A Hard Week for Abby

Mom,

This week was hard. It was awesome, but it was hard. We had a whole bunch of meetings, and I got to see my MTC district again, which was great. I got a picture, but now I don't know when I'll see them again, but I know I will. I learned so much at these meetings. It's incredible to be able to receive inspiration for our investigators and for our area. President and Sister Gelwix gave their last training on Wednesday, so that was hard, but Sister Gelwix mentioned to me how much she had seen me change in the last three weeks since I'd gotten here and that she wanted me to come visit, or something along those lines. President Gelwix said, "I have seen you change in three weeks. You are going to be fine." It really helped me to remember that I will be okay, and I've tried to remember that this whole week.

We didn't have any success this week. Or that's how it feels. Our numbers were down, and I know I shouldn't focus on them, but the numbers represent people, and we didn't have those people. It was hard, especially when Elder Grisenti, our district leader, called us and asked what happened. He sounded so disappointed and I felt so...disappointed and ashamed, I guess. I don't want to be a disappointment and I know that as long as I continue to strive to do my best, we will be able to yield the best results. And I know that all of your prayers are helping. I can definitely feel them and I know what power they have.

My ankle is fine, by the way. It is mostly healed now, but we're probably going to see the guy who owned the dog this week. It's okay though. He will become a new investigator! Our plans for the Fourth are as yet up in the air. If we don't have members who will take us in for the night, we have to be in our apartment by 6:30. I will go stir crazy. But we think that the Kuhns, some of the most amazing members ever, will let us come over to their house, maybe watch a movie and fireworks with them. It'll be fun!

OH! I almost forgot. Did I tell you that Jenny Grunke emailed me? She emailed me last week and she said that she was proud of me and also that two sister missionaries knocked on her door. She let them in because she thought of me! Isn't that just the coolest thing ever?? It made my day!

My EFY CDs should be in one of the big CD cases by the TV. I'm pretty sure I put them in the less full one. If you can't find them, you can always buy gospel music CDs for me :)

I love the Ensign! I can't read it until after my training period, but I'm excited that we get them. I'm glad you shared that quote with me because I needed it. I felt like a total failure this week and I don't like feelings that way. I am striving everyday to find those people who are prepared and I am striving to become exactly obedient. I know God is aware of that.

I'm so glad that I have the support of my family. It has been a blessing and I know that you are always going to be there for me. Also, I have been praying for Dad because I know he is at Scout Camp this week and he was probably really stressed. Like always.

I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

Dad,

This week was hard, but I know that I will do better in the upcoming week. We had 0's in our key indicator report and that meant that we didn't teach any nonmembers. It was hard to face that reality and I was so disappointed in myself. Then Elder Grisenti, our district leader, called and he sounded disappointed and it was hard to handle. We can always do better and I know that we will as we continue on with faith in God and Christ and with love for those we are serving.

I remembered you were going to scout camp this week so I was praying because I know how stressed out you get while you are getting ready to go. I wasn't sure if Hunter was going with you this year or not, but I assumed not since he has summer school.

(We went to see West Side Story at the Nampa Civic Center) Was that the one Karinya was in? I'm sad I didn't get to see it, but I bet it was good. The storyline is messed up, but it is so true how the world is. I am working hard to touch the lives of many while I am here and I know I can do it as I rely on Christ.

That dog is such an idiot sometimes. (She is talking about our beloved dog, Duke :) But he's so funny and strange and I miss him. I have decided that I don't like small dogs. Because of the one that bit me actually. I miss my German Shepherd mix dog. Oh, we met a guy who had a German shepherd/lab mix. He kind of looked like Duke but his fur was a little lighter. I wish I could have gotten a picture. He reminded me of Duke a lot.

Was Albuquerque hot?? (Bill went to Albuquerque for work) It's supposed to get up to 112 degrees this week here in Fresno! I'm not really looking forward to it. But God will protect us.

