Snake Charmer

Hello Everyone!

I got to hold a snake this week! I think that's the first time I've ever held one. It was freaky and the first couple seconds I squealed a little, but I did well overall. haha

I'm trying really hard to help the other Sisters not be so stressed. They are so hard on themselves. I see that they just need to allow themselves to relax and have fun. So Sister Vasquez and I had a Doubled Stuffed Oreo licking contest. See who could lick off the icing first. Yes. I cracked because her mom sent a package in the mail...Not fair. Well anyways Sister Vasquez whoooped on me! I was so ashamed! I lost to my favorite cookie. Well anyways I sent out a mass text encouraging the sisters to do it this week and report back to me who wins. I said, "Winner gets a bigger belly." Great motivation huh. Good thing I'm still doing insanity every morning. 

Also this week I realized how much Sister Vasquez doesn't know anything about animals. Those people from southern California are deprived. We were in an appointment with a part-member family and they were talking to me about moose, deer, and elk. So when we finally were going to start our lesson Sister Vasquez turns to the husband and said "Thank you so much for talking to us about elks and mooses." I couldn't hold it in and starting dying laughing. She wasn't able to contribute anything to the conversation. I don't know how I was able. I think I was able to act like I know things because of my family in Altoona, PA. I just tell them the stories of me hitting a deer with my car and getting Dad to pick it up and having to help him gut it...gross...never again. Hopefully the Lord ships Sister Vasquez to Meeker, Colorado.

On Saturday we got to have a fireside and Elder James B. Martino, 2nd quorum of the seventy, came and spake to us! That was so amazing! He talked about how it doesn't matter who we are companions with, we are still doing the Lords work. He told us how we will have companions that will be eternal friends, some that we just got along with, and some couldn't care less about. I was so grateful to be able to say that all of my companions are on the eternal friends list. I think it has to do with your desire to be their friend. He also taught how there are 3 things we must do as missionaries, 1)Go to work 2) Be obedient and 3) Open our mouths when teaching and talking to everyone we see. He also said that if we love God, then we should do His work. We just need to give Him all of our heart, might, mind and strength. And I can say that I am working everyday to make sure He knows that I am giving Him exactly that. But the biggest thing that stuck out the most was when he taught us what it truly meant to be called and chosen. He taught how we were called in the pre-earth life and how we were chosen here on this earth. Many are called but few are chosen. I literally thought to myself, why was I so blessed to be called and he said right after I thought that, "you were called because of your exceeding faith and good works in the pre-earth life" 

Sister Murdock also spake and she is so amazing! I am blessed to have such a great mission president and wife. She told us "forget yourself and go to work". That came from Gordon B. Hinckley. What really hit me was when she said, "What if Gordon B. Hinckley went home from his mission because he was struggling?" Generations and millions of people are impacted because of him. She pointed out how our missions will impact us the most. More than anyone else we meet. It's going to impact our families, friends, future spouse, everyone around us. What a blessing it is for me to have the opportunity to serve. I still can't believe it. 

Yesterday we got a super solid investigator and she is so prepared for baptism its amazing! Her husbands already read the Book of Mormon and I am so excited to teach this family. They are also Native American. They have such a strong connection with The Book of Mormon. They already have heard the stories in it. Christ is their "Great White Spirit". 

We also had someone call us randomly that we met and schedule an appointment for Tuesday night. I'm really excited to teach them too. 

Our ward mission leader was released on Sunday. I'm excited to work with the new one. He has served 3 missions! He's hilarious too. 

I finished all my exchanges for this transfer! wooot wooot! The sisters are doing well. I don't know what Sister Turner and I are doing in that photo. Sister Vasquez took it. 

Well I love you all so much! I tried to write a longer one since you received a whimpey e-mail last week.

-Sister Gampe

Glorious in the eyes of God

Hey Everyone!

We had a great week! We found 6 new investigators! We had 3 less active people that we teach come to church! What a blessing to be able to see the fruits of our labors. 

We have been doing a lot of service. We helped a lady scrub her cabinets. We have been still helping at ARC. The thrift store. Most of the other people that volunteer have to do it because of community hours. So they are always asking why we are there. haha. 

I've been having really wonderful studies in The Book of Mormon. I think it was in 1 Nephi 20, that I realized, I want to work so hard, that I am "glorious in the eyes of God". I know as I am obedient, work hard with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, that he will be proud. Feeling His love and approval makes me proud. 

