Keep On Keeping On! 1/26/15

Dear Family,

This week was great! Lot's of good experiences. I know I'm in Suriname for a reason. It gets better here day by day. 

So last Monday we went to the Parimarbo for P-day. It's a pretty big city! Lots more shopping than St. Vincent. It feels like China sometimes. There are a lot of stores owned by Asians with just fake everything. But everything here is cheap which is nice. Suriname itself is a pretty cool country. I wanna go inland to the jungle sometime. I held a little monkey this week. I'll have to get a picture tonight and send it. 

I went to Tamengha this week on exchanges with Zuster King. We had a great time! She's an awesome missionary. I love Sister Christiansen too! It's a lot of fun being all together. I've felt very overwhelmed with all the work that needs to be done in our area, but I've been working on not getting overwhelmed and focusing on just one thing. Goal this week is to build relationships with members. I set appointments with members all throughout the week to go visit. I need to start building a foundation for future sisters that will come to Suriname. 

Teaching has gone well this past week! We have a baptism with Faizel this Saturday! I hope it all goes accordingly but he's really excited to get baptized! Pray that it all works out! We have a lot of teaching to do but he'll get there! 

I love riding my bike! It's a lot of fun and good exercise. I will not be coming home fat, if anything I'll be skinnier! Haha- hopefully. 

Dad, the Elder's here wear closed toed shoes. Who knows if Phillippines is different. I got my package! Haha, there were no chocolates inside. They must have stolen them at Customs. Sister King has this sketchy/awesome way to get packages here super cheap and in like a week. They go to Florida then skip over Customs. Probably a drug trade service but whatever. I'll get the info to you soon. Also write Cory Cooper for me and tell him thank you so much for a Christmas package he sent me. I got it in Trinidad. I also got Christmas cards from family and friends so thank you!

I'm learning more and more Dutch everyday. I'm trying to build up my vocab. I can see it's slooooowly coming. 

Thanks for all the prayers! Love you all!

In one of my pics an investigator gave us garbage bags to bike home in.

Love,

Elizabeth

Ik ben Zuster Wood 1/19/2015

Dear Family,

Well it's been a roller coaster week. Some good days and not so good days. Heavenly Father gives me some good days once in a while to keep me going. Thanks for all the nice emails! I really appreciate them all!

Well, to start off, biking is pretty fun! I'll send a pic of my bike. They sell bikes from the Netherlands here so it's pretty cool. We are in the short rainy season now so yeah...it rains a lot. There's not much drainage so it just puddles. It really is very civilized here. More than St. Vincent. A lot more people have cars and there's a lot more shopping. Not really grocery stores but there are these Chinesa Winkels everywhere that you get groceries at. There are nice paved roads but there are also a lot of sand roads. 

I'm super impressed with the church here! It runs great from what I can see. There's lot's of priesthood holders. So there is one district in Suriname. There are 5 branches and 2 or 3 groups. They even have a church building here. We helped with the district YW New Beginnings. It was awesome. Everything feels right when it comes to church. The members are all super nice. Very kind! 

So we have a very small teaching pool at the moment. But we have some Young Men that seem really cool. One named Faizel. I think he's 15. Always comes to church. I've met him, but since I have been here we haven't had a lesson. Another is named Ernesto. He's our ward mission leader's nephew. He's really cool. He didn't come to church on Sunday though. We met a man named Mohan. He's Guyanese which is awesome cause he speaks English (YES!). He's a really funny man though. Maybe a little crazy, I don't know yet. But he loves what we teach him--does he really get it? Not sure. That's about it. We have such a big area that is untouched. It gets me really excited. I wish I could talk to people more but that will come.

Sister Johnson and I are doing good. We both like One Direction so that's a plus. We had some good experiences this week catching lizards and frogs in our apartment. We have a pretty nice apartment. Nothing compared to St. Vincent but it's ok. 

