That's a wrap, folks! March 15, 2016

Oh my goodness. Where do I even begin?!

I'm now in the last week of my mission so this is the last time that you'll be hearing from me as a full-time missionary. This has been quite the journey and I can't believe it'll be over so soon!

Oh, side note: an Hermana got sick and had to go home so Hermana Torres was emergency transferred on Saturday morning. We are still getting used to it. On Sunday night at like 1 in the morning I woke up because Hermana Moss was sleep walking and said she was looking for Hermana Torres hahaha.

This week has been full of miracles! I am enjoying every second that I still get to be a missionary.

It has also been more tough than usual tracting. I've had more doors slammed in my face this week than ever before. It's crazy! Last night we were knocking on doors and faced a lot of rejection. We started to get discouraged but knew that we needed to press on. We crossed to the other side of the street and as we were walking up a driveway I told my companion that there had to be a rose among all those thorns. Behind the next door was a member of our church who had just moved her from Las Cruces. She had lots of issues going on with her ex-husband's family and had to move down here without letting anyone know. They are in hiding and seemed very scared and reluctant to answer the door. She thought someone found out where she was and had sent us. We told her that we know Heavenly Father loves her and is very aware of her. He knows exactly where she is and what she is going through even if no one else does. We told her that people had been really mean on her street but we knew there had to be a rose among the thorns and that rose was her! I am so grateful that we were diligent and allowed ourselves to be led by The Spirit to find her. I know that it was not a coincidence and I'm so grateful to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands!

I had my departing interview with President Miller on Sunday and am feeling peaceful, grateful, and excited. I know that my time to serve as a missionary in this capacity is almost over but that I am really just beginning! I am looking forward to taking all the things that I've learned and skills that I've acquired and using them to help others for the rest of my life. My work isn't done and it never will be!

There are 2 things that I want to share with you to try and give you a glimpse of what I'm feeling: a poem and a song. I wrote this poem of the course of 9 months during sacrament meeting. And this is the song that I wrote in January.

There aren't words to describe

what I'm feeling inside

I have a Savior that died for me

upon the cross of Calvary

He felt all my pains,my heartache, my guilt

And on this foundation my testimony is built

I stand all amazed each and every day

I feel the strength of His love as I learn to obey

I still stumble and I still fall

But I know His grace will catch me

so I'll give Him it all

I will stand for truth and light

As I covenant to strive with all my might

That one day my Master I shall meet

To bow and adore Him at His feet

I know that my Savior lives. I know that He loves me and knows me perfectly. Every thought, every worry, everything! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to share His love with the Hispanic people here in Texas and New Mexico. I have come to know Him better as I have strived to do His will and obey His commandments.

Thank you all for your love and your support over the past 18 months! I love you all and will see you real soon! :)

Love,

Hermana Dearden

T-2 Weeks! March 8, 2016

Hello!

This week:

We went to the temple!! It was so great. And I got to see a lot of old companions and friends. Pictures coming later, sorry!

I got to see JOSE! His granddaughter finished her mission so the family had a big welcome home party and he was there. We talked about plans for him coming to Salt Lake to go to the temple this summer! smile emoticon

We (my companions, the bishop and his fam, the ward mission leader and his wife, and Juan himself) all fasted for Juan Cigarroa that he could receive his answer. We haven't heard from him yet but he was really touched that so many people were willing and wanted to do that for him. I sure love that man. And I want this so bad for him.

I had my prayers answered so quickly this week! On Sunday morning I prayed that I would be able to receive a confirmation from Heavenly Father that the work I've done on my mission is accepted and that He is pleased with me. I've been reflecting a lot on my mission lately and have been hard on myself and focusing too much on all the things that I could have done and didn't, etc. I had been warned that that happens to a lot of missionaries as their missions come to a close and not to focus on those thoughts...but it happened anyways. But the comfort that I was looking for came quicker and not in the way that I had expected. During sacrament meeting there were several less-active members that we've been working with that got up and bore their testimonies. I was so proud of them and felt the spirit so strongly! They each mentioned us, the sister missionaries, and how grateful they were for us and how much we had helped them. That was something that I so needed to hear. And that was my answer!

