Transfer 10 11/2/2015

Dear Family,

Transfer calls are in and President Egbert said he likes the way Sister Walsh and I are working together so we are staying. I'm really happy about it. I've been having a great time with Sister Walsh and we are really figuring things out together. Other surprising news is that they are taking sisters out of Wanica and putting them in our branch. So Sister Jensen and Ashcraft are also coming to Tamenga. I'm really sad that they are taking them out of Wanica. They say it's dangerous but I honestly don't think so. Wanica is going to be sooo sad! I forgot to tell you of our new rule for sisters that started like 3 weeks ago. We are not allowed to be out past 7 unless we are with a member. At first I was mad but then it started being ok because it forces us to get members to our lessons and the members know they have to help us. It's fun! A member Sister Geffrie who is from wanica came with us last monday and it was really fun. And we've had other member lessons at night that go really well. The members are great here in Tamenga. However I have to say that we don't have a lot of members in our area and the ones we have aren't so interested in coming over. We've done a lot of trying but nothing  yet. It's frustrating.

This Sunday Shanice and another less active Lucille came to church again. I was really happy to see them. 

I'll try and explain Chayen's situation more. Basically there has been this old man that has started hanging out there at Matilda's. He has money and he's a smart man that was a priest (ggggreeeaat). He's been nice and quiet for a loooonng time. And then literally out of nowhere one day he just explodes. Saying he is the man of the house, we are a cult, we can't come back, blah blah blah. It was terrible. I wasn't scared of him--what scared me was the terrible feeling I had. We obviously left right away. I talked to Pres Egbert about it. We called Chayen and Tatiana on the phone. They still want to meet with us. So we went over this week with President Ibrahim and he talked to the old man. We agreed we wouldn't go back there. However they still want to meet with us so we had it set up to meet at the church and stuff. Well it just makes things super comlicated when you can't go to their house and talk and then you try to meet up and they aren't answering their phones. They all said to us the the man is crazy but the situation is complicated. I don't even know everything. Maybe he has money over them, I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen yet but they still haven't been coming to church like they promised. It's just a whole situation. 

Savita texted us yesterday saying she doesn't want to read the book or meet with us anymore. So that's that. Sad but honestly I'm starting to become a little numb to rejection. I try my best but if they choose it's their choice. People's agency sucks! 

We had a really cool lesson with Stephanie this week. She understands everything about the restoration so far. I think we need to work on getting a testimony really sunk in her heart. Her boyfriend doesn't seem too interested but maybe we could push a little harder. She was visiting her mom this weekend and didn't come to church.

Beppi our older lady is also doing really good. She moves really slow and has a lot of questions. I know as soon as she comes to church she'll love it. She's building up to it but I know she will come eventually.

Renate is still not coming to church but we are having good lessons with her. I still can't quite figure out what it is.

We had a cool experience with a new investigator named Roberto last night. He grew up Roman Catholic but he said that he has seen some bad things happen in church so now he prays at home and doesn't go to church. He then asks, "Is that a sin?" I basically just tell him very boldly yes and then bear my testimony. I know the spirit was hitting him because he was just speechless and staring. At the end he says, "What is the church address and when does it start??" I love that power as a missionary, to testify boldly. It's so powerful. 

We have some other cool people but I'll let you know about them later. We are doing good though! Even with so many disappointments everyday I can still say that I never go to bed sad. I always am happy to start the next day. 

Thanks for the emails. I love you all and love hearing updates. Send me pictures! 

Love,

Elizabeth

I know you all want to see my chaco tan line...

The Gospel is True! 10/27/2015

Dear Family,

As a missionary you are always checking up on your testimony I feel. Like do I REALLY know this is true? I think that's part of the reason your testimony grows so much is because you are constantly working on it to make it stronger and stronger. Not even for your investigators but for yourself. I had many manifestations this past week that this truly is a church led by the Savior. The more that I have come in contact with other faiths the more and more obvious it seems. As Uchtdorf says, the gospel is just simple. It makes sense! And the best part is, is that you don't gain your knowledge from being convinced or going to school--it comes simply from God, a manifestation through the Holy Ghost. When I come in contact with "scholars" in religion that are ready to prove me wrong or intimidate me, I can't help but laugh inside and smile on the outside. They just don't get it. Maybe I'm not old in my age and maybe I don't have degrees in religion and have read the bible 15 times, BUT I do know that between me and them, I'm on the right path. I have a relationship with God and I am on my way to the Celestial Kingdom. It's a wonderful blessing to have the gospel and understand how blessed I am. 

Sister Walsh and I had a crazy but great week as always. We really worked on contacting this week. We found a lot of great potentials. I'm starting to come to the realization that even though I'm looking for the elect, we still have to talk to everyone. That's the only way you will find the elect. Sounds simple--I know haha. We had a lot of first lessons. 

Wednesday I had Sister Ashcraft on exchange with me in my area. It was good to have her here. She is a really sweet girl, and she is really starting to bloom into a missionary. Friday I also went on exchange with Sister Christiansen. It was soooo fun to be with her! It was like a vacation working with her. I didn't want it to end. Crazy I had to come to Suriname to find such an amazing friend. Sister C's area is really different from Wanica and Balona. Her area has a ton of Brazilians and Venezelan's. So add Portuguese and spanish to the many languages you have to learn! 

