Thanksgiving Week

 our christmas tree branch the elders gave us

thanks for the sign

 ​went to couer d'alene resort last pday and got icecream

couer d'alene is in our zone just like 15 minutes away

​sister ireland's sister got married on Tuesday, so we made cookies and popcorn and watched the testaments after planning to mourn...this was the result of us trying to look really sad

my grandma in the green and her trainee 

​at the mission home, check the mission facebook page to see some more!

 my district

 couer d'alene

 me

Nicole's Letter: "Dead Deer"
November 28, 2016

This week the days were fast and the week was slow which was crazy because usually the days feel like years and the weeks feel like days.  The days went fast because on Wednesday we got to go to the Mission Home for a Trainer/Trainee meeting.  It was super fun! The Elder's let us borrow the car which was super nice of them and it was good to drive to Spokane since last time we were with a member and it was my first day so I was freaking out but this time I could enjoy it.  It is only like a 30 minute drive but it was still nice!  And the meeting was super good! I got to see all the sisters from the MTC which was fun.  

Sister Mathias was like yah I haven't walked at all since being here, I wish we walked more.  I was so mad I was like oh yah let's switch and see how you like walking like 10 miles a day ha.  But it is always so nice being around other missionaries and being around Sister and President Dymock.  They are the best! I love Sister Dymock, she is so funny and nice.  The training was from 9-3 and then after we had a lesson with Terry who is a less active part member family but she totally forgot but I was like whatever we didn't speed walk for 30 minutes or ride our bike so we can just go visit some other people and then go home... what a car can do for your mood:) but then we had to give the car back after that.  I think it is a blessing that we don't have a car because I will definitely not complain as much or at all when I do have a car! I mean missionaries that have a car just don't even know how lucky they are.  But we get to talk to more people that aren't interested walking so that is a plus:)

Then, Thursday was Thanksgiving! How was everyone's thanksgiving?!

We went over to the Zanes, a members home who live super far away and we left late from our apartment so we had to speed walk and then the turkey wasn't even done but they are super nice to us! I love them! A lot of other families from the ward were there too.  I was awkward but what do you expect.  But overall it was good! I mean at least we got invited! 

Then we had Weekly Planning for three hours.  Then we just sat around in our apartment and the Elder's gave us a branch for a christmas tree.  Then at night the Elder's in our district and us went to DENNYS! we got icecream which was super fun! So that a fun way to end Thanksgiving.  Then we had exchanges which I'm not to sure how I feel about them...They told us on Thursday that I would be taking over the area for the day so I was freaking out and also to make things worst we had literally NOTHING planned, no lessons, nothing so I truly had to fake it til you make it.  But it was Sister Young who came to my area which was super good.  She is a convert and super friendly, happy and bold.  So basically she took control if I didn't know what to do.  Friday morning we had our last district meeting before transfers.  Probably all of them will still except one elder will probably get transferred so it was bitter sweet.  Then we went to Lee and Dee's (the older couple, nonmember, that we did service for the other week).  They invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, so we went there and it was fun.  Then exchanges happened.  

That night it was raining of course and dark but we saw a ton of people in their garage and driveway so we walked up to them and gave them the Christmas card with the video link but before we got there they started laughing.  They were like you might not want to come back here we got a deer.  Sister Young who is from texas was like oh sweet, my family are hunters while I was like no no don't go.  But I just walked up and then I saw it.  Oh man I almost puked.  So nasty...the stomach was slit open.  Gross.  I was like Bambi's mom.  And then they started skinning the legs and you could hear the tear.  And then they go to the bone to tie the rope around and then they hung it up and blood was all over.  it was so gross. I am in huntin territory that is for sure.  I was trying so hard not to pass out.  But i made it. Then the next day we went to a member's home and they were cutting up there deer.  So many dead deer around here.  Let's just say i will never marry i hunter, my stomach can't handle it haha.

Then on Saturday we went to Lee and Dee's again and they feed us left overs and then she was like "what are you and Sister Ireland doing on Christmas?" I was like I dont know what are you doing?  Then she responded "We are having you two over for Christmas dinner"  We are like their family.  But they are super closed off to anything else.  Then we went to Sister Crabtree's home and she played the accordion for us and then let us play which was super fun! I love sister Crabtree she is the best!  Her husband is playing Santa in Washington so he is gone for 7 weeks!  Then the elders made us gluten free cookies which was super nice! They were good too!