Although I have made lots of mistakes on my mission, and maybe haven't been able to see as much success as others do, I know that I have fulfilled my purpose and been able to help others come unto Christ. I that is why I came. Not to get a certain number of baptisms or social recognition...but to help others feel the happiness of the gospel, the love of our Father in Heaven, and to use and feel the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have loved this work and these people so much. I have kept going even when the trials were almost too hard to bear. I have learned to love with everything that I am. And I have to trust that that is enough. That my Heavenly Father is proud of me. I am so grateful and amazed that He has given me this opportunity to be a missionary and to learn and grow and change. To truly live the gospel and help others to do the same. This really is a labor of love. When we feel God's love in our lives we want nothing but to share that with others!

My heart is full. I know that He is always there to love and guide and bless us as we let Him.
With love,
Hermana Dearden

It's March! March 2, 2016

Hey y'all!

This week:

-An 82 year old member from the ward went out with us. She is the coolest (she reads the Hunger Games, Divergent, Lord of the Rings, etc and likes to watch stuff like NCIS) I was thinking, "Here I am on a Friday night at Carl's Jr with an 82 year old that doesn't speak any English. When will this ever happen again?!"

-I had a lice scare. Don't worry though, I'm clean.

-Ericka came to church by herself and stayed all three hours! It was so awesome! Also Jackie and Gabriel came again. smile emoticon

-We had a fun FHE with Jackie and Gabriel and Cynthia's kids. I made a little Word of Wisdom game that was a hit.

-We were out contacting and I got pooped on by a bird. All down my hair and my back. Lovely, right?

-We found a new person to teach! Raul. Sadly, his wife died a couple of weeks ago.

-Leslie (who we taught and was SUPER awesome and then dropped off the face of the earth) kinda reappeared. Andrea (a member) saw her and she told Andrea that she loved the lesson we gave her a ton and feels so bad that she hasn't been able to see us because she is really busy with school. And she was embarrassed that she hadn't been reading the Book of Mormon yet but now she is and she really likes it and has lots of questions!!

-We are still just trying to plug along and "teach and preach and work as missionaries do."

Have a great week! Remember that your trials can shape you if you let them.
Love,
Hermana Dearden

February 23, 2016

Hello hello!

Good news:
-Jackie isn't moving!
-My good friend Elder Acevedo (that had to go home a couple weeks ago for medical stuff) IS COMING BACK TO THE MISSION!

This week was a real toughie but looking back on it there was a lot of good stuff that happened.
We found Patti again! She had moved and we couldn't find her new apartment for a long time but we finally did and then went back and taught her a different night. She is so awesome! We taught her the plan of salvation and she had happened (totally not a coincidence) to have been watching some program about salvation the night before and she said that what we taught her felt so much better and right than what she had watched.

We invited David to prepare to baptize Ericka and Gabriel to baptize Jackie. They are both really excited about it and want to do it! Also Jackie and Gabriel came to church on Sunday and stayed ALL 3 HOURS for the first time! It was so great. Definitely the highlight of my week. smile emoticon

We invited Juan Cigarroa to pray about being baptized on March 12th. He is so so ready but is just having a hard time taking the step. His son (the Bishop) told me that he told his dad that I wanted to baptize him before going home so he better watch out! Haha! (but yeah, so true). Also he bought us carmel apples this week. What a gem.

The Pope came to Juarez last week so everyone was out of school. Most of the people that we found at home were Christians because all the Catholics were in Juarez. It was a really good opportunity to teach our investigators about the prophet though!

We were really frustrated last week about not having many people to teach and that the ones we are teaching aren't really progressing. And then I got a first hand taste of spanish ward drama. We got pulled into it and it was... just ridiculous. So on Saturday afternoon we had a breakdown. We just felt like we were trying really hard and doing everything we were supposed to and not seeing anything good coming from our efforts. I felt stressed because there's a lot of pressure on me with having so little time left. And so I decided to text all the potentials and former investigators in our phone (there are a TON) and we actually got some replies! One of them, Rosa Sifuentes, replied right away and we were able to teach her last night! The missionaries stopped visiting her in 2014 when she was going through a divorce and asked them for a break. She was so happy to have us and missed that spirit in her home. We had a really powerful lesson with her last night. She is really longing for truth and for the healing power of the Atonement. It was so great to be able to teach her and to feel the Spirit so strongly with her. I think she really is prepared now to receive this restored gospel! Miracles!

The Lord really is aware of our situations and is with us every step of the way. I strive to be an instrument in His hands and have felt the purest joy in doing so.

