September 24th, 2012

Hello!

Today is another prep. day and I am hoping that it goes a little smoother than last  p-day because everything tried to go wrong. Sister Schillemat and I went to get our hair cuts which took four hours. Thats a lot of time as a missionary. Then we came to the Library to write e mails and the computers shut down. Because we didnt have a lot of time left and we have to wash our car ever Monday, we decided to go through one of the quick ones that do it for you- we did the cheapest one, $7 but it didnt give us the change for the $10 we put in it.

Then a homeless lady walks out in the middle of the road up to our car asking for money. I had about no time to write letters and it was a little sad but all in all still a good day. We laughed about it. I think some other misfortunes happened but I dont really rememeber.

This morning our Zone hiked Mt. Rubidoux... and by mountain I mean a rocky hill. But it still took quite a bit of effort expecially in the sun. Totally worth it though. It was really pretty. Hopefully I will be able to send some pictures. We are going to try to print some today. Sorry I know I keep promising pictures. There just never seems to be enough time.

Side note- I REALLY appreciate all the letters I have been getting. It really makes a huge difference and has made me feel very loved. So yeah, I really appreciate that :)

I promise I am going to try to get to as many of them as I can today. Its just we can only write on p day and I have 17 to answer! Goodness.

Today I finally talked to our ASL Elder who is Deaf and It was exciting to get to actually use my sign. I have talked to him here and there in the past but we finally had a real conversation so it was nice. Unfortunately he goes home in three weeks but another one is coming in!

It seems like little miracles happen every day even when your in the middle of a challenge. I think my favorite this week was a lady that we have been trying to go visit since I got here three weeks ago. We finally stopped by when she was home and she let us in. She is an older woman and told us all about how she is moving because she had been scammed and all her money was taken. She said that it really tried her faith but she is trying to work on her relationship with God. Naturally, we asked her if we could teach her. She said not now for a few different reasons and then I had a really neat experience. Before we left I bore my testimony to her. I have no idea of what. But she looked at me and said that she would give it a shot and that after she gets moved we can come see her because she really felt something as I was talking to her so she thought we could help her.

I think it was in that moment that I realized why Im here. I knew it wasn't me. I know it was the spirit. But I was grateful to be a part of that experience. I feel so blessed to get to share this message of hope and love with such amazing people. She was my first "new" investigator and Im so excited to get to know her. I love this Gospel.

This week has seemed to be a bit of a challenge but I never feel alone. I know with all my heart that this is the Lords work and I am so happy to be a part of it. I cant believe Im half way through my first transfer. It really does go fast. I miss you all and love you  tons. Sorry to make this one short but my time is almost up.

I would love to hear from all of you. Sorry I cant write as often as I would like. Please know how much I love you.

One more thing... my bishop reminds me of Mr. Gibson!! (HS band director) It makes me smile. And I dont think I mentioned that we have three other little boys, twin11 year olds and a twelve year old getting ready to be baptized. :) and then I told you about the 18 year old :) and the last visit with him his brother seemed more interested.

Its exciting! The whole family is truely a miracle. I will have to tell you more about it next week.

 

LOVE YOU. READ AND PRAY EVERY DAY. Why you ask? because its pretty much the best.

 

 

LOVE YOU MORE BETTER AND BEST.

 

Sister Kristy Leann Gilmer

 

September 18th

We went and got haircuts this morning and in took FOUR HOURS. Goodness, that wasnt expected but its okay. Worse things could happen. 

This week was wonderful. The conference with Elder Piper was absolutely amazing. It took pretty much the whole day but seemed to fly by.

I feel really blessed to have been able to have learned so many things right at the start of my mission. Can you believe a month has already gone by? We have someone on date for baptism! He is amazing! He has definitely been prepared. The things he knows are amazing and his prayers are so sincere. He is 18 and comes to church alone but has come for the past three weeks and loves it.

He and his brother are full of questions all the time and its awesome to just sit down and discuss the gospel.

