, potatoes, and more biscuits...yum! I love it here though! It's fun! :)

 

Hi!!!!!!!

Geez, mom, forget surviving the storm I survived your e-mail!! haha jk I loved reading yours and dads emails! Ok, getting right into all the questions and stuff to say. Crazy that you have snow already! I bought a black winter coat with the $37, so everyone can calm down. I might use some more money today too to buy some stuff for some people ;) I have a support card but it's for food. We get fed so much here- lunch and dinner. I think instead of feeding the missionaries it should be like how much can we feed them til they explode! I feel like no one here likes veggies that much either! ugh...it's hard but I'm trying, but I know I've gained some weight :/ Stupid! Thanks for all the feedback on the pictures. Glad I still look ok!  That's great about the Oliver's (neighbor who had twins)- nate and kate- not a tongue twister at all. Tell her congrats..i like morning cookies too...and pear fruit leathers. :p I will try to write bro. coats sometime and will pray for him; tell shea aldana I'm so excited for her if you see her, and finally BYU wins a game! Also, I'm not surprised that the response time is slower for making mission calls. They're getting slammed and there's only 2 apostles! Yes, I got both packages and thanks so much!! I loved the belvitas, and I will be wearing the scarf! We had our primary program yesterday and it was good, but definitely not like the one at home. Not very many kids. Ha dad- that backing up picture is so ugly! Sis. Little took it when I was changing faces and about peed her pants - er skirt! Glad I entertain her all the time! Mom- I still have vitamin c that I brought but no vitamin d. If you want you can send some or I can buy some here. I don't really care. That's interesting about the meeting with Elder Holland and Nelson (they visited with leaders in the Mapleton area). I'm not jealous or anything- I never got to see an apostle at the MTC and I'm a missionary for goodness sake! haha Times are definintely going to get worse, so it's cool to see everything just being like prepare yourself for everything! Conference just seemed urgent this year. haha I laughed about the name of Frankenstorm!! (Nickname for Hurricane Sandy and cold front collision)  Right now there's just rain. It started last night and rained all night I think. Now it's just cold, windy (supposed to get up to 50-60 mph winds), and drizzly. People are preparing for the apocolypse here though. No school, get tons of food/gas/water etc., basically just sitting inside waiting for the power to go out. Maybe it will get worse later on but right now it doesn't seem that bad. I'll be fine mom- I've got extra protection ;) I don't want you having a heart attack about me being safe. Just pray and we'll make good decisions here! Emry sounds so cute, and I laughed out loud in the library about her legs shaking like a seizure in the crib.(She is just learning to stand up and doesn't know how to get back down). I miss those kids! How's Isaac surviving? Also, I would love to see Brandi!! Yeah, if Tammy is in Roanoke it's not that far away. That stuff I accidently left at the MTC had her # though, so could you get it from her again? Just send it with your letter you write tomorrow if you can. I may need to clear it with Pres. Pitt but it's non members so I'm assuming it would be ok. I'll see what's up and get a hold of her and we'll get together soon hopefully! Ok, sorry for being so random and just spewing out words!

 

This week has seemed to be an emotional roller coaster for me. I forget to mention that last sunday I had to say the closing prayer in sacrament and I had to teach gospel principles. I was so nervous and didn't want to do it especially when I saw that we had like 14 people there! It seemed to go well though and people participated. It was on family responsibilities. People said that I did a really good job, and that I'm an amazing teacher. Um, ok ;) Also, I have to give a talk on Nov. 25 on Humility...help please!! Any good talks, thoughts, anything about it? We had a mission tour (meeting) with the southern half of the mission on wednesday with Elder Whiting and it was amazing!! I gave myself tendonitis from writing so much- I think it was like 12 pages overall! He just has a way with words and answered so many questions and concerns that I was having. Whether by what he said or a thought that I had it made me feel comforted and learn so much more about teaching, and becoming a better missionary. He had asked everyone to write a 5 minute talk on the doctrine of christ (faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, enduring to the end), and to prepare with your companion how to invite someone to church in a role play. He talked for a while then had 4 missionaries come up and give their talk. President didn't have anyone specifically in mind, so Elder Whiting just 'randomly' (yeah right) chose missionaries to speak. And what do you know...with my luck I was one of the 4 missionaries picked to speak. I was looking down and writing actual things, but he was like 'this sister in the yellow sweater. Looking down and trying to avoid eye contact is not going to help you cause you're still coming up here!' Hah! Everyone laughed at that, but I really was having to write something and I may or may not have also tried to be just avoiding eye contact with him as well! I was the only sister up there and was the 3rd to speak, so I had about 10 minutes to pretty much die of heart failure! I was soooo nervous because I had to speak in front of half the mission, President and Sister Pitt, and a seventy!!! Ahhhh!! What was I going to say? What would they think of it? I don't want to do this. Breathe. Are they going to judge me? What in the heck do I even say in front of a seventy? Breathe. That's basically what I was thinking, and the talk I had prepared did not feel right at all. So, my heart was pounding so much, and I had the overwhelming sense that I needed to change my talk and it was a powerful feeling. With both of those things happening I thought I was going to literally pass out. So, I was just praying for help and was frantically trying to find scriptures that seemed right. I got up there and of course right off the bat I started crying! (Thanks mom! :P) And, then what happened next was amazing because I just talked. There were things I wanted to say that I said and I read my scriptures, but I don't know. It was like words were just coming and I was just able to speak non stop for my allotted time. I actually went over a few minutes because I was just talking. And even though I was crying I was able to get my words out audibly I think! That experience was just so neat because a lot of those words I wasn't thinking and they weren't my words, but I needed to say them. After I sat down, I saw Elder Whitning lean over to President Pitt and ask something and President responded. Then Elder Whiting glanced back at me and just made that 'woah face.' When he got back to the pulpit He said that He hadn't realized that he had called on such young missionaries. It was awesome! So many people said that my talk was so good, so I guess it was good! :) Elder Whiting said that happened to him on his mission and he didn't want to be called on, but in reality it was exactly what he needed. That statement is true, because I learned so much from just going up there and talking. The Lord works in crazy and wonderful ways! Also, Elder Whiting had a grandma who was born and raised in Mapleton, but I didn't get to ask who it was. He shook all of our hands.