Dutch, Dutch, Dutch.  I know how to say some things and I learn more everyday. I'm hoping that over time it'll just get better and better. It's coming. At least I already know more than I did a week ago. I read the BOM out loud everyday to work on pronunciation. I'm getting faster. I've memorized half of My Purpose in Dutch. In lessons most of the time I speak English and have Sister Johnson translate if she can. In my zone we have a Netherlands Elder that is giving me dutch lessons twice a week starting this week so that'll be very helpful. I got all the learning materials. 

Last week I meant to say that I was Sister #4. We have two complete companionships of sisters. Sister King and Christensen are awesome! Great girls. We are going on exchanges this week. We really are pioneers in Suriname. Sister King goes home in August and Sister Johnson in September. It's hard to believe at some point I'll probably be training someone in Dutch myself. There is a Dutch sister in St.Lucia right now. Apparently they lost all her visa papers so she may not get here for a while. When they get another sister here they are opening an area in the city with a temp. 

Thanks for the fasting and prayers. I feel them! On Tuesday I felt a lot better and I thought someone must be praying for me. 

I can't believe Leona! Wow, she's so cute and I can't believe that Sam is a dad sometimes- haha! Not in a bad way just it's crazy to see your brother as a father. I love it! I'm excited to hear how your language study comes along Mom and Dad! 

By the way, my package got forwarded to me in Suriname. My new address is PO BOX 2932, Paramaribo, Suriname, South America.

Love you lots lots lots!

Elizabeth

Call Me Zuster... 1/12/2015

Dear Family,

Here's the big news...I'm IN SURINAME. Here's the wild story--Last Tuesday we were out with our Sister Training Leader going to an appointment around 3. I get a call from my district leader saying the AP's have been trying to get a hold of me. I say okkkkkkkkk. So I call them and they say, "Sister Wood! We are in Suriname right now and it's great here. How fast can you pack your bags cause you're leaving tomorrow." I was in shock. Being transferred is one thing but I wasn't expecting an emergency transfer. After I hung up I started crying/laughing cause I was in shock and really just didn't want to go. I told myself I was staying english side. Sister Sommer was super sad. Lo and behold, the rest of our day went differently. We went around saying goodbye to some investigators and members. It was really sad to say goodbye to Boom Boom. Everyone was like family up there. Not to toot my own horn, but I will be very missed haha. Ryno, Nick and Marley were so sad. I know Sister Sommer will take good care of them. Nick called me the next morning to hear my voice one last time. I honestly didn't get to say bye to many people, it just happened all so fast!! I got packed that night and then left to Trinidad the next morning. I was in Trinidad for almost two days but just one night. My companion was Sister Tilby. We had a really fun time together. It was cool to see more of Trinidad. It's pretty cool. SOOO different from the small islands. It felt like America. They have everything--highways, malls etc. I tried some doubles while I was there and pig feet. My bag got lost on the way to Trinidad but it showed up by the time I left Thursday night for Suriname...phew. 

So I arrived in Suriname on Thursday night. My companion is Sister Johnson. She's from Utah but she's lived all over Utah. She's 20 and has been out for almost 10 months. I am officially Sister #3 in Suriname. Suriname is a very different country. It's built upon a swamp--kinda looks like the outer banks in the sense you have those weeds everywhere kinda thing. It's very civilized here...probably more than St.Vincent. Lots of cars and stores. It's quite the melting pot here. You feel like you are in India, China, and South America. It's soooo weird. Of races you have Asian, Indian, Black and White. Everyone just gets along with everyone. We ride bikes here which is pretty cool. I got a pretty sweet bike. 

Did I mention they speak Dutch here?! A langauge I am not familiar with? Well it's true. It's very intimidating. There are all these things I want to help and do but I have no idea how! Most people understand English so I'll just talk to people anyway but I am very overwhelmed. I need some pretty encouraging letters this week. I want to go back to English side! I was just getting the hang of it. President Mehr called the other day and welcomed me to Suriname and told me I could do it. I was just like yeeeeeeahhhhhhhh. 

Sister Johnson has had a temp with her for the past two transfers. The reason I had to come early is becuase her temp had to go to school and they couldn't find another one. Let's just say our days are very open and it's a lot of contacting. I can help out by acting really nice and not knowing any dutch so that's good. Boys hit on you allllll the time. I thought it was bad in St.Vincent but it's worse here. 

