More Pictures!!

December 1, 2014

"Hi there,

I finally think I know what I want to do as a career. I want to be a photographer/videographer for weddings, senior pictures, families, kiddos, etc. I love taking pictures and talking to people...so it would be perfect for me. But I still want to know how to do hair because I want to do my own blonde hair.....MEH. But also, HUMANITARIAN. You know I want to be a humanitarian. I thought I knew what I wanted to be, and then I wrote it to you and now I'm unsure again. Are you serious? I STILL DONT KNOW WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP. Life is full of hard decisions. Lol

This is my favorite story from President Thomas S. Monson...I read it in my Personal Study while I was sick....but I heard it once before in Seminary:

“Late one afternoon I was swimming at the Deseret Gym, gazing at the ceiling while backstroking width after width. Silently, but ever so clearly, there came to my mind the thought: ‘Here you swim almost effortlessly, while your friend Stan languishes in his hospital bed, unable to move.’ I felt the prompting: ‘Get to the hospital and give him a blessing.’

“I ceased my swimming, dressed, and hurried to Stan’s room at the hospital. His bed was empty. A nurse said he was in his wheelchair at the swimming pool, preparing for therapy. I hurried to the area, and there was Stan, all alone, at the edge of the deeper portion of the pool. We greeted one another and returned to his room, where a priesthood blessing was provided.

“Slowly but surely, strength and movement returned to Stan’s legs. …

“Frequently Stan speaks in Church meetings and tells of the goodness of the Lord to him. To some he reveals the dark thoughts of depression which engulfed him that afternoon as he sat in his wheelchair at the edge of the pool, sentenced, it seemed, to a life of despair. He tells how he pondered the alternative. It would be so easy to propel the hated wheelchair into the silent water of the deep pool. Life would then be over. But at that precise moment he saw me, his friend. That day Stan learned literally that we do not walk alone. I, too, learned a lesson that day: Never, never, never postpone following a prompting” (“The Spirit Giveth Life,” Ensign, May 1985, 70).

And it's so true. There is a song and the words are there for a reason, "LET the Holy Spirit Guide". We have to LET him guide us. We can never ever shut him out. 

{rant over}

So there is a family in this Ward whom I LOVE. And they love me....and know how much I love babies. Well, they have a 4 month old baby boy and they ALWAYS try to make me hold him. The other night at the Thanksgiving activity...they put him ON MY LAP. I was so stressed, I didn't know what to do but scream, "I CANT HOLD HIM. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I CANT TOUCH HIM. BAHHH, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME. meh, HE IS SO CUTE. I STILL CANT HOLD HIM!!!" Then they took him off my lap. I feel so bad because Mexicans always want you to hold their babies and it's like kinda rude if I don't. I haven't yet though. I'm going to ask President what his thoughts are. Spanish Speaking missions are so much different than English. Especially with Mexicans. 

So we have this investigator who has a 5 year old grandson named Angel. Angel is literally considered morbidly obese and is on a strict diet to help him lose weight. He has a lot of confidence issues because of it because other kids have made fun of him his whole life. BUT, he is my favorite little boy in the world. He came to the activity the other night and I was trying to get him to play with the 5 million other kids we have in the ward but he only wanted to play with me. Soooo, NATURALLY, I gathered all the younger Primary kids in a circle and said we were going to play a game. I then tagged a little boy named Devin and ran away. I literally had a swarm of about 12 kids (ages 2-6) chasing me around the gym in the middle of the dinner. I was also screaming. It was the funniest thing. But, I'm the best for it because Angel made friends. :)

So I emailed Grandon Rutter! My friend is serving with him and was in the same district as him so he gave me his email! He's doing great! His comp is 6'6....HUGE. His family is living in Houston, TX...so if yall still want to move there. You've already got card buddies. :)