Lots of love,
Hermana Dearden

 

I LOVE being a missionary! February 16, 2016

Hey everyone! smile emoticon

This has been SUCH a good week. Mainly because I've just been SO happy and had lots of little moments where I realize how much I LOVE being a missionary.

We had interviews with President Miller last week and he gave me the motivation and enthusiasm that I needed. I've only got a couple of weeks left but that's all the reason to work harder than ever before!

Sad news: Jackie is moving. frown emoticon

Good news: We are finding new people to teach!

Everyone is in commotion here because on Wednesday the Pope is coming to Juarez. They even cancelled school that day! It's super crazy here!

We got to spend Valentine's Day visiting a couple different single sisters in the ward. It was the perfect way to spend it! I felt so much love and compassion for them and their situations but also marveled at their strength and testimonies even amidst such heavy trials.

On Sunday I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting about charity and love. I focused on the forgiveness part of it. I really learned a lot from preparing it. I love the quote from our dear prophet, Thomas S. Monson that says, "Love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar." It is so true. He gave the greatest act of love to ever be given. He made it possible for us to love and to let ourselves be loved. Christ's love is the purest and most perfect love that there is. He also gave us the perfect example of forgiveness. If He could forgive those who betrayed Him and those who still do, we can learn to forgive anyone as well. I have realized that nobody is perfect and that when we withhold forgiveness from someone who has hurt us, we are only distancing OURSELVES more from perfection (Christ).

I'm so grateful for the trials that help me to learn and grow and show me that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that he knows me better than I do.
I sure love you all!
I invite you to pray and ask for more opportunities to serve and show charity this week.
The best way to feel God's love for you is to serve those around you!

Love,
Hermana Dearden

Lengua Ruins Lives February 9, 2016

Hola!

This week was good! I'll have to send the pictures next week though, sorry.

Hermana Torres turned 21! Woo! It was a good day except for the part where we had the worst meal of all of our missions: tongue. Not even in a burrito or anything. Just straight up cross sections of tongue including the taste buds and veins. *gags*

Our investigators are doing good! Ericka might be getting baptized this Saturday. If not, next Saturday. We had a new powerhouse lesson with Juan Cigarroa and he is honestly the most converted person I've ever taught. He just lacks the last leap of faith and he knows it. We are working with his son (the bishop) and doing all we can to help him get baptized! We had a miracle with Jackie and Gabriel...he got Sundays off work!! Wohhoo!! This is what we have been waiting, praying, and hoping for. This is going to make a huge difference in their relationship and progression and we can't wait! The downside though: they are probably going to be moving to Juarez soon.

We found a new family and got to teach them on Sunday and were super excited. Turns out the wife doesn't speak any Spanish though so we'll have to pass them off to the English sisters. After teaching them lesson one in English we realized how hard it was! And I really think it's because Spanish is our assigned mission language. It's not like we struggle to speak in English but teaching is a whole different story. It was pretty cool.

Sunday night we had to be in the apartment at 4pm and couldn't leave because of the super bowl.

Last night we had a really cool and unexpected experience. The Elders gave us a referral so we went and turns out it was a less active Korean family from the English ward. The two daughters both have schizophrenia and my companions were both really scared and awkward and didn't know what to do but I didn't feel that at all. Actually the complete opposite. I felt SO much love for them and was able to have a really good visit with them. That's a really shortened version of the story but the conclusion is that I think that was an answer that I've been looking for of what career path to take! Prayers really do get answered. Heavenly Father loves us and is always looking out for us!

Love you all!
Be good.

Hermana Dearden

Transfer #13 February 2, 2016

We were all surprised to find out that I will be staying in Transmountain! Hermana Rigby was transferred to Las Cruces and Hermana Moss and I received a new companion. Her name is Hermana Torres and here are her fun facts:

-She is from California (like the majority of my comps have been)
-She was baptized almost three years ago.
-She has been out on her mission for a year.
-She loves grilled onions.
-She wants to be a fashion photographer.
-When Elder Holland came last year in February he put his hand on her face and cried and asked if her family are members. When she said no he paused and then said very firmly, "They will be." It was the coolest experience! And tomorrow her mom will be taking her first discussion from the missionaries!!

I'm excited for the transfer and hoping that it'll be the best one of my whole mission!

Hermana Dearden

ps: it snowed again yesterday!