We still have a lot of exchanges. I'm trying really hard to help out the sisters as much as possible. Something I'm noticing is it's harder for me to help them recently and I think it's because when I first started, I had a lot to improve on, and I still do, but the sisters don't see that as much, and so I think they are intimidated and scared. I try to share experiences to make myself human. I hope I can show them my love and appreciation for all their hard work. 

I love the people. I love the work. I love the Lord. I am still so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to serve. What a blessing it has been for my life. 

I love you so much!

-Sister Gampe

Sorry it was shorter, we have appointments to get to!

ARC

Oh Hello Everyone!

Guess what!? I got to go on exchanges with Sister Orro, and she's from Australia. No big deal. haha. She was a lot of fun. We had a great day together. We did a lot of service and taught some strong lessons. She's absolutely gorgeous and was happy to wake up at 6 am to work out with me....I think. haha She wouldn't do my insanity, but she did work out next to me doing her own little things. This insanity is kicking my bum. woot woot. 

We are seeing so many miracles everyday. One night, we were driving, and there was a guy walking in the middle of a road. We could tell he was drunk because he was stumbling a little. I was going to drive right past, because why would 2 sister missionaries want to stop for a drunk guy in the middle of the road, but without even thinking my hands turned the wheel and I rolled the window down and asked if we could help him at all. He asked for a ride and we said we couldn't but we would walk him home. He seemed to be really far and was going the completely wrong way. We walked him to a main road. and gave him a mormon.org card and told him which way to go. He thanked us. I hope he finds that card and is blessed to remember what had happened. 

Sister Pfeifer and I gave a training on Finding New Investigators. We did a role play of me being a missionary and teaching a lesson at the door, even after they say they don't have time. haha It went well. I hope it helps the other missionaries out. We have another big training on Tuesday on finding. I think we will do something similar, but add more. I want to help others by role playing getting all their information such as full name, phone number, address. It's amazing how often I'm on exchanges and the sisters don't ask for that stuff. It makes a big difference to call the person before you show up. 

We have been doing a lot of service at the Arc. It's a thrift store. They had a huge .99 cent sale on all sweaters. So we were hanging up alot of sweaters. It was a wonderful opportunity. There was a guy asking me alot of questions about the church and more specifically about the Temple. It's amazing how the mission makes you so much more confident talking about those things. 

We really want to focus on finding families. Most of the people we teach don't have a vehicle or a job. That will be tough on the branch to support all these people. So we will try to find in the more rich areas. Those places are harder. It's sad how income makes such a big difference on the people's hearts and desires to know if the gospel is true. It is true!

Well I love you all so much! Remember to love your life in the moment and not in the future or past. I love This gospel. I know it is true. I love The Book of Mormon. It has changed my heart, mind, and soul. I know it is true. I am almost done reading it for the 4th time. I'm in Moroni. I love how we have a prophet to help us understand Christ's doctrine. 

Eternally,

-Sister Gampe

ps. photo is of the scariest puppet ever that lives in our basement. and me smiling with my squinty eyes.

How about them Broncos?

Hey Everyone!

We had a great week! We taught 28 lessons! We were pretty excited! We are working really really hard. I have decided to really push myself. I am waking up at 6:00 AM instead of 6:30 AM to give myself a good amount of time to work out. I am noticing a difference in my day actually. I think I have a little more energy. I'm doing the whole insanity work out and want to puke through the whole thing. haha Just a gross fun fact: My sweat line is literally down to my belly button when I'm done, but I think it also has to do with living with a 94 year old sweet lady. Needless to say, our home is hot. But I won't make excuses because I have always known I sweat alot. 

Bernadine is still scheduled to be baptized for Feb 9th, but she is starting to feel like she is not ready. Satan is the worst. Well I personally feel like she is really, but I think we might push it another week because she didn't come to church this week. I think Satan got to her. We were pretty sad. Ricky needs to wait a little longer so he will be more ready. 

Sister Vasquez and I are having a lot of fun. The poor thing is always tired. I think I wear out my companions haha. But anyways we were walking out of an appointment, I was walking behind her and she says, "I am so exhausted. I need a pick me up." I instantly grab her bum and she jumps forward and screams. haha I'm not gonna lie, I even caught myself off guard. I haven't done that in a long time. haha But it was pretty funny and we both laughed. She woke up. 

I'm a little nervous about what everyone will be like since the Broncos lost. We of course didn't watch it, but it didn't take long to find out what happened. haha. Everyone is furious and wishes they wouldn't have made it to the super bowl because it was an "embarrassment".

