Abby's New Haircut

Abby's email from March 23, 2015

Dear Familia (and all others viewing this email),

This week was probably the best week of the transfer--and it was also the last week before transfers. Transfers are on Wednesday. And I am getting transferred out of the Fresno area and down south...to Hanford. I am absolutely terrified but I know there is a reason for it! My new companion is from Brazil but I'm told she speaks English. She has been out for three months--so she just came out of training. It'll be really interesting to see how she's doing now. I'm pretty sure I get to drive a truck down in Hanford. Yikes! I hope I don't crash it...there have been too many accident here in the CFM. I don't want to be another one!

So Monday was good. Sort of. We got to see one family--the Robertsons. We know they will always let us in. No one else was answering their door. So we went to the Robertsons. Oh yeah! Also, Elder Judy, Elder Berry, and Elder Diaz were trying to teach me how to play basketball...Can you picture it?? It was great! I had fun :)

Tuesday, we had district meeting. Sister Russell and I gave a training. When Elder Judy called us on Sunday night to ask if we would give a training, he didn't tell us what to train on. He told us to go to the Lord. We asked how we were supposed to know and he explained like we were 5 that we needed to "kneel down and ask God." It wasn't helpful at all but we prayed about it and on Monday night we actually got this article about a sister missionary and everything she learned. So I was thinking about that when I studied and we decided to talk about what we as missionaries had learned on our missions, why we decided to serve, and ultimately who we are. It was probably the best training I've ever given. President Clark told me one time that being a missionary is only an extension of who I am. We talked about that in our training and it was really spiritual. I was so proud of it and so glad we got to do it. I was able to express how much I love those missionaries. I hope I got it across because I have come to love our district of six so, so much. I am so sad that I have to leave them. My district leader has helped me so much and the sisters have become some of my best friends. I hope I will one day get to see them again. Probably since I've been out longer. And I can't even express how much I love Sister Russell. I'm so sad that I won't get to spend her last two weeks with her. It's killing me but I know it will be okay. We went to the Hutchasons. They are the sweetest. i'm so grateful for the opportunity we had to get to know them. I'm so sad we have to leave them. We also saw R, a recent convert. She doesn't yet know that we are leaving so I'm not looking forward to it.

On Wednesday...a disaster happened. We went to the Hutchasons to get our hair cut. Sister Hutchason's sister did it for us. I showed her a picture of what I wanted--I wanted it shoulder length in the front and shorter in the back, an A-line just like Courtney said I should get (I think). Well...basically what this crazy woman did was chop my hair off! She just took a chunk of it (which I 'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do, right??) and cut it waaaaaaayyyyy too short! So we had to get it fixed on Thursday by a member who is actually a professional. She reminds me so much of Courtney, it's crazy! That's probably why I trusted her so much. It looks awesome now, right? I got to read the text Hunter sent to Ashley, the member who sent the picture and it was so sweet. I miss him. he still needs to email me! We went to the Olsens in tears on Wednesday after my haircut. (Well, I was in tears.) They made me feel better and they are the ones that took me to get my haircut on our lunch hour the next day. It was great. And the senior Sister Olsen took us out to ice cream. It was sweet. We saw the C's. She is so sweet. I love her. She loves missionaries but they haven't been coming to church. Hopefully the elders who are coming here will get in more than we have been able to. We went to dinner with the Wilcox family. I loved it! I had leftovers, of course :) Then we saw R again and mostly finished her new member lessons. We're so proud! We've been working on it forever. Then we saw a less active who has come to church once in the last 47 years. He is great. We are teaching him the new member lessons--well, now the elders will.

Thursday I got my hair fixed! And I'm a beautiful Sister Reese...well, I've always been that right? Now I just look 20! It's wonderful! I got to spend the morning with King's Canyon. It was awesome! I love those sisters so much. We ate dinner with the Robertsons at the Habit. It was awesome. Then we saw E! I love him. I'm going to miss him. He is coming to the farewell on Tuesday AND HE CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY!!!! WE WERE SO HAPPY! FINALLY!!! Alright, I'm done. But I'm going to come back when he gets baptized. It'll be great! We also went to the park right before we headed in for the night. It was fun! We talked about everything we had done.

Friday was Sister Putnam's birthday! So we celebrated at Burger King. I gave her a journal that I wasn't going to use--one that wasn't really given as a gift so it was all good. She liked it! We then did weekly planning. It was great. then we saw Sister Robinson whom I will also miss so, so much. She's so sad we are leaving. We will have to see her before transfers. Then we had dinner at the Linfords'. They were great. I love that family. he's the young men's president. he's super great. We also crashed Clovis ward's party! Well, the end anyway. And the elders saw my hair! They all loved it, of course :) And my district leader and his companion did too. Elder Berry was teasing me and made me jump really high to give him a high five and then moved his hand. But it was all good! I love him. He and Elder Judy are two of my favorites :) I just love everyone!

