Week of Total Awesome-ness - November 9, 2015

"All the sister missionaries in the Bangor East Zone after Stake Conference. We are all to cute!"

Good Monday Everyone! I feel like back in the real world that's not a phrase you hear very often but when you're on a mission or if you have a favorite missionary you love hearing from (like a certain sister in New England), Mondays are awesome. Well, this past week was nothing short of awesome. Not to say we had a perfect week by numbers or rewards received, but I just look back at this last week and say "Wow, that was good". 

It mostly started off with Monday which was district P-Day. We met at the church and waited for some of the farther missionaries to get there so we played some basketball. I was a little rusty since my killer one season in fifth grade but I almost beat one of the Zone Leaders in a game so. Not too bad. When everyone was at the church we went to a ten-pin (not candle-pin which is a New England thing I want to try) bowling alley and bowled (for the second time as a district P-Day activity). We played with the Sister Training Leaders and, again, I won't brag, but your favorite Arizona-girl may have won with a score of 104. I'm not a bowling queen but I broke 100 and to me that's an accomplishment.

Monday night we had exchanges with the same Sister Training Leaders. We received Sister Innes and Sister Castillo went to Bangor with her old trainer, Sister Eddington. It was a fun experience. Sister Innes is from Arizona too so it was fun to talk to her about home, particularly the Gilbert temple. She left right after the dedication so I bragged all about how awesome it is to have such a wonderful place so close to home. I know someday the people of Maine will have that same privilege. On exchange we also had appointments fall through and a lot of people not home we were planning to stop by but it was ok because we all had a positive attitude and didn't even realize how "bad" it was. 

Wednesday and Thursday were just two more days of just solid work and preparing for the big event Friday: Zone Conference with Elder Nielson of the 70 and head of the Missionary Department. I will admit, at first I was really not excited for Zone Conference because none of my fellow missionary friends would be going to my session on Friday so I was worried I wouldn't know anyone and we had to leave the apartment super early to get to Portland at 8 am. Zone Conference turned out to be really inspiring though! It turned out I knew more people than I anticipated at the meeting (including Sister Hamilton who was trained in Bedford when I was in Manch and Sister Dickson from the MTC) and I learned a lot personally from Elder and Sister Nielson. The coolest part was when he showed us the video for this year's Christmas initiative. He said we are the first or second group of missionaries to see the video and may I just say it is powerful. I can't wait to share it with all of Maine soon! 

We also had Stake Conference Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. As an intellectual person I really like gaining knowledge and so this weekend was really great for me because I learned a lot from general church leaders like Elder Nielson and local church leaders like the Stake Presidency. A lot of the Stake Conference focus was on families, the purpose of church, and sharing the gospel. The overall thing I learned from the Spirit though was that I am I supposed to be here. Before this week I could say I knew I needed to be on a mission but I couldn't say I knew I needed to be here in Brewer. After this weekend the Spirit confirmed to me that I was I needed to be, even if it was to learn what I did from the leaders. And of course I know I needed to be here the week before transfer calls. We will know Saturday night who is staying and who is going in Brewer. At this point I know that the Lord will send me where I need to be (even if that means packing, ugh). But I know when we ask God to direct our paths He is putting us where we need to be. I learned this principle of being where God needs us a few weeks ago when I was reading D&C 100 but I didn't have a testimony of it until this week. May we all learn what our purpose is in our position this week!

Love,

Sister Wright

All of the missionaries at Zone Conference. Sister Wright is 4 rows back in the middle.

May the Four Months be with You - November 2, 2015

At the Bangor/Brewer Trunk or Treat

Happy November Friends and Family!

I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! I didn't realize how bummed I was not being able to go all out for Halloween this year, especially after being at BYU for it last year (if you ever have the opportunity to experience Halloween on BYU campus, do it!). But I still had some fun/awesome/miraculous experiences here in Brewer this week so I wasn't too sad to have missed out on free candy day.