So my companion just found out her best friend's family is moving to Middleton soon! Their last name is Garrett. You'll have to look out for them!

Dad, I love you and I know that you are praying for me. I can feel you prayers. Thank you so much for all you have done and do for me. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

The One Month Mark - A Great Day

Mom,

I am glad that thinking of me makes your day better. Usually when I think of all of you at home, it makes me really happy and kind of homesick at times too, but it gives me strength to remember why I am doing this and to remember how much support I have at home. Also to remember that you all are being blessed while I am here.

I'm good. This week was pretty great, though some days were kind of hard. Monday was a little difficult because we went to see the Hill family whose daughter left on her mission on Tuesday. We got to visit with her before she left and I think it helped her a lot. Brother Hill is in the bishopric and asked me about my experience saying good-bye to y'all. It was a little difficult to talk about but I know it helped him a lot. Tracting is a lot better now as I think confidence and rely on the Spirit to pick a street. As long as we make it fun, it's not too bad. And I even have begun to gain more confidence in approaching people on the street. I have to talk to people at gas stations too and the first one that I was proud of us ended up being atheist, but it's okay. She'll come around.

Sister Ard is great. She has really helped me to see my potential as a missionary and she has helped me overcome some of my fears of missionary work. She has such a drive and she wants to do her best and be exactly obedient. Her family is inactive and she wants to go back to them with the attitude that she did exactly what she needed to do. I have come to be so much more grateful that I had such an amazing childhood with my family and that you and Dad raised me to be the woman I am today. I am grateful that you have helped me to budget and that we are not poor by any means. Her family has money problems and I have grown to see the blessing that I've had in ours.

I am so excited to meet President Clark! And his wife of course. I was praying for him the other day and I just had this overwhelming feeling of love for them. Also, I felt like he was exactly what I would need as a missionary. They will be here in a week, and though I am sad to see President and Sister Gelwix leave, I know President and Sister Clark will be what we as a mission need.

I was thinking about Sister Jensen the other day! Weird. I was thinking about some of the things she told me before I left about her mission. It helped me a lot. I am glad there are people at home who still remember me. I love Sister Okamura! It's funny because I have been praying for your primary class, and I have been putting in my prayers that you will either love your calling or get released. I hope you know I pray for you everyday, multiple times.

I was thinking about Hunter all day yesterday and I was praying for him. Sister Ard and I spoke in Sacrament which was kind of fun actually. We were sitting by the Sacrament table though and it occurred to me that Hunter could bless the Sacrament now. He emailed me last week and told me that he did miss me but not enough for me to be at home. It occurred to me the other day that maybe what I'm doing here is as much for the benefit of myself and the people here as it is for my family, particularly Hunter. I hope that as I am here he will have a desire to go on a mission too. You haven't gotten new phones yet? Totally expected that to happen like right after I left. So is my phone still active??

I did get a package on Wednesday--we had zone conference and they brought them. However, we had an appointment right after so I didn't have time to get the package. But I'll probably get it today. My zone leaders have it so hopefully they will remember to bring it. I will definitely look forward to opening these packages.

I can feel your prayers and I know they are part of the reason that I am pushing forward and learning to focus more and more on the work. I know that you love me and miss me and I know that you know that I am doing what I need to here. I love you and pray for you too.

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese.

PS If you are in Salt Lake City (like you would be haha) on July 13, Sister Gelwix is reporting on hers and President's mission at 12:30 at 3070 Nia Way in Salt Lake. They said if our parents wanted to go they'd love to meet them :)

Daddy,

My month mark was on Saturday. I remember because I put it in my planner and I told myself it was going to be a great day. And it was. We tracted a lot, but it was okay because we picked a great street. My companion had me pick the street because something I am working on is following every prompting that the Spirit gives me. I picked a street and I know there is a reason that we went there. There was someone there whose life we touched even if they weren't interested right then.