We also have three little boys that we have been teaching that want to get baptized. Its so fun teaching kids. Im pretty sure there is nothing better. We try to come up with different kinds of games and activities to keep them interested, but that will still help them to learn and understand the lesson.

It is such a blessing to get to be a part of the process. So obviously we go out and talk to people a lot- anyone and everyone. It is really neat to hear peoples stories and their relationship with God. I love it! I have a funny story to tell you and I guess you can decide if you want to put it in the blog or not. but there is this older lady in the ward who calls us to come over and do a chore for her and share a spiritual thought at least once a week. She is so funny! She has a wicked laugh. So just a few quick things about her because I am almost out of time.

She rides her scooter around town when she wants to go somewhere ( you know like the motorized wheel chairs). She thinks she works for the police department and so she will go down to Staters ( one of the local stores) and put in an hour of " patrolling". haha. Whatever that meants. She also writes and goes down to where all the homeless people hang out to get "inspiration". She is so sweet though. She keeps us entertained. She prays for us that we get "fed and watered properly" and that we dont die :)

Our sisters we share the apartment with continue with their pranks. they put little glass beads on top of our fan so when we turned it on they all flew off.

Getting smacked in the face with a pillow is not uncommon when walking around a corner and they have made it more interesting by putting baby powder in the case so white dust flies everywhere. It keeps life exciting, they are a lot of fun. I continue to run into Deaf people around the comunity and it is fun to get to talk to them.

Oh! I also learned to introduce myself as a missionary in spanish. Im not very good at it. I totally sound like a white girl but its still exciting. Well my time is up but I love you both so much! :) Im so grateful for all your support, it makes all the difference in the world. There are missionaries here who have no support from home and I can only imagine how hard it would be. 

A few other things... our district is tri lingual. Not sure if I told you that but we have english, mandrain, and ASL. Its pretty sweet and one of the ASL elders is Deaf  :) 

I love life. I LOVE YOU! I love the gospel. 

Have a good week! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! okay... times up. LOVE YOU!

Sister Gilmer

 

Sister Gilmer is out in the mission field!

Sister Gilmer is out in the mission field! 

The new group of missionaries right after they stepped off the plane in Riverside California!

Sister Gilmer and her companion.

This blog post is from parts of an email Sister Gilmer sent to her parents this past week. 

"Just some random things happening .... our district leader just asked me and my companion if we could teach for thirty minutes on sunday.

There is some mtc somebody sitting in on our district meeting and wants to hear from a compatable and loving companionship or something like that. wow! expeirences! Its crazy how quickly things like that just become so normal. Not that it doesnt make me nervous but I think from teaching SO MUCH. I have really been able to learn to listen and trust the spirit. It is the greatest thing. But dont get me wrong I still have so much to learn. Not to mention, I dont know if I already told you guys but for sacrament meeting everyone has to prepare a talk and then they just pick someone at random. Like you litterally find our that you are giving your talk when they announce that your next. 

Guess who they picked. haha It was our  entire district squeezed in one room and I was sitting on the back row in the far corner where it was impossible for me to get out. I acctually said it my head, "heavenly father, please just not today" well I guess he knows best. I know he does. the mtc has tried my testimony a lot. some days are really hard. But it has strengthened my testimony so much more that it doesnt even matter what trials or challenges I have, they are so worth it. I finally caught up on my letters today! that was exciting and the temple was wonderful as always. It definitely helps get me through the week!! for sure! Cool thing. My teachers taught an entire lesson to an "investigator" for us to see today. Such a neat experience. I think my favorite part is when someone quotes the first vision. I cant help but feel the spirit and it continues to strengthen my testimony every time! Its also neat to see how all of the things we have learned and practiced really do come together. It is so great. I dont know if any of this is making sense... all my thought are jumbled together so I hope it does. but most importantly, just know that I love you guys so much!"

Please keep her in your thought as prayers! and please write her a letter! She would love to hear from you!

Sister Kristy Leann Gilmer
California Riverside Mission
5900 Grand Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504-1328
United States