We had 2 Thanksgiving dinners! One at lunch at about 3 and one at 5. At the 3 o'clock one, it was Thanksgiving Mexican Style. Elote, turkey with chile, chunky mashed potatoes, and jello. The second was with the Grady's and it was a traditional "white" Thanksgiving dinner. When she called us to invite us, I almost started crying I was so excited. Because she literally called it a "White Person's Thanksgiving Dinner". Yeah, Mexicans. Ebony's husband, Grady served in the APM just 2 years ago. He got back when Mikey got back. Now he's back in La Joya married to Ebony. He's super white and from North Carolina (go tarheels). I showed him dad's selfie with the Heels Flag in the background. He was excited!

We had another investigator at church today. But 3 at the activity. It's an awesome feeling. :)

Obispo is coming out with us tomorrow. I can't wait! He is an awesome guy and always wants to help us! 

Well, I'll talk to you more next week! Love you! Only 24 more days!!!!

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling"

"For the Thanksgiving activity, the Hermanos got together Saturday morning and fried 10 Turkeys. I tried Fried Turkey Guts. It was a fun time."

November 24, 2014

"Missions are super interesting, and then sometimes it just feels like routines. I've started that gratitude journal and I really like it. I look forward in writing in it everyday. I put down bullet points of what I was grateful for that day. I will send home my gratitude journal and regular journal when I finish, and you can read them! :)

Sooo, we had 2 investigators at church....super exciting! I haven't even had ONE attend since I've been here! Also, there was a family that we got a referral for whom we haven't been able to find lately....but they went as well! Ahhh, the work is hastening and I'm soooo excited! Alsooo, we had the Rendon's at church, the Rangel's, and Hermano Cordova....all less actives in our area!!! I finally feel like a missionary, despite already being one for more than 4 months!

La familia Rendon had us over for cena on Saturday and almuerzo on Sunday. I love that man. I call him abuelito and every time we go over, he cries tears of joy and says there is happiness and joy in his heart. We aren't even doing anything but talking and sharing stories that I don't understand. Sometimes I feel a little bitterness from Hermana Turner because she makes remarks like, "yeah, everybody loves Hermana Dreiling...." but in a snotty way. I'm just sittin over here like, "DON'T H8 ME CUZ CHU AINT MEH." #byefelecia

I know I'm Hermano Rendon's fave.... Duh. 

I'm still so exhausted all the time. What en el mundo is wrong with me? 

So apparently our Ward is doing something for all the missionaries for Christmas. One of the Primary Kids told us that he knows we aren't with our families for Christmas, so they are going to make it feel like home. HOW CUTE. This Christmas might be a little hard for me....but just think....next Christmas, I'll be going home in 18 more days....cray cray. 

This is the difference:

Gift of Tongues- "The Lord can bless us with the ability to speak that language."

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues- "This gift is sometimes given to us when we do not understand a language and we need to receive an important message from God."

I loooove singing in German!!! I love that language.....why don't we live in Germany, Kelly?! I feel so deprived.... ;) Every morning we sing a song with our apartment and I sing in German! Bahaha, I love it. I actually sound really good. I don't know what I'm singing, but it sounds legit!

Well, not much else is going on....just getting over my cold I got a week ago and being a servant of the Lord. Packages are still appreciated. Love you. 

Xoxo,  Hermana Dreiling"

November 18, 2014

"Well, I found out I won't be getting transferred. Buuuut, neither will my companion! We're staying for another transfer. Yay. 

The Cultural Celebration was this week and it was SO FLIPPIN COOL. I SAW THOMAS S. MONSON, DIETER F. UCHTDORF, DALLIN H. OAKS, LYNN G. ROBBINS, AND RICHARD J MAYNES. Seriously the coolest thing ever. Did anyone watch it? It was pretty amazing and spiritual. Oh, can I just say.... President Uchtdorf waved to me....I totally Mormon fangirled. But I mean, come on, it's Uchtdorf! So handsome.....is that bad to say? C'est la vie.... WELL, I also felt like a celebrity! As we were all walking out to sing Called to Serve, every single person there was clapping and cheering for us and also taking pictures and videos of us....what?! I felt like Beyoncé. I felt a little awkward.....lol. Anyway, the whole night was a very big testimony builder for me. 

