I felt like I was dancing, swimming, and flying all at the same time."

Oh boy. Where do I even begin?

This week has been WILD! It was a party and a half and it was filled with MIRACLES! Here it is!

Mondaaay I bought some long pants for temple service because I guess that's the style now that it's blazin' hot. I also emailed y'all but my mom didn't forward it so y'all will get that today. Our Ward decided to go to the beach without us for FHE. Rude. So we went to "the promise land" (Windermere Cay) to knock on some doors. It was a real sweaty time and I enjoyed every second of it.

Tuesdaaay we had the sweatiest temple service ever. We planted flowers all over in the shade of the House of God. It was really fun. We also had our classic chipoltle style burritos with BBQ sauce that are bigger than my head. We also had a phone lesson with M, dinner with Sam, and Less Active finding with Brooklynn. It was a torrential down pour so mostly we just sat in her car and laughed until we were crying and tried not to get struck by lightning. She also bought us ice cream. Word. 

Wednesdaaay we had District meeting. I gave an adjusting to missionary life thought on healthy eating. We also found out that our mission is doing a "fast from fast food" for the month of June so that will be exciting. We can only have fast food if it's something members buy for us. After DM we had a quick picnic with all the sisters and then hurried off to Second Harvest food bank to "just serve." We sorted cans from a food drive. After Second Harvest we went to a lesson with M. We taught her about temples and eternal marriage. All the good stuff. Then we had night games... We were confined under a pavilion because #LIGHTNING. You've never experienced lightning until you've lived in Florida my friends.

Thursdaaay we had lunch with a girl named Kiana, a lesson with M where we reviewed all the lessons we have taught her. We also had dinner with Kaitlyn, and Institute. It was a good day.

Fridaaay we weekly planned. You guys. This is the first time I've ever had to use step two on page 147 of Preach My Gospel. WE PLANNED FOR M'S BAPTISM! After WP we went and had a lesson with L, and went to Subway with Brooklynn #EatFresh!

Saturdaaay was my favorite day. We had lunch with Jaiden and Brielle. I love them. Then we hurried over to Mickey's retreat where we met up with M and the Windy Ridge Elders (Elder Skidmore is from Syracuse if any of you know him! haha) for M'S BAPTISMAL INTERVIEW. She passed. WHAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Then after the Elders left we filled out her baptismal record, planned her baptism, read some scriptures, and then planed a vacation to Puerto Rico in roughly a year when she goes through the temple. haha I was a real good time. Then we went to "The Promise Land" to knock some doors and we met a girl named E that is SO COOL! When we first knocked on her door she let us right in but said she wasn't interested. After a few minutes of talking she said "well... maybe I believe in you guys more than I thought... tell me more." So we taught her the Restoration and she LOVED it! Sister Hart made me dinner because she's a doll. We also did some training that night. It was the best day.

Sundaaay was basically the best day of my mission so far. So morning sacrament was swell. We had several less actives come that haven't come in quite a while so that was BOMB! Then we taught a lesson (Plan of Salvation) To a house FULL of members. It was a spur of the moment thing and there were like 10 people there. It was a blast and a half.

Then we studied and after studies had this moment where we got real scared because we called M to remind her about our lesson with her but her phone had been disconnected. We started to get really scared that she wouldn't come because we had no way to get a hold of her... so guess what we did? We prayed... good guess! Then we went to the church and GUESS WHO WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH!!!! M! She had gotten on the bus and then rode to the bus stop down the street and then walked like a mile to the church. And her first words to us were "I beat you!" haha I love her. Then Brooklynn came and we had her try on jumpsuits. We gave her one to try on and she came back with it on backwards and she was like "this one is kinda chocking me." haha that's because you've got it on backwards hun. haha Then we had a lesson with her right next to the baptismal fount. 

Then after that we had break the fast. The best southern food that you ever did have! E also came and we were probably the rowdiest table. There was lots of laughter and the ward did a good job getting to know our investigators.