 

Yesterday, Sister Little and I both received blessings from President Pitt because we both really needed them. We need help here in Covington to find the 'elect' the people that are ready for the gospel because right now it's not going to well. And especially me, I need some help with me and some guidance about some struggles I'm having. So with Sister Pitt there as well we received our blessings one after the other and it was wonderful. His blessing was just...I don't know how to explain it..powerful. I wrote down everything that I could remember from it when we got back into the car and have been looking at that list ever since. At the same time though he said things that made me just question some things about myself and really take a step back. I'm trying to do a self evaluation thing now and really figure out how I can change some things because that part in the blessing troubled me. I'm sure I'll figure it out in time though and learn from it, but yeah. Question though- What does conversion mean to you? How are you converted? Is it just one specific time? I thought it was a process? If you find any talks or quotes on that too let me know what they are :) Sorry, if I was just babbling that whole time. Sometimes writing it out helps me figure things out for myself. Missions are definitely tough and really test you and push you at some points, but they are also wonderful because they build you and strengthen you. You can learn so much from them if you are open to it and submissive to being in the Lord's hands and letting Him shape you! I'm definitely in one of those times right now and it is no fun, but I'm learning, trusting, studying, pondering, and trying to see how I can become better from this. It also helps too when you just let it all out- frustrations, words, thoughts, tears to a companion who will listen and try to make you laugh and give you advice. Keep praying for me please. I can feel them!

 

Also, we went tracting saturday and at one house noone was home, and the next four we got rejected royally! One man had a long driveway and even before we were half way down it he came out and yelled 'I saw you coming and we already go to our own church, so we don't need anything.' His back was already turned away from us as he was finishing yelling. Then the next house we hadn't even gotten on the driveway and a man yelled 'we're not interested, thanks.' Ouch! But it's ok. We just have to keep our heads up and keep going. I know what I stand for, what I believe in, what I know to be true, and why I am doing this for a year and a half of my life! They can't change that or take that away from me because it's mine. Anyways, sorry if this email seemed more depressing than most or too deep. I don't know. That's just what's on my mind right now and the happenings here in Covington. Don't worry about me cause I'll get through all this and know more about myself and the gospel! I love you all and hope that life is treating all of you well! You're in my prayers!

            

Love, Sister Higgins!

The Lord is in the details!! (Week 6)

Hello Family!!

Oh my goodness, what a crazy few days I've had! It never slows down but seems to be picking up in speed! When the heck did it get to be Oct. 23?! You really do lose track of time out here when you're not focusing on it. So, I opened up my email today and was soo happy and surprised cause I had 5 emails from you guys!! It was so great to hear from all of you and to hear about what's happening with you all! And, as I said in my subject "the Lord is in the details," He really is. Each one of you said something that really stuck out to me today and helped/comforted me because I've been struggling these past few days. It's interesting to see how the Lord takes care of you though because answers are coming slowly, surely, simplify that are helping me, but it's such a learning process that is hard to go through. Lately I've been feeling like I'm not as in tune with the Spirit as I need/want to be and it's frustrating me because I want to have that constant guidance. In the MTC, the Spirit is there all the time and I think I was expecting something like that out here, but here you really have to work for it and be working hard because there are so many distractions here in the 'real world.' Saturday Sis. Little was just like 'I want you to assign where we need to go and who we need to talk to because you have a lot of inspiration and faith.' ...What?! I freaked out, but she sent me to our room for 15 minutes and I've never prayed that hard in my whole life! I put everything out on the line-every feeling, thought, intent out there and just said 'ok, Heavenly Father- Help me!' I've been really trying hard to pray harder, listen!, ponder, and know what we need to do. Faith doesn't just come. We have to have action and put in our work before we start seeing the rewards. In my journal, it has quotes on it each day and the past few pages have been like 'trust in the Lord and His power, don't be afraid, listen to the Spirit,...just exact things I need to hear. So even though I'm still far from perfect (none of us are anyways) I can tell I'm learning to really have more faith in the Lord and go with what He wants and what He will tell me. He knows what we need, when we need it, and will help us overcome every single obstacle that we have placed in front of us. Lindsey- I'm extending a committment to you right now- read Faith in the Bible Dictionary, Alma 5 (good chapter on faith), and when you have the time Ether (especially ch. 12). Ether is an amazing book with lots of faith in it. The Lord gives us what we need not what we want, and will help make our weaknesses become strong, but you just have to trust in Him. Be the clay in His hands that is moldable, so He can shape you into something even more amazing than you already are. *He's in the Details!*