Yesterday church was pretty fun. It was testimony meeting and they asked me to come up and introduce myself. In Dutch I said, "Hello! I'm Sister Wood! I speak little little little little little dutch." And then I bore my testimony in Dutch thanks to a piece of paper I had. Then later that night we went contacting with a member. He was awesome! His name is Lucien and he talks to everyone. We got 12 contacts with him. 

Since I got here at the end of the transfer my comp had basically run out of money and there was just gross food in the kitchen.  I exchanged some money and got some apples. We don't have any money to do anything today though. We will go to the city next Monday I guess. I'm serving in Wanica. The Elders I have met so far seem nice. I don't know I'm just kinda of depressed honestly. This will take some getting used to. 

Well enough about me! WOW, YOU'RE GOING TO THE PHILLIPINES!!!? That's wild! I was not expecting it! That will be such a cool experience! I will be living a more civilized life than you! I can't wait to hear everything. When do you leave? How long are you in the MTC? Being a missionary is quite the experience. I'm excited to see what it's like for you. What type of missionary are you? 

I didn't get my package mom but they'll forward it onto me I'm sure. 

I don't have much else to say. Love you all like crazy!

Love,

Zuster Elizabeth Wood

Best Moments Thus Far... 1/5/15

 Dear Family,

Happy New Year! We had quite the week! Filled with ups and downs! New Years wasn't too exciting...we set the alarm for 11:55 and then went and watched the fireworks for like 5 seconds. I was like man, I've seen enough fireworks, I know what they look like. Then we went back to bed! People in St. Vincent stay up like all night cooking. They call it Old Days.

Ok, I have to share my funny story and why it's one of the best things that has happened so far. We were walking on a street in the dark and all of a sudden I step in wet dog poo and i'm wearing sandals. So then I take my sandal off and I hold it out the window so sister sommer can drive us home and it won't stink up the car. We are already laughing like crazy at this point. Then this little girl we know runs up to the window and into my shoe! Her face goes from happiness to terror!!! She starts screaming DOO DOO!! And then says YOU NASTY! We are dying laughing at this point. Then she starts rubbing the poop on my arm that's out the window! And I can't move my arm because it's got my poopy shoe! Obviously this is a you had to be there story but I hope it's funny to you too.

In my next letter I will be letting you know if I have been transferred! I honestly have no clue. I don't ever hear anything about Suriname and I don't really ask. So we will see. Our Sister Trainer Leader is coming in from Grenada this week for a couple days to do training. 

I don't have much to update on investigators. Zico is doing ok! We always have great lessons but I feel like church is a struggle for him. I don't know how much he enjoys it. We will follow up today with him. Then Marley is hard! He really wants to change and everything and we will have these amazing lessons but then we will see him a next day and he's back to his old ways. I'm trying to keep the faith with him. Sasha is awesome and we have basically taught her everything but we are STILL waiting for that weekend. Ryno is so funny. He doesn't drink and smoke so that's really nice. He's a good boy. 

Church was great! We had five investigators at church. Dougald, Nick, Zico, Marley and Ryno. I'm sending a pic of everyone minus Zico. And then one pic with Ryno. My skirt is flying up but don't worry my skirt had a slip. It actually was a really good sunday and great testimony meeting. I played piano on sunday. 

Today we went to the salt ponds. It was so cool. I sometimes can't believe this is my mission. It's unreal! I sent some pictures of that too. 

One thing I love about missions is study time! The scriptures are the best! I'm almost done the Book of Mormon. My favourite chapter this week was 3rd Nephi 22.

Wow, what a mission saga mom and dad. I'm sorry that things have been so complicated! But I'm so excited to hear about everything. Welcome home Richard! 

I write at the library and we have exactly one hour on the computers. It feels like a marathon when I write! No package yet!

Here's some songs popular here for you to check out: Phenomenal by Benjai and Love Her by KanKan.