I was thinking about Hunter all day yesterday. We spoke in Sacrament and so we were really close to the priests who were blessing it. It occurred to me that Hunter could bless the Sacrament after yesterday and it made me a little sad that I couldn't be there for his ordination, but I know that he knows I was thinking about him and he knows I am here doing a good work.

I miss camping! Not hiking, but camping. I hope you'll take lots of pictures when you go to the property next month.

This week has been kind of hard in the aspect of me thinking of all of you. There was a young woman in the ward I am serving in who left for her mission to Peru on Tuesday. We had the chance to visit with her and her family on Monday night and I know I needed it as much as they did. Her father is in the bishopric and he asked me about when I said good-bye to you. She flew from here so they didn't even get to go to the MTC, but I told him of my experience and how hard it can be, but I know it will get better.

I know there are so many people here who have helped me. I think of my family at home and that gives me strength even when I miss them with all my heart. I think of the district I had at the MTC and the fact that they are doing the same thing I am and it gives me strength. So many things that are hard to remember give me so much strength because it reminds me that I can get through this. I pray everyday, every morning, that God will help me get through today. I have to take it one day at a time sometimes because I know that if I think too far ahead, I get overwhelmed or I get homesick or it's just hard. I am grateful that we find people here who are so kind to us and who let us pray with them or even just give us water and food. I know the Lord will bless their lives even if they didn't want to hear our message. Those are the saviors that I see. I see those people we talk to and who let us pray with them or give us water as miracles and as saviors because they give me the hope that we will find more people like them who are prepared to hear the gospel.

We had zone conference this week so I met a lot of missionaries who I didn't know before. I also got to see most of my MTC district. Knowing that they are facing some of the same things I am helps me to know that we are in this together.

We have a new investigator! Her name is Nariko and she is from the Marshall Islands. I haven't met her because we were on exchanges when Sister Ard and Sister Tautuiaki went by the Green home. They are former investigators. A member asked us to go by about a week ago and we are positive that she is ready to hear our message now. I am so grateful for that.

I know that God is with me everyday. I know He is here and I know that He loves me and He wants me to be happy and to serve Him with my best. I am trying to do that everyday. I can feel your prayers and the prayers of everyone else who is praying for me. I got a letter from Grandma this week, and Todd's family and Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom had all written me a little note in it. It made my day so much brighter. I am so grateful for our family. Oh! Which reminds me--can you maybe send me the addresses of Todd, Grandpa Luckey, Grandma and Grandpa Light, and I think that's it. If I think of any others I'll tell you.

 

I love you, Dad, and I pray for all of you everyday multiple times a day. Thank you for all the support you've given me.

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

Ridiculous Ankle Biters!

Daddy,

Happy Father's Day! I just wanted to tell you that I thought about you all day yesterday, and I missed you, but I know that you were thinking of me too. I hope you got my card--I sent it last Monday, so hopefully you got it. It was weird not being at home on Father's Day, but I know God is blessing all of us for what I am doing.

Tracting is definitely hard, but this week I have seen some of the fruits that come from it. I think it's really the change of how I do things. I have gotten used to tracting--mostly. It is still hard, but if we make it fun, it isn't that bad. I enjoy it most of the time. I just have to keep reminding myself that we are planting seeds everywhere we go. Even if they don't accept us, they will eventually accept the Gospel and that is what matters. I have seen a lot of miracles this week. They may not seem like miracles but for this area they definitely are. We have been able to pray with many people this week and a few of them even told us we could come back. It was miraculous! And a former investigator that my companion taught called us on Saturday and told us she wanted to come to church. So we called a member in our ward (the Kuhns, who are absolutely amazing) and they agreed to pick her up. They were so kind to her. Emily's--the investigator--house just burned down a week and a halfish ago. She lost everything. It takes tragedies sometimes to get people to turn to God. But when she called it was like God was telling us that He was aware of our efforts in this area. And I know He is. It's always a miracle to feel that love God has for us and to see the way He works in our lives.