 

We had President Interviews yesterday and it was awesome! He is truely inspired by the Lord even though sometimes He says things that I do not want to hear. He was talking to all of us and said right now I think there are about 57,000 missionaries worldwide. It is projected that in the next year or two there will be an influx of missionaries numbering at 100,000!! Crazy!!! Then after the initial influx it will level off to around 80,000-90,000 missionaries. How exciting and amazing is that?? The work is truely moving forward whether we're ready for it or not. He said that no matter how 'young' we are on our missions right now, we are now old! We are the pioneers of missionary work at this time because never before has there been a time as great as this to be a missionary. We are setting the standard, the example for all the incoming missionaries and need to be spreading the Lord's gospel as much as we can. Many people are jealous and wish they could be a part of this movement right now because it is so important that it happens right now! AHHH! Do you know how exciting, awesome, scary, nerve racking, inspiring, and pressured I am feeling!! I'm so happy but so nervous for what is going to happen! We have around 160 or 170 right now and should be prepared to get up to 250 in the coming times- mainly sisters though!! We all have to be prepared to train even though it will be hard. We have 18 sisters right now in the whole mission, but could get up to 20 new ones! He was saying one time a sister had to train 3 other sisters at one time- that's not stressful to think about at all! We will most likely be starting to see growth in late December, but more of January. One sister here, who is polynesian, has a really big family and 43 family members who are all girls are working on their papers! Amazing! Someone said that the missionary department usually has 600 applications a week, but were having like 1,700 a week. And that only the 1st Presidency and 12 Apostles knew about the announcement (you can find that in the deseret news) along with the MTC needed to hire more people. Pres Pitt said 8 weeks goes to 6 weeks, 4 to 3, etc. They still want everyone to have the experience of the MTC, but they have to move people through faster. When I met with him individually it was great, but when he said the opening prayer he said something to the affect of 'please help her as she goes through this time, and as she trains so much.' Something like that. I knew I would train on my mission, but I didn't think it would be so soon, and it sounds like so many, but it's in the Lord's hands. Also, another fun fact...I may be losing my mom 6 weeks earlier than we both expected! Pres. Pitt told Sis. Little 'you know, you can't stay in Covington forever, and something about the November transfer, but it wasn't confirmed with the Lord yet.' Sooo, what that means is that she may be getting transferred mid-November and I will be the senior missionary in this area. I will either have another sister with me here or I will start training a sister............. She said that doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes a missionary will be trained for only 6 weeks, so with my luck that will happen to me. That tried my faith yesterday, but again the Lord put quotes, scriptures, and words in people's mouths that comforted me. I just have to remember that with the Lord I can do all things, and I can do it no matter if they are hard, take me out of my comfort zone, or really try who I am and what I know. He knows what is best. We'll just see what happens, but please keep praying for me!! :)

 

Also, could you please pray for Brittany and Isabell? Brittany just got baptized on the 30th, and is 15. She loves the gospel, but her family is really giving her a hard time, but she really wants them to have the gospel as well. We're teaching her and trying to keep her strong, and find ways to soften her parents hearts. Isabell who is 50ish was baptized in June, I think, and has been really sick. She's getting better, but her family is really mean to her and just ignore her or dump things on her. They both need strength! Thanks!

 

What else...Oh I started driving the car yesterday and it took a bit to get used to since I haven't driven in over a month!

 

   But it was exciting though and I love driving. We drive everywhere, but then just park and go tracting down different streets. I really wish we could walk everywhere cause I feel so lazy and blah, but things are just so spread out here. Lots of hills and gnats! The whole time that I've been here it really has not been humid at all which has surprised me, but I love it!! I'm slowly dying of the second hand smoke that is here because so many people smoke! And my clothes smell like smoke a lot, but oh well! The computers here have card readers, but are tempermental, so I'm going to try to send some pictures to you, but I forgot paper, so I may not be able to remember all the ones that I include. So you may have to figure out what it is by yourselves! Sorry!

