December News

December 8, 2014

On Monday night, we had a lesson with our recent convert and his boys. We did a "Restoration" scavenger hunt, and they loved it so much they wanted to do it again!

On Tuesday, we helped an older lady in our ward cook and clean her house. I did the cooking, and I had to cut onions. My hands smelled like onions for 3 DAYS!! We also got 1 new investigator today!

On Wednesday, we had Zone meeting. We talked a lot about Faith, and how we can help others strengthen their faith. We also had dinner at our Relief Society President's house.

On Thursday, we went on a mini exchange, and I got to meet some of the members in another ward. We also visited a few other people as well. We had dinner at a member's house, and we had Navajo tacos. They were delicious!

On Friday, we got to go to Young's Jersey Dairy with a family in our ward. We got to pet some goats, ducks, a pig, and cows. Also, Fairborn had a downtown parade/ Christmas tree lighting.

Young's Jersey Dairy

On Saturday, we went to the Family History Center by our church building, and I did some indexing. I have done exactly 6,600 names through indexing. Also, we had a lesson with an investigator of ours and she has accepted to be baptized on Dec. 27th!

Yesterday (Sunday Dec. 7th), was officially my 4th month being here in Fairborn, Ohio! One of our investigator's son's birthday was yesterday, so we celebrated with them. We got a new investigator as well! 

We watched the Christmas Devotional as well. My companion also said that she was surprised that President Monson didn't speak. We also went to the high school's Christmas concert, because one of our investigators was performing.

Transfers are this week. I am so jealous that Ashley got to do all of that! There isn't anything that I really need for Christmas. I did get the recipes you sent. I will ask if they have gotten my driving record yet. I actually knew Sister Taylor, but I don't think she remembers me. I hope that all is going well there, and that Amber can find a car soon! I will let you know whether I get transferred or not.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season so far, and I look forward to skyping you on Christmas!! Also, next week my p-day is on Tuesday!

I love reading the scriptures that you put in my Christmas tree! It really brings the Christmas spirit into my day!

Thanksgiving in a Box and crocheted Christmas Tree from mom

Love, you favorite missionary ever!

Sister Jennifer Rose

December 1, 2014

Hey mom!

So we have had a pretty successful week this week! We got 5 new investigators and we are potentially going to get another one today.

On Tuesday, we had a training on the church Christmas initiative that is on christmas.mormon.org. Also, we had a choir practice for our mission's Christmas devotional.

On Wednesday, we helped one of our ward members make some deviled eggs and cookies for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun! We also helped one of our other ward members put up her Christmas tree.

On Thursday, we helped the same member as Wednesday with the rest of her cooking for Thanksgiving. She had 6 elders over at her house for Thanksgiving. Also, I cut myself on my knuckle while trying to open a can. That was fun. Luckily, I didn't cut it too bad! For Thanksgiving we went over to a ward member's house and had dinner with them and our recent convert. We also went and talked to some other ward members who didn't have family around for Thanksgiving. We also saw some of our investigators.

On Friday, we had lunch with a member and her boys. We got 2 new investigators today! YAY!! We had dinner with another family in the ward, and we had a spaghetti casserole. One of the daughters has celiac like Amber and so their food was all gluten-free. It was delicious!

On Saturday, we had a ninja turtle pizza. It had pepperoni for its mask and olives for its eyes. It was awesome! We had dinner with a member in our bishopric, and we had Frito pie. YUM!! We also got 2 new investigators today. YAY!!

Yesterday, I sang "Nearer, my God to thee" in Sacrament with a sister in the ward while Sister Glaab played the violin and another sister in the ward played the piano. It was amazing! I was scared at first but once I started singing I was fine. We also found another investigator!

Today, we went bowling as a district. It was fun!!

Transfers are not until next week, but I hope that I can stay. I love being in Fairborn. The people, and especially the members here are awesome!!! I will send the pictures next week, because the computer I am using doesn't  have an SD card slot.