Like I said, this week was nothing short of miraculous. I don't really talk a lot about the investigators we work with because I don't feel comfortable sharing their spiritual experiences for the internet to see, but this week really just blew my mind. We had two investigators that we picked up within the week that by the end of the week decided they wanted to be baptized. That was never an experience I expected to have happen within my missionary career. One of them was investigating two years ago but stopped because she said she had some discrepancies between the Bible and Book of Mormon. She originally became interested in the church by the example of her friend who is an active member and in her words "you can see Christ in her". Between our visits with her this week she had studied more of the Book of Mormon and for her lesson we felt prompted to share "Lord, I Believe" from Elder Holland's April 2013 General Conference address. (You can read, listen to, or watch that address here) She started crying in the middle of reading the talk because she realized that faith is really what matters in the sight of the Lord, not exactly what we mentally know. She mentioned that is what kept her from joining the church two year ago, she couldn't say she KNEW this church was true. 

Coincidentally (but not really because we know when we let God direct our paths there are no real coincidences), this transfer I have decided to study faith, (not just because that is something the zone leaders have challenged us to do) because I noticed myself going and doing the work without faith. To see this woman realize that faith, what we believe and then act on, is really what qualifies us in the sight of God was a blessing and example in my life. I can't wait to help her to prepare to enter the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Now I'm going to ruin your warm fuzzy feelings and talk about my favorite HALLOWEEN (just kidding Thanksgiving is my favorite but Halloween is a pretty close second, I mean, besides the birth of our Lord and Savior)!!! The night before Halloween we had a combined Bangor/Brewer Trunk or Treat that was really fun. It was kinda like Halloween on BYU campus in the fact that everyone was dressed up (except my companions). I know the picture has gone around but I was a Fairy Princess because my awesome mom sent it to me! I actually got multiple compliments which was pretty fun!

Halloween night we had to be in by 5 pm because going door to door is awkward when all the kids are doing the same thing asking for candy. We had so much fun deep cleaning the apartment which didn't take very long considering Sisters have recently moved in. But we did have a fun experience changing the blinds for the apartment. We unnecessarily borrowed some members' power tools because we didn't realize how painless changing the blinds was supposed to be. Sister Harward and I joked about how many blondes it would take to change the blinds (because I still consider myself blonde sometimes) haha.

Overall, this was a really good week. I really appreciated all the notes and packages from friends and family this week! And as always I appreciate the support I receive through your prayers and emails! May we all have a wonderful week going by faith!

Love,

Sister Wright

"Costume I wore all day of Halloween" If you look closely, the missionary in the picture just happens to be wearing the same clothes!

A Couple Three Weeks in Brewer - October 27, 2015

L-R: Sister Harward, Sister Wright and Sister Castillo

Happy special Tuesday P-Day edition of the weekly email family and friends! Normally this wonderful update comes to you every Monday but this week is super special because we had Zone Interviews yesterday so today is that special day you get to hear from your favorite Sister Wright, Hastening the work in Brewer! Speaking on the email title, sorry for the repeated theme of "a couple three". It's just such a fascinating phrase. I would say it is an even more fascinating New England-er phrase than "all set" instead of "all good", but I digress.

This week was full of crazy events you can just never plan for as a missionary. We always like to joke when situations happen "This didn't happen in The District!" or "They don't prepare you for this at the MTC!" because really somethings you can't prepare for. Just like in real life. Like we couldn't prepare for the people we met when we got our flu shots at Walgreens the other day. They were all really sweet. We couldn't have planned the two people we met street contacting who said "Man, I wish you had an extra one of those books" being, the Book of Mormon (and yes we gave it to them and explained what it is and to call us with any questions). We couldn't have planned for the unbelievably flat tire the van got Friday on Sister Castillo's birthday. That was a fun experience because we got to visit our ward mission leader's auto body shop, and Sister Castillo loves our ward mission leader.

Another thing I've learned just so far on the mission is how we as missionaries are sent to answer prayers. I can't count how many times, either in Brewer or Manch, that we have gone and knocked on a door and the person says "man, I was just praying for God to help me and here you" or "So and so (usually a member of the church) said they'd pray for me and you showed up". Sometimes I get distracted and think "I need to pray for x, y, and z and we'll do those things". No. We are here to answer other people's prayers and act as, like many women we have met have called us, angels. I think it's a lot easier as sister to be referred to as angels but really if you are acting with the Lord's will, you are sending an angelic message.