 

I hope you all are doing well and survivinglife!! I'm doing well! :) Good luck to you Isaac with everything you have to do! You are strong though and can do it! Just take it one step at a time and keep pushing through. You and Lindsey are especially in my prayers during this time of craziness! I'll try to channel my missionary blessings and send them your way!! :) Nice job of the door prizes mom and dad! And Kellie, good luck with work and trying to figure everything out with school! Hope the Apple Crisp was good! I love you all so very much and miss you!!

                     Love, Jenna

P.S. What's happening in the world? I heard some girl was shot in the head in Pakistan, and everyone knows Romney is a Mormon and are always talking about the debates. Pretty much everyone loves him here and wants him to win. Oh, and we got off someone's list of being a cult! Yay! haha Love you guys!

First ApartmentMakeshift drying rack

 Sister Little and me!

  WV on the left, VA on the right! At Goothrite Dam

  Sister Little and me on P-day

Hello! (Week 5)

Hi, hi, hi!!

I can't believe another week has gone by! Time seems to be going so quickly these days because a few days ago I hit my 'click day!' That is the day that marks you've been here another month and I guess some missionaries really get into it, but for me it was just like yay...back to work. It's true what they say though, that the days are foreverly long, but the weeks fly by! There are some days that I think are never going to end because they go on and on and on. Life is good here though and all the trees are changing now which makes everything so colorful! I love it because it's so beautiful, and there are so many trees!!!  It's so cool to hear that so many kids are answering the call of the new mission age. In PEC yesterday, (yes, church is at 9:30) one man was saying his daughter was at BYU-I, and that 6,000 people were putting their papers in because of the change! 6,000!!! AHHH, it gives me the chills, and that's just from one school! Crazy! (I think that was elders and sisters.)

 

The shift key on my keyboard is slow and it's really annoying me. Anyways, yes, I've gone tracting and it's awesome! I have a love/hate relationship with it, but I also love doing it just to see all the different people we'll encounter! ha It's hard because yes, people aren't as nice here, but they also just don't really like mormons. Some of them see our nametags and book of mormons and go running the other way, or shut that door faster than you can say anything! It's sad because so many people see us and they already have a preconceived notion of who we are, what we believe, and what we do, and they don't want any part of it. The problem is that everything they know that we believe is outlandish and just funny sometimes, so it's hard to get over that when they're already judging us, shutting the door, and saying they're a Presbyterian. They try and tell me what I believe and say it's not for them, and it's like well actually, that's not what I believe- do you believe that? Someone was saying we should try the tactic of saying "if you're so rooted in your faith then why should you be so afraid to listen to what I believe? I'm not going to convert you if you have such a hold to your church." haha I thought that was awesome! Some of the best ones I've heard so far- we still believe in Polygamy and Mitt Romney probably has like 5 wives that he's just hiding from us, and his dad and grandpa do it too. We worship the sun, and believe that we are going to live on it some day in actual castles that we build. I'm assuming that was the plan of salvation, and the lady just didn't understand it very well?!? And we worship Joseph Smith as our Savior and don't even believe in Christ or God....um, what? Did you see what is written on my nametag? I felt bad for that lady cause she was trying to be really nice while closing the door, but we stopped her and cleared that up cause she thought we only believed in him and what not. It's quite interesting and sad because they don't know us. We had an interesting and long discussion with a Jehovah's Witness who said we just need to stick with the Bible and we'd be fine. She wouldn't tell us her religion, but we figured it out by how she talked about God and Christ. Another older lady who goes to Grace Brethern Church (?) tried to pick a fight with us and tell us we were wrong, and needed a Savior, and what not, and Sister Little was awesome with her! I just nodded and smiled because I was nervous, but on some things I was like oh heck no, and talked about what we believed. She shut the door in our faces then proceeded to watch us through the door while we went down the whole street, then opened the door and yelled at us when we were farther down. I love being a missionary! People know us but either don't want to talk to us or are just too scared to. Sister Little hates tracting because of stuff like that, but one reason why I know I'm with her is because I just say we have to give everyone an equal chance to hear the gospel and expose them to it. Let's go to the next house, yay! Sis. Little was going to skip this one house and I was following and then just stopped, and said we need to knock this house. I did the door approach, and the couple who is retired let us in and we had an awesome conversation. They live across from the church and know missionaries, but have never learned about it before. They are Methodist. While we were talking 3 things popped into my head- we have the true priesthood, eternal families, and the 2nd coming. I couldn't decide if it was me or the Spirit, and I was afraid I would offend them so I didn't say any of those outright, but just skirted around it. When we left I was so mad at myself, because we needed to talk to them and I didn't say what I should have. We are going back though and I'm going to listen a lot more to the Spirit. I think they have potential though!