Then we had night Sacrament and we sat with M and E and then A CAME! She just said she missed us so she decided to show up. I miss teaching her so much! She is the nicest human ever. We also had a member bring us one of their friends that wanted to learn more about the gospel.
Since it was Fast Sunday I bore my testimony. Possibly for the last time in Buena Vista since transfers are in two weeks. Oh how grateful I am for this opportunity I've been give to serve in paradise.

Anyways, It was a good week. I'm sorry this email is exactly the same as my voice recordings this week. Such is life.
I love y'all more than He Who Must Not Be Named loves....eh....nothing. That didn't work. Sorry. I love y'all!


Out of context quotes:

"You guys look like Beyoncé's backup dancers"

"I know crusty people"
"They had the same noodle... You know... Like from Peter Pan"

"I wonder if Florida was a person if they'd have statiky hair"

"I felt like I was dancing, swimming, and flying all at the same time."

"It's one of those things where you have to sneak in... But not into the movie theatre... But into the harts of men."

*when M put the jumpsuit on backwards* "it's kinda choking me"

Sister Whitney Reid 

Florida, Orlando Mission

🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍

Citrusfruitsister.blogspot.com

Feelmysunlight.blogspot.com

Signing the mission flag

A tropical storm is on its way

The Zone

"That's the hottest mug shot I've ever seen."

May 30, 2016

 

 

Wow wow wow

Let me tell you about my week. K?

First things first, (I'm the realist) on Monday I hit my 8 month birthday as a missionary. What?! I can't. These last eight months have been the absolute best and hardest months of my life all at the same time. I'm just real grateful for the opportunity I've been given to spend 18 months in paradise. Like. Who even gets to do that? I love Florida.

A MIRACLE HAS COMMENCED AMONG THE CHILDREN OF MEN! I still haven't found the cord for my voice recorder, BUT by a small miracle we have discovered that the cord I have for a GPS I got from Sister Duran is THE SAME CORD! So I sent voice recordings from this week and last week. Give a shout out to my mom if you want to listen to them.

But here's my week. IT WAS REAL GOOD.

Mondayyy after I emailed we went shopping with Lacey. I bought a few new threads. Mostly shirts. Sister Hart and I got some matching outfits. Then we went to FHE and played sardines (like reverse hide and seek where one person hides and everyone tries to find them and then when you find them you hide with them and basically the last person to find them looses.) You know your a missionary when you are playing games and you start to relate the game to the apostasy in your head... Amos 8:11-12 my friends. I need to be an EFY counselor. 

Tuesdayyy we didn't have temple service so we went to morning institute instead. Oh boy. I love institute. Go to institute my friends. On Tuesday we also had a big ward counsel meeting at bishops house. Sister Hart and I wore matching outfits. At one point I decided it would be a good idea to braid Sister Hart's and my hair together while we were sitting on the couch. But then we decided to stand up because Brooklynn wanted to take a picture of us... But that's not a real good idea when your companion falls all the time and YOUR HEADS ARE ATTACHED. 

Wednesdayyy we had a lesson with Nicole in the Ward, we did the walk, and we had the best Plan of Salvation lesson ever with M. Jeremy made it to the celestial kingdom... In case you were wondering... Then nobody showed up for night games so we just hung out with M for a lil while. We took some selfies. I just love her a whole lot.

Thursdayyy was ZONE CONFERENCE! You guys. Zone conference changed my life. There was one training given by one of the APs (Elder Thornock) about faith and it just answered so many prayers. As a result I've been studying faith ALL WEEK. I'll tell you about it in my voice recording. I also sang the EFY medley with a group for a special musical number. It went pretty good. I'll put it on my next album. I also got to see Sister Guynn (my trainer) and Sister Mohenoa (my twin) and a bunch of other friends that I haven't seen in a while so that was fun. And guess what!!! I FINALLY got to put my thumb print on the banner! It only took 8 months haha. After our 10 hour zone conference we had dinner with the Hegermans. They smoked us some ribs. Then we had a lesson with M. Let me tell you something... We taught the 10 commandments, the word of wisdom, and the law of chastity all in one lesson. Something you don't normally do. We were talking about the word of wisdom and she was like "oh I decided a long time ago I wasn't going to drink or smoke or do any of those things because I knew it wasn't good for me. And I don't even like coffee." K.... Then we taught chastity and same thing... She decided a long time ago she wanted to live the law of chastity before she even knew what it was. #PREPARED I CANT.