On sunday we sang in church. yep, just me and sister ireland.  good thing Sister Ireland is a good singer.  I think it was pretty risky for them to ask us but it wasn't too bad, done more embarrasing/ awkward/ uncomfortable things on so far.  Who would of thought that me singing a solo in church would be a walk in the park.

Also, a part member family showed up!! We have been texting the daughter who wants to be baptized but we have never been able to meet with them and then they just showed up! We are having a lesson with the whole family tonight, i am freaking out, hopefully it goes well. 

Okay my emails are probably going to get shorter since this is the last week Sister Ireland is doing her BYUH application...

Love to all

Sis Steve

4th Floor, Last Door

​two p-day ago made rice krispys and took them to Larissa and Dennis

trying to look happy since it started snowing this week... but

What is this...

i know bad picture but last monday was like this...the elders told us that as a district we were going to get icecream in couer d'alene but then they bailed and just went without us lame. so we couldn't go well didn't because of the time.  then they told us to meet at the church to play games but then we sat there forever and don't have a key so, played a round of water bottle soccer, just as stupid as it sounds and then the elders finally called and told us they wouldn't be able to make it. so we were mad and then we thought ourselves out of our apartment but luckily elder ipson can pick locks and got us in so it was one of those days.

Nicole's letter: "Sorry it's a dooser" (it's not...)

Hi everyone!!

Don't cha worry I'm doing my best to enjoy the good and the crappy moments but this week was another week.  Each week I'm like okay this week can't be worst than last week and then it somehow always manages to become a bit worst, funny how that happens.  But a lot of good things happened this week if we don't look at the numbers, don't get me started on numbers.  I hate numbers okay more like love hate relationship with numbers.  I know it is important to keep track of numbers and stuff but then sometimes I get super stressed thinking that I won't be a good missionary because what if I always get low numbers.  I mean people know the good missionaries by their numbers and I know that you can say oh it doesn't matter what people think but I do want to be known as a good missionary so it is a struggle.  But my comp says that it will all work out but it's easier for her to say that because her mission has been full of high numbers besides in post falls but i know that everything will work out.  I read President Uchtdorf talk "Fourth Floor, Last Door".  Everyone go read it! It is so good!

So random things that happen this week.

We always go to the food bank and volunteer on Tuesday for two hours which is a saving grace! Except, Tuesday morning it was pouring like hardest it has rained here and we were like noooo because we dont have a car and the foodbank is a good distance away but then the Elders texted us and said that we could borrow the car to go to the foodbank.  My whole district lives in our apartment complex.  And two are zone leaders, one district leader and the other came out with me so we both be newbies.  But anyway one of the set of elders let us borrow the car to drive to the food bank because they were going with the other elders.  Made my day and then it stopped raining when we got out of the foodbank so it was good.

Then, wednesday we had district meeting which is always good, takes a couple of hours:)

And then all the other days have blended together.

But some things that happened this week.

Well someone started swearing and yelling at us because they thought we were robbing their house ha. Okay, so the story is that we went to go see this part member/less active family.  But there door was already open which is always so awkward but we rang the door bell and no one came and then we were about to leave and this guy inside just started swearing and yelling and we heard running.  Then he came to the door and saw that it was just the sister missionaries, he felt pretty bad haha he was like I thought someone was robbing my house, I was asleep and then I just saw my door opened and talking.  It was pretty uncomfortable and awkward and then he told us that his wife, the nonmember wasn't interested.