I got the package on Wednesday, and I took a picture of everything that was in the box and the card.

Sounds like you had a lot of fun over this past weekend. Sad to hear that dad had to work on Thanksgiving and has to work on Christmas Eve and New Year's.

I am definitely looking forward to talking to everyone on Christmas.

I hope everyone is doing great, and look forward to hearing from everyone.

What do you think Papa would think if I got him a Christmas present? Also, your guys' Christmas won't be much, but it will be something.

Also, one of the sisters here in my zone asked if you could look for a small quad set of scriptures like I have? She will even pay for shipping.

I love and miss everyone!!!

Love always, your favorite missionary,

Sister Jennifer Rose

My District

Back Row (L to R): Elders Farr, Clark, Mariana, Atkinson, Spaulding, and Brown 

Front Row (L to R): Sisters Glaab, Rose, Meredith, and Crandall

Cold in Ohio....

November 24, 2014

Mom,

We had about 4-5 inches of snow here as well, but it has all melted now. That is awesome that Ashley got to play at a BYU game! Tell Amber to tell Josh I say Hi!

Last Tuesday,we had exchanges and the whole day just seemed to flow together. We had a lesson with a new investigator, and she had a lot of really great questions that she wanted answers to. Then at dinner that night, the members told us their stories of times when they did member missionary work. The thought I left with the was also about missionary work. It was a great day!

On Wednesday, we had district meeting and that was awesome. We talked about different ways we can find new people to teach.

On Thursday, we were fasting for a sister in our mission, who had some health problems. We also did some service for a member in the ward.

On Friday, we had a tour of our family history center. We also had a lesson with Iyonna, our new investigator, and she had read the plan of salvation pamphlet we had given her, and she pretty much taught herself the plan of salvation! It was so awesome!

On Saturday, we went to the adult session of stake conference, and it was great! I learned a lot of great things. I also saw Kim Hansen from the Beavercreek ward.

Yesterday, we had stake conference being broadcast to our building, because our stake is so big. We had 3 investigators at church too, which is the most we have gotten since I have been here! I definitely learned a lot then too! I am also doing the ward choir here. I am singing with a sister in the ward, while Sister Glaab plays the violin, and another sister plays the piano next week in Sacrament.

Today has been a pretty laid back day, but I am excited to get my package, and I am especially excited for Thanksgiving! We are eating at a member's house that we taught, our now recent convert, Jason at for Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone is doing well! Love and miss everyone lots!

Sincerely, Sister Jennifer Rose

November 17, 2014

When I woke up this morning, it was about 15 degrees and it was still snowing! we got about 5 inches of snow overnight last night.

Did you know that L. Tom Perry served in Marion, OH which is actually part of my mission, and Sister Glaab got to serve there.

This week has been pretty great!

On Monday, we did FHE with Jason and his boys, they loved it!

On Tuesday, we did a LOT of service. We helped a less-active rake the leaves out of her yard. We dug a tree out of another member's yard, and raked leaves for them as well. We also had dinner with Jason, the Gullion's (his member friends), and the Larsen's (another member couple in the ward).

 

On Wednesday, we had district meeting. We had dinner with a member at Olive Garden, and it was really good! I think I ate too many breadsticks though (I think I had 6 of them). We also got a new investigator ( a 15-year-old girl named Jesse).

On Thursday, we had Zone Conference, and I did a musical number with 2 other sisters and Sister Glaab. We have a car full-time now, but the missionaries we got it from, had went almost 600 miles in 12 days. The car only has 1100 miles each month, so we can only go about 16 miles a day. We also watched "The Testaments" with Jason and another family in our ward.

On Friday, we just went and saw some people, nothing too exciting.

On Saturday, we had Jason's baptism and it was awesome! I sang a musical number with Sister Glaab, Sister Johnson, and her companion, Sister King. He was beaming and smiling from ear to ear the whole time! 