Not only are people praying for us on earth, but I know there are people praying for us on the other side of the veil. Yesterday at Zone Interviews I had the opportunity to again hear the senior couple Elder and Sister Adams training on the Family History and Temple project for recent converts. Elder Adams bore powerful testimony that not only is the work to salvation hastening here on this side, but there is a great missionary effort going on for those who did not accept the gospel in this life. I have always enjoyed doing family history and temple work and I hate when people forget that when they are doing temple work they are really helping someone accept the gospel and come closer to Christ, just like a missionary! We have some recent converts here in Brewer I cannot wait to help find names of family members who they can do proxy baptisms for so that they can have an eternal family! I know that as we do missionary work (which I say includes temple work) we will not only bless ourselves but our family as well. May we all have an awesome week without flat tires!

-Sister Wright

"Fall is cool"

Group Hug!

Many Bothens Died to Bring Us this Information - October 19, 2015

"Me with the super fun washer (and yes it has been fixed)" Who knew she was so excited about laundry? - Mom

Hello hello family and friends! How has your week been? Hopefully you have all been obedient in keep the commandments and following the direction given to us by church leaders. This week I definitely learned the importance of obedience and how it can effect our attitude, the attitude of the people around us, and just how many blessings we want to receive. Let me expound:

I am not going to lie, it has been really hard to adjust to Brewer and being in a trio. I've missed Manch, the ward members I loved down there, Sister Banda, and basically it felt like the beginning of the mission again when I felt homesick. Plus I had to learn how to navigate living with two companions in a new area so the initial adjustment was not easy for me. Then Wednesday morning we got a call from the Zone Leaders (who had just come from training by President Stoker) saying that we are to no longer have paper planners and we were quitting them "cold turkey" come next transfer. What we needed to do was take all of our extra planners we had in our apartments and give them to the leadership in the district so that we couldn't have them when the next transfer rolled around.

             I was frustrated to say the least. I couldn't believe that on top of my trial of adjusting to Brewer I also had to give up one of my favorite, most helpful tools so it could be replaced by a more expensive, less-effective resource. When it snows do I really want to take my iPad out to set up a return appointment? Plus what was I going to decorate every transfer? These and many other negative thoughts swirled in my head and I was not happy with this change.

I figured I knew better than the mission president and snuck three paper planners in my suitcase. Since that time my mind constantly wandered to thinking about those planners. "I will still use those, it's not like my companion would sell me out next transfer for using these". All of Wednesday was really hard. We walked more than I think I have in my life (ok, maybe besides Trek and marching band). A handful of appointments fell through. It started raining in the middle of the day while we were out (luckily we grabbed our umbrellas). The exterminator came so we couldn't return to our apartment for four hours. Left and right, things weren't working out and I just felt more and more frustrated and helpless.

The next day after we did service we set out to find some more people by walking and after walking for what felt like an eternity (but was really an hour) we were down this long, two-lane road with no side walk and trying to get to a pretty distant house. As we were walking a dog from a house across the street decided to come and join us the Brewer Crew which was fun. Until he decided to cross the road RIGHT AS A CAR GOING BY! I don't think I've felt so terrified in my life. The car was not stopping and neither was the dog. Three girls stood helpless and terrified as we saw the dog run back across the street, just to stop nearly two inches from the car that had its brakes screeching. The dog made it across the street and the owner and us were unbelievably relieved. (The annoyed lady driving the near-assault vehicle stopped and yelled back at us to "HOLD ON TO YOUR DOG!" Really? We are three girls in dresses walking on the side of the road and you think that is our dog? Anyway.) After witnessing that and realizing we are not going to make it to the distant house we decided to head back to where the streets we safer and we could avoid near-dog-death experiences. Silly me thought that'd be the end of my pet rescue saga.

