Couple points - If you see Dave Lambson any time soon, ask him where in Africa he served; there's been a lot of guys going to South Africa and Ghana from my areas recently and I just wondered where he went. Also, I don't know if you've already taken care of it and just not told me, but I think the easiest thing is for someone at home to do my taxes for me. There's probably should be something in my email about the website I used last year, so that should make it pretty easy - that and there's only one job in one state, how simple! There's so much else I could say, but it would take a lot more than 10 min to type it all out, so I don't really know what else to say. I love getting your emails and letters and everything good. I can't believe it's already time for conference again and then only a month 'til I get to call once more - of course then we're in the long stretch until Christmas and then BAM - I'm home! You could blame these thought on having a companion going home tomorrow morning(!) but I think about it all the time, actually...well, often anyways. I added that song I told you about last time. I can't quite remember everything I've sent, I want to send some of the videos I've taken but it says they're too big. Maybe I'll put them all on a cd...or just make you wait 10 months. Be safe, be good, know I love you and pray for you.
-Sister Cloward
Here's is the song referenced in the March 9th email. To read about it click on the title of this post to be taken there. There's a false start at 30 seconds then the song actually starts at 36 seconds.
Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Email received Mar 15, 2010
I forgot to give you notes on the package. Mostly it's just stuff I can't carry in my suitcase, I'll probably ask you to send the coat back in Sep/Oct, the yellow flip-flops I bought and wore a few times but they're too big so I figured Sarah can have them, and of course the medical receipts. Word is we'll move in the next week or two (Sis Vomocil goes home next Tues. and does not want to spend her last week cleaning and moving so we're going to try and push it till the last week of March) so I guess I'll wait to give you an address till we're actually there.
Sarah - I have a commission for you, I'll be sending sketches and descriptions by snail so you can start working on them.
I have another request. I just did the math and realized my birthday is only in four months (it kinda snuck up on me, I've been focusing on counting my mission) but I'm requesting a gift sooner. You know that undershirt I got from Shade, the nude colored one? I've heard there are cheaper versions of the same style and I'm wondering if someone could get me a couple more, maybe in black, cream, navy, etc. That would be supercalifragelisticexpialidocious! Summer comes early in the desert and I need something light to wear under shirts and tank tops are just too low, it's quite annoying.
Sorry for the boring note, not much else has happened this week, and I have to write some lengthy love notes to my former comps. Have fun on your various adventures and remember - you are never alone!
Much Love
-Sis Cloward
Sarah - I have a commission for you, I'll be sending sketches and descriptions by snail so you can start working on them.
I have another request. I just did the math and realized my birthday is only in four months (it kinda snuck up on me, I've been focusing on counting my mission) but I'm requesting a gift sooner. You know that undershirt I got from Shade, the nude colored one? I've heard there are cheaper versions of the same style and I'm wondering if someone could get me a couple more, maybe in black, cream, navy, etc. That would be supercalifragelisticexpialidocious! Summer comes early in the desert and I need something light to wear under shirts and tank tops are just too low, it's quite annoying.
Sorry for the boring note, not much else has happened this week, and I have to write some lengthy love notes to my former comps. Have fun on your various adventures and remember - you are never alone!
Much Love
-Sis Cloward
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Email received Mar 9, 2010
Sorry for the late email - transfers came, ripped my heart out, and stamped on it. I spent Sat night crying, Sun night packing, and Mon driving back down to Las Vegas. It was a wonderful drive, but I've been in tiny Fallon so long I almost started hyperventilating when we entered Vegas: It's too big, there's too may people, everything's so close together! It feels like I should just be here for a visit and then go back home to Fallon, but I probably won't see it again till next year. By the way, I'm coming back here next Mar/Apr for when the McCourtneys get sealed in the temple, if anyone wants to come with me; I promised I would do all in my power to sing at his baptism (which is why we pushed so hard for Mar 6, it was the last day we could guarantee all three of us would be there) but it's not to be; I willingly go where the Lord wants me now, but this time next year I will be my own woman and no one can hold me back from being in the temple with them. It was also hard because on Sat Sis K got super sick and then Mon morning Sis Shrier woke up really sick, too, so I had to get a ride to the church to catch the van from someone in the ward so I could leave them both home to recover, it's hard to walk away from two people I love so much when they're so sick and I know I can't even call to check on them. We sang again in 6th Ward, another quick-preparation song; we got the music Fri then Sis K got sick so Sat night we rearranged parts and Sis Shrier and I sang with two sisters in the ward (a quad-trio, I ended up on the middle harmony.) It turned out very well, but I started the recording before we got up to sing so there's about 40 sec of silence and then a misstart before we actually begin...I can't figure out how to connect my thing to this comp yet so I'll try to send it next week. (Editor's note: The song track can be found in the post for the March 22nd email. Click on the title of this post to be taken there.)