Fake Missionaries and Other Shenanigans January 26, 2016

Howdy ho!

This is probably going to be my last week here in Transmountain North. It's definitely bittersweet! I'm definitely trying to enjoy every last bit of it. Transfers will be on Monday so next time I write it could be from Albuquerque or something (fingers crossed).

Last Wednesday we got to watch a worldwide missionary broadcast. It was so cool to think that almost all of the missionaries in the world were singing "Called to Serve" at the same time. It was a wonderful time of instruction and reminder of our purpose. When I was reflecting on it the next day I just got such an overwhelming feeling of excitement because I realized that although my full-time missionary service is coming to a close...this is really only the beginning! All the things I'm learning and experiencing now are going to help me to be a lifelong missionary. I want that to always be a part of my life and I can't wait to have my own family where we are all involved in sharing the gospel at all times! Ah, it's so great!

We got kinda a scary call this week informing us that there are people impersonating the missionaries here in El Paso. They are going to people's homes and asking for donations/robbing them. They have fake nametags and everything so we were instructed to warn all of our investigators to ask to see their ministerial certificate and a Book of Mormon if they are approached. It's pretty creepy but it just goes to show that we are doing some good work here in this city and satan isn't happy about it.

No news on the investigator front. We are supposed to have a combined family night with Jackie & Gabriel and Ericka & David tonight so that should be really awesome! Also Jackie and Gabriel were looking at wedding rings in Walmart last week so they are another step closer to marriage! Wahoo! We have had trouble finding people at home lately so we have been doing lots of knocking. It's a lot of fun though--you never know what you'll find behind the door haha!

Well, lots of love from down here in "Sun City!"
Say your prayers and read your scriptures and every day will be a great one!
Hermana Dearden

PICS:

1-district meeting in Chaparral, New Mexico
2- early morning ballers!
3- a glimpse of a day in the life of a sister missionary
4- You might be in  a border when...

La Estaca de Chamizal! January 19, 2016

HOLA.
This week in my exciting life:

We had a total breakthrough with Jackie! She admitted she really wants to get married and she talked to Gabriel about it and he does too and we've been able to help them work through their fears. We had an awesome lesson about the Tree of Life with them and talked about what their personal fruit and great and spacious buildings are. I love them and am so excited for them! Jackie is so ready to get baptized and wants to so bad.

On Friday we were knocking on doors and this really nice lady named Soledad let us in. The ward was having an activity that night so we invited her and her and her son came! Miracle!

Elder Arnold from the Seventy came to create a new stake here in El Paso! So exciting! I am now part of El Paso's third stake: The El Paso Chamizal Stake. Wahoo!! Also, for the saturday night session I got to help translate! What!

President and Sister Miller came to our district meeting. It was a really good one.

The new elder is named Elder Montoya. He is from Peru and was serving his mission in Ecuador but his family is moving to California so they relocated him here. He is learning English and it's so fun! Also, I stole the ball from him a couple times during soccer last P-Day and that made me feel like a champ.‪#‎wishiwerelatina‬

So that's basically all there is to report on this week. The weeks are going by so fast! And it's already starting to feel like spring here. I love it but my allergies don't. smile emoticon I am pretty sure that I will be getting transferred in two weeks so I'm just trying to love every minute of this area and these people.

Gracias por sus oraciones! Sigan adelante.
Hermana Dearden

P.S. Hermana Moss and I have started speaking Spanish but with a British accent. It's hilarious. You should try it.

Goodbye Only Gets Harder January 12, 2016

This week was a toughie.
We had to say goodbye to one of the greatest missionaries and human beings. Elder Acevedo (far right on pic #1) got a 3 day notice that he was being sent home for medical reasons. He was only in our district for 4 short weeks but he made such a difference in just that amount of time. We became friends so fast (even though he pretended not to speak english for the first week and a half!) and he helped me and my companions learn and grow a lot. Also he helped me discover a talent that I didn't even know I had...writing songs! Maybe I'll send a sneak peek next week. smile emoticon The 5 of us performed a musical number at the elder's baptism on Saturday night.
I am really grateful for the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people in the mission. Goodbyes are horrid but we just have to be grateful for all the good times and memories that we were blessed with!

