March 30, 2015, "#becauseHELIVES!!!"

Minnesota State Capital 

Sister Turner, Me, Elders Esquivel, Olive, Lowe
"I flippin love these guys, my MTC district!"

Companion: Sister Hunt
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN  55438-1715

“Because He Lives!!!”

Hey Ya'll!!!

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had this week to attend the General Conference Women's broadcast. I was so touched by the strong spirit and testimonies each person shared about the importance of the family, and a spirit centered home. It made me think of how I want my future home to be like. As I have been on my mission for 6 months this Wednesday I have realized some attributes I want to gain and take on when I am a wife and mother. I want to be a covenant keeping daughter of my Heavenly Father and I want to be able to bring the next generation of His children up in righteousness. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be on the Lord's mission to see so many of his children and their different lives. I learn so much more from all of them then I could ever teach them!!!!! I know that this church is the true church here on this earth today and I know that as this next week we get to hear the Prophet and his apostles speak we will be able to understand and receive guidance for our plan that Heavenly Father has for each of us.

Monday March 23, 2015

Hermana Fastido & Hermana Rawlins at the Cathedral

District P-day! We played volleyball, ships and sailors, the name game mixed with signs, and ping pong! It was so fun!!! We saw the girls, of course, and had a good lesson with them about the Savior.  Following the lesson we laughed our heads off. Sister Hunt laughed so hard that orange juice came out her mouth.  It was h i l a r i o u s!!!!!! 

   

Tuesday March 24, 2015

Sister Hunt was sick last night, but didn't wake me up, the stinker!!! I feel badly.  She was really pale, so we took it easy this morning. We went out and had lunch with Summer. That was nice!! We talked about the temple; I love the temple. I wish we could go more, but I am grateful for the opportunity I have to help those that are alive do their own work:)  Brittany and Tim had all of us over for dinner. Sister Hunt didn't feel good. We took cute Kathryn Fuluvaka out teaching with us to Annika tonight! Seriously, I decided we are going to be best buddies when I get home, she is awesome!!!!! 

"Shamrock Grill & Pub, Minnesotan Famous Jucy Lucy Burger!"
President & Sister Forbes with Sisters Zone P-day

     

Wednesday March 25, 2015

Today we had zone training! It was about the “Because He Lives” initiative and tracting!!!! After training we went to Famous Dave's for lunch with Roger and the Bloomington Sisters! After that we went on exchanges. I was with Sister Jenkins here in Lake Nokomis. The “Because He Lives” video is awesome. Ya'll should share it on social media!!!!!!!!

Thursday March 26, 2015

We went to Arby's with the Elders, then raced to the church for bishops meeting....we won... of course;)  After the meeting, Brother Shaffer took us out for Tacos and that was fun!

Friday March 27, 2015

Shamrock Grill & Pub March 30, 2015

We went to a “pass off lesson” with Elder Ford and Fuller. We got there early and watched the cutest 5 bunnies hopping around. We were dying! Then we taught 1 Nephi 8, colored it and had a competition. hahaha I didn't win....

Saturday March 28, 2015

We moved into the Elders “old” apartment. They cleaned it up really good. Moving is stressful though!!!! We went to the Women's conference; it kicked butt!!!!!   My mattress, which was Elder Ford's old mattress has elbow marks from him praying! I was falling into the little divots all night!  I can see a strip of the stop light from the street and I watch it every night hahaha!   I say “Green, SLOW DOWN”, and then Sister Hunt said “STOP”!!! I was like good job; its red!! Hahaha, I love it!!!

Sunday March 29, 2015

"Minnesotan Famous Jucy Lucy Burger!"

While we were in Minneapolis, we saw 4 guys handcuffed on the ground by the cops. It was great!! We made the Elders switch our mattresses out with our old ones, so that was good. We went with the Stacey’s and Summer to ‘Lamb of God’ by the Minnesota Mormon Chorale. It was so good!!! But the best part was, I saw my buddies from the MTC!!! Elder Esquivel, Elder Oliver, Elder Lowe, and Sister Turner!  It was almost the whole district!!!!  I flippin’ love those guys!!!!!

Monday AKA TODAY March 30:  We had a Sisters Zone P-day. President and Sister Forbes took us to the St. Paul Cathedral. After we went to a place called the Shamrock Grill and Pub to have a Minnesotan famous ‘Jucy Lucy’ Burger!!! It was so fun and cool!!! We are going to be with Summer tonight!!!

In the Van with President Forbes, "Sisters Zone P-Day!"

Its transfers this coming, Wednesday… guess what? “I GET TO STAY IN MY AREA WITH SISTER HUNT!!!!!!!!!!!”