My new companions are Sis Johnson and Sis Vomocil. Yes, I went from one trio to another, but it's because Sis Vomocil goes home in two weeks. Sis Johnson came out with Sis Chapman and Sis K; and Sis Vomocil is (obviously) the oldest sister in the mission, the next one won't go home till Christmas. I'm in an apartment right now, but I think we're about to move in with a member so I don't know what address to give you; of course the Mission Office is practically just down the road now so you can just use that one till I send a more permanent (really?) one.
Okay, we still have to go shopping before dinner so I'd better go. See you in 11 months!!!
-Sis. Cloward
My new companions are Sis Johnson and Sis Vomocil. Yes, I went from one trio to another, but it's because Sis Vomocil goes home in two weeks. Sis Johnson came out with Sis Chapman and Sis K; and Sis Vomocil is (obviously) the oldest sister in the mission, the next one won't go home till Christmas. I'm in an apartment right now, but I think we're about to move in with a member so I don't know what address to give you; of course the Mission Office is practically just down the road now so you can just use that one till I send a more permanent (really?) one.
Okay, we still have to go shopping before dinner so I'd better go. See you in 11 months!!!
-Sis. Cloward
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Email received Mar 1, 2010
The video finally worked and was much appreciated!
Yes, there is a gym at the MTC; yes, it has a track; no, there are no tvs or radios; mostly you just talk to someone or stare at the wall or enjoy whatever activity you're engaged in. Where is Anna going? (Editor's note: These are answers to questions our friend asked. To see more about her and where she is going go to http://sisterannamichelleschmidt.blogspot.com/)
I just got Amy's letter saying she was in FL and now your email says you just picked her up. My, things happen fast. And what's in China (besides Mom and Dad soon)? When do you leave for ID? I still haven't heard more details about this trip. Amy - in addition to your Moses/Narnia scripture look up 1 Nephi 17:48 and think of the first Harry Potter movie (the power of God is Love) Proof that it's scripturally based, does that mean I can read/ watch them on my mission?
Hell week: this week we had a challenge with the elders; we created a point system for lessons, contacts, baptisms, etc and whoever gets the most points (does the most effective work) gets free lunch tomorrow. Well, we didn't win, but we pretty much tied for second place...well, with a sick-sister-handicap and questioning the accuracy of some of the elders points the last day anyway. But 122 to 125 is pretty close, you must admit. For all intensive purposes.
Hallelujah!!!!!!! Do you remember me telling you about Bro. Mac, the curmudgeony old sailor who's been meeting with missionaries for over six years? He's getting baptized on March 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only problem is transfers are next week, so we're all praying very hard that if we don't stay together we will at least only be transfered to an area up north so we can still come to the baptism.
Ummm...we sang some more in church this week. At New Beginnings we sang A Child's Prayer and did really well the first half, totally bombed the last bit, but all ended together on the right notes, it was awesome! We also sang half-impromptu at Ward Conference yesterday. We'd been told they wanted us to sing (the song we sang in the other stake last week) but hadn't been told it was a guarantee. We usually do splits - drop Sis K off at 6th ward, then Sis S and I go to 5th ward, then go back at the end to pick up Sis K - We did that, then came back after the first meeting so we could sing in the choir; we were late so we missed the first choir number, but did arrive in time to wonder "Are we singing? Yup, here we go!" Sis K was sitting in the stand with the choir and Sis S and I had just snuck into the front side seats, then we all went back to sit with the choir. It went well and I'm out of time, gotta go! (Sorry if the last bit doesn't make sense)
-Sister Cloward
Yes, there is a gym at the MTC; yes, it has a track; no, there are no tvs or radios; mostly you just talk to someone or stare at the wall or enjoy whatever activity you're engaged in. Where is Anna going? (Editor's note: These are answers to questions our friend asked. To see more about her and where she is going go to http://sisterannamichelleschmidt.blogspot.com/)
I just got Amy's letter saying she was in FL and now your email says you just picked her up. My, things happen fast. And what's in China (besides Mom and Dad soon)? When do you leave for ID? I still haven't heard more details about this trip. Amy - in addition to your Moses/Narnia scripture look up 1 Nephi 17:48 and think of the first Harry Potter movie (the power of God is Love) Proof that it's scripturally based, does that mean I can read/ watch them on my mission?