Other news:
- Jackie and Gabriel are getting closer to getting married!
- Ericka (who is pregnant!!) is going to be baptized this month!
- Juan Cigarroa told us last night that he has started to feel like he is getting his answer that he should be baptized! He is dropping his grandson off at the MTC next week so hopefully that helps him to commit.

The work goes on, folks. We are knocking on lots of doors, finding lots of new people, and trying to become better teachers every day. To be honest, I am so tired. But I know that this is the most important work and that I need to push hard til the end. Thank you all for your love and support! Keep praying for us! heart emoticon

Hermana Dearden

P.S. Did I ever mention that I LOVE speaking Spanish? Cuz I do. 

Feliz Ano Nuevo! January 5, 2016

Happy Happy New Year! I think it's gonna be the best one yet!

So far, it is! Here's what's happened:

We had another zone conference. It's always so great to see so many friends and President and Sister Miller. My companions and I did a musical number that went really well! We sang a medley of Saviour Redeemer of My Soul and Called to Serve. Hna Rigby played the piano and Hna Moss and I sang. For some of it Hna Rigby sang too. It was a miracle because we (me mainly) were really nervous because almost the whole thing was harmonized parts and our throats were feeling real scratchy but we prayed before and the performance was by far the best run through we had!

We had exchanges after and I was on the West side with Hna Holding again. We went to the mall and talked to people and found some total gems! Also someone bought us ice cream cones so that was a definite plus. When the exchange was over and I got back with my companions we were so happy to be together again. Even though it was only 24 hours apart it felt like forever! Haha. I'm just really grateful for my compas. smile emoticon

On New Years Eve we had a scare that one of our elders was going to have to go home for his knee. We were really sad. But they tricked us into thinking he had already left and then they showed up at our apartment later that night with the zone leaders. NOT a funny joke! Elders sometimes....
Our mild celebration included nothing but drinking sparkling cider but in my book that's all you really need! On New Years Day we went to Panda Express as a district.(see pic) Making goals for this year was a little different than usual because I have absolutely no idea what to expect! It's kinda terrifying and exciting all at the same time.

Our mild celebration included nothing but drinking sparkling cider but in my book that's all you really need! On New Years Day we went to Panda Express as a district.(see pic) Making goals for this year was a little different than usual because I have absolutely no idea what to expect! It's kinda terrifying and exciting all at the same time.

On Saturday I had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission so far. We had been feeling kinda down in the dumps. Our district leader and comp randomly showed up in the middle of the day right when we needed some serious encouragement. They told us about a talk they had read that really changed their perspective. They did what it said and prayed to find a family and promised the Lord that they would challenge and testify to them. Shortly after they found a family of 7 to teach. (side note: that does NOT happen like ever in the little podunk town they are serving in.) They challenged us to do the same thing. So we did. And the first trailer we knocked on was a woman named Blanca. She has a cousin that is LDS and on a mission and she asked if we could come back the next week to teach her and her family. Not only did that happen but then later that night we went back by a potential named Ismael. He is this most solid guy I've ever met. He said so many wonderful things but my favorite was, "I take this really seriously. I am looking for the true church and when I find it not only will I join but I will be bringing my whole family too." As I testified to him the words coming from my mouth were not my own. The Spirit was SO strong and warmed that little front porch on a cold winter night. We got back into the car, at this point all in complete awe. Not only a few seconds later the phone rang with a number we didn't recognize. It was a guy that we had talked to on the street earlier that day that told us that when we talked to him he felt really good and he feels really far from God right now but doesn't want to be. He said that he felt like we had something that could help him. When we hung up the phone we felt like the only thing to do in that moment was offer a prayer of gratitude. I could barely muster the words as tears streamed down my face. He love us. He is SO aware of our individual concerns and needs, no matter how insignificant we think they are. It's hard to find the words to describe it but I have never felt so tangibly God's love for me before in my life. There is absolutely no way that I can deny that it was a blessing directly from His hands.

Last night I felt prompted to try someone that we hadn't seen since the beginning of December and had never taught. She wasn't on our plans or anything but she came to mind. She let us in with open arms and the Spirit once again was SO strong as we taught her and her two teenage daughters the restoration. The 15 year old cried her eyes out. Another miracle.

I feel so blessed and overwhelmed with humble gratitude. This is the true gospel. There is nothing in the world that can replace the truths found only in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hermana Dearden

Intestception December 29, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)

This week was so amazing! We had so many miracles... we found 4 new people to teach!! I love them! I will be sure to tell you all about them next week. But we have really been so blessed. 

