75 - Kumquats have a sunnier hue

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


While we may not have done much as far as teaching this week, we did have zone conference, Ken's Baptism, Emergency test for the stake, and apartment check.

We also found most of our appointments canceled, but hopefully that will change this week, but we kept busy and met with ward leaders to help target some people we could help out or visit so we could help the ward and other individuals that may need a message of hope or help with service. We were thankfully quite successful with that this week.

Miracle of the week was when we visited with the emergency preparedness specialist in this ward who recently was called, she was discouraged and lost in what to do. She wanted a map of the ward boundaries but despite all her attempts, the streets were off or unnamed making it almost impossible to use. We came to help her with a service by using my previous map fixing abilities I gained in my previous areas and used parts of an atlas book of sorts (not sure the name) and I carefully placed them up even so copies could be made and/or enlarged latter. She then took us out for lunch as a thank you and gave us some copies that were laminated as well when she finished them. God knows when we need help the most and she said that is was better we came when we did rather than the day before and we gave her the help/service and encouragement she needed right when she was at her lowest. We just felt prompted by the spirit to visit her first thing that morning, it goes to show it is better to follow the spirit rather than ignore it and continue on with previous plans to visit her latter.

She also had us have some kumquats, it was Sister Dimmick's first try at them and her reaction was funny, she tried to eat it without the peel and it was a big sour one too so she wasn't a fan. I however enjoyed a few since it had been forever since I last had some. We joked about that for a long while in good humor.

We went in the La Habra Heights (friendly hills) more this week. It is quite an adventure trying to find people up there and going along those roads. it reminds me of a roller coaster, lots of steep ups and downs with interesting sharp turns on occasion. Thankfully we don't pass by many other cars often in the smaller roads, or else I would rarely make those trips. It is real fun though going up there especially those rare sights of the entire valley below all the way to the ocean if the smog isn't thick only a few members live up there, They weren't home so we have to trek up there again some time.

The Baker family was fun to have a lesson with, we did a lesson on the plan of salvation and the father really enjoyed it. He kept asking us questions and loved our responses so we told him to write down any more questions for next time. He even said that it makes sense to him so much more and is starting to understand why it is us missionaries love to go on missions sharing about what we know and love to bless other people who are willing to listen. I hope they get baptized soon, they are such a great family! I also love the members who always let us use their home to teach at and fellowship them since they live outside our boundaries and can't travel to their home. I'm just grateful that the mission president that is over their area was kind enough to let us teach them.

going back to my last area for ken's baptism was a treat yesterday. Almost half the ward was there in support of them and even parts of the YSA were there to welcome him into the YSA should he like to come. He was so excited and even asked to share i\his conversion story and testimony afterwards. He even told us that his father said to him that he was so proud of him, something big in his life considering the previous nonsupport. His father even said he would be willing to support him to go on a mission should he choose. I am so happy for him!

Ken's baptism! Each time I get to see someone I taught make the choice to be baptized makes me so happy and proud of each and every one. It makes it hard to leave for home in a month, but I know they will all be just fine as long as they continue to face their life towards the savior Jesus Christ and in faith. It was interesting to see Sister Painchaud running over to give me a hug and said "my companion!" she must have missed me after all. Funny how life turns out, I'm just glad we are better off now!
All is well that ends well!

74 - New companion and refrigerator!

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


My new Companion is Sister Dimmick, and we have been having lots of fun together. This week for the most part has been very slow, but eventful. I moved to the Santa Gertrudes Ward in Whittier stake, and most of my area is in the La Habra Heights and just below. Sadly, whoever decided the boundary lines neglected to put into account the fact that in order to visit certain places, you can only get there by leaving the mission boundaries.... So we are two of the few missionaries who have permission to leave the mission to use a few streets to get there. That was interesting. We also found many small 2 lane roads that we both agreed were too small for 2 cars to pass by at the same time at some points, so we definitely said a prayer before heading out in the heights to find a few members to visit who were neglected in the past due to said reasons and mileage restrictions making it difficult to venture out there for. They really need to give us more miles for those winding roads to travel, but I doubt they will. It was an adventure though! We also got a good view of the entire mission and beyond from some points. Especially since it was the clearest day I could remember in the longest time for here. Normally you can see the smog about 50 feet away, but it was nice and clear that day. I will never complain about Utah smog ever again. California smog is 100 times worse, even for Utah winters!

