Snow in Juarez - CRAZY!!!!!

BUENAS TARDES MI QUERIDA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COMO ESTAN?????  COMO HAN PASADO LA SEMANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe that we are here again writing; wow the time is passing SOOOOOOOOO fast!!  But we are doing great and we had an excellent week here in the wonderful Ninos Heroes!!  

As for the weather we had a little bit of everything this week... starting with SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?????????????  Of course it wasn’t like the snow in Utah (not even close) but none the less - I held in my hand a snowflake for the first time in who knows how long!!  I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! But sadly the snow is gone, and we are enjoying not having to carry around our coats and gloves all day long!!!  It’s a love hate relationship!!! ;)  We are doing great and wow, the Hermana Hernandez is such a great companion!  We are learning so much and I love being with her because we both challenge each other to be better and to work the hardest we can!!!  (That is when true happiness comes - when we put all our soul into something!!!)

This week was full of lots of great memories and meeting a lot of new and crazy people in the street!!  (We have been focusing our attention a lot on trying to find new people to teach, so we are pretty much doing just about anything possible to find them!!!)  When you try and start a conversation in the street with somebody you don’t know, pretty much you have to find something that they know a lot about and try and get them to open up...  The thing is sometimes you start talking about pigs or the sewage in the street, or where you like to buy clothes all the way to the different types of chilies (that gets people going!!!)  hahaha  But we are loving it; I love talking to random people!!  The best thing is that if they don’t want to hear anything about the gospel, well the chances of seeing them again are pretty small so you can try anything!!  But when we put our efforts in the Lord, he blesses us and puts in our path the people who are really prepared to receive these eternal truths!!!

…1…    Did you get your package that was delivered to El Paso on Tuesday?

Hmmmm - not yet, but the next time we go to the offices I will check!!!  THANK YOU!!!

…2…    Been singing to any large audiences lately?

Hahahaha - nope :)  But we are actually trying to plan something for this March, so we will keep our fingers crossed that it happens!!!

…3…    Are you staying warm?

SI :) I am doing great, I have a load of blankets and I wear a million layers of clothes on the cold days.  All is well and we are happy!!!!

…4…    How are your investigators advancing?

Hmmmmm as for the investigators!  We are doing well!  But we would like to see a bit more progression!!  We have some investigators that have some needs really difficult, but the Lord is changing their lives little by little!!  

A sad and happy story!  So one of our investigators who hates reading has been reading the “Book of Mormon” a lot.  On Friday my companion was sick so we had to cancel the appointment with her; we called her and she said, “Dang it, oh well - I am going to invite my friend over so we can read the “Book of Mormon” together!!!”  (AWESOME - RIGHT??)  So she has been reading a lot and really loves what she is reading..... usually!  Well on Saturday we passed by to see her and she had read the night before 1 Nefi 14 which talks about the great and abominable church.  First off, she is Catholic and when she read that she took it really offensive!  (yikes right!?)  Like she knew the scripture was true & that is why it shot a whole in her I think!  She was confused to why God would call one of his churches the church of the devil, and well so on and so on!  We tried to help her understand a little bit more but she was kind of closed off to understand more.  But yesterday there she was at church once again!!  She told us, “I dont know why but I just couldn’t help but come again!!!” :):):):):):):)  So harsh, but it turned out really great!!!  We hope that she will accept baptism one of these days!  She really has changed her life so much!!!

Also, yesterday we had two young girls come to church for the first time together in almost a year!  The oldest sister is active but her little sister has not wanted to come to church for a long time!!  This week we went to visit them and help them with their personal progress and it was just what they needed to feel comfortable to come to church!!!  They both looked so happy!!!

Who else??  The Patlan family is preparing to go do baptisms for their family this Saturday!!! 

Carlos y Rosa are esforzando a lot for their baptism which is shortly coming (WE HOPE!!!!!!)

And well we can’t complain, we are in the work of the Lord!!! :):):):):):):):)

I hope you all have an amazing week, and remember to read your scriptures and say your prayers and keep the commandments and smile and serve others and be yourselves!!  BECAUSE YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!

CON MUCHO AMOR!