So...one of those ridiculous ankle biter dogs bit me the other day. But it's okay because his owner was interested in the Plan of Salvation so we are going to go back in a couple weeks to teach him! And also I took care of the bite, so it's okay. We called the medical coordinator and she instructed me what to do. It wasn't really a bit either. It was more like a nip. It still hurt and it did bleed a lot, mostly because it was on my ankle, but I put Neosporin on it and a Band-Aid and I will continue to do that.

I have noticed this week that we are definitely lead by the Spirit. Earlier in the week, we went to see a member who is going through a lot of stuff with their daughter. The dad told us that he was afraid he wouldn't see the missionaries again because neither of us really knew him. But we felt inspired to stop by and he was very grateful for that. We answered his prayer and it was really cool to see how that works.

I love you so much, and I pray for you and our family every day. I miss you, but I know that what I am doing is what I am supposed to be doing right now. I have to remind myself of that every day, but it's okay. As long as I remember. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Reese

Mom,

I'm glad you got to write! I know you can be busy so it's okay. I am doing well and I feel like I have already grown so much...and then sometimes I feel like I'm going backward. But it's okay. I got my camera and my watch...was there a necklace in there too? I'll have to look. I should get the pictures and other things soon. We have Zone Conference on Wednesday so if they come in by then, President and Sister Gelwix will bring them.

This week was great! A lot better than last week. I am slowly learning to love tracting. I am getting used to talking to people and offering to pray or sharing a short testimony. It's the greatest feeling in the world to know that you are planting a seed. We had miracles, meaning we prayed with some people. We also met a couple potential investigators. One of them told us we could come back this week and the other one said we could contact him after July 2. The latter one had a dog that nipped my ankle, but it's okay because he was interested in our message. Some people don't even answer their doors. It's frustrating but we leave our pass along cards and we know we are always planting a seed.

I'm not a baseball fan. You know how much I love sports. I would probably not have enjoyed it as much. That's awesome that Hunter caught a fly ball though! Bet he was excited. Or maybe not. I don't know. Where did Dad go this week?? I didn't realize he had to leave. I was going to buy something for him but I couldn't think of what so I just sent a card. I may buy something and send it today though. I need to get Hunter a birthday present too. I'm glad Dad got my card and read it. I know I sent you all a letter and then him a card but I remembered on Monday last week that Father's Day was this week so I felt like I should send Dad a card.

We are going to go to Payless and look for shoes today. It'll be good. The brown ones I thought would work are a little too small. I am filling a box with stuff to send home, so I'll send that home probably sometime in the next month, when it's filled or when I feel like that is everything I want to send home. If you want to send me other shoes, that's okay too ;) We are going out today though so I'll find some. Maybe a couple pair. We'll see.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. On Saturday, a former investigator, Emily, who my companion taught, called and said she wanted to go to church on Sunday. So we called the Kuhns, an awesome family that I just love, and they picked her up and brought her. Everyone was so good to Emily. About a week and a half ago, her house burnt down and she lost everything. Everyone fellowshipped her and some invited her to dinner and everything. We are confident that she will eventually find a desire to be baptized. We are going to continue teaching her and answering her questions. It was really great because I just knew this was God's way of telling us that He is aware of our efforts in this area.

One day this week, I was in a different area with Sister Monson, who I knew from the MTC, and Sister Wilkins, who is awesome. My trainer had a training meeting so I was just reassigned for the day. It was an awesome experience. Sister Wilkins has been out for six months and she says she's still learning, but I learned so much from her. She is so good at approaching people on the street and at their homes. We saw one of their investigators and it was interesting to see how they interacted with them. It made me want investigators to love and share with too. But I know we are getting to that point. Anyway, I get to go on exchanges with her sometime this week again and I'm excited! She's awesome!