Saturday was the best day ever! WE GOT TO MEET ELDER M RUSSELL BALLARD!!! It was amazing. We got to shake his hand and everything. And I got to see everyone from the MTC. It was the best. I haven't seen Sister Hamilton in forever. And all of my elders, of course :) They all thought I looked great too! It was awesome. Not that that is what matters. What matters is that we got to see each other and we got to listen to Elder Ballard speak. He's pretty awesome. I will tell you what I learned later because I'm running out of time. We got to teach Eric again. He's awesome of course. I love it. We got a call from President in the middle of planning and he told us I was going to Hanford 2 and Sister Russell was going to King's Canyon for two weeks before she leaves. I'm so sad to leave but I know it will be okay. Everything is inspired. I know that to be true. We called Elder Judy and Elder Berry to tell them and I was happy that they would at least miss me. And we are doing a district lunch tomorrow one last time just for me!! Also, Elder Judy's birthday is on Saturday and I have to say good-bye and give him gifts (shh!). He leaves in June. Hopefully I'll see him before that.

Sunday we had to break it to everyone that we were leaving and it was stake conference so it was hard. I'm sad to go and I talked to President Clark a little about it. His oh-so-comforting words were "It's still in the mission" referring to Hanford. I'm sad to leave but I know it's for a reason. I've learned so much from these last three months and I can't wait to share it all with you in a couple months on Mother's Day! That's in about eight weeks. I think. Or something. Not that I'm counting. We got to eat with the Luke's and he is an amazing cook! I love him! Then we went to the Russell's and jumped on their trampoline and got an awesome mid air picture. And we played with their puppies. They are adorable!! We saw the Robertsons too. I am going to miss them all. I love all these people. It's sad.

Today we went to see Elder Gayan who was in a car accident last week. He was in ICU for a while but he's out now and he's accepting visitors. We got to talk to him briefly. It was sad because he's in so much pain and I didn't realize how much I looked up to him until now. He's supposed to go home this week but they can't send him for at least ten days. I am praying for him and it would be awesome if y'all could too. He needs it. We also went to Far West Books. I spent a lot of money there but a lot of it was birthday money so it's okay! I got Elder Judy birthday gifts too.

I LOVE YOU ALL! Hey read Alma 31:30-38 (I think). It's an awesome prayer that Alma gives that Elder Hallstrom shared on Saturday. Thank you for the support you are and the help you've been.

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

More Sickness...But NOT Abby this time

Abby's email from March 16, 2015

Dear Familia,

So this week, as you can see from the subject line, was another week of sickness. But this time it was my companion who was sick, not me. (Also, thank you so much for being concerned for me last week when I thought I was DYING. Really appreciate it...haha, just kidding. There was no blood. So I'M OKAY!) It was a rough couple days, having to be in the apartment for two days. I didn't enjoy it all that much. I DID get to go through some things so I'm going to send a box home probably next week or the week after since next week is the last Monday of transfers and today we just don't have time.

This week was...alright. It wasn't bad. I have been battling with homesickness and with some anxiety. But other than that it's been pretty good. Monday we had dinner with the J's and a less active who just lost his wife. He wants to take the missionary discussions because he hasn't been to church in over forty years. We didn't teach him that night but we are going to this week. He is a very talkative man with lots of stories. We were late out of there because he was so talkative. We went to the S's afterward. They thought they were feeding us too but we had already eaten. I felt bad though, so I had a little bit. It was taco salad so I loved it! They are the most hilarious people ever. Brother S just makes me laugh so much. Hunter would like him a lot. (Speaking of my stinker of a brother, HE NEEDS TO EMAIL ME! OR WRITE. Whichever.) Dad would get along really well with him too. He's funny and we're hoping he will be our new assistant ward mission leader (SH! Don't tell anyone!). He would be great at it. They invited us to a super awesome party they are hosting on Saturday, which is also when Elder Ballard is coming, but he won't be with us that night so we may go to the party and fellowship nonmembers. It's the best way to do it, right??