Let's see. I can't remember much about this week but first I'll start with Chayen (that's really how you spell it). It's kind of a complicated situation and I don't even know how to all explain it but there is this older man that has been coming by their house. Anyway it's a long story but he turned stuff into a big situation. Sorry I know I'm being so vague. Hopefully we can get everything back on track because this week we had a great lesson with Matilda and her other daughter Tatiana. They didn't come to church again though.

Savita was sick this week and then watching her grandkids so hopefully we will see her this week. We have an investigator named Stephanie who is really cool. She is 18 and living with her Hindu boyfriend and his family. She is so excited about the gospel and understands everything. 

We met a lot of cool people this past week and have lots of other appointments with new investigators this week so hopefully I'll have good news for next week. 

It transfer call time this week. I don't know what's going to happen. I think everything will stay the same but on the other hand, Sister Walsh has been in the same branch for 9 months so I think they might switch her. I don't know! Pres Egbert is always unpredictable. 

I'm so grateful for all of you! I have the most amazing family in the world! Love you all! For one of my pictures I must explain that douche in Dutch is shower. I think it's funny. Love you!

Love,

Zuster Wood

Congrats and Birthday Wishes 10/20/2015

Dear Family,

WOW! I loved seeing the wedding pictures. Everyone looks great and that wedding looked fabulous. Of course I would have LOVED to be there but I have to say I'm not really sad. It's a weird feeling! I'm so happy that you're married Jacob, that's so cool! That's right everyone--The next Wood wedding is mine so prepare yourselves. Find me a cool man people! No boys from the Philippine's dad.

Happy Birthday Mom and Edmund! You'll have to send me pictures from those celebrations too! Man, it's just crazy how long I have been gone. It just all feels like a dream. I love my mission soooo much. It's just been a once in a lifetime experience that I would never trade. I really needed this time to focus on what's important.

So my week. It was great! I was very happy all week (still am). Had a couple flat tires this week which is never fun- haha. Especially because the spare bike we have is Sister Johnson's old bike. It is almost ready to fall apart. It's TERRIBLE!  The seat rides right on up there and it's stuck in this really low gear and is so loud. It's does the trick, but I might not be able to have babies though- jk. Wednesday we had zone meeting with President Egbert. It was a really great zone meeting. I taught with the zone leaders. I have to throw it in there that President Egbert said it was the best zone meeting he had been to ;). My interview with him was really good. We didn't talk about much but i asked for a blessing and that was a cool experience. He told me God is proud of me and to keep working hard and I'll see success. I'm just gonna enjoy these last 6 months because I know they are going to fly.

This week we went to see a less active. Her sister is married to a JW preacher. Of course we show up the same time as they do. He comes right up to us and starts talking. He's a nice guy and the convo starts out ok then he get's into calling God Jehovah. At this point I'm letting Sister Walsh do this on her own cause I want to stay out of it. But then it's escalating so I step in. Sister Walsh was getting vexed haha. I went in and settled it and then changed the subject. It was pretty funny though. That's just one religion I don't get. 

We found a cool lady this week. Her name is Savita. She is older maybe 50's or 60's. She is originally from Guyana but has lived here since she was 16. She used to be Hindu but now she's christian. Doesn't go to church though. You can tell she is really spiritual. She has a close relationship with God. We just had an awesome first lesson with her. The spirit was strong and she definitely felt it. She is excited to read the BOM. I have a good feeling about her.

Chayen is doing well. That family just has so many problems and things going on. It's hard to help get things in order and to have them focused. I know I can't expect too much out of them. I just hope they keep strong. They didn't come to church again.

We had one of our less active's come to church this week though. Her name is Shanice. She is 20 and super cool. I think she just lost her testimony a bit and probably broke some commandments but we've been working with her. She came to church and it was great! 

I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful family! I love you all soo much and thanks for all the support and letters. The gospel is definitely true--no doubt. It just can't not be! 

I attached a picture of our house. Yes I live in a mansion (just the bottom floor). 

Liefs,

Zuster Elizabeth Wood

Wedding Fever for Everyone But Me 10/13/2015

Dear Family,

First HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! Sorry that you are sick and you celebrated in 3 countries. The 3 country part is cool though. I don't know how you say happy birthday in japanese otherwise I would say it. Second I'm really sad to miss the wedding but don't worry I'm doing ok. I think it will be more sad when I see the pictures. Right now I'm still pretending that it's not happening.

What a week! It was a busy and great week. Where to begin! We got to see a lot of people this week including some new investigators. Sad no one came to church this week but it's ok. We aren't giving up. 

Renade is doing pretty good. Still not coming to church but we had a good lesson where we talked about prayer. I a feeling she wasn't sinerely praying and she admitted she wasn't. I know if she just prayed with an open heart that she would get her answer. I also know church would help. Still working on it. 

Sheyenne is doing good! She's great but for some reason she didn't come to church. We went early and her mom said she was showering. We called right before and her mom said she was on her way. Still no one came. Don't know what happened yet...