We also did some other service and had dinner with our ward primary president. Her family is so cute! I don't think I have ever seen a baby with more hair than her daughter has!

Yesterday, we had church and Sister Glaab gave a talk on Tithing and Fast offerings. We also had dinner with a part-member family in the ward.

Today has been a pretty lazy day.

That's awesome that Ashley got to play at a USU game! I am excited that Dad is starting at the IRS again. I sent everyone a letter today, so you should be getting it in the next few days.

Hope all is going well! LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE LOTS!!!

Love, Sister Jennifer Rose

November 10, 2014

Hey mom!

Sister Glaab is awesome and we both agree that riding bikes are horrible!  We get along pretty well, and we have a lot in common.

This week we got 4 new investigators, and they are all great!  We are meeting with two of them tonight!

Also, Jason, our investigator, is getting baptized this Saturday! I will send pictures next week, but I am so excited to actually have a baptism where I have taught the person getting baptized. We have taught him all of the lessons, and we are meeting with him every day this week.

I am glad to hear that Janeese is doing well, and tell her congrats on the promotion! I am also glad to hear that you all had an awesome weekend! Make sure to tell Papa I love him and that he should be getting a letter from me in the next week or so! I was so happy to see that he was happy!

This week here should be interesting. Today, we had a zone activity, and we played Jepoardy. The sisters in charge asked us all five things that no one knew about us and they made a Jeopardy game out of it.  We also went to a nursing home where we sang some hymns, and it was so cute, because some of the elderly people started singing them with us!

This Thursday, we have zone conference and we are doing a special musical number. Sister Glaab is playing the piano, while me, Sister Soumphol, and Sister Dowell are singing. We are singing a combination of "Come, Follow Me", "Behold, the Great Redeemer Die", and "Sweet is the Work" all sung to the tune of  "Come, Follow Me". Wish us luck.

Please continue to write me and I look forward to your next letters and package.

Love and Miss Everyone!

Keep me in your prayers please!

Love always, Sister Jennifer Rose

Letters from October & November

Letters from October... and November

This mother has been very delinquent on updating the blog for Jennifer.  I am not sure why.  Seems like many of the pictures I post here have not been showing up.  Any suggestions would be appreciated...  I will post her letters with the most current first (so start at the bottom, things might make more sense)  As you will see, some weeks she writes a lot and others....not so much.  She would love to hear from everyone.  Her address is:

Sister Jennifer Rose
2373 Roseanne Ct.
Fairborn, OH 45324

November 3, 2014

Hey Mom!

I wasn't transferred this time, so no new address.

That is so cool that Amber and Ashley got to sing in the choir. I recognized more than half of the people in that choir.

I am so excited for Nichole and Kelliann, and their kids are SOOO CUTE!!

So this week has been a little crazy with transfers and everything! My new companion is Sister Glabb from Scottsdale, Arizona. She only has 6 weeks left on her mission. We got a referral from a member in our ward for a part-member family. The wife is a member, and the husband is not. However, He is interested in learning about church though, and they even asked where the church building is.

Also, the member that gave us the referral, the husband, got the Aaronic Priesthood, and was ordained to Priest.  One of the sets of elders had a baptism, Tayleah, a 9-year-old. Jason is still progressing towards baptism, and we are working towards the 15th of November.

The weather here is starting to get colder! yesterday we woke up to frost on the ground, and our windshield was covered in a layer of ice.

I am excited to start this transfer! I wonder what God has in store for us?

I hope everyone is doing well, and please write me letters! I love to get them and love to write them!

Love and miss everyone lots!

Love Always,

Sister Jennifer Rose

October 27, 2014

Hey Mom!

This week as definitely had its ups and downs. I hit a low point and am slowly working my way back out of it.

On Monday night, we taught one of our investigators, Jason, and we watched the "restoration" with him and his 3 boys.