Tuesday, we had just about the most amazing district meeting I've ever been in. Our district leader and his companion are so, so inspired. We got in there and at first one of the zone leaders was going to join us but then he had to go do something and our district leader followed him out and asked him not to join us. So we ended up just being the four sisters and two elders. (Poor Elder Judy; he has a district of sisters...all of whom are pretty emotional.) He started off by saying that he knew each of us have been struggling and so he and Elder Berry thought the best thing for us would be to talk about the enabling power of the Atonement. That just touched me and I lost it then. they showed the Mormon Message, "Mountains to Climb" and it was so good and I was balling through the whole thing. Watch it when you get a chance. then Elder Berry talked about how the Atonement has helped him. then Elder Judy got up and said that he was going to show videos because Apostles can say it much better than him (but I think really he was feeling the spirit too and didn't want to cry too much). So we watched "Lessons from Thomas S Monson" (I think) and then "You Never Know." It was super spiritual and i got so much out of it. Elder Judy then got up and bore his testimony about the Atonement and how much he loves us all and wants to help us. His eyes were all red and I just wanted to hug him. But of course, I couldn't. He said something--well a couple things--that I want to share: "Those people out there need us. they need us on our good days but they need us on our bad days too." That kind of hit me hard because I feel like I've had a lot of bad days these last two transfers. Then he said this: "No earthly pain, no heavenly gain." I absolutely LOVED that. So much that I want to make, like, a Pinterest pin with it on there. It's totally true, especially as missionaries. I've learned so much being out here and that training really taught me exactly what I've learned. It also really helped me to know what I was struggling with. I hope you all understand the Atonement. I hope you all rely on it because it is the gift God has given us of His Only Begotten Son. We need to help God keep His promises. It was a really spiritual day and I'm so grateful for it. We went on exchanges with Sister Smith and Sister Putnam after that. Sister Smith was with me in our area. We had a blast. I wish I could be her companion...but I realized something: I can only have six more companions at most because I only have six more transfers left! Crazy right?? We went to a baby shower--we crashed mutual. It was so fun and we got to talk to some of the girls. I feel so good when I'm with them, because I know they look up to me and it makes me so happy.

Wednesday was when Sister Russell got sick so we didn't do anything. Elder Judy and Elder Berry brought us soup and a whole bunch of other random foods. I ended up going through clothes and other things I need to send home. Thursday she was sick too so I stayed inside again. Elder Rainey and Elder Wells brought me some church movies to watch so that was really sweet. Elder Rainey is a marine from Idaho! Mud Lake. do you know where that is?? We did go to our dinner. We went to this really yummy burger place called The Habit. We should go when you come pick me up! It's the best. Sister Kharazi took us to Wal Mart afterwards and bought Sister Russell medicine. It was great.

Friday we had weekly planning and we actually had a really good session. We talked about things we were both struggling with and it was really nice to be able to talk it out. I loved it. I felt a whole bunch of weight lift off my shoulders. We ate with the Sassellis. Well, actually, just Sister Sasselli. She made spaghetti and we talked about family history work! It was great! then we had a really good lesson with E W. Sister Luke came with us. She was really awesome and helped out a lot. then we saw the Hutchasons. They are the best. OH speaking of them, her sister is going to cut my hair on Wednesday and I was wondering what y'all would think if I cut it really short...like just below my chin. I'm debating but I'm not sure! Lots of people have told me to do it...but I don't know.

Saturday was good too. We finally caught a recent convert. She's really struggling. She is awesome though. I love her. We went to a baptism to help with it but I almost wish we hadn't...someone corrected me on the way I lead music and I was trying not to be offended...just by the way she said it. But it's okay. I'm over it. Mostly. Then we ate dinner with the Olsens. I ate ALL MY FOOD. Be proud of me. How often does THAT happen?? We saw Sister R after that. She's great. She has a lot of struggles too, and we were teaching her granddaughter but we're not anymore. I'm kind of sad about that.

Sunday we went to the Hutchasons again and this is when we decided to get haircuts. They are the best. Then we ate dinner with the L family. they remind me SO MUCH of our family. It was great! They were super weird and super loud and super funny. It just reminded me of our family gatherings. It was awesome. Then we met the assistants because we found Elder Parkin's scriptures. I miss them so much. There will be a new assistant this transfer. We are waiting to find out who. We saw the Robertsons next. I absolutely love them. He printed out an article for us about a sister missionary and all she learned on her mission. It was her last email home before she came home. It was really cool. I'm going to do it before I come home.

We went to the zoo as a zone today! It was fun. I got more pictures but not as many as last time. We saw some really cool stuff though.

I love you all and I'm so grateful for the support you've been for me. I hope you know I always pray for you and you're always in my thoughts. I LOVE YOU!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

Abby thought she was dying!