 

At church we had two high councilors speak and one did a short talk, and felt prompted that the elders and I (all new) needed to bear our testimonies. He said that when he got to Covington and the church building he had a distinct expression that this area was going to start exploding sometime soon and that there would be more than one church building here! Ahhh! I got chills to think that I would lend a hand in helping that come to pass!! People do receive inspiration because why would Pres. Pitt send a pair of elders to join a branch that had sisters already, and is pretty small? People are ready here to receive the gospel they just don't know it yet. It's my job to go out and find them though. So, I was first for the testimonies and obviously started crying (thanks mom), and then the elders went (one of them cried too. It was so sweet.) After sacrament, one of the high councilors came up to me and said thank you so much for your testimony. I really enjoyed it! That was cool. The elders are already finding people and we are pretty booked this week to visit LA's (mom's edit: Less Actives) and to go tracting all over our area. It's a huge area for the branch. We're excited. Mom, thanks for at the end of your email saying to not stress- I really needed that! I think I've been too uptight about everything and that Sis. Little doesn't follow every rule to the T, but I don't need to worry about that. Don't stress because we're doing missionary work and we need to have a tri companionship with the Spirit! We learn things every day and I'm grateful for that! I love being a missionary and seeing the happiness that people have when they follow it. It is hard work, and I'm exhausted every day but it's so worth it. I love studying the scriptures, standing up for what I believe, and being a witness and representative of Christ!

 

Oh, are we by chance related to a Mike Higgins who is married to a Barbara Higgins, and they live in Clifton Forge, Virginia? She's a member, but he's not and I want to know if we're related because I will find him if we are!!! :) Also, I'm not sure what's happening next week because we have President Interviews next monday in Buena Vista. Then tuesday is p-day, but that night and the next day we will be in Roanoke because Pres. Whiting, who spoke at conference, is coming to do a mission tour or something like that. I guess he speaks and does interviews? So, look for an email probably next tuesday.

Lots of love, Jenna

I'm a survivor (Week 3 & 4)

I'm alive!!!! haha Oh my goodness, what a crazy but awesome week!! I'm sorry if my thoughts are all over the place but I have so much to say right now! I hope I answer all the questions, but if not be patient with me please.

 

So we flew to chicago and I didn't really sleep much :/ Oh, I've finally met the mysterious Elder Kliman! I hadn't found him in the morning so on the plane I turned around and asked the two missionaries if they knew who he was. The one behind me just smiled real slowly and pointed to his nametag. It was a perfect match! ha I felt so stupid! He's awesome! We got to know each other better and we're pertty much best friends now! During the layover I've never been stared at so much in my life! It probably was due to the fact that we had 16 missionaries all in suits, skirts, and nametags invading the terminal! :p I was going to call Lindsey and Kellie because there were a few phones available, but my dumb card wouldn't work! Apparently it thinks that if we don't have enough on the card then it just won't make the call at all. All of us had the same problem so we could only make one call! It was so frustrating! Sorry guys!! We got on the tiny plane for Charleston and waited there for an hour!! Like everything had to go underneath and when you have 88 pieces of luggage from all the passengers to fit then it becomes a problem! The workers had to try and figure it all out and were working so hard! It was because of us because we all had 2 big ones and a little one. Oops ;) They stuffed some up with us in cupboards, but ended up having to leave 4 bags there. 1 of the bags was an elders, but thanks for a persistant Pres. Pitt he got it the next day! When we were flying over Charleston and it was just hills /trees and like 3 houses I honestly got the feeling of what am I doing here?? I want to go home right now! I don't need to go on a mission! (Satan is so sneaky) So I just sucked it up, put a smile on my face and walked off the plane. Pres/Sis Pitt and the AP's met us and are so awesome!! They are really nice, caring, and just so great! I was a little worried before I got there. We went to the mission office, got info thrown at us, then went to the mission home where we all talked then ate dinner. We each had an interview with the president and it took forever cause we had 16. Girls went first though! Then we went to bed and I sleep so great!! We ate breakfast there, had a devotional, took pictures, then headed to the church for transfers. Us greenies had to sit in the front and be looked over by everyone who came in. ha I was so nervous for everything and it didn't help because Sis. Kimber started freaking out about her new companion too, so we just panicked together :) We had to introduce ourselves, say where we're from, something about us and then we got our companion and area. And girls had to go last.

 