We had a district meeting on Thursday, so I got to see one of my MTC District members. It was really good to see him. I miss everyone else though. Our Sister Training Leader called us this week, and told me that Elder Mo'O, who is in her district, told her to tell me that he loves me and to hang in there. I really needed to hear that, especially from someone that I got super close to. I miss all of my MTC district, but I already love my new one here. I know that I'll probably have to leave all of them eventually so I just have to get used to saying good-bye. I also asked for a blessing from one of the elders in our zone. He gave me an awesome blessing. I wasn't going to ask for one but they were dropping off our car after district meeting and they were here so I asked for one. I just felt like I needed one as soon as they came to the door. It was much needed and it helped me a lot.

I love you and I think of you everyday. Thank you for being you. I know that it is hard for me to not be at home, but I also know that this is the best thing I will do in my life up to this point, and I know God is blessing me and all of you at home because of it. I love you, and I will continue praying for you!

Always <3,

Sister Reese

(Abby wrote two emails to her Dad)

First week in Fresno

Mom,

   The first few days were really hard, particularly because it was just so hard to adjust to being in the field and not at the MTC where everything is schedule for you. The first day (Wednesday) we were pushed right into work. I had a temporary companion named Sister Tautuiaki. She's from Hawaii and she is awesome. We just went around knocking on doors and talking to everyone. We met a man named Gerald who I feel was totally ready for the Gospel. I tried to give him a Book of Mormon but he wouldn't take it. He is in the sister's area so she is going to see him. When we got back I was just so overwhelmed with everything, but everyone there is just so loving and welcoming and all the sisters gave me hugs and told me it would be okay. And it is. President Gelwix gave me a priesthood blessing too during my interview. He asked to give me one and it really helped me. I try to remember it every time I am feeling down or depressed or lonely.

   The next day we got our trainers. I was super excited. We had some meetings in the morning before we met them and we couldn't see them before they came in. President Gelwix didn't decide until that morning, so it was definitely inspired. My trainer's name is Sister Ard. She is from Washington in the Tri Cities? I wasn't entirely sure where that was. I know that she is my trainer for a reason and I am really grateful for her. Nine months ago (when she first got here) she was like me--afraid to talk to people and overwhelmed. So I know that God put me with her so she could help me overcome that fear.

   You're going to love this: We have a car! All the sisters do. We have limited amount of miles though, so if we run out we DO have to ride out bike. I did get the bike though. It is a really nice bike. I just haven't had the chance to ride it yet :) I am grateful we have a car though because it is HOT here. Yesterday it got up to 106 degrees. I haven't been sweating all that much though, because I figured out a really cute easy hairstyle for my hair. I was experimenting and it just worked out! Looks different every time though...My bedding was here when I got here too, and it's a big comfort to have it. The sheets are really nice but I don't use them. I just sleep on top of them.

    I am in Fresno, in one of the richest areas there is here. I love the members--they're awesome. But the other people are so hard to reach. Some of them won't even open their doors and others think that they only need to Bible. We do go around and offer to pray for families and homes and that is sometimes a success. People are generally more open to prayer than they are to hearing the Gospel. I am working on my ability to talk to people more and more and I am grateful that God is always here to help me. I can definitely feel Him and all the prayers of everyone at home.

    I had to say good-bye to my MTC district on Thursday and it was super hard. I love my companion from the MTC so much and I really hope that the companion she has will help her in the ways that I wasn't able to. I also absolutely LOVE my elders. Elder Bean and Elder Mo'O were awesome for me on Wednesday and Thursday when I was just so overwhelmed and emotional. They just sat with me and talked. They made me feel a lot better. Elder Nielsen is in my district here so I'll see him at least once a week. They are all so great and thinking of them really keeps me motivated, knowing that they are doing the same thing that I am.

    It was really nice to talk to y'all on Wednesday. Now we just have another six months of waiting :) I love you all and I miss you so much. I pray for you every day and night, and I know y'all pray for me too. I love you and hope all is well. Can't wait to hear more of what's going on.

