19 U-turns and Counting

Hello, All--

...kitchen space...

This week was lots of rain, lots of confusion, and lots of growth! And lots of deer if you're curious. I'm basically out in the middle of nowhere of the zone, little place called Alta Sierra that's apparently so unknown that a lady living a little ways away actually didn't know Alta Sierra was a place and she's lived here 23 years!

But it's a beautiful area and now that it's raining a lot, things are starting to turn green (aside from the trees they're losing plenty of color and leaves) so it's really cool!

Our apartment is pretty big...

FROSTY. As for my Sister Whitesell moment of the week, there's always plenty but I'd say my reaction to there being frost on the car would be a good one, aside from all my U-turns. We walked out to the car and I got in, turned on the windshield wipers to wipe off what I thought was a thicker layer of water on the car but guess what it wasn't! I was so hyped!! I used a washcloth to wipe it off, which actually worked pretty well. It's been a long week, so as of late, even the small things are pretty entertaining to me. You're welcome for those 20 seconds it took to read that paragraph gone.

Yes, that's FROST! It means it
can actually get cooler out here

...bedroom...

NEW COMPANION. At any rate, there was just so much that happened that I don't know where to start. Sister Hatch and I are very different people, but that's what brings the best missionary work to the table. Two different tactics that eventually work well together, to teach others in the way they need to hear the gospel, or increase their desire to come closer to Christ.

I got to see Elder Yates! He is one
of the coolest humans. His twin is
the Yates from my MTC district

Amazing views

She's from Arizona,

That bed frame (from the trio) is still sitting in the
middle of the living room in Auburn, from
what I've been told...

6th of 7 kids (kudos to her mom, that's more than a handful!), and she's one who always knew she'd be going on a mission. We're excited to see more of why we're both here right now, to serve the people in this area! She's a little quieter too, so I get to really practice what I learned from Sister Wright, regarding holding conversations and engaging people, asking the right questions that will show others we care. It's a cool growing experience!

...and we each have our OWN bathroom, wow!

REMEMBERING NAMES. Missionaries use an "areabook" to keep track of information and our schedule. It's basically our entire life in an app! I don't know if I've talked about that before. But we didn't get ours downloaded until Friday because of transfers, so there was a lot of "hurry up and wait" that went on Tuesday to Friday.

Car selfie

But now we've had meetings with Ward Mission Leaders, and have a lot more information to use, and I'm excited to see what this week brings! There were a few days last week where I came home completely spent; my brain was working overtime to learn new names, and backgrounds of people in TWO congregations.

One of the few trees with ALL
the fall colors! Reminds me of
Massachusetts a bit

Then Sunday, oh man...there was a Ward Council meeting at 10, regular church for the Alta Sierra Ward (congregation) from 11-1, then leave early to go to the other congregation's meetings, Lake of the Pines from 1-4 p.m. 6 hours of church in a row, then dinner at 5, then an inspirational meeting broadcast at 7. We didn't get to go home at all after we left the house that morning.

another selfie! (we can't get many
other pictures as a companionship,
unless they're selfies)

WHEN THINGS GET HARD. I'll leave you with this thought, regarding introspection and knowing ourselves...Missions are hard, especially in a new area with a new companion, especially when neither of you know the area or people! When things get hard, I tend to turn inward and close off a bit. (Working on this.) The "closing off" affects my work habits a bit, as well.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!
GUYS IT'S HAPPENING

I read a conference talk this week, and the ending struck me as insightful. We may be put in situations or given assignments that we don't love. That's just life. The passage said: accept whatever assignment the Lord gives you and stay with it until He releases you. I've been releasing myself sometimes, unintentionally, from the calling that I have to serve my companion and this ward (congregation) to the best of my ability in the short time that I have here.

My mom wanted a Christmas
letter picture so we had a
photoshoot yesterday...

After reading that, I've been able to make a conscious effort when I notice myself starting to get tired. I try to perk up, remember my calling, re-energize and get excited for the amazing work there is to do! It's all in the attitude, and I'll be honest, I didn't fully understand how to "fix my attitude" until this talk. I'm excited to see what potential there is as the work continues!

If you don't recognize the outfit,
you shouldn't...Thanks Sister Kikel
(Mekkenna now) for the clothes
and Sister Wright for the shoes!
I've basically got a whole
new wardrobe now

Horse Cleanup volunteer crew!
As missionaries you learn to love any
service project

Hopefully everyone's doing their best with the curveballs life throws at you: school, work, or just life in general. I always love hearing from you. Good luck this week! And as an amazing missionary often says (@HermanaOrton) Go kick some trash!

Sister Whitesell
teresa.whitesell@myldsorg.net

...we know I don't do normal
pictures well...