I am just so happy and loving life. Skyping with my family was wonderful. :) Christmas was very special! And then it SNOWED the day after Christmas! Like 6 inches. So so unheard of in El Paso. Everyone was freaking out and church was cancelled and everything. 

On Christmas day we were fed menudo. BLEH. I think my family cursed me because they asked me about it on Skype and then literally 2 hours later we had to eat it! I was doing semi-okay and had gotten about 8 pieces of "meat" down when I gagged. Full out gag. In front of the member. I'm so ashamed.  But it had been 13 months since the last time I had to eat it so I guess it was bound to happen sometime. 

"There are intestines inside of my intestines...it's like inception but with intestines!"-Hermana Moss as we layed on the floor in pain and disgust.

Also...Hermana Rigby got 9 PACKAGES. Greenies though...

She got the most by far of anyone in the zone. The Zone Leaders delivered all the packages on Christmas Eve. Who knew Santa sleigh is actually a Nissan Frontier?!

We have had tons of fun with the district and zone lately. They are so great! I love missionary friends. :) I'm also BFF's with the 2 native elders that we have. They are HILARIOUS. One of them tricked us into thinking that he didn't know a lick of english for the first week and a half and then on Christmas he just started talking fluently in english and all of our jaws dropped.

I LOVE this time of New Years to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the new one. I am so grateful that I got to spend the whole entire year of 2015 as a missionary! Best year ever! Also probably the hardest. But I am ever so grateful for these experiences I'm having and for the trials that I have gone through. The gospel is so simple and so perfect and living it is a fail proof way to have happiness! 

Much love,

Hermana Dearden

LA HERMANA DEARDEN!! December 22, 2015

Hey y'all! smile emoticon

It's been a really fun week! I love this trio! Here's the fun facts on my 2 new companions:

Hermana Moss (co-trainer)
-has been on her mission for 5 months
-from West Point, Utah
-was VP of her class and friends with everyone
-loves cats
-is super hilarious
-has to have at least one milkshake a week

Hermana Rigby (trainee)
- from Idaho Falls, Idaho
-basically a real life disney princess
-plays the piano and sings really well
-loves cats even MORE than Hermana Moss
-won Miss Congeniality at a beauty pageant

Last week after Hermana Venegas left I was given a temporary companion and got to go visit the Bishop from my first ward here. When he opened the door he shouted, "LA HERMANA DEARDEN!" and was just so surprised and happy to see me. His wife was like, "What happened to you?! When you were here we could barely even understand you and now you speak spanish perfectly!" It made me feel so good and happy and loved. It was so fun to catch up with them!

Also on Sunday we did a musical number for Relief Society in sacrament meeting. I got to play my flute for it. It actually turned out really good! After one of the members came up and said, "what am I going to do when you leave? you have really become a part of the ward." It was so sweet! I love these people here so much!

We had a miracle on Sunday night. We were out caroling and not really feeling it. We got attacked by several dogs and that just made it worse! Then we went to a house and the lady, Angie, let us in! We taught her the message of the Restoration and she was in tears when Sister Rigby shared the first vision. She said that she had never thought about it but that it made so much sense. Some elders knocked on her door 20 years ago and she said that she wasn't ready then but she feels like she is now. She thanked us for coming and told us that we were her angels. It was such a real reminder to me that there really are prepared people out there and that miracles really do happen! It was a miracle for her and a miracle for us! I'm so grateful that we kept trying even after being rejected and attacked by dogs! It was so worth it.

I love this Christmastime and am so grateful for the time to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. His birth changed everything. He is the greatest gift that has even been given and the greatest gift that can ever be received. I am filled with gratitude and love. May we take a moment to reflect on the impact that the birth of the Savior has had on each of our lives.

With love,
Hermana Dearden

HOLA! December 14, 2015

Where do I even start?? Wowza.

Okay, so first and foremost. The transfer news: I will be staying in my current area and not only receiving one new companion...but TWO! And on top of that, one will be brand new so we will be training her! Crazy!

This week we have be going like crazy! On Saturday we sang at the mall. I was just so relieved for my duet to be over. Phew!