Fridayyy we did the weekly planning. Had a phone lesson with E in the ward. Then we got a call from Lacey telling us she got a flat tire and didn't know what to do. I, having learned how to change a tire in young women's, said "I can do it!" So we got in the car to go change her tire. But we were about a half hour away and like 20 minutes into our drive she told us that there was a random UPS guy that pulled over and changed it for her. GO UPS GUY! You the real MVP. So we went to her house instead and had a lesson and ate some cake. Then we headed over to Brooklynn's to walk her dog Oliver because she was out of town. On our walk we saw an alligator in the pond. On our way home for dinner we were in Windermere and we noticed A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOOD TRUCKS! So we decided that's what we would do for dinner. GUESS WHAT WE ATE.... ALLIGATOR!!! It was sautéed with peppers and it was on rice. It was kinda like chicken only tender and more flavorful. It was a good life choice. We also talked to a bunch of people there while we were standing in line. Winning for dayzzz.

Saturdayyy we did so many things. We had lunch with Sam. Then we went to Windermere Cay (the promise land) to contact a referral from the Lake Reams sisters. They weren't home but a girl named V was walking by with a bunch of boxes and we asked her if we could help. She said "ya sure if you want to!" So she let us help her move a whole bunch of stuff from one apartment to another one in the next building over. I taught her the restoration while we packed boxes. She said "I've never met any Mormons before" but when we got to her new apartment her new roommate greeted us with "oh hey sisters!" (Only Mormons greet us like that) haha her new roommate is a member! She's inactive though. But they invited us over anytime and said they'd feed us dinner sometime soon. We are going to teach them on Tuesday. #GOLDMINE After that we went and had another lesson with M. We went over tithing and then the baptismal interview questions. She was solid on all of them except she was just a little unsure about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson. Sister Hart asked her if she would pray about it when she got home. And then I said "better yet, will you say our closing prayer and ask God right now if Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true?" She did and after she finished her prayer she kept her eyes closed and her head down for what felt like eternity. Sister Hart and I were looking at each other like "oh no...." But when she finally looked up she had tears in her eyes and she said "I've never felt this way before." It was one of the single most spiritual moments I've had on my mission because I was able to witness someone that I loved gain a testimony of the thing I love the most. It was such a sweet experience.

After that lesson we ran over to our lesson with C (our investigator) and K (her member roommate). It was our last lesson with them because their CP program ends this week. We read from the Book of Mormon and got all of C info so we can send it to the missionaries in New Hampshire. 

Sundayyy was oh so good. Church was swell. As always. We had lunch with Keisten, Brittany, Kaitlyn, and Nicole. Which is always a party and a half. Then we studied. Then we had dinner with Brooklynn, Alex, and Kenzie. Also always a partayy. We did their dishes. We went to coordination and I let my trainee #BeFree and say what she wants. Haha then we had night sacrament and Kerri and Cassie came and we took pictures with them because it's their last week. 

I'm sooooo sorry that this is such a long email. 100 points to whoever read all of it.

Anyways, my week was real good! I'm still lovin' Buena Vista with all my heart. 

Here are the out of context quotes for the week!
It's like window shopping...
*bishop squeaking the door* "do you guys need some oil?"
We don't need obstacles in our grapes

It was just an experiment... I'm just going to water you twice a day

He was a scooter boy.... She said see you looter boy

That's the hottest mug shot I've ever seen

Well, I love y'all more than the Brother of Jared loves to say "tight like unto a dish!"

