Cain. Sister Cain.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Smoke and Ash

Well this week has been full of windy, smokey ash. The fires are well on fire. Some of the missionaries have been emergency transferred out of Lake Arrowhead. We havent really been affected by it, other than the smoke and ash. The wind doesnt help. But we have to keep working. Everyone thinks we are nuts to be out in the wind. We think its nice. It spices things up a bit when your skirt flies up as you are talking about Joseph Smith. One lady came out, wrapped her arms around us and said "Oh Lord Jesus, bless these young ladies Lord Jesus" It was awesome. So many great stories like that. People in Cali are classic.The work is going good. All of our investigators are staying strong and I love them. I cant believe this transfer only has 2 more weeks left. Crazy.I hope all is well back in Salt Lake. I heard it snowed, I am jealous. Pray for rain here, we need it bad.I love you all, and I know this church is true!Love sister Cain.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

1 month.

I have been out over a month. Weird. Well the work in Rialto is definatley moving forward. We had 7 investigators in church this last week. One that I really love her name is Kathleen. Sister Rathgeber met her about 2 weeks before I got her. Teaching the lessons to her is incredible. We teach her something and then she starts to testify about it. She already has such a strong spirit. I love it. Her and her daughter dominique are getting baptized on Nov 10th. Hopefully me and rath will still be here. I cant believe this transfer is almost half over. Time flies. I hope everyone is doing well at home. I miss you all and I love you even more. WRITE ME! please. :) and be sure to check the blog... Em should put pictures up soon. If I have forgotten anyones birthdays or anything I am sorry, and happy birthday. Keep up the book of mormon reading. Should be about half way through Mosiah... I think.

love sister Cain.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Greetings

Well I made it one week. It went by really slow at first but now it goes by really fast. I am getting to know my companion better, and we are having lots of fun. She is from New York, so if you can imagine she is loud, direct and blunt a lot of the time, but thats why I love her. She is an amazing teacher so I hope to learn a lot from her. She has been in Rialto for 4 months, so she thinks we will only be together for one transfer. That kind of bums me out, but I am trusting the Lord.

So Rialto...pretty much the most getto city of my mission. Our ward is way diverse and sooo loving. The members are amazing. I am getting to know them better and just love them more and more. Plus the investigators that we are working with right now... even more amazing. I love them. There is this couple Dave and Julee, and they have a son Donovan. Dave is black and Julee is white. They tell us the funniest stories about dirty looks black women give them for being a bi-racial couple. Hilarious. But they have really strong faith. Dave is on dialysis, and is having a hard time believing in prayer, plus he works nights at stater bros. He is manager and is really stressed, and doesnt like his co-workers. We told him the best way to love them is pray for them, and serve them. He didnt like that idea, but after promising him many times and telling him to use his faith that it would work. And he committed! woo.They are both working towards baptism. He has to wait awhile because of dialosis, but I just love them so much.Ok, well my time is running out. I love everyone and I hope all is well. I havent gotten any letters from anyone... I thought I had better friends than that. Bummer.
Well church is true, and I love it.

Pray for me and my investigators.

Love
Sister Cain.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

#1 Area, Rialto

Home sweet home..in Rialto, California.

A nasty shower outside of the apartment.

Comp study..with Sister Rathgeber.

and prayer

Non interested, eternal investigator. Good to visit every now and again.

Laundry..outside and around the corner.

Community service as a district which exists of going through donated clothing and trying it on to see if it is still in good condition. Makes for some good pictures. Below with the district, too many Elders to name.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Hello all.

Well I made it safely here to San Bernardino. The flight went by really fast, and when we landed our President and his wife were waiting for us. They are really nice, and I think I am going to like them a lot.We sat through some orientation meetings, ate some lunch, took pictures (ill figure out a way to send them to you) and then we met our companions/trainers.

My comps name is Sister Rathgreber...thats wrath-gray-bur... She is from New York. She doesnt really understand the concept of personal privacy and property. She doesnt really give herself any bounderies. Her name is Alli too. She is overly confident with herself, and is constantly talking about how good she is, or how Elders always end up liking her and she has to set them straight. I think some of it is just all in her head, but for her sake I will just let it stay there. She does connect with people really well, and has a gift to be able to teach, I really admire that, and hope I learn alot from her. She is loud and talks a lot. Which is good, but bad too because it kind of overpowers me and then I end up not saying too much.

