Christmas Week and Happy New Year

Sister Krueger said she is doing well. She will remain with her current companion, Sister Fry for the current transfers. Rachel was waiting to hear if Elder Price had been transferred into her area. She was teaching an investigator tonight! Rachel is very excited about having someone to teach! She loved Christmas this year! She didn't really have a lot to add since Christmas Day but will update us next week!

Baptism Pictures

This was the first Baptism Sister Krueger was involved in.

Opening his gift of scriptures!

Devin and His Mom

Sister Rachel Krueger, 17 Year Old New Member Devin , Sister Kelci Fry

I HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN ARIZONA! (Behold the fields are White and ready to Harvest!)

Oh my goodness, it was the most amazing experience of my life. This boy named Devin who is 17 just made my life. He is the most faithful and amazing kid ever. I didn't find him, but that's ok, he found the way himself anyway. He had his baptismal date set when I got here, and as we had lessons together in a members home, he grasped onto to every detail and was answering questions like a boss, and basically was giving us the lesson. It all just made sense to him because he was ready and the spirit was speaking to him so strongly. Getting it all together was hectic and we only got his dad's permission on Tuesday but we got it all planned out and it was so exciting to be a part of. GUESS WHAT ELSE HAPPENED TUESDAY. we get a call from bishop and he tell us that a nine year old girl, Natalie, just randomly got her dad's permission as well and they wanted to move forth with the baptism for Saturday too. So! We scurried to get two baptisms ready in a few days and it was beautiful. I love the Devin boy so much and I was so proud of him, and cried when he went into the water. Sister fry and I got to speak while he changed, and we shared the lesson of the restoration. I had no idea it could be so powerful, or that I could be a great teacher like that. Yes, we practiced 50 times before we got there, but it was still so much more than that. Everyone in the room was touched, even his parents who only decided to attend last second! I was just me getting to bare my testimony and The Lord completely worked through us because of the need of the feeling of that spirit in the room, especially for Devin's mom. We pray she'll want to find the truth her son has found and be willing to meet with us too. Natalie's baptism was good too! It was weird, because sister fry and I for some reason didn't feel the same power, so we didn't teach the lesson and went up and just bore our testimonies. It was cool though, because we later found out that our roommates, had an investigator there and right after the service they had the restoration lesson with him, and he was so excited to talk about it and discuss it all, and it was what he needed and those sisters did too, to have that miracle(: it was fun.

 In between prepping, we did some ding-dong-ditching/re-gifting some things people give us, like chocolate or gift cards and slippers. We get stopped a lot and given things and it's so nice! We like to give it people that really need it though. We're already so spoiled here in America, I can't accept all the handouts people think we need! We make good use of it all though(: in the process we found out someone was in the hospital and people are going to help her out and it was just for some people that aren't having much Christmas. This Christmas is the best. Getting to be on the temple grounds every night reminding people the real meaning of Christmas, sharing my testimony about the Savior. Having no other focus. It's hard work to not worry about anything else...there's always something to distract you! Every day!! Ah! But I always go back to the basics, my prayers are stronger and stronger and my scripture study is much better, too. I learn so much. I love having an iPad and getting to watch general conference, the words of the prophets bring a lot of guidance and comfort too. I love being a missionary! I have been call of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life. I get to promise people things, and I am endowed with love for everyone, even those I have never met but in the process can be best friends with everyone around me. It's pretty cool actually.

The Thompson Family went to see the Mesa Temple Lights and LOOK WHO THEY FOUND!

Chad, Brooke, Sister Krueger, Sister Fry

SURPRISE!! Brooke and Rachel

Brooke, Rachel and Sister Kelci Fry

December 16

I GOT YOUR PACKAGE! presents are sitting under the tree............and we started the 12 days of Christmas..............................and finished them. I'M SORRY! AHHHHHH. We just guessed them all so figured we should go ahead and open them! :D Sister fry is appreciative too. We missed the devotional because we were at the temple lights, but we get to watch the talks on our ipads still.WHAT!? Svu didn't win! Im angry. Our team is bomb.