My birthday was awesome! It started out with painting birdhouses at a member's house, then my package came. I told Sister Johnson, "Watch all of my presents will be wrapped", and I was right. I love the dress and skirt you sent me! They are super cute and comfortable to wear! For dinner, we went to a member's house, and they made meatloaf for dinner, because they asked me what I wanted. Also, they got me a red velvet cake. 

On Wednesday, we had dinner with a family, who put 20 random candles on 2 cupcakes! I was laughing so hard because they were melting, that I couldn't blow the candles out!

On Thursday,we taught Jason again, and extended baptism. We extended the date of November 15th, and he accepted!

On Friday, we had the ward trunk or treat, and all of us missionaries, since we can't dress up, we switched name tags. It was hilarious, and everyone was confused!

On Saturday, we went to a baptism of a 9-year-old girl, Tayleah. Our district sang "I hope they call me on a mission", because that is her favorite song. It was pretty bad because none of the elders know how to sing on-key!

Yesterday, after church, we went to a member's house and carved pumpkins. It was fun!

Today, I went to the dentist to get the last part of my root canal done, and I didn't have to pay for it!

This week IS transfers, but we are allowed to write on Mondays

I will let you know what my new address is IF I get transferred.

Hope everyone is doing great!

Please write! I love to get letters!

Sincerely,

Sister Jennifer Rose

October 20, 2014

HEY MOM!!!

This week has been SOOOOOO much better than last week!

On Monday we had interviews with President Daines, and they went great.

On Tuesday, it was pouring rain all day, and we were on bikes, but somehow I managed to stay positive through it all. We also went on exchanges, so I was in charge of deciding where to go.

On Wednesday, we started teaching a friend of a member. He is super awesome, and he said that if he knew the Book of Mormon is true then he would be baptized! We also went with a member in our ward to get her patriarchal blessing.

On Thursday, we went to the temple, and we spent about a half hour in the celestial room.

On Friday, we showed an investigator a Mormon message and she loved it.

On Saturday, we went to a guy's baptism. He has been waiting for almost a year to be baptized. We also had Jason, our new investigator come with us.

On Sunday of course we had church, and in Relief Society, we learned about prayer.

Today, we went to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Museum! 

Jennifer

October 13, 2014

Hey mom!

My root canal went great!! I just had to get over the fear of it all and I was fine. I wish I could just pick up the phone and call you too!! I miss you lots!! 

We don't really tract a whole lot, we mainly just go see potential 
investigators. Our ward is awesome, and now that we have to ride bikes every other week, they are willing to help us out more. We stay fed most nights and it is really awesome food. I have been getting some of the recipes for them.

That's cool that there are 2 new wards in the stake. I know you will do great as the compassionate service leader!

I wish I was going to California! Who is getting married? It is starting to get cold here, and I have had to break out my scarves and boots and things.

9am isn't that bad for church that is what we have every week!

This week has been a bit rough, but I am getting through it. We have been on bikes this week.

This past week Sister Johnson popped a tire on the car, AND she had a pinched nerve in her lower back so she was on crutches on Saturday and Sunday.

Also, we are going to start teaching a new investigator on Wednesday who is a member referral. Also, we get to go with one of the members of our ward, while she gets her patriarchal blessing.

I hope that this week will be better than last week was!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Love Always,

Sister Jennifer Rose

October 6, 2014

Hey mom!

Sooo... the weather has been crazy! It is only fall, but it is already starting to feel like winter! The humidity isn't too bad. However, today we had go and buy me some stuff for winter, and I got the most adorable coat ever!!

For conference, we went to members houses except for the Saturday Afternoon session, which we watched at the church. That is amazing that Amber and Ashley got to do that!! When I watch conference over again, I will have to look for them.

I love sending Papa letters! That's so cute that he shows everyone that comes over! I almost started crying when I read that!