The Elders in our ward also had a baptism that day of this cute old couple called the Alvarado's. We were helping the wife so we were on one side of the font with her and the elders were on the other side with the husband. He was baptized first and then the wife just starting crying. It was so sweet! She definitely felt The Spirit. Poor Elder Crafts didn't know if it was a good cry or a bad cry so he wasn't sure what to do! The next day they paid their tithing first thing after being confirmed. They are so sweet!

Saturday night we had the ward Christmas party. It was a lot of fun! I love these people here so much! Jackie and Gabriel and Carmen and her kids all came. I tried to eat a stuffed jalapeno wrapped in bacon but I realized I'm not as Mexican as I think. That thing was hot! I couldn't even handle one bite!

Sorry this is so short, Hermana Venegas is leaving today so we are running around like crazy trying to get everything done in time. Also I went to the chiropractor this morning! That was quite the experience.

Love y'all and promise to write more next week!
Hermana Dearden

Gospel 101 December 8, 2015

Wow! This week was crazy, busy, wonderful, stressful, and just about everything else too.

So on Tuesday night we ended up in the emergency room for my companion. Turns out the problem is with her gallbladder. It's acting like it has gallstones but it doesn't. They diagnosed it as bilinary colic. After getting home at 2 AM we were exhausted! It took a few days to get all her prescriptions and the insurance worked out. I had to go into total mom mode because she didn't know how to handle any of that stuff. I was so relieved when that all was over.

On Thursday we just walked all day. Probably about 6 miles. It was a lot of fun though. We found lots of people to talk to and just made a good time out of it. The weather is fantastic too! That night we set out to start caroling. We were both really reluctant and nervous to do it. The very first door we knocked on let us in, spoke only spanish, and said we can come back next saturday! Total miracle. Then we were all motivated to keep caroling and had a good time even if we didn't sound so hot.

On Friday we had interviews with President Miller. Love that man. He told me I'm in the "sunset of my mission." Boo. We talked about what I am going to do to make the last 3 months the best. He dropped some hints about me training this upcoming transfer [this Tuesday]. We'll see...
Then we gave a training in district meeting. It went good and we played a fun game with it. Our district meetings are always really good thanks to an awesome district leader! It really makes such a big difference.

On Saturday we went to the stake nativity event with Jackie and Gabriel. It was beautiful! Not as good as Huntsville Stake's though. wink emoticonOn Sunday they made us a big dinner. They are a lot of fun but we still have a lot of work to do with them. Then we had the Christmas Devotional. So good! And after we had choir practice for the rest of the night. Christmastime is busy busy.

Another miracle is that we got a call from a young couple, the fam Rodriguez, that just moved here from Juarez. They have been married for 5 months. He is 24 and she is 20. He is a member and she isn't so they called to have us come over and teach her. We went last night and they are awesome. Ericka, the wife, really doesn't have any church background. She has never really prayed either and I just saw such a light in her countenance appear as I testified that God is our Heavenly Father and how He wants to hear from us through prayer because He loves us so much and we are His children. The gospel is so wonderful, isn't it?!

Yesterday we had a zone conference in Las Cruces with Elder Bennett from the Seventy. He is AWESOME. It was so wonderful and the spirit there was so strong. He promised us that if we would follow the prophet by always inviting people to baptism in the first lesson that the baptisms in this mission would double. He reminded us that we are here to find the elect and how to identify them. He also talked a lot about the importance of staying faithful to the prophet's guidance, especially as the world continues to spiral down in wickedness. He told us that it's only going to get harder and that we need to decide now that, no matter what, we will not stray. I am so grateful for this time of my life to be on a mission and to be able to focus 100% of the time on only the things that matter most. I know that it will never be easier than it is right now to live the gospel. He said that almost no one becomes better after their mission than they were during their mission. Now is the time for me to strive to be the best version of myself possible. It is no easy feat but that is why we have the Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the hope that the Atonement provides. No matter what we have done (or haven't done) and how far we have strayed, it is never too late to come back to truth and righteousness and the path that will lead us back to our Father in Heaven. 3 Nephi 9:13 heart emoticon He wants that for us. He wants us to have eternal happiness. And honestly He doesn't ask for much in return.

Con cariño,
Hermana Dearden

WARNING: Lots of pictures coming your way today!
pics: We taught the youth a "How to Teach the Gospel 101" class for mutual 

Riding back from Zone Conference,Nasty Shampoo, and Weird chips we just had to try!

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Dia de Gracias December 1, 2015

Happy December!! Hooray!