And I"M so excited you have a baptism too!! THIS MIRACLE MAGIC 17 YEAR OLD BOY IN MY AREA IS GETTING BAPTIZED THE 21ST AND HE'S THE BEST! Idk what I did to deserve to be a part of this, but I'm grateful and can't wait for my white Christmas in Arizona. I think people will be good with continued fellowshipping. Especially how much more involved memebers are getting with pre-baptism work, they'll feel attached to the person/know how important they are. I love that we all are supposed to help "others" come unto Christ....not "non-members" and we're all missionaries, so we all can do it! yaaayyyy

 1. How do you approach people at the Temple? What do you ask them?  Are you feeling more comfortable with that?

UNO- It depends! We ask a lot of families if we can take their picture for them or we go up and ask them if they've been to the lights before/ what's their favorite part. We're usually stationed at different displays so if we're at the Isaiah one, we can ask if they know who it is or if they know how he fit in with the Christmas theme. Or at a nativity, ask them what they know about the story of Jesus's birth. Sometimes we just say hi and they'll start talking to us. I'm more comfortable with it yes(: I've had a couple of off nights where I just got scared, but gradually I'm just more and more outgoing, especially with my companion's help.

2. Have you had to give a talk in Sacrament yet?

DOS- I was spot called on to bear my testimony 2 weeks ago, and that was fun. We were actually just asked to speak for next week. WOOOHOOOO

3. What would you most like to hear about from us?

TRES-I'd like to hearrrr, about fun stuff, or miracles, or stuff you do with the missionaries, or work, or my dog, or...idk! Pretty much what you're sending is fine! Is perfect actually! DDDDDDDDDDDUUUDE I HAVE TO TELL YOU A SECRET THAT IDK IS ACTUALLY A SECRET OR NOT BUT WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT ON JAN 11 OR 13TH OR SOMETHING JEFFERY R HOLLAND IS COMING TO SPEAK TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's a good day. He's probably gunna come reprimand us for everything, jk, i'm excited.

4. Will you be able to Skype Christmas Day? If, so do you want to? Apparently it is too hard for some missionaries. We want to do what is best for you!

QUATRO- Yes yes yes, I'm great with doing that. we actually still don't have details.....we'll work it out though, promise!

5. What do you do on Facebook or do you do anything?

FIVE-mostly I've just been posting positive stuff. we can use it to message our ward members or investigators, and I can talk with friends from home. Sister Fry had someone message her asking for help spiritually so we're going to have a Skype lesson with her pretty soon. Messages are just supposed to stay missionary focused. But you can start a casual conversation just like if you are talking in person. or it could be super bold if you want.

I LOVE YOU TOO. oh yeah I did a bunch of service this week. 

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww thanks for doing all that just for my little piggie!!<3 that makes me happy.

Sister Fry is awesome!! Sometimes, she isn't perfect and we get a little unfocused, but...not in a terribly disobedient way. But now I can relax and be myself. woot woot! Cause she's also on top of things, and very encouraging and patient. I LOVE HER. We laugh a lot. and we've seen quite a few miracles. Just being led to the right places. there's a girl we met at Target today who is coming to be with  a ton of missionaries to be in our nerf gun war. She's excited to hang out with people her age.Then get baptized. Jk(:

We have a boy named D. we taught and he's getting baptized Saturday!! Ah(: and he is just amazing. Totally ready, understanding everything and tell us why things about the gospel are so important and other things.He rockssssssssssssssssssss. We were really busy this week, running all over to meetings and parties and mostly to temple lights. We talked to a lady and encouraged her to get a blessing because it's been years and she is sick. We told a guy how he shouldn't hold off waiting to go to the temple. (I hope to see him again and promise him what I was too scared to promise him then) We'll see him again Thursday. I was out of it bad one night and went home a little early but the next day I was just perfect, and things have just been going well. I lovedinners, but we've had to eat at home a couple times just because our light schedule is 445 to 645 some nights. This week will be crazy too. no problem! OH YEAh! I went to the temple on Tuesday! That was amazinggggg!!!! I LOVE templeness

 This sheep at the Temple cracks me up!

They are so cute!
President and Sister Jenkins

My Texans!

oh there was a HUGE mission Christmas party on Wednesday. Best day ever

My MTC comp!