Hell week: this week we had a challenge with the elders; we created a point system for lessons, contacts, baptisms, etc and whoever gets the most points (does the most effective work) gets free lunch tomorrow. Well, we didn't win, but we pretty much tied for second place...well, with a sick-sister-handicap and questioning the accuracy of some of the elders points the last day anyway. But 122 to 125 is pretty close, you must admit. For all intensive purposes.
Hallelujah!!!!!!! Do you remember me telling you about Bro. Mac, the curmudgeony old sailor who's been meeting with missionaries for over six years? He's getting baptized on March 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only problem is transfers are next week, so we're all praying very hard that if we don't stay together we will at least only be transfered to an area up north so we can still come to the baptism.
Ummm...we sang some more in church this week. At New Beginnings we sang A Child's Prayer and did really well the first half, totally bombed the last bit, but all ended together on the right notes, it was awesome! We also sang half-impromptu at Ward Conference yesterday. We'd been told they wanted us to sing (the song we sang in the other stake last week) but hadn't been told it was a guarantee. We usually do splits - drop Sis K off at 6th ward, then Sis S and I go to 5th ward, then go back at the end to pick up Sis K - We did that, then came back after the first meeting so we could sing in the choir; we were late so we missed the first choir number, but did arrive in time to wonder "Are we singing? Yup, here we go!" Sis K was sitting in the stand with the choir and Sis S and I had just snuck into the front side seats, then we all went back to sit with the choir. It went well and I'm out of time, gotta go! (Sorry if the last bit doesn't make sense)
-Sister Cloward
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Email received Feb 22, 2010
Ephesians 6:12 I don't know if I like this verse because I like fantasy stories or if I like fantasy stories because they remind me of this principle, but...I can't begin to tell you - (well I could begin, but I don't know how it would come across in an e-mail, or even face-to-face) - the experiences that have happened the last 2 weeks and last night in particular have changed me and I can never be the same. I know too much of the love of God to deny it to someone else; I know too much of faith in God to fear what man can do. I can barely believe I'm even writing these words, but they're true, they are all true, it's all true. The Lord does unexplainable things through ordinary, explainable means - even three humble, seemingly inadequate missionaires.
In other news I've been sick all week. I got an 'upper-respiratory-tract infection' that knocked me out for three days and grabbed hold of my asthma so I'm left with a lingering cough (you should have seen the collection of cough drops I accumulated at Stake Conference yesterday.) We had been asked to sing in the Sat. night session and had been preparing for two weeks, I prayed on Tuesday that the Lord would move the illness along quickly so I would be able to sing come Sat. and, wouldn't you know it, I was able to contribute my voice without losing a lung on the stand. It did seem a little shaky at some points during the week if I'd actually make it, but the Lord knows what He's doing. We also found out on Mon night that the song we had been rehearsing was one of the songs the choir would be singing the next day so when we got together to rehearse on Fri night we whipped together a lovely arrangement of an arrangement you may know with another arrangement thrown in - have I mentioned Roger Sorensen, the amazingly talented musician-dairy farmer? Well, he's awesome, we couldn't have done it without him; it turned out pretty well, all things considered.
I'll send all my current medical receipts home today; I don't know if the prescriptions for sickyness need to be submitted to Missionary Medical as a secondary insurance, I don't think I gave that information to the pharmacy yet.
I love Sister Shrier.
I think that's about it for now. Yeah...Much love to you all, keep up the good work!