We had exchanges this week. I was with Sister Smith. She's such a great missionary. We went in her area. She does a great job. While we were teaching this family, we were all on the floor in close quarters because they recently moved in and haven't unpacked. I started to pet this really really fluffy cat because...well let's face it, I'm a total cat lover. Well, anyways, this cat starts randomly attacking me! I didn't know what to do, so I started pushing it away and it wouldn't stop! I randomly started squealing, "ahhh your cat's attacking me!" The boy grabs this cat. haha I was so embarrassed because they were asking me if I was alright. haha But it wasn't a big deal or anything, I just didn't know how to get the cat to stop hahaa. That was my poor example of distracting from the lesson. But luckily it was in the beginning and I knew not to touch the cat again. haha

We got 2 new elders this transfer. The other Elders were transferred out. There was just to much going on for them and it was better for them to be moved. The new elders seem like they want to work hard. We will see many miracles. 

We have a lot going on this transfer. We have Mission Leader Council, Zone Meeting, Zone Conference, and a special fireside from a general authority. I'm pretty pumped! :)

Well I love you all so much! 

-Sister Gampe

Rickey's Art

Hey Everyone!

So I have a photo of Ricky's art. It doesn't give it justice. It was done with Color pencil and pen while he was in jail. He's really talented. I felt honored that he would give this to me. We keep trying to teach him how to shake a hand. He gives the wimpiest hand shakes. I think he has shaken hands with us more than ever in his entire life, being in a gang and all. 

This week went really well. I keep learning so much. I finished reading The Book of Mormon in 6 weeks. I actually finished a little early. It was amazing. I got an amazing letter from an investigator from my last area. He asked me what my spiritual passion was. I have been pondering that. I'm extremely passionate about The Book of Mormon, but I'm also passionate about the thought of not only knowing that we are children of God, That I am a Daughter of God, but FEELING like a Daughter of God. That motivates me. I want everyone to FEEL it. I am excited to write back my response. 

We went to see President on Friday. I'm shocked he keeps asking to see us. I would think he would be sick of us by now. But anyways he asked Sister Vasquez if she could handle another transfer in this area and if she would like to stay with me. She wants to be with me. That made me feel really good. I made a goal to hide a post it note within her things. I learned that from Sister Gage. She did it for me all the time. I would find them in the most random places. I found one THIS transfer. She's amazing. Anyways I want the post its to have compliments and things I love about her. I'll do it everyday. 

I'm officially off sweets :) sad day. 

Bernadine and Ricky came to church this Sunday. They also went to a baptism another ward had. It was awesome! I'm so proud of them! They have been making amazing changes! We watched The Testaments with them. They thought it was amazing. I know Ricky is getting a little nervous. We had him offer and kneeling prayer with us there. During the prayer he said, "Please help me know that this is true. yeah. This is true." The spirit was so strong. His prayers are so simple and sincere. I love it. They also include his ghetto gang voice haha. I love that even more. They are still on to be baptized February 9th.

We are finding people all the time. I love it. This area is booming. We are loosing the elders though. It makes me sad. I know this branch has enough work to support both Sisters and Elders. The elders took a lot of emotional abuse this transfer. I don't think they could handle another transfer. I keep telling them to press forward and don't look back on anything negative from this area. But with just Sister Vasquez and I in this area, means a lot more work to do. 

Still looking for things to do during the super bowl. hahaha hopefully we can clean someone's house or something. haha

I love you all so much!

-Sister Gampe

Humble Prayer

Hello Everyone!

It has been a great week! We are seeing miracles everyday! We were able to teach many people this week! Many are progressing! Many are being found! 

We had zone conference on Tuesday. I sang a solo. The elders asked me the day before to sing. So I sang, "Live Like You Believe." It went really well. I just prayed before I sang that I could invite the spirit. That helped me not be so nervous.

We were knocking on some apartment doors and this cute chubby hispanic kid starts talking to us. He told us which doors were english speaking and which were spanish speaking. He started following us around like a little puppy. It was hilarious. He started knocking on the doors for us. Just imagine the people opening the door and seeing two missionaries and a little chubby boy. hahaha 

We have been doing a lot of hours at the Jeffco Action Center. It is a place that people donate food and items and they give it to the poor and homeless. It is amazing. The workers love us so much because we work really hard. I cleaned out a dirty fridge that literally made me gag. Most of the volunteers are people who need court service hours. So theirs a lot of Juveniles there. They think it's funny that we volunteer just for fun.  