I really wish I could write better emails to everyone personally so I apologize!

Love always,

Elizabeth

Happy New Year To You Too! 12/29/14

Dear family!

It was so great to talk to you all! Went by way too fast. Afterwards I was like did I even say anything??

Anyway I feel like I don't have a lot to talk about! This week was great though! Boxing day was a little slow. That's the day that everyone goes to the beach and is out drinking. I had lot's of drunk encounters. We don't have any plans for new years. We will probably just go to sleep. We will see! 

Church was good this week! Dougald, Nick and this young boy we started teaching, Drake came. Drake is about the cutest boy ever! He's 10 and just really wants to learn about the church. I guess I can't deny him that. We gave a tract to him last week and he was asking for another one cause he read it all. He came to church with Nick. They are actually cousins. I was teaching YW and Drake came to the classroom door.  Sister Sommer went to check on what he needed cause he had been in Primary. He was like, "Sister Sommer, I really need a BOM. All the kids have one." So she got him one. He really liked church. We finally met Drake's dad and we are gonna teach him next week.

Marley didn't come to church but we really are progressing with him. He's willing to give up his whole life for the gospel. It's really cool. I'm excited to see what happens to him!

Nick is doing really well too! He's really great to teach. He really likes church and gets along with the people there. He's a really cool guy!

Ryno couldn't come to church cause he got called into work. He works on cars. He was so sad! He was so excited to go to church!

A lot of people promised to come to church next week. Maybe it's becuase it'll be the new year. So many people have said, "Once the new year comes." Everyone is partying now. 

I'm just writing my mission president now. I'll let him know you aren't trying to stalk me haha. 

I can't believe it's almost the end of the transfer. We are in week 5 now! I have no idea what will be happening next transfer.

I really miss you all a lot!! But I hope you know I love my mission! It's a really, really cool experience that I would have never imagined having.

Loooooove,

Elizabeth

Caribbean for Christmas 12/21/14

Dear Family,

Sister Sommer and I are having a lot of fun in the area Boom Boom. Kids on this island have nothing to do. That's why they get into trouble so easily as they get older. The kids in Boom Boom have grown attached to us. They're so fun. One night we actually just taught them how to play missionary tag and they just loved it. They're fun! I'll attach a picture of them. We went to their Christmas program last night for a little and it was crazy! So many kids screaming and you could not hear anything. We didn't stay for long cause it was just wild in there haha. Parents don't show kids any respect and vice versa. I've seen so many mothers beat their children. It's terrible but it's just a different culture. 

Mom, so you know I ALWAYS play piano. You'd be proud! On Sunday we had a little Christmas program. I actually gave a little talk on the birth of Christ which went well. I played piano for the Primary kids. There was also a lunch after church for everyone. It was a wild Sunday!  We had 5 investigators at church!! It was a surprise. I thought only one was coming so it was awesome! We had Zico, Nick, Marley, Ryno and Ali. 

I'll have to tell you more detail about our investigators when we talk but they are really starting to progress. 

We are still waiting to find out Sasha's weekend off. It'll probably be a last minute baptism planned. She's great though and she's all ready!

Zico is doing well still! He's a really smart guy. At church I guess priesthood wasn't good and he told Sister Sommer that it wasn't good and that Christ's church should be in order. Oy! But I think he's ok still. 

Marley! He's really starting to progress. We fasted with him this week to help him overcome some problems in his life. And it was so good to see him at church. I can't tell you how many times he has promised to come to church so it was awesome. 

Nick is loving church. He's been getting along well with the young adult guys in the ward and even met up with them in the week. He's such a nice guy and he has dreads so that's sweet. Haha.

I don't have any news about Suriname! I haven't really asked either. We shall see what happens at transfer calls. I could see myself staying with Sister Sommer another transfer but you never know! We don't know anything about new mission presidents. 

Thanks for the Christmas money! We don't have time to shop today because of our Missionary Christmas party but we will go next week don't worry! 

Congrats Richard!! I can't believe it!! Miracles come from your sister serving a mission. Ha, just kidding! 