We got 5 NEW investigators this week....that is UNHEARD of in La Joya Central. We are working our 3 square miles. I have been speaking a lot in Spanish. I seriously have the Gift of Tongues......just not the Interpretation of Tongues. Was I even blessed with that? If not, I BLAME PRESIDENT CLOVER. Just kidding, I'll get it within the next 14 months. Which brings me to my next point.....

I'VE BEEN OUT FOR 4 MONTHS ALREADY. 

what? how did this happen? 

i feel like ive been gone for so long, but 4 months already? 

cray. only 419 days until im home. and 37 until SKYPE. 

AHHHH. I think I'm going to pee my pants that day. Also...Thanksgiving is next week.....what. When did Halloween happen? It was hot here, and then Sunday, it was 64 degrees and I was pretty sure I was going to freeze. Who am I? I cannot handle cold weather at all. God knew what he was doing when he put me here....I would literally die anywhere else. 

#louisiana&floridagirl #through&through

I found out a new dicho and I've been saying it to everyone....

"Del dicho al hecho hay gran trecho"

Apparently in English it's supposed to mean, "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip"

I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA BUT IT IS FUN TO SAY! :)

I have lost some weight, yes. But they do feed us....SO MUCH. My stomach has expanded so much that I'm like RICKY and MIKEY now.....a bottomless pit. I hate it. #mexicans

I have had tamales so much on my mission, and I love them. But I had one that was DISGUSTING. They had olives and prunes in them. TOGETHER. oh man, I couldn't eat them. And I can eat almost anything now....including pig feet, menudo, mole, chincharon, y Elote. I LOVE ELOTE. It's basically corn on the cob, with mayo (only gross part) all around it, Parmesan cheese, tajin, and lime juice all on top. Super good. Try it! :)

Packages are still appreciated. :)

10350 W McDowell Rd.

Apartment: #3225

Avondale, AZ 85392-9539 

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling"

Pictures!!

November 10, 2014

"Helllooo duuuur,

I don't have much news from this week! I stayed inside for 3 days because we think I have the flu. I don't really ever throw up...you know that... But I have had nausea, achyness, diarrhea, fever, headaches, been weak, and literally EXHAUSTED. I've literally slept all day for the past three days. Sooo, not much news from that.

This Saturday is the Temple Cultural Celebration and all the missionaries are going to be in it. We are singing two songs with the youth...one has sign language with it. YOU CAN WATCH IT. 

Then on Sunday, that is the Temple Dedication....it's my first!!! I'm super excited for that! Other than that, noooot much!

We had 2 less active's come to church this Sunday....one of them I have gotten super close to. His name is Hermano Rendon and he is the funniest old Mexican I've ever met! He's diabetic and doesn't take care of himself so I get mad at him EVERY TIME we go over. He said he would go to the temple open house if we brought him cookies. So we looked for sugar free ones....they don't exist. So we made him a sugar free cake cut into the shape of a temple! He went...and then yesterday he went to CHURCH. Man, I'm so happy for him. It was the first time in 22 years he has been to church. 

You're probably wondering why I never write home about my investigators. ITS BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE ANY. BAAAHHHHHH!!!!! It kills me! Not a lot of stuff happening in this area.mwe have 3 sq miles to work with. Apparently it has been really unproductive for a while. Buuuut, next week is transfers and we will see what happens. We will only have 13 Hermanas in the whole mission. We aren't getting any new Hermanas but we have two leaving, sooo he will either have to combine two areas, or shut down an area....but either way, there is going to have to be a trio, UNLESS he moves an Hermana to English..... SPECULATION. Apparently we aren't supposed to speculate, but I literally have yet to meet someone who doesn't. We speculate with our Zone Leaders....lol

Ohhh, one funny thing that happened this week is I figured out why I love Obispo Menchaca so much....HE LOOKS LIKE DADDY. Bahahaha I was laughing for like 20 mins straight after I figured it out. Obispo is so shy, he gets weird when I talk about it. Or it stresses him out to think about having a daughter as crazy as me! Probably the second one.....