Sister Teresa Whitesell
14614 Gold Creek Ct. #B
Grass Valley, CA 95949

A Series of Fortunate Events

Hello, All--

...and thus, one of the craziest weeks of my mission comes to a close! Guys I've been wanting to use that email title for weeks now, so I'm hyped I finally get to! :D Let me explain. No, there is too much! Let me sum up! (Bonus points to those who get the quote...)

The only picture of our zone/district (our district is splitting,
so there are 2 normal-sized districts now

our Out-Of-This-World ward missionary/
mission leader team!

found a friend in the girls' bathroom at the church
(yes it's a millipede)

prep for Sister Kikel's birthday

Early Christmas at the Wrights.
We got matching pjs! It was perfect
because so few companionships
are 2 brunettes. A trio of brown
hair is an anomaly!

So this week was mainly preparing for Kyle's baptism, and for Sister Kikel's departure, with a bunch of other things thrown in. I don't usually do day-by-day, but I'm gonna have to for a bit of this email, to be able to fit everything in.

Had to get my companions on my
shoulders...

TUESDAY was our one normal day. We had a lesson with Kyle and it went well, so not much to explain there. But he hadn't told his mom yet (he lives with his parents and works in the family shop, he's 27), and she's a very strong Methodist so he was hesitant to mention his getting baptized to her. We encouraged him to tell her. We also told him that this week would be one of the hardest, because it's the week before the baptism, and the adversary works the hardest this week.

How about all 3 of us in a stack?

His mom didn't take it well, and she told others about it so they could also convince him of his mistake. We got a text Wednesday after District Meeting from Kyle, that said to cancel the baptism for Saturday. (As a missionary, nothing makes your heart drop to your stomach more than a text like that.) We scheduled an "emergency lesson" since we weren't planning on meeting with him that day.

The Fardoses made "Promise Cakes." It's a
watermelon chunk with yogurt. It was so good!

Any other week, we would have just had the lesson but this week, Sister Kikel had her departing interview with the mission president too. So while she was there, Sister Swensen and I tried to figure out what was best for Kyle. Then we headed to the other church building.

...have to do it with every
companion!

at the Wright's house

BEST LESSON. We then had one of the most spiritual and impactful lessons I've had yet on my mission. The three of us and the Harrises (senior missionary couple in our zone) were able to testify and teach. The spirit was literally tangible in the room, as we talked and read the Book of Mormon. If I had all the space in the world, it wouldn't be sufficient to describe everything that happened in that hour and a half. We all left feeling so much better, and Kyle texted us after, telling us he wanted to keep the baptism for Saturday, and his mom was all of a sudden supportive (miracles). That was one of the biggest events this week, was that lesson, by far.

more Christmas treats

Then we headed to the Wrights (not to my last companion; there's a family in this ward/congregation with the same last name and the same amazing energy and love that my last companion had but they're not related), and we had a little Christmas/Birthday celebration! They're amazing, and I'm gonna miss them so much!

nametag photo attempt: gotta love the background

bday gifts for me and Sister Kikel

THURSDAY was Sister Kikel's 22nd birthday, and you bet we sang some Taylor Swift! (song by that name: 22) Plus another lesson with Kyle, that went well. We got to celebrate with dinner at the Fardoses house. They are our ward mission leader and his wife, and they've been an amazing support to us. The love they show us is stronger than I've ever seen! We have to be careful what we say around them if we ever need anything, because it will magically appear. Then Julia (Sister Fardos) will deny it every time. But they got Sister Kikel and I little gifts, and I'm beyond excited for the shirt that's coming soon from them!

Kyle's baptism: he was excited, but stressed
because his parents were there too...
he was really happy though!

OUT 6 MONTHS. Friday's "event" was my 6-month mark! I've been a missionary for more than half a year now, as crazy as that sounds. And of course Saturday was Kyle's baptism as well as my birthday! Honestly, I don't know how that miracle worked out, with the timing that it did. Sister Kikel's last weekend in the field, she gets a baptism, and I got the greatest birthday gift I could ever ask for, especially as a missionary! The ordinance was amazing to experience. While Kyle and Brother Fardos changed into dry clothes, we as the missionary trio got to share our testimonies with the group of people in attendance. The spirit was, again, so strong, and it was really cool to hear each of us (missionaries) with our different personalities, and how we balance each other out.