We have moved into a new home. Sister Grebe. The McCall's home was really far and we kept going over our mile limit. Sister Grebe just recently lost her husband. They were married for over 70 years. She is 94 years old! hopefully we can help her around the house and give her some comfort in her home. Her home is really nice. We have the basement all to ourselves. I'm excited because there is a treadmill! Get my Skinny on!

Bernadine and Ricky are doing really great living the Word of Wisdom! They haven't been smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee. I am really proud of them. We taught them Saturday night and we were really inviting them to come to church. Ricky kept giving excuses. All of a sudden there was a knock on the door. I'm not gonna lie, my stomach dropped. I was so scared his gang was going to come in a get us! But it was this man, Rafael. He walked in with a big smile. They don't even know him very well. Ricky and Bernadine were walking on the side of the road and he decided to pick them up and take them home. He wanted to stop by to check on them. Well he joined us. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation. Than he starts telling Ricky he should go to church. hahaha I seriously think he is an angel! But we are going to get him to go to the spanish ward because he wasn't able to understand to much.

The next day, Bernadine and Rafael were at church. We talked to Ricky since and he says he promises that he will come to church this next Sunday. Ricky gave me a drawing he did in jail. It's really neat. I'll take a photo of it for next week. I love Ricky and Bernadine's prayers. They are the best. So sincere.

Everyone is going crazy over the Broncos. haha It's really funny. Yesterday Sister Vasquez bought bronco clothing. I was going to get a vintage bronco looking shirt/jersey, but I didn't want to spend the money. So i booked it out of the store empty handed. 

Well I love you all so much! Transfers is Tuesday the 28th. I am pretty sure I will be staying in the area. Their not kicking me out yet. 

-Sister Gampe

 

 

3 Nephi 11

Hello Everyone!

Okay crazy week. Am I surprised? Nope :) I love it and embrace it. haha. My area is so ghetto. haha I love it so much. Mom please don't worry. I'm being obedient so I can follow the promptings of the spirit. 

The other night I was on exchange. There were these two guys walking on the street so I run up to them to talk to them. The one guy is really drunk and keeps telling me how beautiful I am and is asking me if I'm married and if he can have my number. The missionary I was with goes, "Don't worry! her number is on the mormon.org card!" OH goodness! haha I have not received any calls from him yet. 

We went to an appointment and I had to help our investigator undress his stab wound. He got it from ONE of his girl friends. I guess that's why we should only date one person at a time. He was being such a baby while I was taking it off. We had a member with us. We always do when we go there. Anyways he had crusty gross old gauze on it. But it was the stringy type so the string was stuck inside his deep wound. So we had him put it in luke warm water and let it soak and than pull it off. He almost cried. We wanted him to go to the hospital but he wouldn't because of the cost of money. We taught him the Word of Wisdom. He want's to live it because he has so much desire to come unto Christ. We have a lot to do to help him get there. The world is living farther and farther from Christ so it takes a lot of work to prepare them for baptism. His name is Ricky Thunderhawk. He's on date to be baptized on Feb. 9th. His mother, Bernadine Thunderhawk is also on date. She struggles even more than Ricky with the Word of Wisdom. They were suppose to go to church and we had a member go get them and no answer at the door. I was really sad. Ricky makes me laugh so hard. We asked him if he read 3 Nephi 11. and he awkwardly said yes. I look and him with a serious face and said, "Ricky, are you lying to us? You didn't read." He put a huge smile on his face and said. "Nah. I didn't read." hahaha he does that a lot. 

We made breakfast for Ines, the lady we live with. It was her birthday on Sunday. It made her day. She said she has never had anyone make her breakfast before besides her husband. It was really sweet. 

We find people everyday to teach, but we really need strong families because we have a few families in the branch that are active. 

We had zone meeting on Thursday. Sister Pfeifer and I did a training on Language. We did a little role play of two missionaries. One was super positive and the other was super negative. I was the positive one because I wanted it to be funny. The reason why it was funny making Sister Pfeifer the negative one is because she is the most positive person I have ever made. The mission goal is to make her have a bad day. She had a hard time doing it without smiling. The other missionaries were laughing. It's amazing how much language and attitude makes a difference in the mission. I have been able to cut out the word ."hate". I never use it thanks to Sister Hatch. I've noticed a difference in my language. 

Well we were able to get a lot accomplished this week. The Murdocks helped us a lot. They came and saw us. They also came to our meeting with our ward mission leader. I expect changes to happen. Good changes. Changes I have been praying for. 

I love you all so much! 

-Sister Gampe

 The cat's name is dog. He lives with us.