Well just know the holidays are coming up so any packages are appreciated. 

Feel free to send any. :)

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling"

November 3, 2014

"'Can a woman forget her (crawfish head) sucking child, (APPARENTLY
KELLY DREILING CAN) that she should not have compassion on the
(daughter) of her womb (who is on a mission)? yea, they may forget,
yet will I not forget thee."
Isaiah 49:15

Thank you God, for not forgetting me. Kelly, no excuse.

Well this week was a doozy...worked at the final days of the Open
House and oh man....am I tired. Thursday night was the busiest night.
I left at 9:30pm and there was a HUGE line weaving in and out of the
church and outside of the temple...apparently the Sisters in the
reception tent didn't leave until 10:15pm.....and our curfew is 9.
Halloween was slow and nobody memorable really came through except a
girl who looked like she was 18, she was dressed as a cat and had
super tight black spandex on. She also had a hole in the butt of her
Spandex and it was suuuuper classy. I want to think she didn't know it
was there and just thought she was wearing super tight spandex to the
temple....but who really knows. I also told everyone I dressed up as
Beyoncé.....my master. OH, remember Elder Farley from the ccm? The one
who always looked at me crazy in all of my pictures? WELL, his family
went through the Open House and I met them! Super cool experience!
They are so sweet, and follow my blog....SHOUT OUT TO YOU HONEY!!!
(Honey is her name....is that not the coolest?!)

Saturday was pretty busy all day, and I met someone from Mikey's
mission. Can't really remember his name....pero esta bien! I was with
another Sister all day and she told me her story. She is an amazing
person.....she grew up in a house where her parents were Hoarders and
her sisters used to abuse her. She said they had no furniture except
beds because they couldn't. Their rat infestation made it hard for
them to have anything. They had hardly any electricity and she is the
only active one in her family. She is paying for everything by
herself...like car, school, mission, housing, etc. She is amazing to
me and I look up to her. A lot of the Sisters do not really get along
with her but I think she is so inspiring. For hew to be the way she is
after growing up like that, is amazing.

Alsoooo, I was in the reception tent for The Open House and a man came
up to me and said, "Good job on the temple, you built it all yourself,
right?" And I was like, "Yeah, someone had to do it. Wasn't too hard
though." And he was like, "How did you get Moroni up there?" And I
said, "I strapped him on my back and climbed up there like Mulan." He
just walked away.....I don't know what that means. Then, a woman saw
my name tag and saw that it said, "Hermana Dreiling". She came up to
me and said super slowly, "Do you speak English too?" Homegirl, that
is the only thing I speak accept sarcasm....DO I LOOK MEXICAN?!

The temple dedication is November 16th! And we don't know the details
for that yet. Buuuut, we do know we will be participating in the
Cultural Celebration!!! You can watch it online too!! That will be on
the 15th! Watch it and look for me! :)

I am becoming a much more patient person....oh. my. gatos. I'm pretty
sure I can deal with anything. ALSO, charity. Everyone needs charity
in their lives. It makes you feel better. If you aren't praying for
charity. Start. It tells us in the scriptures that what we need to ask
the Lord in prayer for charity. I have and he has blessed me
sincerely.  The Mish life is getting better everyday. But it's because
I'm developing more patience, charity, and faith. Missions show you
your weaknesses and totally crushes you until you hit rock bottom and
then you can only go up from there. It's crazy. And it sucks. But it
will be worth it because I will know how to deal with my husband and
kids....lol not kidding.