Post-departing temple trip for Sister Kikel.
I didn't get to go to the temple :( but it's okay
lunch with Sister Fardos and her sister

Then, even cooler, Kyle's mom actually took us out to lunch with them and the family that came! When she first walked in she was very closed off and unhappy but by the end of the baptism she had opened up so much and her entire persona had changed. That's one thing that I'll never get tired of as a missionary, seeing people change as we teach or even over the course of a single hour. She's amazing, and was really fun and talked to us the whole time we were eating so that was a huge miracle! And to top off the night, we ate dinner at a younger couple's house in the ward, and Sister Evans is a returned missionary. So I got to hear her stories, plus she's sarcastic, so we got along quite nicely :)

nature

Stair selfie at the capitol building

CHANGING PLACES. OK, I promise this email is almost done, I told you it was a crazy week so you can't say I didn't warn you. Sunday morning, we got transfer boards. We were 100% sure that I was staying in Auburn 3rd Ward, and the entire ward was praying that Sister Swensen would stay, because that's the logical thing and everyone loves her. Well, Sister Swensen is staying! I'll be moving again tomorrow, to the Alta-Sierra and Lake of the Pines Ward. It's an in-zone transfer, so I won't be leaving the zone/stake, but I'll be in a new area. Kinda weird but President Ward knows what he's doing.

I struggle with normal pictures

Finally met Oso, the Fardos's dog!
He's always outside when we come
because he's such a nut, but look
how big and fluffy he is!

So the long missionary phrases of what's happening is:
"6 weeks and I'm Out!" (staying in an area for only one transfer),
Greenie-breaking (I'll be someone's first companion after they JUST finished training),
Shotgun (Elders were in the area, and now it will be Sisters), and
Double-covering an area (our companionship will serve the members in 2 congregations).

My desk after my birthday. The empty
plate is there because Sister Swensen
made and amazing sandwich
but I ate it too fast for the picture

Yep, it's a mouthful! I've always felt bad for the missionaries that were only in an area for 6 weeks because that's barely enough time to get to know the ward. But, now it's my turn to do that, and leave the greatest ward I've been to yet! I know there are things I need to do in my next area. My new companion is Sister Hatch. I haven't met her yet, but she just barely finished training. I'm excited to help her get her missionary legs underneath her, and see what I can learn from her too! "Shotgunning" an area, is when it has changed from Elders to Sisters or Sisters to Elders, so that will be fun, to start with nothing in a new area! And we'll be "double-covering" so we'll go to 6 hours of church on Sunday :)

Elder and Sister Harris, they're my mission
grandparents and I'm gonna miss
them so much as I leave their district!
They've done so much for us, and these
past 3 weeks they've taken the sisters
out about a dozen times

TRIO THOUGHTS. As the trio comes to a close, I just want to say it was quite the adventure, and I learned so much more than I thought I would. It's been an experience none of us will forget. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have been given, and the lessons I get to learn on a mission! We aren't ever alone, and even when you are surrounded by people but can't seem to connect, He's always there to give us the support and guidance we need!

Just some amazing members of
Auburn 3rd that I won't see again
for forever it's fine

Who's ready for another crazy week ahead? Whatever your answer was, same. I've never shotgunned before and when you get to a new area, your areabook (our life and plans as missionaries) doesn't transfer over for a few days. We'll have almost nothing to go off of initially: starting from scratch! I'll be able to really work hard, though, so I'm excited.

This is Natalie! She's the 17-year-old investigator
and when I first met her I was so confused as to
why she seemed familiar. She looks similar and
acts similar to Kara! I showed everyone a picture
to compare and they all agree so it's gonna be sad
not to teach my little sister anymore. But I know
she'll continue to grow strong in the gospel even
without all 3 of us sisters teaching her anymore.

I love hearing from you! And thank you for all the birthday wishes. I'm no longer a teen, so I guess I have to start acting like an adult?! (Mom, just so you know, that was a joke...) I'm doing what I'm supposed to do out here, no worries! Love you all, remember who you are, don't let it get you down ;) and Good Luck this week!

Sister Whitesell
teresa.whitesell@myldsmail.net

NEW ADDRESS:
14614 Gold Creek Ct. Unit B
Grass Valley, CA 95949

Even When There's Not Success, There's Success

Pumpkin Carving of course

What else do you do on Halloween?
The Elders left the Iron Man mask,
and it actually opens and makes
noise! We were more than
entertained

Hello, All--

(We'll have lots of Foresthill pics this time, since this is Sister Kikel's last week here...)

How's life in the normal world? Sometimes it's nice to NOT have to worry about its downward spiral, but hey that's just me and my bubble. California hasn't burned to the ground yet, so honestly it's pretty good out here, nothing to complain about!

Halloween disguises

I donated the tiara to the truck;
it's still there

"It's like real sifting: the gold stays
in the pan and the dirt falls out!"
--thank you Sister Swensen :)

We had a rainy day in foresthill, and the clouds
just played in the mountains!

Aw shucks, I don't know if I can do that...