Sister Whitney Reid 

Florida, Orlando Mission

🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍

Citrusfruitsister.blogspot.com

Feelmysunlight.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Twins

Sisters at zone conference

My twin

I finally got to add my thumb print to the mission flag

We are eating alligator

Us with C & K

Selfies with M

 

"Was that thunder or was that the dishwasher?"

Heyyooo!

This email is going to be long. Buckle up.

Well my friends. My family. My secret admirers. How are y'all?

I'm doing swell! You know... Because FLORIDA! Also, fun fact! Today is my 8 month birthday as a missionary. 🎂🎂🎂 I emailed my trainer today to ask her how she felt about it and this was her response: "Come closer.... my child.... my old eyes..... are growing dim... and the light at the end of the tunnel grows nearer..... though I may give up the ghost soon just know that my soul lives on through you............... if that answers your question"

I recorded some sick recordings for y'all, but due to the fact that we had a lil rainstorm this week I had to empty out my bag so it could... you know... dry. And then I forgot to put the cord for my recorder thing back in my bag. So you'll get double recordings next week. 

Let me tell you some exciting things.

First of all, we have an investigator on date for baptism! Her name is M and she is hopefully going to get baptized on June 12th if we can get everything taught by then. Everyone pray for her and for us that it all works out! I am so excited I can't even handle it.

Second of all, would the person that keeps telling everyone I'm a singer please reveal yourself... I've been asked to sing at zone conference on Thursday with more than a third of the mission and I was also asked to sing in church on Sunday... K... Do you think it would be fine if I just sang our mission parody song that I sent y'all two weeks ago? Hahaha 

Let me tell you about my favorite parts of the week.

Monday at FHE we played murder in the dark. I was the murderer and nobody suspected me because you know... The smallest sister missionary would never hurt a fly. Haha #Winning #TheWholeWardWasDead

Tuesday's exciting events included temple service at the one and only Orlando Temple. Per usual we planted flowers all over the place and had our homemade chipoltle style burritos with BBQ sauce. My other favorite part about Tuesday was having our lesson with M when we invited her to be baptized. That is what missionary work is about people! Every slammed door, every rude person, every long day is made up for when someone decides they want you know... get baptized and stuff. 

I love missionary work.

Wednesday we had district meeting. I gave the spiritual thought. Then we went to Subway with Hermana Shelley and Hermana Stone. #EatFresh Then we went to our JustServe assignment at Second Harvest Food Bank. Sister Hill and I packaged cookies and had to put like two hundred cookies in packages. And then to be more efficient I sat on a wheelie chair and piled all of the packages of cookies on my lap and then Sister Hill rolled me around and I dropped the cookies into the giveaway bags. It was a real good time. Then we had another bomb lesson with Mayra and she accepted a baptismal calendar. whooo!!! Then we went to Night Games and played a sweet game of volleyball. I love Buena Vista.

Thursday we called like a whole bunch of people in the ward. Sister Hart was calling people and she was leaving a message for this less active in the ward. She was trying to say "We would love to hear from you.." But instead she accidentally said "I love you." I laughed for like 10 minutes. We also did practiced music for zone conference with the Lake Reams sisters, had dinner with Kaitlyn and Kristen, a lesson with Elena, and INSTITUTE! I love institute with all my heart.

Friday we weekly planned a lil bit. We practiced music with the Lake Reams sisters again. Then we went to dinner with Sam and Kaylee and went finding with Brooklynn. It was the most fun time. We were laughing so hard we were crying. She also bought us ice cream. Brooklynn is my FAVORITE HUMAN.

Saturday we built a desk for Lacey. Friends... Sister Hart and I need to have our own HGTV show. You would be so proud mom. We also had a lesson with a girl named Megan in the ward and we finished weekly planning.