Sorry to be brief!! Love you all to the Moonisota and Back!!!!  

Love,

Sister Young

March 23, 2015, "WOOHOO!!"

"This is Summer! She turned 22 on her BAPTISM/Birthday!"
People are shorter here in Minn., "I FEEL TALL!!"

Companion: Sister Hunt

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN  55438-1715

"WOOHOO!!"

Hey Everyone,  

            I am so excited for Conference.  During October's General Conference I was in the MTC!!! It was the most wonderful thing I had ever experienced!!! I feel like a kid on Christmas waiting for conference this spring!! I am so grateful that we have modern technology available so that we can see it here in Minnesota :)

"Selfie, filling the font!!"

          This week has been amazing!!! Summer our wonderful investigator got baptized!!!! She is the first baptism that I have been able to be a part of in my mission!! It was truly a spiritual experience to see someone who I have been teaching for the past few months decide to make such a wonderful promise with our Father in Heaven. The Spirit truly touches those that are prepared to hear the gospel!!!! I am so grateful to be a missionary here in Minnesota and to be able to see the Holy Ghost touch these sweet people’s hearts!!! 

Monday, March 16: The exterminator came and got things taken care of! Thank heavens!!!! So after we emailed we went shopping. Next, we went to the global market which is a really cool place with different stuff from all over the globe...hence the name. Anyways, we got some really cool dresses that a lot of people wear here. They are so comfy!!! We call them our ‘African dresses’ but I think they were made in India..... We taught the girls tonight. That was lots of fun, as usual!

"Happy st. Patricks Day!"

Tuesday March 17: St. Patrick’s Day! I realized I don't own any green.... so I borrowed Sister Hunt’s green dress. She has a lot of green.... anyways I didn't get pinched. We went to Sister Edgington’s and helped her organize her kitchen. Oh my gosh, she is the best cook! I love Brazilian food.  I especially like beans, rice and meat. I don't know what she does to it to make it different, but it is so good!  We actually stirred plantains into our beans and rice, and it tasted really good! She also had me try some Farinha Lactea which is like Cream of Wheat, only better! Bryan you had good food on your mish!!!!! Desirae and the kiddos were next.  We had dinner with her, also Elders Ford and Fuller. It was so nice outside, so we played with the kiddos for a little bit. The Elders played soccer with the boys and we played with the little girls. It was so much fun. Anastasia, who is 4, loves the Elders. She wanted to say the opening prayer and blessed the Elders like 6 times ha,ha so cute! Then Tori said the closing prayer who is 2 which is just 

adorbs, and Anastasia kept saying remember to bless the Elders!!!! Little kids are so flippin cute!!!! We also taught Hope, who is preparing for Baptism!!!! We are so excited!!!!!

Cute Ann Pettit sent me a leprechaun letter with cuteness in it!!!!

Wednesday March 18:  Nothing too exciting happened. We just taught some of our peeps, and wore our new African dresses.  We got like a billion compliments, haha these things are great!!!! 

"Blazin Challenge-Elder Youngberg & Elder Ford"

Thursday March 19: Thursdays are when we have district meeting and bishops meeting. Always fun stuff, long, but fun. I gave the White Handbook Training during district meeting. I did it on relationships with others. I focused on ‘your relationship with your companion’. I thought it would be a good one since we are all loving our companionships that we are with :) Sis Hunt is just so amazing! Then we went to lunch at B-dubs, of course....  Elder Ford and Elder Youngberg did the Blazin' Challenge!!! It's where you have to eat 12 of their hottest temperature spicy wings in 6 minutes with no drink or napkin. If they make it they would get a shirt. It looked miserable to do. They had to sign a waiver before they did it!!!! Elder Youngberg was close but didn't finish, but Elder Ford finished and got a shirt!  Their faces were so red and puffy from the sauce!!!! That stuff was hot!!! The B-Dubs gave them a glass of milk for free and water, but they finished that in like 10 seconds. So without them knowing, I bought them another glass of milk. They were dying because their mouths were on fire.... kinda sad but at the same time it was really funny! The Elders and Brother Shaffer came to our apartment building and helped get rid of some furniture. That was nice to get that out of the apartment!

Friday, March 20!!!!: We went to ‘Feed my Starving Children’ today as a Zone. After we all went to Chipotle. It was funny seeing eight missionary cars with bike racks following each other. It looked so cool! A lady we passed kept flipping her head like what the???!!! Ha,ha!! After that we went to FILL THE FONT for Summer's Baptism!!!!! It was so cool!!!!! I loved the sound of water running in the Church!!!! I was so excited ahhh!!!