Sisters at the party

Freddy Ashby and Clyde Bowden. Apparently they're famous or something.Or they should be they performed at the party and they were amazing!

This guy served his mission at Fort Bragg!

Sister Fry and The 12 Days of Christmas!

 

Wonderful People In Mesa TEXT Pictures! And Facebook pics!

Sister Krueger and Sister Fry

At The Mesa Temple

Lights at The Mesa Temple

On The Move, Again!

Lol so secretly I think we found out we're not actually allowed to do that (make videos). ACCIDENT. HEY, guess what I did this week! I packed up my bags and moved! TWICE! Ahhhh, I moved three times in a row, the moment I unpack we get a call that I'm leaving! We first moved into a member's mansion (these people spoil the crap out of us, this lady I never met gave me a stocking with a bunch of candy and $40 to Walmart, I'm not keeping it hahah) that's so nice and there were orange trees in the back yard! Woot woot! Then I get a call from President, and he's all like, "Sister Krueger, I just want to call and tell you how much I admire you and am proud of how you've turned things around in just a couple weeks...., can you leave your trio and replace a sister that's going home early?" SO! I am now with Sister Fry! SHE"S AWESOME! All-star missionary. But really fun and relaxed too. She's really understanding. She's super patient and we're working on getting me acquainted with the wards, Harmony Park and Lyn Rae (I thought that was special) Things have been going well, I even ran up to a stranger and invited him to the Christmas lights all by myself and didn't freak out. I can do stuff..I am talking to lots and lots of people at the Temple Christmas lights every night! It's so lucky we get to be there, because it's almost unavoidable to share our testimonies of what Christmas is really about and of the importance of temples. I have even been useful a couple times and cheered up some grumpy boys and and have met some people that are just...ready. It's great. It's all a slow process for me. That's how things often are for me, but Heavenly Father knows that and if He's sees fit, then it'll make it for the best. Losing my two companions has been a little scary but prayer and mind over matter with the Lord's strength has helped me keep a more clear mind, and be prepared for miracles.

 HEY! Also I sprained my ankle a little bit playing K-ball. I jumped and decided to land on the side of me foot. This guy in the ward gave me a wrap thing for swelling but it's really minor, I can go running on it and everything., I GO TO THE TEMPLE TOMORROW! ding ding ding. LOVE YOU

5 Thanksgiving Dinners!!!

Since when is Emily a Sister Trainer Leader? How to he gain 20 pounds?!  I'm working really hard to not gain lots of weight but it's kind of hard because I had five dinners for Thanksgiving.  I counteracted them because I played sports all day. Yayyyyy I play sports now! I can catch things like Frisbees and volleyballs it's great. I'm so glad you decorated the tree with the sister missionaries.  Ding ding ding.

 My iPad is really cool I'm speaking all this to Siri right now I don't have to type at all.  Too bad it doesn't get all of my voice inflections. I'm really excited right now it can't tell though. Summation point. Crack...that was supposed to say exclamation point. I got my coat thank you so so so so much!! It's not that cold but standing there in the temple lights...its yeah, but it's nice to have a coat just standing around like uhhh the lights are so much fun. I love it. I'm getting better at talking to strangers, a little bit. Tomorrow we're moving into a members house and I'm going to decorate everything with the stuff you sent me and also with pink snowflakes with glitter.  It was pretty crazy as soon as I found out no wait as soon as I finish unpacking we got a phone call that we are moving. 

 I feel Okay, about work and mostly right now work is a lot of going to the temple lights but we also have been going and teaching lessons. We have a lot of member lessons which is good. Just going and uplifting people and whatnot. Oh yeah and also I shot arrows on Thanksgiving. We do lots of discussing what to do for people and try not to fight. With families, we ask a lot of people to try and invite their friends to The Temple Christmas lights and also today The Gilbert Temple open house. There were some investigators when I got here but they seem to not be progressing very well and I haven't got to meet most of them. It's mostly nice just to start working on trying to figure out what kind of missionary I am and enjoying going out to visit. I feel like a super visiting teacher....but more obviously.