So....I'm with Sister Little in Covington, Virginia!!! It's about three hours south (?) of Charleston.(Mom's edit: SE) Welcome to the Heart of the Highlands and a massive paper making plant!! It's a beautiful little town, but is very old. We got half our area taken away because there are elders in Clifton Forge (not too far away) and they're in our branch. We have a lot of work to do apparently! There's enough members to be a ward, but only about 80-90 come every week I guess. We were going through the roster a few days ago, and I have never seen so many in-active/less-active people before!!! I would get excited when we came across an active member! The hard thing though is these people don't have the same phone #, don't live here anymore, we can't find their house, or they just don't want to be a member anymore. Yay!? Pretty much I have never felt so much hate and dislike towards me ever before than what I feel now!! At the store when you smile/say hi they purposely look over/around you and ignore you. Or they are nice, then find out who you are, and then they do a 180 flip. It's grand! I kind of got in one lady's way at the store, then said hi, so she had to look at me and say hi!! It's hard but definitely eye opening and a learning experience. These past few days have just been getting stuff figured out with the elders, conference, etc. This week we are going to go tracting a lot cause we don't really have any investigators! I have never been so excited to just get out and go even if I get ignored or the door shut on me!! Sister Little has been here in Covington since the end of May, so she's helping a lot. She's been out for 11 months, is from Morgan, UT, and her first name is Jessica. (Just in case you want to fb stalk her mom! :P Ha) I was a little worried at first, but we've opened up to each other a lot and now it's awesome! She is great and brings out my sillier side. She may think I'm weird, but she loves it! She's stuck with me til at least around Christmas! haha But really though, I think she's really happy that I'm her companion! I'll talk a little more about this later on. The members here absolutely love the missionaries though and want to help us so much! They feed us so much sometimes I just want to be like Stop feeding the missionaries for once! They're going to make me fat! There's too much love going on here! ;) Oh, the paper plant. Well that's just interesting. They have to use like 120,000 trees each day and make like either 30,000 or 3,000 lbs of paper each day! Something crazy like that! The worst part about this though is like it stinks so bad!! There are days (like today) that are just terrible!! Bleh! Oh well though! Our ward mission leader works there and was telling me the process of it and it was awesome!

 

Next, GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! Holy cow, that was amazing!! I absolutely looooved it!!! :D We watched it at the church with the elders! It was really different than home, but it was still so good. I think I gave myself tendonitis from taking so many notes! I don't know if I was just paying more attention, if there's was just so much said, or what but like each session I took like 6 pages of notes! I was so astonished with the mission call ages!!! What the heck!!!???? AHHHHHH!!! Why did they make me wait for like 3 more years!!! GAH!! That's so exciting though, but the boys will need to be more mature though! Someone wrote and said they may do 2 weeks for english speaking (too short I think), but it all makes sense now. When I was at the MTC studying with some of my district a worker came and talked to us and asked us about what we thought of the time length (too short/good/too long?) We said 3 weeks was perfect. He said they were just trying to figure things out because they wanted to get more missionaries through there faster. Crazy! Conference was absolutely amazing!!! Each talk and session was so powerful, thought out, and was exactly what we needed to hear. My favorite talks were Pres. Uchtdorf, Packer, Anderson, Holland, and Monson!! So amazing! Did you notice the theme? Keep/strengthen your faith, pray and know your prayers are answered, God is there watching over you, deciding now who you will follow, and fully converting yourself to the Lord and helping others become converted as well. We've been talking with all those themes and the new mission rules- the time is now to prepare! The 2nd Coming is not that far off, and we need to fully prepare ourselves and everyone that we come in contact with to stay or come to the Lord's side! So Cool! As a missionary I was just getting chills and feeling so excited and honored to be serving right now, but pressure at the same time. I have to do all I can do to find those who are ready for the Gospel now because time is getting shorter! I absolutely love missionary work!!!  God is in the DETAILS, and knows exactly what we need to take us through the refiners fire and shape us into who we need to be!! I know that to be true, so I'm not questioning anything anymore and am just looking forward and looking for how I can help those around me. Also, if you have not watched 17 Miracles watch it!!! It is amazing! Too often we take for granted what the pioneers sacrificed for us and how much they went through to give us what we have now. They went through so many trials and kept their focus and faith in the Lord. We need to be like that as well, especially in these times!

 

Mom, can you send me a copy of my setting apart blessing sometime? Also, I have a short sleeve black old navy shirt that I would like, and if you can maybe either my black long sleeve under armour shirt or my bluish exercise jacket from gap that is like under armour. Other than that I think that's it. Just sometime would be great. Thanks!

 

My address is 202 Rosedale Ave. #6 Covington, Virginia 24426.

 

That's crazy about Robin Ballard!! A month!? Hope all goes well though with it! Sorry about the deaths :( I remember both of those ladies. Way to help out mom. You should work at the MTC!! That'd be awesome!!!! I love it there!! I'll look at coats. It's getting cold and the leaves are changing! Also, I'm trying to figure out how to do the google chat thing. Will be next week though. I completely forgot my camera...Sorry!!! Next week I will have pictures for you though!! :) Thanks for all your pictures!

 

Um, I think that's it for right now! I love it here though and am doing well and learning so much!! I miss you all so much but am so happy to be here. When you truly try to only serve others it makes you so happy! The gospel is true and on the earth today! Our prophet and apostles are divinely inspired and know that what they say is true! I love this work and serving my Savior with all I have!! :) Much love!!

                   

Sister Higgins

 

P.S. I have more I didn't tell you but will tell you next time!