       On another day we were walking home for lunch and we saw these two older people outside doing yard work and so we went over and asked if they needed help.  The wife was super rude to us which isn't surprising old ladies hate us so we just turned our attention to the husband and started talking to him and then we asked if he needed help and then eventually after we talked for a bit the husband, Lee asked his wife, Dee if she needed any help and she hesitated and said that she hasn't been able to vacuum because she broke her back this summer.  She we went inside and helped her vacuum and also unload her dishwasher.  She wanted to pay us.  She gave us homemade grape juice, reminded me of grandma and grandpa.  They were so nice.  We are going over again and helping them.  But then a couple days later we were walking and this car stops and yells at us, it was raining so we had our coats and hoods on so we cant really hear or see that well but this woman yelled at us and it was DEE! She was like you walked passed my house but you couldn't hear me so I have been following you.  And then she was like my husband and I have been talking and we would love it if you two girls would come over for thanksgiving dinner on Friday!! We were so happy! I mean Dee who was not nice to us at the beginning has invited us over for thanksgiving!! it was the best! so i will tell you how that goes

         Then last night it was raining and lets just say none of my shoes are made for the rain but no toes have fallen off so we all good:)  But Larissa (nonmember) and her boyfriend (less active) invited us over for dinner and then we had a lesson with them.  They honestly are the funniest people ever.  I haven't genuinely laughed as much as i did last night since being on my mission.  All the other times I laugh it is either out of stress like might as well laugh instead of cry laugh or pity/awkward laugh.  But it was so fun.  Didn't really have time for a real lesson because Dennis just talked the entire time after dinner about how much he loves the church.  He knows it is true and he loves the church he just doesn't live it.  He said he would be the one to go to the bar buy everyone drinks have a drink yet be talking about how much he loves mormons and our church.  And then he talked about temples and how cool they are.  He is like 39 and has three kids, divorced twice and now is living with Larissa and her two kids.  From a really mormon family.  Like huge Odgen/ Wyoming fam. He was about to go on a mission but then got a girl pregnant so that's his story.  But they are funny.  Larissa is crazy and fun and they gave us a tour of post falls and where they work and everything.  She seems really interested and said she will do her homework so lets hope so.  And she says that she was talking to her co workers and was talking about how she is having the "Mormon girls" over for dinner and how they are just so cute and everything that she wants to be and more.  We were both thinking whoa you talk about us more than members do.  

It is funny this area the less actives like us more than the members.  We are getting fed by more less actives than members, i mean still not a lot like two people but still.

the members are warming up.  Sis Ireland says they are so much friendlier than last transfer. 

We are going over to the Zanes, a members home for thanksgiving and she is such a good cook so i am excited!!!!!!!

okay that was a really long email sorry

sorry if it didn't make sense again. maybe next week i will be more spiritual. 

I am working on faith because i mean i have to have faith that things are going to happen when they are going to happen because we were suppose to have 10 member presents this week, all lined up and everything which is amazing in this area our highest has been 5 but then everyone didn't answer or didn't show so we only got 4 only 4 so that was a bit depressing but oh well. God provides.  4th floor, last door right   

love you

sis steve

November 14, 2016 Letter

Nicole's Letter
Part One: "Faith #1"

Here is an idea for all those still reading my emails...
So i am working on christlike attributes in PMG and this week I was working on faith.  And it would be awesome if everyone joined in and did it together so this week look up scriptures and study faith and more specifically having faith that the Jesus Christ is your Savior.  If it is confusing just look in Preach My Gospel under Christlike attributes and there is a little test thing and it is the top sentence.
Here is what i learned about faith:
It is confidence and trust.  It is a principle of action and of power.  true faith leads to action so it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of things hoped for.  Faith leads to action.  God works by power- HIs power usually exercised in response to Faith.  And then we Jesus Christ becomes reality in your life it isn't that He somehow makes you do things that you wouldn't do otherwise.  You just find yourself wanting to do what He would do and respond as He would respond in an effort to bring your life into harmony with His. When you try to walk the way he did and place your feet in Christ's footsteps it leads you to the Father.  Then it is hard to have a negative attitude about things if and when your life is focused on the Prince of Peace.  It can be a source of inner strength through which we find self esteem, peace of mind and contentment and courage.  And it can be a causative force through which miracles are wrought.