No luck in the back woods, but we did find out some gated communities over here that we noted on the map for future missionaries so they don't plan to make a 10 minute drive thinking they could get to another section of the area and find out it is gated and have to go ALL the way around for another half hour or more. We did that trip for them....

Miracle of the week:
We also had an adventure as we found out our ancient fridge decided to leak water from the freezer and ruin everything so we had to buy new food and swap out the fridge for a better one. Turns out the housing missionary just had to close an apartment in Whittier and had to figure out a way to take the fridge down to storage so it worked out perfectly for us! Sadly it was an old elder's apartment and it was filled with mold..... needless to say we spent some good time sanitizing it and the deepest cleaning of a fridge ever in my life to get it safe enough to use. Another adventure in itself. Our car coincidentally needed to be fixed so that took up our day that also opened up when all our appointments canceled. That trend followed the rest of the week, so we only taught 1 lesson to our investigator Sherri the entire week and another with Abigail.

Sherri had just listened to a Christian radio station, and we came and taught about the same subject. She marveled how we seemed to know exactly what she needed to hear and prayed for. She is going through a tough time, so our visit helped her a lot and gave her hope. We also helped her find ways to write down her prayer and things in it so she would read it to help her build her confidence in saying her own prayers instead of reading some one else's. After all, the best prayers come from the heart of the person saying it.

Other than that, I found out that Ken from my last area is getting baptized on October 23rd so that is exciting. I just hope we can save the miles enough to make the trip down. Of course I get sent to the furthest away zone possible.... irony.

73 - Exchanging miracles

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


This week is bringing changes. I will go on an extended exchange with Sister Kwon in the Harper Park ward next door to ours. Sister Painchaud and I were having a hard time with each other, so to give each other time to refresh from the tough transfer we have had, president has negotiated with us since we are so close to the end of the transfer. I hope that Sister Painchaud is helped by this. After exchanges with the STL's last week, she perked up, but it didn't last long, so I made the call so that both of us can hopefully have a good week. We also have a general authority visiting our mission this week, so that has added stress because we need to have everything perfect in our apartment and area book.

We had a great opportunity to go to Bishop Terry's with Leicy and Ken there. They even made us a family tradition breakfast just before it started, that was fun. Ever since their son went off to his mission in England, they said it was just too quiet, so it was nice to have us there. This was the first time I have gone to a member's house for conference, so I was thrilled. It was also nice to talk afterwards and discuss things we liked, had questions on, or clarified. Super fun! Ken loved it, especially Priesthood meeting from the day earlier with the ward mission leader. It is so nice when members from the ward on their own invite people we teach to come to events or activities. That is always the best.

We had to return Stella's plate which gave us an opportunity to talk with her since we haven't heard from her for awhile. We helped her with some questions and concerns she had about Joseph Smith, and hopefully I can find what she needs to hear. It is a hard question to answer, but with The Spirit's guidance, anything is possible when you add God's help in the equation. I am so glad we got to see her and she is doing alright. Just wished she got to see General Conference since that really would have helped her. Satan is really working hard to keep people from truth and joy around these parts these days.

Miracle of the week, while on exchanges we decided our goal was to find a new investigator to teach, and Sister Watson and I did just that. We went by a former who had recently decided at her rock bottom to stop doing drugs and have God more in her life. She said that us coming by was just another sign by God that he loved her and was aware of her. She was happy to hear we are Christian, unlike she first had thought when elders first taught her a while back and wanted the sisters to teach her more of the message. Goes to show miracles do happen, especially on exchanges.

This General Conference was so good, I definitely want to listen to it again since I couldn't write down everything i wanted to in my notebook. I also found as I go along my mission, the more and more I write things for myself and more so the people I am teaching or working in the ward with. Funny how that works.

72 - Tuesday p-day means all those things closed on Monday are open

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


Things are well, first temple p-day I have ever been 100% awake on... usually I get slightly sleepy on occasion or on the ride back I'm out like a light trying to catch up on lost sleep. It was very nice to go, although it was the LA temple... skunked again on going to Newport on temple p-day.