Our first day (yesterday) we came back to the apartment, kinda ghetto, but not too bad. Then we had an appointment to go teach this family...4 sisters and a brother. The youngest sister is 11 and her name is Madeline, then a sister in 10th grade her name is Talia. THey were the only two there yesterday. I havent met the older sisters and Brother. Then after that we went to dinner at a members home. The Bravo family. They are from Ecuador, so they made some kind of Mexican dish. We have dinner appointments pretty much every night. My comp said she has gained about 25 pounds. She just keeps saying that now that she has a skinny companion I have to help her be skinny too...doesnt really make sense to me but oh well. After dinner we tried to go to less active peoples homes, but no one was home. So, we went and met the ward mission leader. Brother van.. something. Their house was... well disgusting. Junk and trash and stink everywhere. They seem like a nice family though. I almost want to teach them about how "cleanliness is next to godliness" ...but I guess its not my place. Thank goodness I had parents who taught me that. I may have to teach my companion a little about how to clean a shower. :)

Today is P-day (wednesday), this morning was study time and what not...and for the first time since I left I sort of broke down. I was reading preach my gospel to my comp, and I just started crying. I wasnt really sure why, but the tears started flowing. I think it is just a little overwhelming, and I dont want to let anyone (including the Lord) down. But my comp and I talked and I feel better. One day at a time, I guess. I am really starting to rely on the Lord to help me and give me strength.

My comp wants to go play volleyball with the Elders today for like 4 hours. Not exactly what I had in mind, but maybe Ill play for a bit then write some letters. So I think email is for pretty much anyone, so you can do either one. I like letters, but emails are great too. When you send packages send them priority mail... not fed ex or ups, they will only deliver those at zone conference.Well I am excited to be here, and I am praying harder than I have ever prayed before. I need your prayers too! I need all the help I can get out here. I love you all so much. I miss you, keep the letters coming.

Our president challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in 6 weeks (one transfer) so thats 12 pages a day. We are to highlight any promised blessings that the Lord gives Lehi and his descendents. So feel free to read along with us. :)talk to you later!

LOVE
Sister Aly Cain.

P.S. when you do write letters be sure to address them to 'sister aly cain' so that they know exactly who it goes to. thanks.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Welcome to the Mission

Sister Cain with President & Sister Sanchez

Sister Cain with Companion #2 and Trainer Sister Rathgeber

Sister Cain being green.

The Greenie...

Friday, September 28, 2007

Hello hello hello!

Hello hello hello!

I finally get to set up my e-mail! woo. Hey Em will you forward this to family and friends? Ill mail you that list of email contacts today. Thanks.Well today is P-day, hence the email time. We just got back from the temple for the last time here at the MTC and it was great. On our way up there, there was this older guy with a bunch of female names and he asked us to do the endowment. He gave us an envelope too, so I just mailed them back off to him.I cant believe I leave here in 3 days. As sad or scary as it might be, I am way more excited and anxious to leave. And needless to say, I am ready for a new companion. Dont get me wrong, she is great. Its just time...anywhooo.

I fly out on Tuesday with a district I have only met once. 7 Elders, and me, the only sister. I guess I would have been in their district but since I am the only sister I got put in a district where no one is in my mission. Oh well, I am still excited.As a class we have been practicing giving lesson two and incorporating commandments into the lesson, such as word of wisdom or law of chastity. It has been good. Its hard to believe how much I have learned in such a short time. I never realized how much I didnt know.:)

I love it here, but that doesnt mean I dont think about home. Now that Im gone it seems like you all go to lunch, play games, and sleepover way more than normal. But I think it is just because Im hearing it through letters.

I have been going to the gym everyday now that my ankle is better. Its kinda lame though because gym times is right after a meal. So either you skip that meal, dont work out, or make yourself sick by excercising with a full stomache. I usually eat light and then bike or jog. My comp gets winded just going up the stairs, and always asks if we can nap during gym time. Its frustrating, but I stand my ground, in a kind way of course.

I didnt get a letter from Dad this week... Im a little concerned. Hope all is well. I did get the package that Mom sent and it was amazing. I wore the black blouse yesterday, and it works great. Everything in there was great. Thanks Mom. The only one of my friends that has written is Sarah of course. So a special thanks to all of my good friends.I got some pictures developed, and put on CD today so I will send those off today. Emily will put them on the blog... right? ok thanks.

This is getting long...but I just have a few "shout outs"Cicely- Sometimes when I get sad, and I feel like I am about to cry I think of movie lines and quotes of ours and it chases the almost tears away. But then today my biggest fear was realized... when I get home you will all know new movie lines and I wont!! That will be just awful. So heres the deal... whenever a good one comes in play you MUST write me and keep me in the game. Ok? thanks. Are you confused about that? do you think weve landed in the future?

Libby and Brad-Happy Anniversary to you! Congrats for making it this far. I love you and your letters so keep them coming please.Ok the rest of you I will have to write later, because we are timed on these computers. Just like everything else here in the MTC. woo!I love you all so so so much.I miss you, but I love being here too.As soon as you get this write me back.. Ill be back on today.

Love Sister Cain