Hermana Sutton

p.s.  OH NO!!!!!!!!  I’m sorry about Brother Morris; SISTER MORRIS WRITES ME HAND LETTERS EVERY MONTH!!!!!!  THAT IS SO SAD!!!!!!!!! :(  Tell the older people to hold on!!  I want to see them all again!!!

Thumbs up to the Sisters.

Sisters Ramirez, Price, Sutton and Hernandez

Hermanas Ramirez and Sutton

Snow in Mexico?

Notice the perfect snowflake on her shoulder.

Hermanas Sutton & Hernandez

Laundry Day?

The Missionaries are Smiling :)

It definitely was a fabulous week here in good old Juarez - the sun is shining more, the missionaries are smiling more ;) and all is just fine and dandy!

This week the Hermana Ramirez and I have had such a blast working together; she really is such an example to me, and we had some really cool experiences this week with our investigators and in the ward.  We both wish we could stay together for just a little bit longer, but the changes came!!  But the great thing is that we are both in NINOS HEROES still - she is just moving to the other house!!  My new companion, well my old companion, cuz we have been together, is going to be HERMANA HERNANDEZ!  (from Puebla)  I am really excited to work with her; she is a hard worker and we are ready to rock and roll.  Tomorrow are the changes.  Sadly Hermana Panta and Hermana Miranda (she was with Panta this week) and both headed out...  But HERMANA PRICE from my generation will be with Hermana Ramirez in the ward!!  ALL IS WELL AND EVERYONE IS HAPPY!!!! 

Sadly there are no questions for me so I just will have to ramble.  I hope that it makes sense, but if not... well sorry!!!  So a cool little experience that we had this week, one of our investigators has a little problem with drinking coffee! :(  The thing is that he has a sleeping problem and so at night he hardly sleeps, so in the morning he needs something to help him wake up (that’s what he said, but I think just being in a freezing cold house does the trick, that’s what we do) hahaha  But we taught him and his wife about the word of wisdom and the importance, and they both had lots of desires to follow it, but he was worried about sleeping at night.  We told him we were going to do a little test:  He was going to say a special prayer right before he goes to bed and we were too, so that he could sleep well, that way in the morning he wouldn't have to drink coffee.  So that is what we did, and the next morning we went to see how he was and he told us he didn't wake up one single time!!!  He told us “I didn't even have desires to drink coffee in the morning!!!”  AWESOME - RIGHT??????  He and his wife are really progressing and every time we go to see them, their faith surprises us more and more!!!

Also another cool thing, we found this guy in the street on Saturday night, well actually he found us.  We were walking by him and he was on his phone but he stopped and asked us what we were doing (he said he could tell we had something different in our faces)  We explained to him, and invited him to come to church.  To be honest we talked to him for less than 5 minutes but never the less he was there at church the next day.  He told us he just woke up this morning and didn't really realize what he was doing but found himself at church!!! 

Also, another one of our investigators who lives next door to the bishop is really progressing!  What happened with her is about 6 months ago the sisters and the bishop stopped by her house but she had no time; she was working nonstop!  Her hours were terrible and she hardly even had time for her little boy...  We passed by a few weeks ago to see how she was doing or if we could find her.  It just so happens that she lost her job (sad but the Lord provides) and now she is always in her house.  She told us that she was super excited to be able to meet with us.  Keep in your prayers that she finds a job...  But one with a little bit better hours!!!  hahahaha

What else could I tell you....  WELL I AM SUPER DUPER HAPPY!!!! :) 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI THIS WEEK.  I HOPE YOU EAT LOTS OF CAKE AND ICE CREAM FOR THIS SISTER!!!!! 

WHAT MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YOU DIDNT TELL ME YOU WON AN AWARD AT SMITHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THANK YOU GRANDMA REVA WHO SENT ME THE CUT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  CONGRATS MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmmm but I think that is about it!!  I really am doing great and the miracles of the Lord still keep surprising me; it is amazing what we can see if we just take time to see the blessings of the Lord.  He is so gracious and loving; we literally are so blessed to be part of this amazing gospel.  I can’t imagine my life without these things; that is why I am working so hard to help others to have what we have.  This is the only true church on the face of the earth.  If you don’t know that for sure, get on your knees and figure it out!!  THIS IS TRUE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE.  I TRULY AM BLESSED!