We also went to the surf museum finally since its open on Tuesday. That was a fun experience, so glad to visit there. Other than that, it has been a LONG week. Almost all our appointment cancelled so we had plenty of time to go around and meet members we haven't seen before. other than that, honestly not much to talk about sadly as a result.

Miracle of the week: We saw a member and helped him locate his cell phone after losing it, he needed it real bad and he was so excited we were able to help and the person who picked it up was just close enough he was able to drive there before they had to leave for the day.

Fay was able to go to the women's conference and had a great time with Sister Labaron and the other sisters, we also met another lady who came and loved it who wasn't a member. Another fun things was to have giant pretzels afterwards and customize them with the toppings they had out while talking about the amazing talks they had. Great memories for sure!

Lasting conversion comes from sincere prayer and faith on the answers one receives. Never let the world tear that down from your life. The joys of the gospel are too precious to let go out of your life.

71 - Turning hearts to the children

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


This week was mostly going through more of the ward list to find people who moved out or people we can teach. We have been short on lessons this week especially since people are getting back into school and kids are keeping their parents busy. Yep that time of year.... Worse than the summer for us for teaching, but that is OK.

Miracle of the week was we were on our way to a potential when we talked to some people smoking on their doorstep. We talked for awhile and they weren't interested, but they knew someone who had been taught by us before and gave us her address and name to go visit her. we were confused since we are the only ones in our area and they were currently being taught so we went over to meet her. Come to find out they confused us for Jehovah witnesses, and they invited us right in thinking we were them. They still were happy to learn from us a little sine they didn't have much time today, her name was Goldie and she told us she just likes the JW's over for bible studies one day a week to learn and be closer to god and honestly had no desire to join them.

Afterwards she still wants to have bible studies with them for awhile longer then she will contact us in the future (hopefully sooner than latter) and we will have studies with her as well. I just hope that when the people who do the studies with her come again, they won't spread nasty lies or anything... I hate it when people we teach get fed lots of lies and get caught up in "religious warfare".... I try real hard not to say anything bad about other faiths or at all, since I would expect the same respect in return. Sadly the world we live in doesn't follow the same chivalry..... especially around here.

My rule of thumb for life is, DON'T spread things about others you don't know about if YOU don't attend or participate in it. For all you know, you could have been told something contrary to the truth and will spread those bad lies around. If you are searching for information about some group or person, ask the source, NOT THE INTERNET OR OTHER PEOPLE UNAFFILIATED WITH THEM.

Off my soap box now....

Other than that, everything is moving along fairly well with people we are teaching. Weather is dropping in the temperatures in the morning and night, day is still mildly hot for the most part, so we bring a sweater in the morning, leave it in the car during the day, then take a coat or jacket near the night. Unless we are by the beach...it gets 10+ degrees colder there, crazy how that works... 1 mile inland is so different in temperature.

We had a primary program this Sunday, first for my mission. It's interesting how if they speak and sing for sacrament meeting, it is much quieter. No ruffling bags of crackers constantly making noise, kids flipping crayons around the pews, kids occasionally escaping into the hallway, and so forth... the usual. Not only that but they sat mostly still, and even better was all the adults were wide awake and listening intently to them talk their short lines or testimonies.... My analysis is they should do this more often. I especially love the pure testimonies that don't start with... I was asked to talk on (insert subject here) or how they were cornered in the hallway and asked to cover for someone or give a talk... or any other slew of time wasting openers. THEY GAVE TRUE TESTIMONIES OF WHAT THEY KNOW TO BE TRUE. That was so amazing and brought the spirit into the meeting and into our hearts so well, I really enjoyed this sacrament meeting this week. Adults, take note from the primary. SERIOUSLY.

70 - Loud celebrations

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


Yesterday was quite loud with constant helicopters going overhead for memorial services/displays/ ect. Tons of them too, and cannons going off.... they sure do celebrate with a bang around here and make it no small thing. They want the whole world know their patriotism!

Other than those tributes yesterday, Bishop Terry gave some great words of tribute during sacrament meeting. Someone in our ward was born on 9/11, so that day has double meaning for her.  It's also interesting, I think I heard for the first time what happens to a speaker who doesn't prepare for their talk, especially the 30 minute one. You can tell. As they say here in the mission field, the atonement is real, or in other words repentance is real! I'm just happy they remembered what they learned in primary and our investigator Fay was touched by his words. It was her first time there so first time impressions count. Lots of themes about overcoming the constant barrage of perfectionism the world portrays and reality with its truth and Christ's atonement to make things better for class time as well. Made for a good day.