On our way back we saw a cat who melted my heart and joined us on our walk. I don't know how, but this cat also had problems with believing staying outside the middle of the road was a good idea. Twice I walked out to the middle of the road, scooped up the cat, and walked it back to it's home (that was revealed to us by a neighbor who didn't want to see the cat smashed). Sister Castillo thought I was crazy for holding on to the cat and trying to keep it safe but after watching a dog nearly die I was going to make sure I did the right thing, starting with saying that cat.

Where I am going with this is just saying that when God gives us a commandment (like removing our paper planners) and we ignore that commandment (like stashing three in your suitcase), He knows when you disobey and you will be, for lack of a better word, punished for that. I love pets and Heavenly Father made sure to speak to me in a way that most effect me so I could learn to be obedient. As soon as we got back to the apartment after we played pet-patrol I came clean to my companions, removed the three planners from the apartment, and learned a great lesson. Because when we are obedient we are blessed, many awesome things happened after that. We had a lesson that went really well! We got the van back! I met a member of the ward who's daughter served in the Arizona Tempe mission! And I think the biggest blessing was suddenly my heart was softened and I suddenly didn't feel worried about adjusting to Brewer. I had a new love for the area and my companions. Obedience brings blessings. I can testify to that, and so can a cat and a dog.

Besides that, Brewer has been pretty uneventful. The weather has definitely hit cold. Yesterday evening when we were waiting for a member sister to pick us up for dinner it was slightly snowing/baby hailing. I'm terrified but it will all work out. It will always work out when we trust in the Lord and do what He asks of us. May we all remember to be obedient!

Love,

Sister Wright

"New study area *cough* corner *cough*"

"New study wall complete with paintings of the Palmyra temple (painted and signed by Sister Wheeler) and the Boston temple (from the dedication)

"My four pairs of boots (left to right: Walmart heavy duty, Thrift Store, Manch found, and Walmart Sunday)"

A Couple Three Sisters in Brewer - October 12, 2015

Sister Wright with her new companions, Sister Harward and Sister Castillo

                   Hello friends and family! I hope your week has been just as blessed as mine! As a lot of you know I am in the lovely city of Brewer, Maine which has definitely been a transition but I will talk more about that later. Before I talk about how cool [literally cool because the temperatures are staying around the 60s and lower] Brewer is, I wanted to give a shout out to my friends out in Manchester and just say thank you so much for all the love and support you gave me while I was down there. I am always going to love Manch and could not have asked for a better first area!

                   

                    My last day in Manch (and last day with the wonderful Sister Banda) we had so much fun doing things like playing Phase 10 (which I won!) and my favorite: packing. It was actually a rough/stressful last day as we tried to prepare the apartment for the two new sisters but it got done. Can we actually take a moment to give a shout out to Sister Banda (because she'll be home in five weeks and hopefully will read this). Honestly I could not have asked for a better trainer because she basically became a new best friend and made sure I was always the best missionary she knew I could be. Major props to the Banda family for having such an awesome daughter/sister.

                    Tuesday was transfer day and there were tears. I knew I expected to cry when I left Manch but I didn't expect to cry as much as I did. But I knew it was what Heavenly Father needed for the area and especially for me. And I became officially Maine trapped, with not only one new companion, but two! Sister Harward and Sister Castillo were/are way supportive of me in my transition to Brewer.

                    Amidst all my anxieties of a new area and new companions I also got a cold and I just felt really inadequate in being called to Brewer. Both of them made sure I wasn't pushing myself too hard and was ok. They were also super excited when I hit 100 days of being a missionary (thanks for the package, Mom!) and were just really sweet. They recently opened the area to sisters (sister missionaries hadn't been in the area for a year and a half!) and I was coming in to their second transfer. I have learned my purpose being here is to learn how to be a better a teacher and also help organize the apartment itself (something I learned from my awesome trainer in Manch).

                    At first I was scared Brewer was going to be like what I heard all of Maine was like: boonie and old. But Brewer/Bangor is actually really suburban and pretty! Our apartment is by a bridge that connects Brewer and Bangor (a lot of the ward actually lives in Bangor) and every morning we walk the bridge and the sunrise over the river is really pretty! The trees still aren't entirely changing color but when the green disappears the area is going to be beautiful and I will be sure to get pictures!

                    I don't know what else to say about Brewer or my new area. Mainers are really nice and they definitely have their own things they say that New Hampsters don't necessarily say. For instance, Mainers like to say "A couple three". I thought it was fitting I heard that a lot my first week here considering I'm now in a trio. It is also pretty cool to help set up a new apartment for future sisters! Besides that, all I can really say is it has been a good first week in Brewer! I always appreciate the prayers of support and pray everyone else also has a good week!

Love,

Sister Wright

"Out of the Frying Pan, into the Fire" - October 5, 2015

A picture of Sister Wright at a private cemetery in Manchester. Her Grandma Wright's maiden name is "Stowell" and we know some of the ancestors lived in the area

Well, one more week and one more transfer done. But the end of this transfer was great because we got to see the living Prophet and Apostles, even seeing the call of the three new members of the quorum of the twelve! What an awesome weekend filled with love and the Spirit! I will always love the guidance and revelation I receive from General Conference. I know it can always answer our personal problems, be they secular or spiritual.

General Conference wasn't the only fun thing Sister Banda and I did this week! We had some more dinner appointments with members which were really nice. We also were able to see the two less active sisters that we spend a lot of time focusing on and working with. Sister Archer (who we took to the Joseph Smith Memorial!) was really excited to see us as always and we were able to encourage her and everyone we came in contact with to watch General Conference, which we found out she did (keep reading to find out more!) and was just so thankful for us visiting her. Sister Archer is also pretty attached to Sister Banda because Sister Banda actually taught and saw her in her first area in Maine. With transfers at the end of this week we knew Sister Banda would probably be leaving Manchester and we took some time to reassure her that at least I would still be in Manchester. Same with the other less active sister we work with.

Friday was weekly planning day where we take some time to prepare for the upcoming week, check our effort and progress of the current week, and set goals and make plans to be better. With this upcoming transfer I took charge and somewhere in the middle of planning I realized that I was going to be teaching someone the "ins and outs" without the help and guidance of the wonderful Sister Banda and on top of that, the weather was getting really cold really quick and I had NOTHING for the cold that was already upon us. As the temperature has decreased, locals have been telling me the horrors of New England winters and being from Arizona, that's terrifying. Halfway through planning I slid under my desk and took a minute to cry because I didn't know how I was going to handle the area when I can hardly handle the cold. Sister Banda was able to coax me out and reassured me I'd do fine and that things would work out. That evening we had another appointment with another less active sister that we were going to see with a member of the ward, Sister Goyette, which fell through right as Sister Goyette was at our apartment to pick us up. What happened next was a miracle.

 We ran outside to tell Sister Goyette the bad news and to ask if there was anything we could do for her. She noticed my lack of jacket and asked if I had any warmer things which I had to explain that I'm from Arizona and that this pretty much was the warmest things I needed year-round. She looked at us and said "Get in the car, we're going to Goodwill". As a missionary, when a member tells you to do something, you basically do it as soon as possible so we got in the car and Sister Goyette took us to Goodwill and she and Sister Banda grabbed me the basics of what I need for the winter [because, let's be honest, like I would ever know what to get]. Shopping was a fun experience and Sister Goyette's generosity was a huge blessing in my life. I was crying that even, not because of the cold (although I'm still really scared about that too) but because of the generosity of the people out here. 

 When we are made members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we basically promise to always help others come unto Christ, be it through service, callings, or proselyting. I know this week I have been blessed by Christ-like members of the church, including and especially Sister Goyette. Sister Banda is pretty great too.The past twelve weeks we have gone through a roller coaster of emotions and impressions for Manchester. We love Manchester and honestly I could not have asked for a better training experience. We have spent a lot of time not only improving the area, but ourselves and I know that is something Heavenly Father wanted for both of us.

 Well, transfer news came to us between the Saturday sessions of conference and we found out not only is Sister Banda leaving Manchester to serve as senior companion but I am also leaving to serve somewhere as Junior companion. In mission terms, we are being "shot-gunned" out. Not only am I done being trained but I'm going straight into a new area with a new companion. And that means I have to pack. I. Hate. Packing. And honestly, Sister Banda and I aren't that surprised by the "shot gun". We could tell for a long time Manchester needs help neither of us could provide so we did our best and worked where we could and we'll see what happens from there. But yes, I feel like I am straight out of the frying pan and into the fire with my time as a missionary. Three months down, fifteen more to go! Wish me luck!

Love, Sister Wright

"Cool sunset Sister Banda and I experienced"

"Food combination Sister Banda had me try. Verdict: Not bad but not good either."

"Some 'Friends of Missionaries' gave us Jiffy Pop because I said I liked it and this was my showing it off to Sister Banda"

"Conference Breakfast!"

"Yes I took a picture of a squirrel because I'm not used to them and Sister Banda calls them my little woodland friends because whenever I see one crossing the street I yell 'Go little buddy!'"

Mom-Thank you Sister Goyette!

Little Blessings - September 28, 2015

Hello family and friends! I hope everyone has had a good week and had a chance to catch the General Women's Session of General Conference! I know I was given some pretty great revelation from the meeting and learned a lot about how as women we can be great examples in the world.

Well this week was another roller coaster of experiences. Monday I showed Sister Banda the nirvana experience that is Chipotle. I am glad she liked it after I have been building it up for her for the past 11 weeks, plus her many other companions who have praised it too. We also helped a sister in the ward prepare names for the ward temple trip on Friday and found her Great-Grandmother was already connected to a well entered family tree! It was so cool to find so many names so suddenly but we quickly realized as we tried to help her reserve names for temple work that a lot of the work had already been done- in 1960! It was so crazy to help her find her ancestors and, in a way, cousins who are members that she had no idea had converted! Family History is so cool!

Sister Banda and I were also able to go to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial which is something Sister Banda had been wanting to do since she first started her mission. It was an extremely spiritual experience for the both of us. It was also spiritual for the sister we have been working with. We brought Sister A with us because we know she loves Sister Banda and it would show her that God loves her and can help her overcome her weaknesses and the things that keep her from coming to church. What was even better was she came to church this Sunday! What a blessing for her and us!

It is nice to see the miracles during the rough weeks. This week was especially rough with a lot of moments where I would break down because I love the people here in Manchester but I couldn't see anyone coming to Christ by our efforts. Despite the words of encouragement I would get from Sister Banda, fellow missionaries, and ward members, negative feelings and doubts were building up within me. I could only forget about them when I would watch Mormon Messages during lunch and dinner, during the General Women's session of conference, and even during church. But Sunday evening I felt absolutely hopeless and the only way I can explain my feeling is it felt like my Spirit was "tingly", like when your foot falls asleep. I had to take some time by myself and fervently pray for peace and comfort and after that prayer I asked the Elders for a priesthood blessing. Both the prayer and blessing helped a lot. I could "breath" again and remember that my Heavenly Father loves me. He knows this work isn't easy, but that i show he helps us grow, by pushing us. And as I said before, He always gives us little miracles. They definitely add up when you are having a rough week. I know one HUGE miracle we all will receive this week is General Conference! I can't wait to hear the words of the living prophets and grow in my faith in gospel truths! May we all have a good week in preparing for conference!

Love,

Sister Wright

"Reminds us that we have prophets to bring us closer to Christ"

"Cool shot of modern prophets"

Sister Wright and Sister Banda

"Trying to be an artist"

Sister Banda, Sister A, Sister Hebert, and Sister Wright

"When you get the light just right it lights up like a candle. JJ Abrams would enjoy the effect." Mom-She hasn't changed!

"My companion was happy!"

"We should win a cutest companionship award"

"Chapel by the birthplace"

"That's a cool street"

Sister Wright, Sister A and Sister Banda

Sister Wright and Sister Banda "We are the cutest companionship"