This has been the longest and shortest week ever. I honestly can't remember a ton of what we did, and yet none of us can believe that Halloween was this past week...because WOW, that was an eon ago!

words to live by

CHALLENGES WITH STATIONARY OBJECTS. However as usual, I have to inform you of the amazing clutz that I am. No complete wipeouts this week, just near misses. I was walking in downtown Auburn, and walked across an area that was covered in loose stones, because they like to be fancy out here. Well no one told me that someone put one of those huge circle anchors in the ground, so of course the toe of my shoe catches in it. Obviously it doesn't budge, so I get to catch myself from completely eating it, all to the entertainment of Sisters Swensen and Kikel, watching the entirety of my personal catastrophe. But it's fine, I'm fine really! Didn't have any dignity left to lose anyway.

Look at that crazy week we have planned!

PROGRESS IN STAGES. I guess it's fair to say that I jinxed Natalie's baptism by talking about it too early on in my email. I can't remember if I mentioned it before, but she will be pushing it back--she's still wanting to get baptized, though! Heavenly Father's got my back, and knew that a baptism on the big 2 0 for Sister Whitesell would be a birthday to be celebrated for the eternities. (My birthday is Saturday, fyi).

Old Town Auburn

We had dinner with the Pierces this week, and
they're the cutest family. I'd never taught a group
like that before, so I had to get a pic...and then
of course all chaos ensued when I
went for the selfie

We're teaching Kyle, the most golden of investigators, and it's been very fast-paced with him. We're teaching him all the lessons, in a 2-week period! It's been a roller coaster with him, a little slower in the beginning. One contact, then nothing for 3 weeks, then he shows up to church, we have a lesson the next Sunday, then the lesson after that he picks a date for baptism, for 2.5 weeks later! It's picked up speed, and now we have 3 lessons with him this week to solidify things, and he gets baptized this Saturday!

their "sassy" faces are apparently just ducks

It hasn't been easy for him, but I've never seen someone so prepared and determined to get it done, and get it done right! So hopefully, we'll have a nice update for you next week on how he's doing. We love him, he's awesome, told us he was trying to quit coffee in our get-to-know-you lesson, without us even saying anything about that. He's practically perfect! Any prayers would be helpful, since temptations always come a lot stronger the week of the baptism!

in a trio you get two "backers," and
Sister Kikel still almost hit a car...
kidding she's an awesome driver!

We taught Primary about missionary work on
Sunday, which was more entertaining than
expected. Probably because I don't do it
every week!

BLESSINGS FOR ALL. Well, the reason for the title is that there's ALWAYS something to be grateful for! This week had its slower moments, because a lot of appointments fell through, and not tons of people were home when we checked. And yet every day, there were miracles. The biggest one, is that our companion unity is where it needs to be :) I haven't said much about it, but being in a trio is hard to mesh together...because getting to know TWO people, and talk about things with TWO, is much harder than one. Especially when those 2 people have been together a transfer already, and know each other pretty well.

Bear Stumps are pretty
common out here

No filter: the sky was on fire
when we drove home!

The sign exactly fits the place!

Photoshoot in the Foresthill Forest

Umbrella pics

But after prompted questions, Sister Swenson opened up, then Sister Kikel did, and I was able to too, so now we're all on the same page, and there's none of that unspoken tension! You all know what I'm talking about. But I love learning what I can from them, and seeing the different ways to do missionary work. You meet the coolest people on a mission, believe it or not.

I was concentrating so hard on
getting the umbrella in
the right place, I forgot
to make a nice face, oops!
(Mom thinks this one is
straight out of a bad
horror flick...
nightmares, anyone?)

Under my umbrella-ella-ella
eh-eh-eh-eh (Rihanna okay...)

LOOKING FOR MIRACLES. I just wanted to end with my testimony of miracles. The key to finding them is looking with faith. So many things happen daily that we miss, because we're too lost in our own heads to take a moment and appreciate everything God has given us. I love looking for the small things, and that's definitely how I find joys in life. We aren't usually going to be given a flash of lightning sign that tells us what to do. He works in ways that we'll individually be receptive to, and often times He's so good at what He does that we think the ideas and small miracles are our own doing. Everything good is from Him! Let Him know you want to recognize the work done in your life, and I promise you you'll start to see just how much He does for us. Let Him help!

Run, Sister Kikel!
It's just a wee bit wet in the rain...

For once, I was the only one making
a normal-smile picture face!

I love hearing from each of you, and wish everyone the best of luck through their trials. There's always a silver lining to every cloud, just don't forget to look for it :) Let me know how things are going, and remember who you are, don't let it get you down!

Sister Whitesell

CA's highest bridge: we drive
over it a couple of times a week!

teresa.whitesell@myldsmail.net

(transfers are next week so it's probably best to wait to send a snail mail letter, in case my address changes...)

Half-zone service of cleaning up the
Auburn Food Bank