October 15, 2018

Monday we went on an amazing hike with the Caldaron family! Sister Caldaron is our ward RS president. They rented a van and piled us in with Sister Hales and Sister Albertson and took us to Death Valley to see a beautiful waterfall. There was a tree branch hanging over a little bit of water so Sister Albertson and I climbed onto it and slide over it so we could take a nice photo and because Jose dared us. Well I almost fell in but lucky me I managed to save myself and not get wet. The hike was beautiful and we all had so much fun. On the way back there was a cow and her calf in the trail. Everyone was too scared to walk by the cow so I had to go over and move the cow off the trail. They now call me the cow whisperer.  It was pretty funny. I tried to pet it and Sister Caldaron got super worried that I would get hurt:) 

Tuesday We were on our way to Kern Valley to teach Jenna and Heather when we got a call that the sisters were having some struggles; so we canceled our appointments and headed to their apartment. We got everyone feeling better; then I got to go on an exchange with Sister Hales. We went and did some tracting and stopped by a few of the people they are teaching. Then we exchanged back and went to dinner with the Damsteds. They have the three cutest little boys on the planet! It was so adorable seeing them play with each other. After we went to Wal-Mart and picked up some cookie ingredients then went home and baked chocolate chip cookies for the Calderons to say thank you for the hike.

Wednesday we were suppose to have exchanges with Sister Thongrit and Sister Parcel. But we both came up feeling super super sick again. So we canceled exchanges and stayed inside all day just studying and sleeping. 

Thursday we got up and I felt way better but Sister Pankratz was still feeling down. We went to a service project at the Andrus home. We got to pull all of the weeds out of their flower garden and plant new flowers in their place. It was so much fun. Sister Hales and Albertson came with us and we had so much fun working together and just talking about movies. I forgot how much I loved gardening. We went home and let Sister Pankratz take a nap and just rest for a while.

Friday we had district counsel. We learned about repentance and forgiveness. Then we were heading home but got a call that Sister Calderon needed a blessing so we called the elders and all went over to help her. We ended up staying with her and talking to her until the rest of the family came back home from work and school. Then we went home and did some weekly planning until the sisters showed up and we went on exchanges with them. I was with Sister Albertson. We taught Nick and Cathy about the Book of Mormon and helped them to better understand why they need  the Savior in their life. Then we went and packed our over night stuff for Sister Hales and Sister Albertson, because they were going to spend the night with us. That night President Layton called and asked Sister Pankratz to come and have lunch with him on Saturday. 

Saturday morning Sister Albertson and Sister Hales made us pancakes and hot chocolate for breakfast. Then we drove to Tehachapi for lunch with our Mission President. He showed us all of the new sisters that will be coming into the mission this Tuesday and we talked a lot about Preach My Gospel. Then we went to the church and Sister Pankratz had an interview with him while I got to talk to Sister Layton. Then we went home. We stopped by a few referrals but they weren't home. Then we visited with Connie and her kids. Connie is a member, but her kids are not. We had dinner at the Barro's house! They have 6 beautiful kids all under the age of 6, so it was a party. 

Sunday was wonderful. I really enjoy just relaxing at church and listening to other people teach. Nathan and Randal both came to church. Then we had lunch at the Calderon's. We did our studies and had a peaceful Sunday. 

Love Sister Howard