I've got some good looking nieces and nephews!! Wow they already look so much bigger! 

I can't wait to talk to everyone! I hope the time doesn't mess you all up! Can't wait to meet Ashlee. 

Thanks for the letters! Love you all!

Love,

Elizabeth

West Indies Mission No More 12/15/14

Dear Family,

Well, crazy news we just got yesterday is that they are splitting our mission! WOW! In July 2015 when my mission president is going home they are splitting. It will be something like the Trinidad mission which will have Trinidad, the three South American countries, and then they are adding the ABC islands off the coast of Venezuela. The other mission will be headquartered in Barbados and have all the other islands. Who knows what mission I'll end up in! Pretty cool though because the work will just take off. There has to be two mission presidents doing this work. I honestly don't know how President Mehr does everything. 

We flew to St. Lucia this past week, early Tuesday morning. The flight is only 20 minutes. You spend more time in the airport than in the plane! We didn't get to see much of the island at all. Zone conference was really amazing! President Mehr was in the home construction business before and he told this parable of building a mansion and then in the end realizing you were building your own. I'll have to tell you sometime. Sister Mehr talked about really working with members. You forget that even though some members are older than you that you have more church experience than they. You really have to help the members but of course not embarass them. I loved just talking to President Mehr. He's a very smart man and just so chill and loving. 

We only really saw St. Lucia during the night but I could tell it was a lot more touristy and modern. They actually have two lane roads. You don't find that anywhere on St. Vincent. To answer your questions Dad, St. Vincent doesn't get a lot of tourists. I mean it still does, but it's not its main economy. St.Vincent is more of an agriculture island. 

We had a Relief Society Christmas social on Saturday that was fun. There was a ton of food. Caribbean food isn't much to talk about. Basically chicken, rice, macaroni pie, and some bread things are classic Caribbean. Can't say I'm a huge fan, but it's good! It was a fun activity. I love the women here. The Relief Society President gave Sister Sommer and I perfume. Some nice "Our version of Someday by Justin Bieber" MMMMMMMM.

Church was great! We went up to Boom Boom and caught a van with Zico and Nick for church. They both really liked church on Sunday. Zico always participates. After preisthood session the Elders came out and were like, "Wow, Zico basically taught the class!" Yesssss.

Zico is still doing well. He's on the right track and reading still! He knows the bible soooo well. It's incredible. He just understands the scriptures which helps with his understanding of the BOM. 

Sometimes it can get frusturating teaching people who haven't had many opportunities for good education. You forget how much you need to explain like what does "lack of" mean or things like that. You need to go slowwwwwly.

Sasha is right on track to be baptized. We really are just waiting for her weekend off. We are almost done teaching the commandments.  She doesn't have trouble with anything and really has a testimony. 

We have been teaching this guy named Marley. I met him and contacted him the day after I first got to St. Vincent. He has a lot of issues but sincererly does want to change. The things is that it will take a complete life change is he wants to be a member. This week though he was so happy and talked about how he was reading the BOM and bible and felt like he was floating. He said he's made up his mind and wants to be a member. It's exciting but I still think it'll take a good long time. 

We have the "He is the Gift" pass along cards. We are supposed to give out ten a day. Yeah, people have phones and tablets. Everyone's phones are on credit--there are no such things as plans.

It is dang hot here. The weather never changes! I'm completely used to the humidity though, it doesn't even feel humid. I don't know what I would do without the breeze though cause it's pretty hot! I'm getting a pretty good tan.

The shopping here is not that great. Things are cheaply made, but on the bright side it also means things are cheap. I got the skirt you saw in the last picture and I've bought two pairs of sandals. Man cute sandals here are like 10 EC which is like 3 dollars! 

We will definitely get to Skype for Christmas! I think we only get like 45 mins to talk though. When do you get your mission call??

Sounds like you all are very busy and glad to hear everyone is doing well. Mimi is in my prayers. Happy Birthday Thomas! 

Love,

Elizabeth

Pictures from St.Lucia. Our flight on Wednesday morning was delayed so we went to the beach. and then some other old pic.