This week was crazy crazy crazy.

On Monday night we stopped by a less active family who other missionaries had told us were really mean. Turns out they were super nice, loved us, and the 10 year old kid Jr wants to get baptized. He's already been taught just about everything so we are planning on his baptism for this month! Also him and his mom showed up at church on sunday!

Wednesday at 3:30 AM we woke up to the ceiling in our kitchen leaking SUPER bad. Floor soaked too. Turns out the people above us abandoned their dogs. There was poop all over the floor and the dogs had turned the faucet on. Still hasn't been fixed yet...

Thanksgiving day went down like this:

-Yummy breakfast with Hermana Silva. She is a good cook!

- Went to the EL Paso city parade downtown. It was raining a ton but lots of fun! We met up with members from the ward and then when the parade ended we cleaned up the trash on the streets. It was a stake thing so all the wards were assigned to specific blocks. They gave us tshirts and everything!

-A member took us to golden corral for lunch. Bleh. I hope to NEVER in my live be at golden corral on thanksgiving again. It was depressing how many people were there.

-Helped the same member set up her outdoor christmas tree cuz her husband just had surgery and she has problems with her hands

-Went to have dinner with a family that doesnt speak english and they took us accross the street to eat with their Nigerian neighbors! It was SO cool. They hunted a 60 pound turkey for the meal. And they had to cook it or 12 hours! So good. It was an awesome experience. I probably wont ever get to eat Thanksgiving with Mexicans and Nigerians again in my life! Haha.

-Went for dinner round 2 with Cynthia. All her kids were gone so it was just her and us and it was a really good time!
-Rolled ourselves out of the car and into the apartment. So much food. So much pain.

Hermana Venegas may or may not have something wrong with her appendix, She has been in major pain since sunday night and yesterday I took her to the doctor on the west side. It's kinda a wait and see type of thing....So she might be getting surgery this week. Pray for us!

I'm all scatterbrained and out of time! Sorry! I'll write more next week!

Love yall, be good, spread Christmas cheer!

Hermana Dearden

PS- WATCH THIS VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7c9scxB9I

Companion JACKPOT!! November 17, 2015

Hello all you good people! (I don't even know who reads this thing anymore)

Last week we had transfers and I WON THE JACKPOT!
My new companion is Hermana Mayra Venegas! Fun Facts:
-She used to be my STL [Sister Training Leader] so we are already BFFs
-She goes home in 4 weeks...
-She is from Fresno, California (but originally Oaxaca, Mexico)
-She wants 12 kids
-She is obsessed with motorcycles
-She was apparently some super star lacrosse player before her mission
-She is a WAY good missionary

-We laugh so much every single day

Please start praying for me now because we already have 4 Thanksgiving dinners. My intestines already hurt for that. But the holidays are so fun! For the Christmas choir thing we are doing I got my self roped into singing a duet. Yikes. Me, singing, at a huge mall? Wish me luck! I'm terrified.
Also I got asked to play the flute in church in a few weeks. I know we have talents to share them, but it doesn't make it any less nerve racking!

Things are still going good with Jackie. She told us on Sunday that she is leaving Gabriel in two weeks. She says that every time she prays she feels guilty and she doesn't want to live like that anymore because she knows that it isn't right. She wants to get baptized before the next time we have transfers. We are super excited for her and her spiritual progress. We don't know what to do though because we want to encourage and support family but she says that she doesn't trust him enough to marry him. We are going to be praying a lot for guidance on how to help her!

Juan Cigarroa is still being a tough cookie. We visited his son (our Bishop) this week and he gave us some tips. When we went to teach him he FINALLY said that he would say the closing prayer. So we closed our eyes and folded our arms and waited....and waited....and waited.....and literally after 10 minutes passed by his wife started coughing so he got up to get her water and then got distracted and gave me half a watermelon (hooray!!) and then asked me to say the prayer. UGH. Stubborn man.

The work is definitely a challenge here but I am happy and healthy and have nothing to complain about. I am still, even after 14 months, amazed that Heavenly Father trusts me to be a missionary and labor among his children. I am so inadequate but He gives me strengths and supports me through every step I take. I am humbled and grateful and will cherish these mission experiences forever.

Have a great week! Be thankful! Don't forget to pray. smile emoticon
Love, Hermana Dearden

Helaman 3:27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.