Con mucho amor, 

Hermana Sutton

Sister Ramirez

Sister Ramirez & Sister Sutton

It's Always a Party With 3!!!!!!

BUENAS TARDES FAMILIA Y AMIGOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!  UN SALUDO DE AQUI EN JUAREZ!!!!!!!!!!!

It is a miracle, I am not wearing a coat and I am not dying!!  I would say that calls for a celebration!!  IT HAS BEEN FREEZING HERE!!  I think it was the same cold front that hit you guys as well, but I think it has past... we hope!!  But the weather here reminds me a little bit like Utah - you never know what to expect!!  But all is just dandy here in Juarez; we had a really good week, a lot of great progression in our investigators, I am practicing nonstop my Spanish, and learning lots and lots every single day!!!!!  Let me answer your questions and then I will ramble a little bit more!!!

….1….    What’s something “original” or “crazy” about each of your new companions?  (We’d like to know them a little better)

Hmmmmmmm - well I now have different companions, well at least until the changes next week!  I would explain what is happening, but we have no idea!!  BUT ALL IS GREAT!! :)  My companions are Hermana Panta (Peru) and now Hermana Ramirez (from estado de Mexico)   PANTA:  Hermana Panta is hilarious, she has this attitude that I love; she is this short little innocent hermana but man she has power!!  She is super prepared for the mission and does some amazing miracles!  She and I get a long super good, and we always end up laughing at every little thing.  She and I teach a lot alike so it is sweet to be with her because we never choke.  (I told her I am going to visit her one day with the Rex family... so she can marry Ben!!)  RAMIREZ: Hermana Ramirez is just so sweet and awesome; I knew her before but she came to Ninos Heroes on Thursday!  She has a little more time than the Hermana Panta in her mission.  She is like perfect.  To be honest we thought that we were going to drive her crazy because Hermana Panta and I are a little crazy and together even worse!  But she is hilarious too... she is the type of person that doesn’t say much but just has that funny personality!  We are loving life together!!   IT IS ALWAYS A PARTY WITH 3!!!!!

….2….    Who does the cooking (or do you just not eat)?

Hmmmmm we do indeed actually cook!  Like I have told you I am boss at the beans, and Hermana Panta is the queen of rice!  WE MAKE A GOOD TEAM!!!  Hmmm - what else??  We eat fruit, and eggs, and tortillas, pancakes, yogurt, arroz con leche, and sometimes the members even give us food!!!  I LOVE COOKING, but we dont have much time.  Last night we made caramel corn.... BUT IT WAS A DISASTER!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha  But none the less!!  I am trying to get recipes so I can show you guys how to eat like a Mexican!!!

….3….    Do you get to go to 2 wards on Sunday?  Do you have double callings too?

OHHHH - We are in the same ward!!  So the change wasn’t that big.  It was the 4 of us working together!!  Now we are just living in the house of the hermanas and we are working in the same ward!!!  WE ARE ACTUALLY SEEING PROGRESS IN OUR WARD!!!!!!!  WE ARE SO HAPPY!!!!!!!  NOW OUR GOSPEL PRINCIPLES CLASS IS FILLED TO THE TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS WEEK WE MADE A ROAD TRIP BACK TO MY HOME TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  CASAS GRANDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We had interchanges with Hermana Ellsworth and her companion!!  IT WAS REALLY REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!  SUPER WEIRD TO BE IN CASAS ONCE AGAIN BUT IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!  One cool thing that we experienced - we went and visited a recent convert that we had found when I was about the leave the area his name is Angel, he is young and to be honest didn’t know anything about God.  He was honest like a little child just learning for the first time all of the things!  BUT WHEN WE WENT THIS TIME!!!!!!!!  WOW - HE WAS COMPLETELY CHANGED!!!!!!!  He was asking questions and answering everything; he is reading every day and preparing to receive a calling in the ward!!  He is sharing the gospel with his family and wow it is a huge change in him!!!  Also in Casas I got to see the Beltran family!!!!  PICTURES ARE COMING!!!!!!