Abby's email from March 9, 2015

Dear familia,

So I have a funny story to tell you! Once upon a time, I ate Taco Bell on Monday. After we were done emailing, we went home and I wrote a letter and then curled up on my bed because I was nauseous and in a little bit of pain. The next day was Tuesday, in which I woke up the same way but I thought I could run and I couldn't actually run. So I walked instead and then we planked. Which didn't help. I ended up curled up in bed for most of the day. It was great. (Abby's sarcastic voice chiming in here) And then I discovered something gross and not good: My stool was almost black! It was really disgusting and I knew it probably wasn't normal so we went to a member and asked her to look up what it meant online. Her immediate response was "You're bleeding inside!" Yeah...imagine my panic when I heard that. So we called our medical coordinator and she told me to call a doctor the next morning so obviously it wasn't that big of a deal but I was freaked out and thought I was dying, of course. So I called the doctor the next morning and he asked me a whole bunch of questions before telling me to call his office and set up an appointment. I did for that morning and a member drove us. I went in and saw the doctor. He did some regular doctor stuff. Then he gave me some things to put samples in...so I did that and now I need to take the samples in and make sure I'm not bleeding inside. But I'm pretty sure I'm not. My...stool...is no longer black. So don't worry! I'm not dying!

Other than that my week was pretty alright. Monday, we went to the Olsens' and did an FHE with them. It was really good. We talked about prayer and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It was good.

Tuesday, we had our leadership meeting in the morning and then we got Pepto from our district leader for my stomach. We had dinner with the K whom I love. They have adorable children and they love missionaries. It was sweet. Then we went to the R family. I love this couple with all my heart. They are the sweetest. They gave me some meds for my stomach too and it helped a lot. We met with Bishop so he could sign our stake correlation form for the zone leaders. We talked to him about what we could do in the ward. It was good.

Wednesday was zone conference! I loved it! I learned a lot. Missionaries trained on the inspired vision and it was really awesome. I got to see a lot of missionaries that I love! And I was really grateful for that. Sister Isaksen left to go back to Temple Square that day so that was sad. I didn't realize how much I was going to miss her until she left. I wish I could have hugged her before she left but I didn't. It reminded me of when Sister Lunddahl left and I miss her sooo much. She's coming back in April! I'm so excited! We ate with the Heasleys and it was fun. They were telling us stories that were really awesome. Then we saw the G's. We haven't seen them in a while. K is still sick with no voice and it has been months! She told us we could come back though so maybe we'll go and see if we can help them anymore. Then we saw the H's. She had a lot of good dating stories. I loved it.

Thursday we got to go to the temple. It was really awesome. I went with a few questions in mind (like what school to go to) and I got the answers I needed (which was to wait until the time comes). There were a lot of things I learned this time around and I loved it. Next time I go I would really love to take a family name through if at all possible. After that we ate lunch and we did some mormon.org time. It was fun. Then we went on a "companion date" . It was great! It was really awesome! Then we went to see Sister R (who told me I was dying, basically) before went to our appointment with E. It was really awesome. We talked to him a lot about the Atonement. I know he will one day get baptized but we're hoping it will be sooner rather than later.

On Friday, we went on exchanges after we went to the doctor for me. I went to King's Canyon and we were in a ghetto! I'm pretty sure it was gang territory. It was fun! But don't worry; we had the spirit so we knew we were okay. We went to give a Bible to this man. Sister S, who I was with, has been struggling with some things so we talked for a while before we got out of the car. Then we got out and we met Y and S. They were great! He was in a gang before he was put in jail. He was super great and I really wanted to teach him. We had a super awkward dinner with a L family. Then we went to see a less active  family. They were awesome. They fed us weird Asian fruit that was...interesting. Then we saw the elder's quorum president. It was great. He was super awesome.

Saturday we exchanged back after Sister Smith and I did some mormon.org time and ate lunch. then we went to ice cream with the other sisters. And then Sister Russell and i went to a baptism that a member invited us to of her daughter. There were a ton of members from my last area there so I got to see a lot of people! It was great. Then we ate dinner and then we saw the Olsens'...again. It was awesome. I love them so much.

Sunday we missed ward council because our phone time didn't change. the daylights savings thing was turned off. So we missed it but we got to sleep in which was nice. We went to church and two return missionaries were speaking. It was good. One of them didn't know how to shut up. But it was a good talk. then we ate with the Smith family. They are great and said we were always welcome. They are a new one that we hadn't met before. Then we met with our ward mission leader which was good. We were able to talk about some things we wanted to implement in the ward that would help the area a lot. We're excited! We're going to work more with the youth. It'll be great. Then we saw Sister R. She's super sweet. Of course. I love her...even though she doesn't always help us be obedient. She was watching Once Upon a Time and I was dying! It was terrible...but when I get home!

The Olsens took us shopping today. they bought me a whole new outfit. A super cute dress with some super cute shoes and a super cute top and a super cute cardigan. I love it. And I'm grateful for them.

I love you all and hope all is well!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese