October 26, 2009--I'M ALL ALONE!!!!!!!!!!

Helloooo!!! How are you guys??!! It sounds like you are having fun, but having some time to relax too;)

So you heard about Sister Call.......What you didn't hear is that Sister Pirotta got transferred too!!!!!! Double sad huh!!!!! We found out on Tuesday at the PPI's that Sister Call was being transferred and that the Assistants to the President would be calling us on Thursday to give us all the details about who would be picking her up on Friday and at what time. Thursday we got the call as we were in the car headed back to our apartment for apartment inspections. Elder Olsen notified us that Sister Call will need to pack up because she is headed down to Miami Lakes (we knew all that) and that Sister Pirotta will also need to pack up because she is headed up to Boynton Beach. Sad!! We were like well what is happening with Sister Denson?? "She'll be in a threesome with the East Sisters." So now, once again I am in a threesome with Sister Lowe and Sister Moore. Friday was weird because my bedroom was empty and the walk-in closet that the 3 of us shared was completely empty except for my little corner. It was depressing. Because each companionship has to sleep in one bedroom the other sisters moved into my room because we have three beds. It was weird on Friday because all of the appointments we went to were all of theirs. At first it just felt like an exchange. It was really weird when we went home that night and didnt have anyone to share our days stories with. I felt lonely, but Sister Lowe and Sister Moore have been so kind to me and have taken me under their wing as if I had been their companion for the entire transfer. They are so sweet and we have had a ton of fun together learning from each other and just laughing and giggling at each other.

I've attached a picture of my new companionship as well as the last day that I was with Sister Call and Sister Pirotta.

Okay, so my week this past week has been fun. Sister Briggs, a sister in the ward, took us out to eat last Monday to an Italian restaurant. It only cost a mere $159 for LUNCH! Gees!! Good thing her husband brings in all the big bucks delivering babies!!

Thursday we celebrated mine and Sister Lowe's 3 month birthday. Crazy huh! It has been a very fast 3 months.

Saturday we went to a members home for dinner and it was a true Southern dinner. We had ox tails--yes, I tried them, cabbage collard (sp) greens, turnip greens, homemade mashed potatoes, curry and lemongrass chicken, pasta salad, cornbread muffins, guacamole, and fruit. Most of it was delicious. And to top it off we had Sweet Potata Pie for dessert!

Yesterday we sang in Sacrament Meeting. We are doing some member trainings about the Ft. Lauderdale Temple and how members need to be preparing people to go through it. Not just at the open house;) At the end of the training we sing I love to See the Temple. Well we did it for one of the counselors in the bishopric and of course he asked us to sing it on Sunday. At first we were fine with it because there were 5 of us. But it ended up only being the 3 of us, so we hoped it sounded good....

Tell Grandma Denson that money would probably be the best. I don't really need anything and it would be good to have a little bit for savings.

Mal-I got your package and it was munched up. The whole box, and cookies, were crunched up. It was okay though because they still tasted the same! Thank you so much for them! The Sisters love them too!

Maddi--I'm so proud that you are going to Matt's and that he is being taught. Last time you told me that you were going with him I thought that you guys were like going on splits or something. That they like needed a sister there for the lesson. I TOTALLY forgot he wasn't a member! I'm so happy! I'll pray for him, and that is parents will let him be baptized. I'll even pray for his parents to be baptized too:)

Dad-That was a crazy story about the F-16. Where is there a remote place on the base to drop all of that stuff?? I'm glad that it landed safely and I hope that no one got hurt. I hope the anti-inflammatory helps your finger. I hit my left elbow the other day on something and it was zinging for like 15 minutes. I hated it, but I'm all fine now, so no worries.

I was able to get my flu shot on Tuesday at Walgreens. We FINALLY found one that had them in stock! I went to CVS to get the other sisters pictures from their camera onto a CD so I can have them too. So, no it wasn't the flu shot.

As for Christmas stuff, maybe just some black skirts. They are fading and I HATE faded black clothes! I'm doing fine on other clothes. I wear the colored and printed stuff all the time. I guess we just never take pictures when I am wearing them....funny. I was wondering though if you could find some more of the perfume you bought me a couple of years ago. Hugo Boss Intense. I love it and want more. I ran out of it a couple of months before I got here. I don't know if they still make it, but don't order it off some weird internet site. If they don't make it anymore can you just find me a good smelling one that isn't sweet. Maddi, you'll probably know what I like the best.....I hope. I also want some more earrings. I can wear dangly ones, just as long as they are not distracting. I wear the exact same ones each day am getting bored with them. Also, you can send the turquoise ones that should be on my dresser, unless Maddi is wearing them.

The picture that I sent of my hair last time isn't curly. Sister Moore french braided it and then I slept with it that night. All I did to it was wash it, dry it, got it braided, slept, took it out the next morning, fixed my part, and used a little bit of hairspray on it. That was it! I got a lot of compliments on it at Church, and I loved it. I think I'll ask her to do it again tonight:)

I would love one of the bags that you and Kenzi make. Standard black is NOT the requirement!!! It's awesome. I've been using my bag from Franklin Covey lately and have gotten a lot of compliments on it. But yeah, if you could make it a little bigger than you scripture bags that would be WONDERFUL! I would love cute fun print! And don't forget to put LOTS of pockets in it! Thanks! Oh, and I was wondering why you were going to send a package this week, but I remembered that it's the end of the month. I get a new pillowcase!!! I'm so excited! I love getting the pillowcases!!!!!!

We taught a guy this week that requested a Book of Mormon from Mormon.org. He's 21, his name is Oliver and is really interested. It was funny because he was acting a little strange at the door when we were talking to him. He would get REALLY excited about the answers that we gave/have and even through himself on a flight of stairs that was right next to him at one point. He came to church on Sunday though! He loved it and we are going to go back on Thursday to teach him more. I feel really good about him and I think he'll be baptized. Pray for him! Oliver Caton. Oh, and come to find out that he was high on Friday. He confessed to us at church yesterday. Hahaha yeah, we had already guessed it because of his behavior and the fact that he was wearing sunglasses... It was still funny though.

We are also teaching a 19 year old guy named Alex. He's huge and he's from Haiti. We met his little sister a couple of weeks ago and went by the house to talk to her and he answered the door. He's really interested and came to church for the past two weeks! We went to teach him on Thursday night, and his dad, who is Catholic went and got the little sister Jaquel to come listen in. Haha SWEET!! She's only 11 but she had some AMAZING questions for us though. She didn't come to church yesterday, but I'll probably call her today just to check up because she said she was going to come. So please pray for them too. Thanks! Tomorrow and our weekly district and zone meeting I have to teach about Prophets. Since I've been here there hasn't been someone else doing a "training" at one of these meetings. I don't know if there will be others teaching too or if it will just be me. I'll let you know. It only has to be about 5 min long, but I don't like teaching in front of other missionaries. They've all been out so much longer than me and make me nervous!!

My PPI was great. I love being able to talk to President about how I am learning so much and growing daily. I love the advice that he gives and I just love him. He's amazing.

I heard that we are only getting 8 sisters this next transfer, 4 Spanish and 4 ASL. I'll let you know for sure in a couple of weeks though. Don't forget that because transfers are next week P-day is on a Tuesday.

Well, I've got to go. Tell everyone I said Hello and that I LOVE them!

Have a WONDERFUL week!!!

LOVE YOU!!! LOVE, SISTER SAMMI DENSON

Sister Moore, Sister Denson, Sister Lowe

Sister Call, Sister Denson, Sister Pirotta

Stop signs in Florida...

I found this picture on Sister Call's blog. Evidently, they had been out for a LONG day of tracting and came across this stop sign. WEIRD but COOL!! I'm not sure why the silly, goofy faces but they're still cute!!

October 19, 2009--Hello, Hello!

How is everyone doing?? Okay, first I have to address the fact that there is something coming in the mail. It was supposed to be there Saturday for the birthday kids, but obviously it didn't get there. That really bummed me out! Dumb. And I can't always write you so you get a snail mail letter on Friday. Just a heads up, you won't be getting one today. I just read your whole email, and besides, I still haven't written Jessika, and I have a couple other people I have to write. I just want to let you know too it was really boring not to get a single thing in the mail this week. Where is the Brad Paisley letter, and I thought I was getting pumpkin cookies Mal??

So here is my week in a nut shell: Friday we went to visit a couple less active members. We first went to Sister Thielmann. She's probably late 70's, early 80's. She is so sweet and told us all how she met her husband and how they came to learn about the gospel. It was SO fun to sit there and listen to her stories--you all know me, not good with old people--but I really enjoyed myself and she had a lot to share. We then went to Sister O'Neil. She's confused about which church is true, but was also VERY vocal about her views on abortion and how wrong it is. I completely agree, but that's how she started our conversation out. It was very interesting to say. She talked about the political aspects of it and all this stuff about the government. None of us had any idea what to say because we're not supposed to engage in political conversations and stuff like that. It clearly kicks the spirit out each time someone brings anything political up. I'm glad we're not supposed to engage in those types of conversations because we've run into A LOT lately!!

We were out tracting on Saturday and went to this street that we have never been on before. The first guy we meet was all about 'saved by grace.' How frustrating to know that so many people think once they are baptized, they're fine. No enduring to the end or anything. Ugh. If only they knew! If only they softened their hearts!! So we get to the third house and it was the exact same thing! Sister Call and I were so not wanting to go any further on the street because we were afraid of what was in store. Sister Pirotta was all excited though. I have no idea why.

Yesterday we were also out tracting and it was pretty darn cold. When we went to the church at 8:30 it was 55 degrees!!! After church we were out and about finding and it was 77ish, then by our last appointment it was 67. Cold for Florida! Everyone said there was a cold front coming, but of course we don't find that out until it's here. So, the wind was blowing and I was wearing my grey skirt that mom made for me. Yeah, it's probably what you are thinking. We are talking to a 19 year old kid and it was getting windy and cold. We were just at the edge of his yard (which is probably 10 ft long because he's in an apartment) talking to him. We give him our number and what happens, my skirt flies up and I flashed everyone. Hahahahaha it was so funny. LUCKILY he was putting our number in his phone and had no idea what was going on. All three of us sisters were laughing our heads off. He thought we were laughing at him. Hahahahaha it was seriously hilarious. Yeah, I probably won't be wearing my grey skirt on a windy day again.

Tonight we get to go to a members home that lives in a MANSION. I haven't seen it yet, but I have heard the grand stories about it. Their names are the Longs. They just got back from Park City where they just built their own cabin/house (I'm sure it's HUGE) that has it's own ski lift to one of the resorts. Ridiculous! I'll let you know how it is next week. I'm excited to see it!

I have 2 pictures I'm attaching. One, is of the vest that you bought me mom. I love it so much! It's me and Sister Call. I just wanted to show you how cute it was. I wore it with my grey skirt, but I don't think you can see it in the picture. The other picture is of my crimpy hair. Sister Moore, who is the tiny one next to me, french braided my hair Saturday night. I slept with it in and then took it out yesterday morning. Isn't it so cute!! She used to have hair like mine, but chopped it all off just this past summer! 11 inches!! I just tell her I'm not ready for that and she agrees because she loves to play with my hair. She said she'll braid it more in the future. Yay!

Okay, I decided on another picture too. We went to a house on the 'Saved by Grace' street and found this on someone;s front door. I took a picture of it and I know it's blurry. I was hiding behind Sister Pirotta and snapped a picture. The reason why I had to hide was because their big door was open and I didn't want them to see me. Some people are just so rude. Gees.

To answer the questions. I am in the Boca Raton ward. Yes, the entire city, plus some of Delray Beach is one ward. Crazy huh! If you look the map, the borders for Sister Pirotta, Call, and I are everything MINUS South of Yamato and East of Military Trail. We have a HUGE area, but the majority of it is gated. The Jewish people live in gated areas. We were told the other day that 65% of Boca Raton is made up of Jewish people and South Florida is either the second or third most populated place of Jews outside of Israel. CRAZY!! But the Coral Springs ward is the ward that borders us to the south I believe. My zone leaders are in that ward, so I can ask them today if they know the Buhlers.

We have a washer and dryer right in our apartment, so we are able to do our laundry whenever needed. I was so excited about that! I didn't want to go to a laundromat!