I also decided I want Moroni 10:32 for my plaque. And I'm good for my
driving record, I already sent it in!

Wellll I love yall and thank you for supporting me in everything. I
know I'm crazy and that's okay because God loves me lol. And he won't
forget about me....refer to paragraph one.

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling"

October 27, 2014

Hey guys updating is going to be back on track now. Sorry for such a long break between updates!

"Me gusta español mucho ahora.... Pero no mi compañera. Nunca.....
Si, estoy todavia con ella..... :(
#prayfortransfers

The Ward gave all of us missionaries (there are 3 companionships in
this Ward, the rest are elders) cards and chocolate....for no specific
reason! Just a thank you for our service to the Lord....how sweet is
that. Obispo Menchaca said, "tell your parents thank you for
me....thank you so much!" He's grateful how my parents raised me and
for who I am. Is that not the cutest thing....He's probably the second
nicest Obispo in the world. (First one being my dad lol) :) they also
all tell me I'm going to stay in La Joya for my whole mission. They
said, "Your mission is not the Phoenix Arizona Mission, it's the La
Joya Phoenix Arizona Mission!!!" MEXICANS ARE SO FUNNY. I also harass
my WML by saying I'm switching to English and he freaks out every
time. Bringing out doctrine and his advice. I laugh so much here. I
love this Ward!

I've seen so many people from home here. Because I'm from
Florida...and that's not close. Lol....confused. Yeah. I saw Elder
King....he was in my zone in the CCM. He's in the Scottsdale mission
and it's super cool that every surrounding mission can come visit with
investigators, recent converts, and less actives. It shows how
important the temple is!!! I've seen the Cerveras, the Robbins, and a
missionary who served in the Beneva Branch! I also saw all of Nina's
best friends from EFY! Nina and Ricky were supposed to come too but
didn't because it would be too much work for Ricky to take off! BOO.
So they owe me a huge package.... :)

We are staying at other sisters apartments for Wednesday, Thursday.
Friday, and Saturday nights because we carpool with them. My apartment
is about 20-30 mins away from the temple! Their apartment is just like
10 mins away from ours, but it's easier just to stay the night with
them than getting up earlier (we already get up at 5) to meet
somewhere! So we still travel like 20 mins there! #nottooshabby

Oh and a mom offered her son to me there....he was like 40 years old
and single. So awkward. So nasty. And someone hard core fell in the
reception tent on Saturday....it took everything in me not to laugh
because I was so uncomfortable. (I laugh when I don't know what to do
#imaterribleperson)

Kay, well I will see you in 445 days!!! Less than 15 months!!!

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling
(The only person who has ever been in the La Joya Phoenix Arizona Mission)"

September 15, 2014

"How has your week been? We'll mine was the same until Yesterday when I
went on Exchanges. It. Was. Awesome. I finally got trained on how to
be a missionary and I loved it. We talked to more than 50 people
yesterday. That means over 50 have heard the truth of the
Gospel.....and I helped. I was with Hermana Santana and she is so
awesome. She goes home 2 days after the Temple Dedication and she is
an amazing missionary! I had so much fun all day and we did more work
that day then I have my whole mission....

I talked to Presidente about how I'm not happy in this companionship
because I feel like I'm not learning (now I know I'm not...) and he
just kept telling me how she's the best trainer ever, blah blah blah.
And I'm like....Hmmm. This is so embarrassing to say, but I didn't
even know about the "Talk to Everyone" thing until Hermana Santana. I
thought it was just about knocking on doors of those we know until
Hermana Santana was like, "uhh why are you riding past these people?"
And I was like, we've never done that before.....BUT THAT IS
MISSIONARY WORK. So now I feel like the first 3 weeks have been
wasted.