-Sister Cloward
Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
In other news I've been sick all week. I got an 'upper-respiratory-tract infection' that knocked me out for three days and grabbed hold of my asthma so I'm left with a lingering cough (you should have seen the collection of cough drops I accumulated at Stake Conference yesterday.) We had been asked to sing in the Sat. night session and had been preparing for two weeks, I prayed on Tuesday that the Lord would move the illness along quickly so I would be able to sing come Sat. and, wouldn't you know it, I was able to contribute my voice without losing a lung on the stand. It did seem a little shaky at some points during the week if I'd actually make it, but the Lord knows what He's doing. We also found out on Mon night that the song we had been rehearsing was one of the songs the choir would be singing the next day so when we got together to rehearse on Fri night we whipped together a lovely arrangement of an arrangement you may know with another arrangement thrown in - have I mentioned Roger Sorensen, the amazingly talented musician-dairy farmer? Well, he's awesome, we couldn't have done it without him; it turned out pretty well, all things considered.
I'll send all my current medical receipts home today; I don't know if the prescriptions for sickyness need to be submitted to Missionary Medical as a secondary insurance, I don't think I gave that information to the pharmacy yet.
I love Sister Shrier.
I think that's about it for now. Yeah...Much love to you all, keep up the good work!
-Sister Cloward
Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
A Letter to Tasha
We received this letter, I wanna say mid-late February. It's dated the 11th, but I don't think we received it right around then. Tasha sent Katie a letter speaking generally about some struggles she was having, just your average sense of 'right now I feel stuck and I can't seem to make any progress.' In response Katie sent her this letter which came right at a time when a couple others of us started to feel that way, and right before we discovered a big change in our family situation. It brought comfort to all of us and Tasha has graciously agreed to let me post it here. I'm not going to transcribe it though because 1) Katie made it look cute so you'll just have to read the images and see it for yourself, and b) that's a lot of work friends. Anyway, here it is.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Second email received Feb 15, 2010
Did you get my email with all the attachments? It said it sent it so I figured it wasn't too big.
Item #1: I received a Christmas package a few weeks ago that had been sent to the MTC address, just wondering if that has been updated or if they were just using old info.
#2: Can you get an address for Pres. and Sis. Allen? Thanks.
#3: Did you take my scripture study challenge? How's it going? I just finished the Isaiah chapters today, they're GREAT!!!
#4: I've fully converted my companions to the magnificence of the Inst. study manuals, our study table is getting a little crowded though.
#5: On 2/6 I found out that I have eaten dinner three times with the Zeller's cousins. One of the daughters husbands served his mission in Australia and I mentioned I knew someone who had also served there by the last name of Zeller; the other daughter said "Kent Zeller?" I said "Yeah..." "He's my cousin!!!" Turns out the mother (Carolyn Bake) is Gene's cousin so the kids are second cousins, but the daughters met Kent up at BYU-I, so they started texting him that I was sitting at their table that very moment. He concurred with me that Jason would know me better, but it was still pretty cool!!!
#6: LOVED the Valentines!!! At our first Zone Meeting of the transfer we always introduce ourselves with the usual info and then answer some random question; I had just told everyone that I had no valentine, I almost claimed my sisters but little did I know I could also have claimed the house. (Editor's note: We tried to send one everyday from Feb 1 through 14. We did pretty good; occasionally forgot a day and had to double up the next day.)
#7: This week has been exciting again - from leaky water heaters to being tracted by the JWs (I actually had the presence of mind to offer an exchange - fun!) to more absolutely astounding spiritual moments that cannot be adequately expounded in writing (don't worry, I'll journal what I can and share when I get home.) I love my mission, I love my companions, I love the people, and I love all of you!
#8: Did you see that article in the Church News about the sister we met at Bob & Kathy's house (totally just blanked on the name) someone showed it to us and I realized Hey! I've met her!! It was cool.
We're at the family history center (we've got connections) so I had a bit more time to do other stuff on the comp, but I still don't feel like there's enough time for everything. We'll come again next week so I can do some more.
-Sister M'Friend
P.S. I like watching Celestia's videos, I miss all you people. And no we don't have a dvd player, I'd have to take it to the library and use the same amount of time or make everyone else watch it with me at someone else's house, so I'll just watch a few here and there. I would love more videos of all y'all, I couldn't get that youtube one to work, but it may have been the comp I was using so I'll try again.
Item #1: I received a Christmas package a few weeks ago that had been sent to the MTC address, just wondering if that has been updated or if they were just using old info.
#2: Can you get an address for Pres. and Sis. Allen? Thanks.
#3: Did you take my scripture study challenge? How's it going? I just finished the Isaiah chapters today, they're GREAT!!!