Sunday we had a ward council meeting. Then Brooklynn spoke in church. She had told us a few days before that she was going to give us a shout out in her talk, but when it cam to it she said she couldn't because she knew we would make her laugh. haha. Mayra came to church! Then we had lunch with Kristen and Brittany and then watched Meet the Mormons and had a lesson with a bunch of sisters in the ward. It was great. Then we had dinner with Brooklynn and Sarah. BROOKLYNN BOUGHT ME GRAPEFRUIT JUICE BECAUSE SHE LOVES ME. You guys. This ward is so good to me. Dinner with Brooklynn and Sarah is always a party. Then at night Sacrament Brooklynn spoke again. She gave us a shout out this time but WOULD NOT look at us. haha it was really sweet though. She talked about how much we have helped her and all the blessings that have come to her life because she's helped the missionaries. It was so nice.

Today we are going shopping with Lacey. It should be a good time.
I'm sorry this is such a long email. I just really have a lot to tell you and am sad I can't upload my voice recordings. I hope everyone has a swell week! I love ya'll lots

Here are some "out of context quotes" from the week

"It's like a dog died in our bathtub"
"Have enough faith that God can make the bathtub drain, but don't be surprised when He hands you a chopstick."
"Was that thunder or was that the dishwasher?"
"I'm selfish... I want the freaking blessings."

"I just want you all to know I still don't have the Wii."

"somehow I was a prisoner, but I was like... in charge."

Well friends, I love y'all more than Elder Bednar loves to make lists!

Sister Whitney Reid 

Florida, Orlando Mission

🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍

Citrusfruitsister.blogspot.com

Feelmysunlight.blogspot.com

When you're 4'10" and they put your grapefruit juice on the top shelf... #TheStruggle

My fruit snacks were stuck together and they looked like a duck.. #DistrictMeeting

We got caught in some rain

POP ROCKS

"These are like stair master stairs... and I'm more of a ramp girl..."

Well hello my friends!

First of all, I've had several people tell me they really like both of my blogs this week. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your kind words. It really means so much to me to know you guys read them and that you care what I write. And if any of you have cool spiritual or missionary experiences feel free to shoot me an email about them! I'd love to include them in some of my posts. 

This week has been oh so good. 

Transfers happened, but Sister Hart and I are staying together for another one! Whoo! I just want to be with her for forever and a day.

Because of transfers and some other things, we didn't have very many of our regular organized service activities this week. But that was good because it gave us some extra time to do service and finding!

This week we did a whole lot of lot of service! Our entire day on Tuesday was just service. I walked my bishop's dog with pink hair. I took some sweet selfies with that dog. We also helped the Lake Reams sisters move apartments and washed windows and cleaned cars. It was a splendid week of service. Go do some service. It will make you real happy about life.

This week also consisted of a whole lot of finding, tracting, and contacting people. Like for hours and hours and hours. And not very many people wanted to listen. So at the end of the day on Saturday we were feeling pretty bummed about missionary work because we have happiness and nobody wanted us to share it with them, so we decided to run over to Publix to get some ice cream. The checkout lady asked us what our name tags were, so we told her. And she said "oh like for the temple up the street!" And then the bagger dude said," hey I went into that temple the other day! I was just curious as to what it was all about and the front desk guy talked to me about the church and the secret service going on inside." Yes, he said secret service. But anyway, so he said he was interested in learning more so now he are going to teach him! All you need is one good thing to happen, and the bad day turns around! 

We are also working with lots of less actives and a couple investigators. Our most solid investigator's name is C. She's real cool and she reads the Book of Mormon and prays everyday and I'm pretty dang proud of her.

Anyways, this week has been pretty average. We've been working hard. I'm dead tired everyday but that's the best way to do life.

I love you all more than the people in the Book of Mormon like to pass out.

--

     -♥-

Sister Reid

check out my other blog

citrusfruitsister.blogspot.com

Me walking my bishop's dog

Please enjoy the cutest picture you have ever seen

My comp picking up dog poop....#Service

Service

I made Clementine wear my name tag

This is what Florida is like

My tortillas are "mission" brand... so I took a picture with my name tag

Pass along cards

More pass along cards

lots of cards

This is me...everyday...at the walk....trying to get people to listen

The Walk

cultural

Tagolog

This cockroach was like 3.5 inches long.....I died.