The picture of us all working out in the yard was yes, a grab any tool you could find and let's take a picture. The gross thing about doing yard work in Florida is because the humidity you sweat everywhere! I have never sweat on my forearms until I got here. I had dirt all over me because I just used my hands to get it all in the whole after planting the tree, well after you start to sweat what happens? Mud! Yuck! I had so much mud all over me! All down my legs because I knelt in the dirt, and all over my arms. So gross. The dirt here is more like black sand. Dumb.

Can't think of anything else to say! I know this is probably short....but when you have pretty uneventful weeks, that's how it goes. I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful week! I loved the pictures of deer hunting though! There were a lot of Elders that were sad they couldn't go this year. Haha I'm sure they'll live. I told them you guys were going and that made them happier. Haha so thanks for making the Elders happy Dad and Zack. Let me know if Travis and Becky do ever get to meet! I want to know how it goes!!

LOVE you all so much!!!
LOVE, SISTER SAMMI DENSON

PS Tell the ward I said hi :)
Oh, and PPS Tell the primary presidency I taught the 8 year old girls yesterday in Primary and it just wasn't the same. All the lessons and songs were and everything, but it isn't fun when you hardly know the kids, they can't sit on your lap, and the SR primary only has 20is kids in it. I love our Primary SO much!!!!

A sign on someone's front door...

October 12, 2009--Hello Everyone!!

How are you guys!!! I'm doing so good! This week has been wonderful. Okay, a little discouraging like I said in President's email, but still. Even though we have no one progressing we are having fun in our companionship.

We had zone conference this week. Like I said in President's email we talked about "wooden lessons" and the "missionary voice." The assistants to the president taught us that we are going to switch our lessons up a bit. We are to make each one of them incredibly personal to meet the needs of each investigator. Its hard sometimes because it's hard to decipher their needs. We listen to the spirit though and do the best we can. It's going to be fun and interesting as soon as we are able to get a darn investigator. We lost our 2 most progressing ones. It's so frustrating!

Anyway! We've been tracting a lot and it's such a waste of time because we never get anywhere. It's incredibly rare that someone will let us in their home to let us share a message. It'll pick up eventually and we know that Zion will begin to establish.

Okay, so we really haven't had an eventful week, but I wrote down a couple things that happened this week--all yesterday actually--that were fun.

There is a girl in our ward who Sister Call was actually her EFY counselor last summer, Andressa, it was her 19th birthday on Wednesday, so they were celebrating it yesterday and invited us to come over too. We went to the apartment and I found out they were Brazilian. I knew they were Latin-ish, but I thought they were from Peru or some other South American country. She speaks Spanish so that is why I was confused. Her grandpa is Spanish and her grandma is from Brazil. So her grandma speaks both--so does Andressa. We have Spanish translators in our ward (which are SO distracting!!!) and her grandma is always speaking Spanish and yeah. Anyway, so we had all this Brazilian food. It was so delicious! We had some sort of meat-beef-that had the greatest marinade on it. I have no idea what it was. We also had some beans and rice--which I think I'm becoming addicted to them--and salad and there was also like a potato salad thing. I don't like that so I didn't try it. Anyway, it was all so good and I loved it. After, of course, was the cake. It was SO good!!!!! No worries, I asked for the recipe. It was just like a white cake, I don't think it was from a box, with a peanut butter and cooked sweetened condensed milk layer in the middle. The frosting was also the sweetened condensed milk. They cook it in a sauce pan and it turns into a simple version of dulche-de-lache. YUM!! I love it. Super sweet, but I love it. Yum! Okay, so at their house there is a fish tank with turtles in it. There are four of them. Sister Call wanted to hold the baby ones, their shell is only the size of a fifty cent piece. Tiny. They were so cute. I was holding one too, it was fun cause they would just crawl all over your arms and hands. I was playing with one, and what happened? He dropped right on the tile floor!!! There were a lot of people there and it was super embarrassing! I made everyone stand exactly still while I got on my hands and knees and searched for the baby turtle. Haha he fell under the chair so I went and got him. I was so embarrassed and felt SO SO SO bad!! Andressa was just laughing and said it was totally fine. I put him right back in the tank and he was fine. He still can swim!! Whew! That was embarrassing.