And back in our area... story time!!!!  We went and visited yesterday FRANCISCA AND MARIA ANTONETA!!!!  They are two best friends who are learning about the gospel together; they go to church with us but they are having a bit of a trouble accepting baptism.  They both are reading the Book of Mormon and they love it, but they didn’t know if it was true.  Yesterday we went to see them and we talked about everything that was going on with them and how they have been feeling since we have visited them.  They wanted to know if it all was true, together the 5 of us knelt in prayer, and Francisca gave the most beautiful and simple prayer to know if it was true.  After the prayer we sat in silence just to think, after about 5 minutes (no kidding).  Everyone was pretty much in tears and they both expressed what they were feeling!!  RIGHT THEN IN THAT MOMENT THE SPIRIT TALKED TO EACH OF US AND THEY KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!!  It is amazing how powerful a heart filled prayer is!!!!

The week was filled with great experiences like this!!!  I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ!!!  I KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!  I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Sutton

Megan's old Casas Grande Bed

Sisters Sutton & Panta

Sisters Sutton, Panta & Ramirez

Hermanas Sutton and Ramirez

The Beltran Family

Back with Hermana Ellsworth

Return to Casas Grande

HAPPY 2015

THE SHOCK HAS SUNK IN..... 2015 HAS MADE IT; I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT WENT!  BUT THE YEAR STARTED OUT WITH A FEW LITTLE CHANGES!  BUT NONE THE LESS - CIUDAD JUAREZ IS TREATING ME GREAT!!!

So like you all know already we had a little swip-swap of companions!  I now am with Hermana Hernandez (from Puebla: which is a state in Mexico) and Hermana Panta (who is form Peru).  IT IS A PARTY WITH THE 3 OF US!!!!!!!!  They are the hermanas that were working in our ward as well... so I just took my stuff to their house and there we are!  It is a little crazy because we have to work in both of the areas, but it has really helped us to focus of the people who are really willing to learn and to progress in the gospel!  It was a REALLY great week!!!!  I have learned here on the mission (maybe more than anything else) that the Lord guides our lives and blesses us with the good times and the hard times, and everything in between because He LOVES us more than we can imagine!!

Yesterday was one of the days most powerful that I have had in all of my mission.  So as a missionary we work all week long to try and help the investigators commit to come to church and to progress; it pretty much is our test all week long and then we see our results.  This week we did pretty well on the test.  Haha  First of all we had almost all of our investigators who committed to come to church there!  Then the testimony meeting was amazing!  I HOPE YOU REMEMBER WHO IS JUANITA!!!!  (She is the daughter of the Patlan family and has autism.)  So we went to see them this week and she told us that she wanted to share her testimony like her mom did last month!  So we helped her draw pictures to remember what she was going to say and practice a little bit.  When the testimonies started she stood up with a smile, a little hesitation on her face and walked to the podium.  But you could see as she got closer to the podium the light of Christ that entered into her and all the fear was taken away!  SHE SHARED HER TESTIMONY ALL BY HERSELF AND DID AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The power of the spirit was so thick in the sacrament room that you could not make a noise.  Everyone just sat there with tears in their eyes with awwww in the power of a willing heart!!!!!  I could never forget that moment!!!

Also this week, we put a few baptismal dates with our investigators that are SUPER progressing!!!!!!!!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are the cutest old couple!!!  I think I mentioned them last week, Rosa and Carlos!!!

1… Have you thought any more about having your dad & I come down there to bring you home after your mission or would you be happier coming home to a “true missionary homecoming” at the airport?

Let’s wait till next fall!!!  FOR THE PATLAN FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…2… What do you do to keep warm? Do you have a heater in your apartment?

I sleep with about 10 blankets, 4 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, 2 hoodies, 2 leggins and my hat and gloves!!!!!!! BUT I AM HAPPY! 

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY!!!!!!!  THERE IS SO MUCH THAT I WANT TO TELL YOU!!!!!  BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY LOVING SERVING THE LORD!!!  I HAVE NEVER FELT SO HAPPY IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!  I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT THIS IS THE TRUTH......  I KNOW IT!  STAY STRONG!!  REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!!  AND LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART!!!  HE WILL BLESS YOU!!!

Have an amazing week!!!  2015 woot woot!!!

Hermana Sutton

2 New Companions

Hermana Panta, Hermana Hernandez & Hermana Sutton

Hermana Panta, Hermana Hernandez & Hermana Sutton