Always <3,

Sister Reese

Dad,

    It has definitely not been cold. We have air conditioning in our apartment so during personal and companion study, I use the extra blanket I brought while I study because I do get cold in the apartment. But it got up to 106 yesterday and it's supposed to be 110 tomorrow. I heard it is supposed to cool down this weekend but we will see.

    He's such a funny dog. I miss him. We go to houses with dogs a lot but most of them are teeny ones. And they bark a lot when the doorbell rings. It's kind of annoying

    Mom said you went to the races. I remember doing that last year. It was actually kind of fun though a little loud.

    I am still feeling overwhelmed, but it is getting better. We don't have any investigators so all we do during the day when we aren't visiting members or studying is tract. It is one of the hardest, most tedious things about a mission. Knocking on doors isn't as effective as we'd like it to be but we are required to do at least two hours of tracting every day. Saturdays are the worst. I am trying really hard to change my attitude about tracting because I know miracles happen when we trust in God, but it is really hard to do that when we are walking in hundred degree whether from house to house, some of which won't open their doors or don't really listen to us.

    The members here are great. I love them a lot and I know that they will be good for me in the next twelve weeks. We are in one of the richest parts of the mission. We are in Fresno, so it is interesting. I am not sure how I would feel if I had to spend most of my mission here. Which will probably happen now that I said that. I love the members, like I said, but the other people are so hard to contact. Many of them are never out and about or they don't answer the door or something like that. But I am trying really hard to increase my faith that God will help us. I know there is a reason that I am in this area, and I know God will reveal that in his own time.

 

    My trainer's name is Sister Ard. She's from the Tricities in Washington. You probably know where that is but I didn't. Oh! And I forgot to tell Mom that I have met a lot of people that actually know where Middleton is! Some have family there and some just know. There is a woman in the ward who went to Boise on her mission! And there is a man here who did too. I was so excited! It made me feel a lot better.

    It was really hard on Thursday to leave my MTC district, but they were all so great to me. Elder Bean asked me how I was doing and when I just broke down, he talked to me and helped me a lot. So did Elder Mo'O. I really miss my MTC companion and I pray every day that she is alright. I also hope that we will eventually be companions again, but we'll see how that works out.

    I love you so much, Dad, and I miss you and everyone else. I pray for you every day and I can feel your prayers for me. Thank you for being who you are. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Reese

Abby Made it to Fresno!

I'm here! And I'm safe! My plane ride was actually kind of fun. It was only a couple hours in which one of the elders in my district gave this guy a Book of Mormon and the man--Jeff--said he'd read it. It was really cool to listen to him teach. It was really nice to be able to talk to y'all today. I miss you and I love you. I'm a little overwhelmed here, but everyone keeps telling me it will get better. They are all so welcoming here. The senior missionaries here have all been really sweet and I've been here for three hours...Sister Williams, the housing person, gave me a big hug because I was so overwhelmed. I haven't met with President yet, but I'm getting ready to do that. I had a new temporary companion take me out tracting for about an hour and a half. It was kind of scary, but I talked to people! I even tried to give away one of the Books of Mormon I bought at the bookstore but the guy wouldn't take it even though I just knew it would help him. The temporary companion I had said he was in her area so she's going to find him. It was really cool, but I'm not entirely sure that I feel like I did anything to help the people we talked to. I'm overwhelmed now, but I know that God is aware of me and that He will help me through the next few weeks. I know my trainer will be amazing because God picked her :) I'll be able to meet her tomorrow! After we do all this stuff at the mission office, we get to go to the mission home for dinner, which will probably be amazing. I hope all is well for you all. Know that I am safe and that everyone here already loves me. I can feel your prayers and your love from here in Fresno. I pray for you every night and every day and I hope you know how much I love you all. You're an amazing support system for me and I am so grateful for you. I love you all so very much! Hope to hear from you soon!

Always <3,

Sister Reese