So after that we went to another members home to do an AMT--Active Member Training--We get there and the mom was on call so we were just waiting at there with her son who just got baptized, 17, and grandma, who is crazy old but so sweet. They have a couple of dogs, and naturally I like to pet them. Its cause I miss our puppies, but petting other dogs never satisfies my want for Char Chars fur and butt. Anyway, so they have a little Chihuahua (I have no idea how to spell that) and it was really playful. I was just playing with it and having fun. Keeping it entertained. Of course I was wearing my black skirt, so the white fur got all over me! Gross. I was COVERED in it on my right side. So Sister Borgge comes home and the the dogs get excited. The other dog, a black cocker spaniel decides to jump up on the couch with me to get some lovin' too. He was like laying on my lap.The gross thing about him was that he hadn't been washed in the longest time and was so stinky and filthy. It was sick. So I got to go to the next members home and ask for a wet washcloth so i could get my skirt cleaned off before I sat on their furniture. Okay, but so while we were at the Borgges house there was a picture sitting on the coffee table next to me. I looked at it and was like Oh, that guy looks like someone. It was a black and white picture of a navy pilot. It was a really good looking picture. So we get done with the lesson and I just had to ask who it was. This is how the conversation went:

"Sister Borgg, who is this a picture of?" I pick it up and show it to her.

"Oh, that's my father, my mom's husband right here," pointing to her mom.

"Okay, this is going to sound really strange, but he looks exactly like Justin Timberlake." An uproar of laughter. It was hilarious, but he seriously looked like him! Everyone agreed, and all was settled. hahaha I wish I could show you guys the picture.

Okay, so I'm attaching a picture of us working in the yard of Sister Kostanich. We planted trees and completely cleared her weed-infested garden. Mom, you would be so proud! The dirt here is so gross though. It's not dirt, it's sand with a ton of rocks in it. Sick. the picture is of us after we were all done. her neighbor brought us these rockin' awesome hats so wear so we wouldn't get as hot. You probably don't recognize me in it, but I;'m the one with the crazy tie dye shirt. Yes, I have a tie dye t shirt. They're really popular down here and I love it. Haha Sister Call took the picture, so that is why she isn't in it.

Well, I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!!

Oh, now in our mighty prayers instead of praying for a temple in South Florida we are praying for the governments hearts to be softened so it can progress smoothly and on the Lord's time. Apparently there was a hard time getting the Orlando temple built.

Anyway, if you could add that in your prayers we'd really appreciate it!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT

Love, Sister Sammi Denson:)

PPS We're going ice skating today. Its been ages since I've been ice skating so it's going to be an adventure. Pray that I don't face plant it!!!

SWEET HATS!!!!!
Sister Moore, Sister Lowe, Sister Denson, Sister Pirotta

October 5, 2009--Snail Mail letter

My Eternal Family--

Hello again! Hope your week has gone well!

I got my package today! That was fast! Thank you for sending those blogs and pictures! I had the biggest lump in my throat while reading Jill's! It was so sweet and cute and I'm so happy for them! I loved all the letters from the family too. Thank you so much for those! And the articles, too. I have to let you know though that we get the Ensign monthly but we share only one in each companionship, which is fine. And the conference ones, we each get one so we can study the talks. Cool huh!

The vest you sent is so cute! Thank you so much! I love it and am excited to wear it! I got one at Target today too Tee hee hee :D It was so cute! It's a black and grey houndstooth pattern. (She's wearing it in the Zone Conference picture I just posted.) I don't know how much I'll be wearing the cardigans though. Today at 12:45ish--the time I opened the package--it was a blistering 94 degrees! As much as I hated the cold and fall and winter when I was home--I'm not gonna lie--I MISS IT!! You would never guess it to be October!

Thank RaeLin so much for the idea of cutting the cloths in half. I never would have guessed to do that, so now those two packs will last me four months! YAY! I'll try and get a card to her soon!

The best part of the package though was the salsa! Oh my, it's so good!! Thanks for sending a big jar! It's so delicious!

I can't believe David McKinlay is home too! I'm excited to see the picture of the three of them!

Well, it sounds like you all had a good week! I'm glad you had a fun trip up Farmington Canyon. Hope you have another great week! I love you!!