This helped me so much this week because it was a slow week and Saturdays are my least favorite days and I had all excuses to be discouraged on Saturday but I had faith in the Savior and I knew that he would provide, maybe not that day and maybe not even in Post Falls but I have confidence that God looks out for me and that is very well aware of me.  Also, having faith doesn't mean that everything will work out right then.  I mean Nephi and his brothers had to go back 3 different times and then Nephi still had to do something to get the plates, he had to kill Laban and all that was commanded by the Lord.  The Lord was very well aware that they would get the plates and could of easily given it to them the first time but he makes us work and makes us grow in faith.  So there is just a little thought that probably doesn't make sense but we should all do this and then if you have any wisdoms for me please let me know.  this is more for me ha just want to get as many wisdoms and advice for all of you. 

love you all


Nicole's Letter
Part Two: "Thunder Thighs"

My body is so tired, don't know how people come back still alive from a mission ha.  We biked a ton this week.  One day though I was just like we look like idiots and then we saw a member from our ward and he didn't even want to wave to us! I was like I better get a bunch of blessings from riding my bike in a skirt while wearing a helmet.  But whatever it is all good!  This week was good i think.  I don't know this area is so slow and the bishop is not really into missionary work which is so stupid because if he isn't then the ward isn't and we all know that member missionary work is way better than just full time missionaries.  If anything a mission is making me realize what kind of member I am going to be and person I am going to be when I get off my mission.  We have gone to so many less actives and the reason for them leaving the church is our ward.  Even this morning we went to Sister Kimball's house and washed her walls and then she said she has never met a ward like ours and how much she doesn't like it and the people.  and of course i am not giving her any validation because if you're truly converted to the gospel than the people don't matter.  and the reason why people should go to church isn't for the social it just makes me mad a our ward.  and earlier this week we went to see another less active and she said the same thing! So lesson learned, so be friendly to everyone and if you don't know just say hello and introduce yourself, you just never know.  We had interviews with president and sister dymock this week! It was so nice and I just love them.  So Sister Dymock makes all the missionaries take the color test and I scored white like really high white and my companion was like "uh i don't think that is right, i think you have a lot more red and yellow..." and then sister dymock while interviewing me was like i see yellow in you which is funny because i would never think that and then to my comp she was like Sister Stevenson is funny- probably thinks i am just psycho haha i am like one of those wind up toys were just goes and goes and then slowly dies.  Or at least out here i am.  i don't really know what i am writing and i am assuming that no one reads my letters anymore besides mom and dad so it doesn't really matter what i write.  my brain is just slowly shutting off.  Last P-day we went bowling which was super fun with our district.  I like my district.  Today we are going to Coeur d'Alene and getting icecream at the resort so that should be good.  

also GOD LOVES ME! This week i prayed that it wouldn't rain while we biked and it didnt! it was pouring the rest of the day but when we biked it didn't.  I don't pray about not biking because I know that I have to but I bike that there will be clear crossing at roads because there are like 3 really busy roads that are 4 lines across and they don't have cross walks or lights and there are usually always clear crossings for us when we are on our bikes.  Also, it was so funny this week while we were biking up this hill after biking all day the wind was so crazy that we were pedalling but not moving and then we started laughing and i just couldn't do it so i just had to stop and get back on because the wind was so strong, you had to be there to think it is funny probably with everything on a mission because everything is just a lot more funny here

this is another pointless email and sorry i never proof read them...also tell me what you want me to email about.  after i get off i always feel like i should off said something else

also i am trying to be more positive so sorry if my emails aren't positive, im trying to be better at that

"Why you gotta hate."

GLORIOUS DAY:)

hands orange from raking leaves 

 us at the river going to a referral that was def not interested and wasn't even in our area but her loss so whatever

bundled

same day as last week mexican food

on Saturday, which was a rough day a starburst literally fell from the sky so it was picture worthy moment. and then that same day we found a ten dollar bill on the ground too

there will be blessings one day right?

proof that i am still alive even after being on a bike even if i might have flashed everyone trying to get on and off.  Also, we were biking to the church which is super far away and we were trying to make a light and curbs are stupid and i didn't quite might the turn but didn't fall so i'd say its a success, i mean right.

Nicole's Letter:
Nov. 7, 2016

Another week down. Emailing is so hard.

