And then there were three.

Sister Stock and I got a third companion this week. Her name is Sister Olson, she is from South Dakota, and she is a hoot! We love her already! Tri-pans are literally so fun! We have been working hard this week, too. Three heads are better than two, so now we have a whole bunch of new ideas!

We went "chalking" where we walk to a park or a bike path and draw in chalk spiritual messages on the ground. We have gotten a few responses! Some good, some bad, but people are actually reaching out to us! One person texted us and told us they weren't sure which path to take, they believe in Christ, but didn't know which church to be a part of! Woah!

We saw some MIRACLES this week! One of them was the chalking person. Another was we received a referral from Vanessa for her step-daughter, Venice, to be taught! We will meet with her this week. 

We were also able to go visit our friend Robert IN PERSON. He is paralyzed and has been locked in his facility for the past six months! Now we are able to visit, sitting outside, six feet apart, wearing masks! 

Our ward met IN PERSON! We had a sacrament meeting outside in the back parking lot wearing masks, sitting six feet apart. Sister Stock, Sister Olson, and I helped check everyone in by taking their temperature! It was so cool to see everyone! 

We were on a walk and ran into one of our friends we are teaching who we have only taught online! It was so crazy! My companions felt like we should walk home from the lesson instead of driving. When we saw him, and Sister Stock recognized him, yelled, and he almost crashed his bike! Haha. Then we set up a lesson and taught him the Plan of Salvation. It was so cool! The smallest promptings can bring huge miracles! The Spirit is nudging us all the time! 

So much more happened this week, but I can't fit it all! I am loving my mission, and my companions are the greatest! 

Sister Hadden

Moments Matter

 

This week has been a roller coaster of ups and downs!

⬆️We went on a split in Ojai with Sister Keele and Sister Gowans! Soooo fun! We went store "contacting" (we just are really friendly and try to start conversations), set up a family history booth, and drew a sidewalk chalk plan of slavation!

⬇️Our most progressing person, Sergio, decided he didn't want to learn anymore. We're sad but people have their agency and we can't help them more than they want to be helped. 

⬆️ We got in contact with Melissa and got to see her four times this week! She even cam to church and we invited her to be baptized, she is praying about it! :)

⬇️ We only have a few people in our teaching pool so we have been grinding trying to find people...but haven't found anyone new quite yet. The miracles will come!

⬆️ We went to a member family's house last night to pick up dinner ,and ended up staying and filming the amazing stories they told us. Our FB page is doing a series called Moments Matter, and they both shared incredible experiences with us. We had to film it! This is a miracle because we've been trying to find stories for a while, and none have worked out! Peep "Come unto Christ - Ventura" to see the moments matter. They'll probably go up in about a week or two!

Now what you've all been waiting for: TRANSFER NEWS! 

Sister Stock and I are both staying!! AND we are getting a third companion! Her name is Sister Olsen and we are so excited! 

Pictures: Family history efforts, cinnamon rolls for Hermana Roylance's month mark, the district, IHOP and baskin Robin's!

The Savior Heals All Wounds

This week has been jam packed! Here are some highlights!

Vanessa GOT BAPTIZED! Her whole family came and it was so sweet! She bore her testimony at the end. She said how much she had felt the spirit prompting her that she was ready. She has come so far and the Atonement has truly changed her! Christ makes all things possible! We're so happy for her! She couldn't stop smiling after! 

We had Zone Conference! It was really fun! I got to see my old companion Sister Taupa'ū, she's the sweetest! We learned a lot about how to find effectively during Covid. We're starting to try Family History, service, and working with members WAY more! 

We found a couple new friends this week, Nico and Ruben...but they're both YSA so we will have to pass them off!

Sergio is doing great! We thought we lost contact with Melissa...BUT yesterday she texted us and said she's been crazy busy but still wants to meet! We are going to do family history with her and her Mom tonight! 

I love my mission. God is great!

Sister Hadden 

I Live In An Oven!

This weekend there is a heat wave in California! I happen to be serving in the area that is furthest inland in my mission. Saturday was 115° and yesterday it was 117°! We are melting! When you go outside it literally feels like you opened the oven door! So we don't go outside...unless we have to! Today we are retreating to Ventura to stay cool! 

We were so crazy busy this week! I had Mission Leadership Conference (MLC), District Leadership Conference (DLC), Combined District Council (CDC) (I gave a discussion in that one), and two exchanges--one with Sister Keele and one with Sister Jacobsen.

I love being busy! It keeps me working hard and focused on the mission! I love my sisters and have had so much fun getting to know them and encouraging them! 

Our people are doing great! Vanessa is getting baptized this Saturday, Sergio has been reading the Book of Mormon daily, Melissa quit coffee BEFORE our Word of Wisdom lesson because "she felt like she should". WHAT?! MIRACLES!!! 

I know my Savior lives and is strengthening me! I literally could not keep up with all this without his help. Prayer has been a huge support to me as I try my best to serve others! I am really learning to rely on my Savior, my Heavenly Father, and the Spirit! As my mission plaque says "I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Alma 26:12

God is good! 

Sister Hadden 

Ps: Check out the video we made on my FB page!