All the love in the world!!
Love--Sam

October 2009--Zone Conference!

I just found this picture on the mission blog! Such a sweet surprise!!

Proselyting butterflies!!

From Sister Pirotta's friend, Joe. Thanks Joe!! :D

October 5, 2009--WE'RE GETTING A TEMPLE!!!!!

How amazing was General Conference on Saturday morning! On Friday Sister Pirotta and Moore were able to go to a mission conference at the mission home. Its just once a transfer and they go and talk about different goals that we will work on for the transfer. This one was pretty amazing they said. President talked A LOT about getting a temple and it made everyone even that more exciting. We were all pretty confident that we were getting one, but could never say for sure. Friday night and Saturday morning was like the longest day of our life. We went out in the morning to keep our minds busy, and so time would go a little faster. It worked a little. Finally, we get to the church. Us five sisters went into a room and said one last mighty prayer for a temple. We then went into the chapel and it started. President Eyring did all the announcements and then turned the time over to President Monson. Every single one of us tensed up so much. Sister Call was squeezing my left hand so hard that I thought it was going to break off, but I'm pretty sure I was squeezing back just as hard. Sister Pirotta grabbed my right and we were doing the same. We all held our breaths. Brigham City, Utah-dang-one down, four to go (Congratulations by the way Kenzi! Right in your home town!!! I was totally shocked by that one. It's just a small little town.) Chile-dang-two down, three to go. Brazil-Ugh! Three down, two to go! FORT LAURDERDALE, FLORIDA! OH MY GOSH!!!!! WE ALL SCREAMED AND CRIED AND LAUGHED AND CRIED AND SQUEALED AND CRIED AND CRIED AGAIN SOME MORE! We totally didn't even hear the last temple and made it so the members that were at the chapel didn't even hear it either. Haha we later found out that it was Japan. Cool!


Can you believe it!!!!???? It was so hard to grasp for the longest time! Our works have paid off and our mighty prayers have been answered!!


I have to tell you though why we were so confident that we were going to get it.... A mission council President told us that the Florida, Ft Lauderdale mission is recognized as the best mission and most increasing mission in the WORLD!!!!! Can you believe that!!! He said that we are definitely noticed by the General Authorities. How cool! He's like best friends with all of them, so he's got a pretty good source. We had about 20 baptisms in the month of September in 2008. This year--get this--62!!!!!!! We nearly tripled it! I am so grateful and proud and excited to be a part of this work at this specific time! We're growing like crazy and will continue to in the future.
So Dad, you asked me to share more miracles and blessings and seeing the Lords hand in the work--I'm pretty sure that that answers your question:):):)


We got your packages this week. One on Friday, and the second of Saturday. It was torture to have the first package sitting there all day Friday! We went home between sessions of Saturday and did our fun activity. It was so fun! We got it all on tape. I have a lot of time left on that tape, so I'll talk on it sometime and send it to you in the future. But ya see, I can't send it until I get one from you guys. It's only fair! I'll take good care of it until I get one from you :):):):) Deal? Deal. Okay, though, back to the package. We had so much fun reading the scriptures and opening the gifts. Haha where on earth did you get those eyeballs and brains and hands and mouths and stuff?? It was so fun to do. I am going to attach a picture of us three wearing our vampire teeth. We just took that this morning. We're all excited to decorate our apartment. Thanks!! i just had one question though. What are the magnets for? Did I ask for those in the past? I can't remember.... I saved all the scriptures though and am going to give them to Sister Hale. She asked me to tell her about each fun package that you send me. She wants ideas for when Tanner goes on a mission next year. PS I LOVE getting the pillowcases! I know I've told you before, but I seriously get excited for the beginning of each month! I love the candy corn one:) Oh, and the Jon Schmidt CD is awesome! Very pretty! If you see his Christmas one sometime could you get it for me? Listen to it first though and make sure it goes along with the guidelines of President's email from last week. Thanks! We finally listened to the Reflections of Christ CD that I exchanged for the ones that Melissa Nelson gave me--its AMAZING!! SO beautiful!!