I have my allergy pills. I am doing a lot better at riding a bike, and we have a car the past week, so it will be fun riding a bike again. I don't know why we live so far out of our area either!

We are both feeling better now, and Sister Johnson isn't sick anymore. She only had a really bad head cold.

This past week, we actually got 2 new investigators, and one of them was a potential investigator, whom another sister and I found on an exchange! It was amazing!!

I hope to hear from Josh soon!

LOVE AND MISS ALL OF YOU!!

<3 Sister Jennifer Rose

Surprise Picture

I received the following picture from Melanie Cross, the Beavercreek ward mission mom.  Her husband is the ward mission leader for the ward next to Jennifer's.  It was fun to get a picture from a member back there.

Beavercreek and Fairborn are two cities right next to each other and it seems they do a lot together.  Looks like they are being spoiled! 

Sister Davis, Sister Soumphol, Jennifer, Sister Johnson

September 30, 2014

Hey Mom,

I am doing great except for the fact that my allergies have been super bad this past week.

Bike riding has definitely gotten easier than the first day that we rode them. There is a hill from our apartment, over the freeway, and into our area. It usually takes us like 15-20 minutes just to get in to our area.

This past week has been both good and bad. Sister Johnson has been sick with who knows what. So on Tuesday, Sister Soumphol and I went out in the car and saw some people. As we were out visiting people we saw a white squirrel, which is not normal! (See picture attached). We just got the first 2 ward missionaries that the ward has had for a while. They are awesome!

We had dinner that night with Brother Kunzler and his wife, members from our ward, but he is originally from Willard. His sister still lives in Willard. Donna Kunzler?

We are teaching a new investigator on Sundays. Her name is Kylie. She is in the Air Force and just got back from deployment in April. She is super nice and last week we taught her about the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration. She is super excited to learn and she has been on a spiritual search, but she hasn't found the right church for her yet. Hopefully, we can keep teaching her and help her come closer to Christ.

We have also been helping a returning member get her patriarchal blessing. She has invited us to go with her when she gets it. Our bishop has said yes, but he is going to call our mission president and ask if we can go with her.

We have been doing LOTS of service lately. We have been helping one of our investigators do some projects around her house. On Saturday, we went and cleaned her house and started painting a room for her. She was so grateful that she has been coming to church the past 2 weeks.

I was able to go to the women's broadcast, and it was amazing. I especially loved when President Uchtdorf spoke. He said that "we can't pick and choose which commandments we follow, they should always be a part of who we are." He also said that "no matter what we do, or what choices we make, we are ALWAYS God's children."

Today, we had our Zone activity, and we played kickball, and soccer. I HATE Soccer!! But, kickball was fun even though I haven't played it since elementary school.

I have my root canal on the 7th and hopefully they can just knock me out, because everyone has been telling me that it is really painful. I don't do pain very well!

Also, the mission vehicle coordinator called me and he said that my driving record hasn't been turned in, but I am pretty sure I sent it in before I left.

Sad to hear that you are getting released from Primary, but I know that it is for the best! You will do great as the Relief Society Compassionate Service Leader!

Thinking of you ALWAYS,

Sister Jennifer Rose

September 22, 2014

September 22, 2014

Hey Mom,

I got the package you sent this week! I loved it, and I shared the candy corn and cookies with the elders and sisters in my district.

We have been doing a lot of finding new investigators in the past week. Unfortunately, we have only found 1 new investigator this week.

Starting on Wednesday, we will be riding our bikes for a week, have the car for a week, and so on. I am kind of excited about it, but my allergies have been acting up really badly the past couple days.

On Friday, Sister Johnson and I had the opportunity to go to Sister Davis and Sister Soumphol's apartment, and go on exchanges with them. Sister Davis has pneumonia, so Sister Johnson stayed with her, while Sister Soumphol and I went out and taught the lessons they had for that day. It was a lot of fun! Sister Hansen was there at one of the lessons that we had.