Isn't it just life when I come up with amazing things to share, then when Monday rolls around, I have all but forgotten it all.

I was real sick on Tuesday, but we still got some work done which was great. Feeling better now thankfully!

We had dinner with Kenneth and his girlfriend came as well even though she had her second round of chemo. She was thrilled to tell us she wasn't as sick as she was expecting and is going along well. Just has to avoid the sun at ALL costs. Kenneth even bore his testimony of his mission experiences in Japan and how that has blessed his life. Such a neat experience!

We also saw all of our investigators except one so it's been a great week. Anthony is going on a cruise, but we did get to talk before he left that day. He said he would be so proud of us and the work we do if we were his daughters and our lessons have made a difference. At least we can still see his daughter who is house sitting and dog sitting so we are looking forward to that!

We also saw a former who we dropped. He called us saying he had questions from his reading The Book of Mormon like we asked, but sadly it was the usual bible bashing so we left it at that one requested visit. Glad he likes us, but that isn't our purpose.

Sister Painchaud and I have agreed to disagree for the most part so things will most likely remain as they are now. In life, it is true when they say there are just some people in this world you won't get along with, some more than others. Other than that, work keeps moving along in our area fairly well despite that.

We are working a lot with the ward council and trying to implement new ways to work with the ward for missionary work so things have been interesting.

Miracle of the week: We went by formers and knocked on the door of a lady named Paige. We almost walked away when she talked through the window and said to come another day, then a moment latter said, "Wait right there, I feel like I should talk to you, so let me get properly dressed." She let us in and we talked about the restoration, and she said how happy she was to hear that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. She had been going through a tough spot, and her only daughter is almost done with school, so her life is going to be empty nesting soon. She then told us about her goals in life and how she writes it down (no matter how high set they are or crazy), then she keeps inspirational stories with it in a binder to help her achieve her goals. She is such a giving and nice person. She even said how happy it was to see ladies on a mission and would love to learn more and have her questions answered. She knew God sent us that morning,  and she was getting so down on life, then we picked her right back up and strengthened her faith as well. I love it when that happens!

69 - Relinquishing worldly things

Email address (preferred):
rachael.clark@myldsmail.net 

Mission address:
 Sister Rachael Geniel Clark
 California Long Beach Mission
 6500 E Atherton St.
 Long Beach, CA 90815


Feeling sick today, not fun!

We also got word that the entire mission is going through "the purge" today so that means we have only 2 suitcases and 1 carry on for all our belongings... Sounds like a lot of elders have to clean out their apartments and sisters decide which clothing they REALLY want. I have to send home a box of books and some souvenirs. It will be tough with food as well because he said to leave it behind. I sure hope I don't have to get moved, because otherwise I'm broke before the end of this month with the food I had to purchase today. Thankfully, I already sorted through lots of things last transfer so I'm in pretty good shape.

Miracle of the week: We found out Anthony went to the hospital due to illness and effects of too many years of smoking, so we talked with his daughter (whose name I forgot... Oops) while she was waiting for him to come home. We got talking about overcoming challenges in life and how priesthood blessings help, and that got us teaching her about most of the restoration. She was quite interested in getting a blessing because of things going on in her life and her Lupus is acting up more lately causing her pain. I hope she continues to have interest in learning because she invited us to come back whenever to talk with her. In the next few weeks, her parents are going on a cruise, hopefully, so she will be by herself for a while for the most part.

Ken is progressing pretty well, but we will have to pass him on to YSA soon if he doesn't decide on a course of action soon. He already has a calling in Scouts due to how long he has attended this ward so this will be interesting.

Other than that, my companion and I have had to see president Patterson about some things... It was decided that we just don't get along and was told not to try and be friends. That about sums up our companionship right now. Our goal is to make the area work and survive the rest of the transfer. We discussed other things, but it was mostly how to go about peacefully doing our missionary duty as things stand. We just have too opposite of personalities to make things work out the normal way, just my luck. He is really trying to keep us together so Sister Painchaud doesn't want to go home or myself get emergency transferred from her. I hope this works, it has been a week already.