We have had a really good week besides Conference though. We tracted into a couple that knows all about the church and is really excited to learn more. We are going to call him today to set up an appointment and hopefully see them tonight. Their names are Mardine and Isabella. Pray for them. We are also seeing a family tonight, the Capverde's. They have been taught in the past by Elders and didn't progress for some reason. We feel REALLY good about them, so pray for them too. Thanks! Also, Jose. He is a Catholic Deacon in his church and has studied many religions. He's read the entire Book of Mormon TWICE and really likes it. He actually gave his first copy to a friend who later joined the church! He's a missionary already! Those Catholics though and the blasted tradition of "my father was a catholic, and his father was a catholic, and I will die a catholic..." yada yada yada who cares that they were Catholics! The important part is that he knows it's true and needs to act upon it! We are going plan a killer lesson this week and then go see him and get him converted! Pray mightily for Jose and his wife! I don't know how to spell her name. Sorry.
We have had to do a lot of finding and tracting and contacting this week because none of our investigators are progressing. Its sad and frustrating. I hate tracting because 99% of the time it has no benefits and is not successful at all.


I read your short email and am so excited for Jason and Mysha!!! Holy cow! That's so awesome!! And then, Paul and Erin!!!!!! FINALLY!!!! That is so amazing!!! Twins too?!?! I'm SO happy for them!!!!!!!!!! They totally deserve this!!!! AND Landon and Jill! Holy cow this has been a good week!!! Tell them all I said Congratulations! I'm excited to get the pictures!


I don't normally read the long email before I email you guys. I don't have time to, so I usually just print them out. I did read down to the part that you went to Farmington Canyon--those pictures are BEAUTIFUL by the way. I love that you added some of you and the dogs too:) I'm so sad that you weren't home to hear the announcement, but I'm grateful for Brandi texting Maddi. Mom, I love that you screamed in the middle of the fabric store. Hahaha! Where was Dad?? Just to let you know I'm coming back for the open house, and then again to go through it. You are all more than welcome to come with me too! Agh!! I'm so excited!!!


What were your favorite talks from Conference? First session I loved Elder Bednar's and talking about families. It was really good. I love that he always talks about families. And President Uchtdorf's was so amazing about love! I love how he tied it all back together after going in every direction about love. I couldn't pick a favorite though from Saturday--unless you count President Monson's about Temples:):) Sunday, hands down was Elder Hollands. Mal- I always think of your cool experience each time I hear his name. I love how blunt he his and how bold and how convincing! He's so amazing! I want to take that talk to each of our investigators and have them listen to it. I want it on video though so they can see him and how passionate he is about the Book of Mormon. Gosh, it was amazing!


I loved how so many of the talks were centered around the spirit and how to better become a servant of thy Lord. I loved listening to conference as a missionary! Although, I'm not gonna lie-- it was weird watching it in a church and in a dress with tight and a jacket on. Yeah, we had to get in our full attire to watch it. Lame. I wasn't in my jammies... It was really good though. I was alert though each session and was able to take notes on each of the talks. Yay me! Oh, except I think I did get sleepy in the Saturday afternoon session. Oops:) After the Saturday afternoon session we were able to go the Muench's (Minch) home for a new member lesson. I'll also attach a picture of that. They are a very Japanese cultured family-although you'll notice that they are just as white and you and me. I'll tell you about it sometime. They're definitely one of my favorite family's in the ward. They are so fun to be with and Dad, I think you and Brother Muench would get along SO well. He thinks so too. I talk about you all and he's said before, "I like your dad!!" Haha who wouldn't??
Sister Priotta took the picture, so it's Brother and Sister Muench, Renata-the new member who brought her friend to church and we are now teaching her, Valerie--me and Sister Call. We had fried rice with shrimp in it, so I tried shrimp this week. Yuck, the texture is gross, but the flavor wasn't bad. Here's the funny part--being true Japanese family-we ate them with chopsticks. Hardest thing I've done in my entire life!! You guys know how my fingers move! Or the lack of movement! Haha yeah, my hand hurt once I was done!! It was a fun experience though.

Well, I've got to go! I love you all so much and thank you for all your prayers and excitement about the FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA TEMPLE!! Doesn't that just sound amazing??? :) I love it:):)
I love you all, have a wonderful week!!!!!
Love--Sister Sammi Denson