I'm Dreaming of West Virginia! (Week 2)

Hello!
I have so much to write and answer so hopefully I can get it all down in time! It's so weird to think that in just a few days I will be there in WV and teaching real people! Ahhh! No pressure or anything! And, I'm not really dreaming of WV because I sleep too hard because I'm so tired! I haven't remembered any of my dreams here. It's getting harder and harder to wake up because you're so exhausted and you just want to sleep. But we just have to roll out of bed and start going because eventually you won't realize how tired you are. I'm on the top bunk, so having to climb down the ladder and jump off it wakes me up too! I'm not excited to get up at 3 am though but oh well that's life. Why not add to the sleep deprivation! haha Dad, my flight numbers for united are 3450 and 6188 so you can track it! I figured you would! I know you want me to call as early as I can when I get to SLC, but I don't know if I can pull that off. They have recommended that we call you in Chicago since we have more time and aren't rushing to get to our flight/check in baggage. If I have time when we get to SLC I will definitely call, but it may not happen til later. Sorry daddy! We land in Chicago at like 10:45 and leave at like 1:15, so I will call in between then. Any preference of when I should call? 11:30, 12? I know it's an inconvenience for you guys if I call later. Also, mom could you send me a dear elder on monday with everyone's numbers? I may be able to call lindsey and kellie as well :) We'll see! Pretty much I have like an hour to pack on monday, so I will most likely pack some today.

Things have been awesome here as usual and I'm learning so much! Some of the time I don't even feel the Spirit because it's just constantly here! There have been some absolutely outstanding lessons and moments here that have such overpowered me with the Spirit and God's love, and have let me know that I am meant to be here! I love the devotionals and firesides! No apostles, but we've had two 70's (Golden and Kartoffel), and some guys who are like in charge of the missionary department or the mtc stuff. My hand hurts so much because I'm trying to write so many notes down! Thank goodness for paper! Things have been good here and I know the Lord is hearing my prayers. It has gotten a little easier with the comp because I am working so hard on having patience and love for her! There are still a lot of times that I just want to be like "really?"' But I've made it through alive and I can't believe it! I thought time would go so slow here with her, but it has flown by and I've learned a lot. Our lessons have been getting better slowly but surely and I'm getting more confident in what I think. I tell her things that I have problems with and that we need to work without being so scared like I used to be. I'm also more confident in what I'm learning and the knowledge I have, and I feel like I can guide the lesson and say what I need to in a better way! I still have a long way to go though!

It's scary to think that I'll be working with real people soon, but I'm so excited! We had in-field orientation yesterday and it was so good. It was all about what to expect, how to teach, knowing your investigators, etc. People said it was really cheesy and parts of it were, but honestly, I learned so much and it made me so excited to get out there. I loved learning all of that yesterday! And, I met 3 of the missionaries that have been in the district videos. My favorite sister was there and I talked to her and told her how much she helped me in my progress leading up to the MTC. She said I looked so happy/glowing and that I would be amazing! It made me feel good :P I love my teachers because they are absolutely amazing!! They love all of us, want to help us progress and succeed, and make it really hard for us so that we come up to the level that they know we can reach. They have helped me so much and I'm so glad that I have them. Also, my district is ze best!!!! haha I never realized that you could get so close and love 19 year old boys as much as I love them! They have their moments and so do we, but we have way too much fun together! We may or may not have gotten chastized by different people because we are having a good time together!! Oh, and they all love you mom!! They call you momma higgins and think you are pretty much the best! They all get so annoyed, but excited when I get so much mail (especially packages) cause they want to see what you've sent me! haha Everyone loved the Padro popcorn!! Thank you so much for sending that! That was a total surprise! I ate too much of it though! :) I've seen so many people here that I know, so I'm glad you're getting stalker updates for me! Just know that I'm doing well though and although I'm dead tired, I am absolutely loving it! It's hard work for sure, but I can already how I'm benefitting from it! Just in case you didn't know...the church is true!!! :) I love you all and miss you!!!!!

I went to the Brigham City Temple Dedication at 9 on Sunday and it was so cool to be in the MTC for a temple dedication with so many missionaries! The spirit was so strong there! I loved it, and thanks to Sister Coats I had a white hankie! They turned all the lights out though and that probably wasn't smart because so many people were falling asleep! I will admit there was a time when I almost lost it! I had the best head jerk ever!! Definitely the best one I've ever done! haha Good thing I was in the 2nd row so everyone could see!

Um, what else! I can't remember anything else right now! I'm trying to write things down to tell you, but I can't remember everything! Hopefully I've answered your questions for now! I don't know when my p-day will be next week or if I will have one because who knows what will happen when I get there. Just look for an email though sometime and know that I will be dying of humidity and tiredness!! Here's some pictures for you to look at and gaze at my beauty!! :P

                                     
                                           Me with my MTC companion - Sister VanOrman

                                     

Our district in the MTC

District leader - he's awesome!

 

Our first real investigators in trc (portraying less actives, we got them to go back to church! Best lesson we've done by far- the spirit was amazing!)

Our room door

The girls in our district

A message on the board from our teachers (and one back from us!)