Anyway, other than that, nothing new really happened. We have a new
potential family we got from a referral. It's a mom and three girl but
she's living with her boyfriend (eek) I hate when that happens. We
found them but the referral was really for a guy named Freddy. He
works in Salt Lake City and has met with the missionaries. But when we
found him, he was not interested. But a nice guy. And hopefully his
Girlfriend and her kids are interested.

One guy who we were teaching was super interested. We taught about
baptism and he chose the date he wanted to get baptized on, right then
and there. Awesome. But we couldn't find him for awhile and so after
like the 5th time of showing up at his house randomly and
calling...his daughter opened the door and she said he moved.....OUT
OF OUR MISSION. boo.....

But, other than that.....nada.

I JUST CRIED I WAS LAUGHING SO HARD. Dad smelled my hair?!?! Does it
smell good? What do I smell like? Let me know.... That is sooo funny!
Bahahah....golden. I really wished you would've taken a picture pero,
esta bien!

So I got one package in the mail.....is that all there was? I thought
you said there would be two! Will you take a picture of the program
and send it to me? I wanna see my name on there! Also....A PICTURE OF
MY SONS.  I miss them terribly. How are they doing? Is Pooper being
nice to Bentley? Do they miss me? I miss them so much I'm tearing up
at the moment....but I'm at a zone activity so I have to choke down
the tears. I'm crazy.....I know.

We'll I don't know what else to talk about, but I LOVE YOU GUYS! I
haven't used any hair products because I want my hair to grow back
SUPER HEALTHY. Cray, huh? Maybe for like a special occasion....

I love you, keep praying.

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling
Aka, Hermana Blanca

Ps. Our new investigator Miguel looks like Feivel from An American
Tale.....I like him."

Second week in Arizona!

Hey everyone, sorry for such a late post! Sister Hermana got to Arizona last week. We didn't hear much from her then except.... 
"I'm in Arizona! I'm in the La Joya Ward

10350 W McDowell Rd
Apartment: #3225
Avondale, AZ 85392-9539

It's really hot here but I[m pushing through. We just went to a dinner appointment and I didnt understand anything." 

Here is her e-mail from this week (August 8, 2014) 

"Well this week has been a bit better since the whole "incident".
There's only 15 Hermanas in the whole mission. That's only 7
areas....cray. We're mostly in The Tolleson/Glendale areas. Pauline is
the farthest north Hermanas go!

Your car sounds pretty cool. I see you went with a cheaper car because
you're saving up for when I come back. #rangeroverhereicome
You guys should have gotten me some jewelry and sent it! That would've
been nice. ;)

I JUST mailed my surprise today since last week was Labor Day and the
post office wasn't open. Boo. But yeah I mailed it. Along with the
charger you guys got me.....I need to hook my camera up to the
computer (ex. Card reader or cord) not to charge it. I have my
charger! Also, I REALLY want a gps.....my companion does not know how
to get around the area and it's so annoying to go back and forth on
bike.

I honestly wish I could tell you how our lessons are going. But I
don't understand them and my companion doesn't translate. It's. Hard.
We have a man named Victor who has a heart problem. He has a
pacemaker. Anyway, he picked his own Baptismal Date and
everything...October 26th....and he was afraid to pray. So I told him
this:
Me- Victor, como esta
       (High pitched voice) Padre celestial
       (Deep voice) Si, hijo
       (High voice) estoy agradecido por......lalala
       (Deep voice) de nada
       (High voice) Por Favor Bendice Me con.......
       (Deep Voice) está bien

He looooved it. That was the only thing I've said in lessons all week.
True story. But the ward here is awesome. They always give me advice
(that I don't understand) and call me beautiful. That all I want in
life. Bahaha yeah and we had a haboob the other day....like a dust
storm. It was pretty sweet.

Well I love you guys and I can't wait to see you in 16 months! Bahaha so sad.

Talk to you next week! Also, email me back real quick with how much
money I have in my account....I need $600 Love you!

Xoxo, Hermana Dreiling"