The weather was GLORIOUS this week :) only rained once i think.  And then like two days were really sunny and warm.  It is weird how weather can change your mood so much.  So last week we had a lesson with Amanda and her husband and two young kids.  We met Amanda one day because he kids waved to us from their window and then we were like lets go up there.  The kids got all big eyed and were like what have we done.  But then we talked to the mom and she said we could come back.  So we went back and were talking and the member that came with us was talking about this sunday the stake was doing primary and she was asked amanda what she knew that was and she looked at her husband and asked what a stake was.  Tyson, the husband said stakes are collection of wards.  We were shocked and were like how do you know that.  Then Amanda told us that Tyson has been a member his whole life and grew up Mormon.  Plot twist.  We were so caught off guard and then he told us that he little sister just got back from a mission and that blew our minds even more.  So to so our lesson was a flop would be an understatement haha.  but we have a lesson with them tonight that hopefully will go better.  Any ideas on fun kids FHE/lessons.  We want to get the kids more involved but they are only like 5 and 2 so its a bit hard.  Then Lane, who is another investigator is getting baptized on the 26th.  We had the word of wisdom with him and i was super nervous because he has a problem smoking, but so many people here do, and also coffee and everything.  When we talked about the word of wisdom and told him the five things he was like "dang those are my five favorite things" but he is doing better at it.  We had the lesson at the Crabtree's and Brother Crabtree had a smoking problem and he talked about it and then gave a powerful blessing to Lane.  It was good.  Also, Lane and the Crabtrees all have lived in California at one point and they were like "yah we escape california 17 years ago" and Lane said "I escaped about 20 years ago"  I was just sitting there and was like yah i only escape a month ago.... it was funny everyone here thinks California is awful.  But we had so many lessons one day which was good but then on saturday well lets just say everyone was hatin on us or just plain ignoring us.  So many people are so rude at the door.  One person yelled at us and was like if youre JWs never come back! and we were like we're aren't and she still just closed the door.  And then I just want to hug anyone that is nice to us.  And when I say nice I mean that doesn't just close the door and say some rude comment.  They don't even have to be slightly interested, nice people are just the best and they for sure are going to be blessed.  I mean I get it knocking on people's door is annoying and I know people hate it so we try to do that as a last resort.  But doesn't matter what people think one day it will all work out.  My email doesn't really make sense so sorry.  My district is going miniature golfing today...yep thats what we do instead of visiting hiroshima or ancient mayan ruins we have good ole walmart and mini golfing.  It should be fun though.  My companion is applying to BYU Hawaii right now...making me jealous.  If anything post falls was for her.  She didn't know what she was going to do after her mission and then i talked about hawaii and she was like i want to go there so twins you might see her this fall:)  Also, we think we have found the secret to our ward!!! So the ward hasn't been that excited about missionary work or having sisters (i mean i know elders are better than sisters but come on;) But on sunday we had two people at church and all the members were so nice and welcoming.  They were nice to Lane and Bert(who is another really interested guy but we found out that he doesn't live in our area, which has happened more than once with our investigators... darn it) but the members were asking us if we had dinner and then one member was even like hey sisters if you ever need anyone at your lessons just call me. WHAT! that might sound like its not a big deal but in this ward it is.  I have only had three dinner meals since being here but last night we had another dinner appt and guess what we had!!!!!!! THAI FOOD.  He made homemade red curry and it was the best thing ever.  As you can assume it made me so happy.  And he said that here is a really good thai food place in couer d Alene so one pday we might go there.  but this ward is going to love us eventually.  when im through with them :))) i really do feel like this area can change i know that you are probably thinking oh yah she is still such a greenie but this is the Lord's work and if this area is ready the work will progress and if it's not ready then I will have no regrets leaving this place.  Also, i will probably be here all winter so that should be fun no car.  

Love you lots

I know that I am on the Lord's work and that anything is possible through him.  I know that he has prepared people in Post Falls and if it be his will we will find them.  This is his work and I am just an instrument.  It is a privilege to be a missionary even on the pouring rain, doors slammed days.  A mission only comes once and it will be over one day.  I want to look back and know that I gave it my all.  I am trying to discern the spirit and have the courage to follow it.  He knows us perfectly.  I am so grateful to know that I have an eternity with all of you.  God loves you and he is definitely real.  I pray that one day I will know exactly why I was called to the Spokane, Washington mission but for now just working my hardest taking one day at a time.