 

Miss you all sooooo much, but I love you even more!!!!! Thanks for supporting me in this journey!!! It's so worth it and amazing!!! Love you!!!! Love, Sister Higgins

 

I'm an MTC Veteran! (Week 1)

Hello ya'll!!

The time limit at the top of the screen is really making me stressed! ha So, life here at the MTC is good, exhausting, awesome, and hard! It was such a struggle to get out of bed today! My tiredness is catching up to me, but it's amazing how tired you can be in the morning but throughout the day you don't realize that you're tired until you get back to the residence hall at 9:30! I love it here and am learning so much! My hand hurts from writing so much, but I feel like I have to write everything down because it's all so important and good! My teachers are amazing and really care about us! Their lessons are amazing! We have to teach them as investigators and those lessons stress me out so much because I feel like they make it so hard for us. The past few lessons have been better with my comp, but still not how I want them to be. I'm getting more bold and just saying what I want to say, so she won't just talk the entire time! It's really frustrating having her as my companion, but I can see things that I'm learning because she's my companion even though it's so hard. We lost her today at the temple when we were coming out because she just walked off. We couldn't find her for like 10 minutes and we were all stressing out because she just disappeared without saying anything to us. Things like that just make us all frustrated and annoyed. Oh well though! 

Mom, thank you so much for the package. When I got it everyone around me was like "are you kidding me! What?" Pretty much everyone loves me, and thinks I'm the best sister ever! They love the peaches and say if you want to send some every day then you can!! And they are excited for pears too! haha Thank you so much!! Also, thank you for the notecards! I love them! You can just send more if you want. I am getting mail like every day from different people. It makes me feel so loved! Keep it coming! :) I got a letter from the Coats today, and she sent some of those pictures that you sent as well. I hope all of you are doing well!

Oh, I got my travel info today even though we don't leave til the 2nd. And guess what... I get the privilege of having to be at the travel office at 3:00 in the morning!!! Yay me!! Ugh. We were annoyed at that. The part of our district that is going to TN is making fun of us cause they don't leave til 4 am. I forgot my paper in the room but my flight out of SLC is at like 6:35 and we get into Chicago O'hare at like 10:45ish. Then we leave there around 1:15ish and get into Charleston at like 4:30 or something like that. I can get a calling card at the bookstore so I can call you, but it will be an early morning for you guys though. Not sure when I can call, but I think when we get to SLC. I'll let you know next week.

Oh, P-day is on Saturday next week I think. The bookstore is actually really good. They have lots of school supplies, food, clothes, medicine, and just random stuff. The cafeteria is getting interesting with their food, so it's been a challenge but it's alright. They have a few exotic fruits a few times like grapes, strawberries, and kiwis. The kiwis tickle my tongue! :p They don't have a real salad bar and stuff. They just make salads for you. It's amazing what some of the elders can eat here! Yesterday, a scrawny kid had 6 glasses of milk, 9 hard boiled eggs, and 2 huge bowls of cereal!

I've seen so many people here that I know. It's a little bit like home! I saw Mrs. Crowther and lots of friends from BYU. Some people I didn't even know were serving until I saw them on Wed when they came in! Oh, I saw Natalie Van Horn today when I was working out this morning. She was cleaning the stairs with her comp. She seemed good and I wasn't sure if she recognized me at first, but then she remembered.

Sorry I'm all over the place but I'm just kind of typing as I think of things. Last sunday was amazing! Sherri Dew talked to us in relief society and another guy in charge of proselyting here gave the fireside and it seriously blew my mind. We had Pres. Kollick (spelling) on tuesday for devotional which was equally amazing! They really know how to bear powerful testimonies and teach you what you need to know! I think my teaching is getting better. It's hard teaching your teachers and investigators in the TRC (teaching center place.) I think I'm more nervous to teach my teachers because I know them and they know what I'm capable of. On monday, we taught a less active couple with their VT there and it was awesome. We came in not knowing anything about them but it turned out great. I was worried for it, but the spirit was really strong there. Things kept coming to my mind and I would just say it. I was explaining a story to them and the lady was just like you had to mention that and she started crying because it touched her so much! At the end before we could commit them to anything, the husband was like 'let's go back to church.' It was awesome! Small and simple things really do make the difference! You don't have to have mighty miracles come out of nowhere to believe that it's true because usually that doesn't happen. Really sincerely pray with real intent and you will receive an answer, I can promise you that! It may not be what you want or the timing you want, but He will answer you! He's listening to your prayers. Read the Book of Mormon, and learn to love everyone!

My district is freaking amazing! We still have those 19 year old immaturities, but it's amazing how these elders step up to what they are called to do. They are so funny and I love them so much! They pretty much all secretly love me I think! haha I'm thinking I've probably gone over a half an hour so I've got to go. I hope this letter finds you well and that you understand everything I wrote! Just know that I am doing great and learning/growing so much! It's hard but so worth it! I miss you and love you all so much!!!!!! Love you lots!!
                  
Love, Sister Higgins