#4: I've fully converted my companions to the magnificence of the Inst. study manuals, our study table is getting a little crowded though.
#5: On 2/6 I found out that I have eaten dinner three times with the Zeller's cousins. One of the daughters husbands served his mission in Australia and I mentioned I knew someone who had also served there by the last name of Zeller; the other daughter said "Kent Zeller?" I said "Yeah..." "He's my cousin!!!" Turns out the mother (Carolyn Bake) is Gene's cousin so the kids are second cousins, but the daughters met Kent up at BYU-I, so they started texting him that I was sitting at their table that very moment. He concurred with me that Jason would know me better, but it was still pretty cool!!!
#6: LOVED the Valentines!!! At our first Zone Meeting of the transfer we always introduce ourselves with the usual info and then answer some random question; I had just told everyone that I had no valentine, I almost claimed my sisters but little did I know I could also have claimed the house. (Editor's note: We tried to send one everyday from Feb 1 through 14. We did pretty good; occasionally forgot a day and had to double up the next day.)
#7: This week has been exciting again - from leaky water heaters to being tracted by the JWs (I actually had the presence of mind to offer an exchange - fun!) to more absolutely astounding spiritual moments that cannot be adequately expounded in writing (don't worry, I'll journal what I can and share when I get home.) I love my mission, I love my companions, I love the people, and I love all of you!
#8: Did you see that article in the Church News about the sister we met at Bob & Kathy's house (totally just blanked on the name) someone showed it to us and I realized Hey! I've met her!! It was cool.
We're at the family history center (we've got connections) so I had a bit more time to do other stuff on the comp, but I still don't feel like there's enough time for everything. We'll come again next week so I can do some more.
-Sister M'Friend
P.S. I like watching Celestia's videos, I miss all you people. And no we don't have a dvd player, I'd have to take it to the library and use the same amount of time or make everyone else watch it with me at someone else's house, so I'll just watch a few here and there. I would love more videos of all y'all, I couldn't get that youtube one to work, but it may have been the comp I was using so I'll try again.
First email received Feb 15, 2010
These are from the Christmas program at church. These are the choir numbers that I sang in, the first one we sang three songs right in a row so they are all on the same track. I don't know how the sound quality will be, it is a digital camera afterall, not a fancy voice recorder, and it was sitting by me so I may be slightly featured in most songs.
Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Email received Feb 8, 2010
Okay, I finally got my camera connected to the computer, now here's the excuses: Celestia sent a bunch of videos that I will have to finish watching next time, we had to figure out how to transfer to the new ldsmail (they switched to a google server) so now I don't have time to organize and send all my pictures, but I figure I can at least start with the audios. Okay that didn't work...and I don't have time to figure out size limits. Oh, well, there's always next week. Sorry it's taking me forever to get these to you
Gotta run
- Sister Cloward
Gotta run
- Sister Cloward
Friday, February 5, 2010
Email received Feb 3, 2010
Surprise - I have limited time again today. We're going to the temple right in the middle of the day and that didn't leave much room for email and shopping, but I'll be back again on Mon. Have you noticed I probably spend as much time apologizing for short emails as I do actually writing the email? I just did. Maybe if I stopped wasting time I could actually write more news. Okay, I sent the letter on Monday so you should get it soon. Alls pretty well here; this last week has probably been one of the craziest/weirdest/best weeks yet: case in point, we stole someone's scriptures and wouldn't let him read any church materials for three days. I don't think that's in any missionary idea handbooks, do you?
Thank you so much for the package, the photo album came just in time - on Sun someone chastised me for not having brought any pictures of my family. I spent all day just looking through and exclaiming "It's my family!" And thank you for all the notes from Maureen's funeral, it was wonderful to get the full effect, I only wish I could have heard the male quartet. Hopefully I will finally have time on Mon to stop taunting you and actually send all my pics and recordings.
Gotta go, talk to you in a couple days!
-Momma Cloward II
Thank you so much for the package, the photo album came just in time - on Sun someone chastised me for not having brought any pictures of my family. I spent all day just looking through and exclaiming "It's my family!" And thank you for all the notes from Maureen's funeral, it was wonderful to get the full effect, I only wish I could have heard the male quartet. Hopefully I will finally have time on Mon to stop taunting you and actually send all my pics and recordings.
Gotta go, talk to you in a couple days!
-Momma Cloward II
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