We have a new investigator Stephanie. She is really cute. She is Christian but is dating and living with a hindu guy and his hindu family. It makes for an interesting lesson when all the hindu's sit in the lesson haha. I love hindu's they are so nice. I got sooo many mango's from them this week. However it's hard to get a word in our lesson when they are there. It's pretty funny and frustrating. 

Wanica was a really fun time with Sister Jensen. She's awesome! We got to do service for Lorna which I love! I miss her and helping her in her garden. We got to see some other great members. It was a great day. Sister Jensen is doing awesome. I've seen her grow a lot which is fun to see. 

President Egbert comes tomorrow. I'm going to the other zone in Wanica to help teach zone meeting since now we have two STL's in the North Zone. It'll be a nice long bike ride. 

Sorry I haven't taken any good pictures lately but I'll take some this week. I can't wait to see all your pictures next week. Everyone, send me all the pictures you take!

I hit my year mark last week. It was really weird to think it's been a year! So much has happened! It's caused me to do some soul searching. What I love about being a missionary is the change you see in yourself. Sometimes it's hard to see because it is so gradual but I know it's there. I'm very grateful for every experience I've ever had. Good or bad! Love you all!

Love,

Elizabeth

Missionary Vacation 10/6/2015

Dear Family,

As I said General Conference is the closest thing we get to vacation. But I will be clear it is better than any holiday ON the mission. Holidays at home are awesome! Haha. But anyway I did love conference. Amazing as usual. I loved Uchtdorf's talk, Lawrence talk about progressing, Holland's talk (WOW), and Nelson. They were all just beautiful talks. But I learned from all of them. I can't wait for the magazine to come out so I can read them all over and over and over again. 

We had a good week this week. We got to see some of the great members in our area this week and build some connections. We don't have a whole load of members in our area but we've been really trying to work with them. Haven't gotten any referrals but that come with trust. 

One investigator that is great is Renade. She hasn't been to church yet but she is so nice. She is a single mom with three kids. She is super nice and is reading. She is willing to take the challenge to find out if it's true so I'm praying that she will receive the answer she needs.

Sheyenne and Matilda are doing good. Sheyenne is great. She came all day on Saturday to conference and really liked it. She had a family thing on Sunday though and couldn't come. We didn't sit with Matilda this week. I know she has a lot to change and I'm willing to work with her. She is so nice, she just needs help. We pushed Sheyenne's baptismal date to the 24th. We want to get her mom more on caught up and going. I also want to talk to Pres. Egbert about her in my interview next week.

This week I'm going on exchanges to Wanica this week with Sister Jensen. Should be a great time. I like going on exchanges. It's been nice having Sis. C in the North Zone. I get to see her way more which is always fun. 

We made some good new contacts this week which we will follow up on. Everything really is going good. Sometimes I feel like it's groundhog day though. It's the same day over and over but it's also a new story every day. I just love changing. But changing requires trials which is the not fun part. I'm happy to hear everyone is doing well! Love you all. 

Love,

Elizabeth

Ups and Downs 9/29/2015

Dear Family,

FIRST: Happy Birthday Jana and Kaeli! Hope both of your days were awesome! Love you both!

It just feels like it was one of those weeks. Every appointment fell through, the sun is blazing hot, and people are frustrating. I feel like I haven't been having too much to write about. City life is not as exciting as the jungle life in Wanica.

I said good bye to Sister Jorgensen on Wednesday and sent her with Sister Christiansen. They have been doing really well. They are starting their area from scratch basically. So now it is just me and Sister Walsh. It's nice being a pair again. Three is sometimes a crowd but I miss Sister Jorgensen. 

Sheyenne is still doing really well. We've been teaching her and getting her prepared for baptism. We had another really good lesson with Matilda. HOWEVER she is very frusturating at the same time. We arrainged a ride for them on Sunday. We even stopped by early Sunday morning to check up on them and they said they were coming. We go to church and the member that went to pick them up comes in. She said she went and the whole house was closed up. HUH?? We stopped by later and I guess they went school shopping (haven't taught Sabbath day yet...). I was so mad, still am. But c'mon people! 

We had a great lesson with Nelly this week. I guess she loved church. She said she came home after church and felt so peaceful. She laid down and she felt it in her heart that this was it. She is so sad that she is leaving tomorrow. She came to church again. So sad. Maybe God blessed us with her to give us the faith to find more people like her. 

I was feeling a little down on Sunday after a long hard week. I showed up to the church to watch the Women's Session. I get there and everyone from Wanica is sitting outside. They were all so excited to see me. Everyone is giving me the biggest hugs and telling me how much they miss me and how they want me to come back. I was so touched and I needed it. I love them so much. And then wow the session was amazing!! Blew my mind. General Conference is better than any holiday ever. 

Sometimes as a missionary I feel like, "I don't deserve this! I'm giving my heart to everything!" Then I think of Jesus Christ and how he truly never did anything! Yet he had to go through everything. Makes my problems seem small. 

Love you all sooooo much. Thanks for the prayers and love. 

Love,

Elizabeth