I haven't gotten a coat yet, but I will continue to look out for one. I will need some bike shorts and some more leggings.

My next dentist appointment is on October 7th for my root canal. It will cost about $325 for the root canal. I have been put on 3 ibuprofen and 1 amoxicillin 3 times a day until my next appointment. It has been exhausting trying to deal with that pain and my allergies acting up really badly.

That is so awesome that you got to go to the re-dedication and the cultural celebration! Wish I could have been there to see it.

Hope all is going well with your job!

There is nothing that I really want for my birthday, so I am good with anything.

Hope to hear from all of you soon, and I love and miss you all lots!! Tell everyone hi for me, and I will get papa a letter written this week, but don't tell him about it.

Each and every day my testimony continues to grow stronger and stronger. I know with all my heart that my Heavenly Father is watching out for me. No matter what I do, I do it for my Heavenly Father. I have been continually striving to overcome my fears and so far I am working on talking to everyone and I am working on not hating riding a bike. It is hard, but I know that with His help I can do anything!

Love and miss you all,

Sister Jennifer Rose

 Beaver Creek Library - September 17, 2014

Back Row (Left to Right): Elder Spaulding, Elder Baldwin, and Elder Simkins

Front Row (Left to Right): Sister Soumphol, Sister Davis, Elder Brown, Elder Bowler,

 Elder Peterson, Sister Johnson, and me

Transfer Week

Jennifer refers to some pictures on Facebook under #socialmediasplit.  I couldn't find her in any of the pictures.  There were a couple pictures of the Beavercreek missionaries (Sister Davis and Sister Soumphol).  Sister Soumphol was Jennifer's companion in the MTC.

September 17, 2014

Hey mom,

It is transfer week so today is actually our p-day. 

So yeah... My lower left jaw has been giving me problems and I found out that I have to have a root canal. I go back in on October 7th. I have called the dentist and asked for an estimate, but they haven't gotten back to me yet, but I will let you know when I find out.

Also, a member in the ward actually gave me a bike to have for free because she wasn't going to use it. So no need to worry about buying one. YAY!!

Last Monday (the 8th), we went to a park and played sand volleyball, ultimate frisbee, played on the playground, and had a picnic. It was awesome!

Last Tuesday (the 9th), We got 2 new investigators! we taught them about the Book of Mormon. We are also re-teaching a less-active family, and re-teaching them the lessons.

Last Wednesday (the 10th), we went to the dentist and that was when I found out I have to have a root canal. They put me on antibiotics, to lessen the damage it has done to my tooth.

Last Thursday (the 11th), we watched the "Testaments" with a recent convert and Sister Johnson fell asleep halfway through it!

Last Friday (the 12th), we had our weekly planning and it was super productive. we also played "commandment Spoons" with an investigator of ours.

Last Saturday (the 13th), was our Social Media day, where we have members follow us around and take pictures of things we did that day and post them on social media websites.. To see pictures, go to facebook and type in #socialmediasplit. We also got a new investigator that day. We did a service project where we knocked down an old shed. It was fun hitting it with a sledgehammer!!

Last Sunday (the 14th), we had church and we learned about communicating with our families, and not just yelling through the house at others.

On Monday (the 15th), we did FHE with a lady and her 2 boys, we had a lot of fun!

Yesterday, we painted birdhouses with a member of the ward as a service project.

Today for our district activity, we went bowling (pictures to come next week).

 

I always look forward to getting emails from you! They are always so helpful and they help me get through the week.

As soon as you get Jessica's address let me know! I want to write her!

Glad to hear how work is going...you and dad both. Hopefully the Lord will bless him with a job!

I have really enjoyed being here in Ohio, except for now the weather stays between 45-70 degrees. I have had to pull out my scarves and jackets. I am not getting transferred this time, but you never really know when you are going to get transferred.

Hope all is going well there and make sure to tell everyone hi for me!

Love, Sister Rose