      A recent convert named Roger from the other ward who takes really good care of missionaries bought us some really good authentic Mexican food from Papitos!!! Then, Summer came and game on!!!!! We started taking pictures and it was so great to see how happy she was!!!! When everyone came her little sisters skyped Sister Hulet, Sister Smith and Sister Noe in who also taught her. It was fun to see Sis. Hulet; kinda weird though!  Sister Dearden gave a beautiful talk on baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then Bishop Chrysler baptized Summer.It was such an amazing thing to see someone who I have been teaching for so long, enter into the waters of baptism!!!!! I teared up. Then we watched a Mormon message called ‘Earthly Father, Heavenly Father’ while she was getting dressed. We then shared our testimonies on being a child of God. Summer then shared a poem she wrote for her baptism. It was so cool!!!! Also it was her 22nd birthday, so it was double the fun!!!

Saturday March 21: We and the North Elders, Marvin and Jackson went to Sister Edgingtons to help clean her attic. She fed us breakfast and then we helped grab stuff since missionaries aren't allowed to climb ladders. She was up there handing stuff down to us, so that was good exercise to go up and down her stairs to the garage and attic opening. We then met up with Summer and went to the Stacey’s for lunch. They are just the best people ever!!!!! Then we taught Annika. After we taught her, Mary her mom wanted to take us out to TJ's Pizza which is a yummy hole in the wall place here in Edina. We got gluten free pizza, and had a great chat about the gospel!!!! Mary then bought me a 32 oz. Diet Coke for the road!  haha she is so nice!!!!

"Birthday Celebration for the Elders"

Sunday March 22: Summer got confirmed today by President Stacey!!!! It was such a cool experience!!!!!! We typed her confirmation up for her so she could have a copy and remember it forever!!!!! Today is Elder Fuller's 20th Birthday, so we made brownies last night and bought ice cream. At 4 we had a party with all the Elders. He was bashful about it being his birthday, but it was fun to celebrate anyways! He loves Elsa and Rapunzel, so we made him a picture frame with them in it haha, he loved it!!! We also got Elder Ford a T- Swift picture because he loves her. It was pretty funny. We told them not to be distracted by them!!!! We went to Sis. K's house for dinner with her twin girls! They are too cute! Then it started snowing hard core, which is a bummer. We ended by going to Sister Hill's and watching the Lamb of God with her. 

"Sister Twins!"  Love from Sister Forbes

We have had an amazing week, busy and amazing!!!!

Love you to the Moonisota and Back!

"Edina"

Sister Ashlee Young

"Edina!"

"African Dresses!!"

March 16, 2015, “Bugs will bite, but it won’t stop us from doing what is Right!!”

"Summer's Baptismal Interview!"

Companion: Sister Hunt

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN  55438-1715

Hey Everyone,  

      The Lord truly has his hand in our lives; especially here in the Lake Nokomis Ward!!!! I am so grateful for the investigators he has blessed us with. He has led us to 4 of his precious daughters who are ready to be baptized and have set a date!!!! I am so excited…… I can't wait to help his daughter’s progress towards entering into the waters of baptism!!! I know that Heavenly father truly blesses his missionaries, and though I am not perfect I continue to strive to be the best missionary I can be for my Father in Heaven. I am grateful for this gospel, for prayer, and for the faith that the people here in Minnesota have to follow in the Saviors footsteps.

"Sarah & Annika, with me & Sister Hunt"

     So, we may or may not have seen a bed bug in our apartment and we may or may not have an exterminator in our apartment killing them right now.... Don't have a cow Mom…… I won't bring any home. But, we saw one last week and killed it.  I was flipping out; called the housing Elder in the MMM Elder Thompson and he got right on it. The landlord called the exterminator and he came the next day. They said they found some bed bugs but they were in the early stages of life and should be easier to kill. So today we had to get up at 5 am so that they could heat our apartment up to 140 deg. F' and spray to kill the little buggers. So rewinding to a few days ago, the Elders had to come to our apartment to move all of our furniture into the middle of the room, so that the pest people can do their job. So, we kept the rule of 3! Don't worry…… but it was soo funny seeing Elders in our apartment, haha! So anyways, we have slept on the floor the past few nights and man is that rough when you are a missionary!!!!! Last night when we got home we had to go through our apartment and fill boxes with stuff and label it; “Do Not Heat.” We stayed up cleaning until 1:15 am!!!! I don't remember the last time I stayed up that late. Then we got up at 5am to let the guy in!!!!! We were so dead to the world!!!!! So we have to leave the apartment obviously...so we went and got breakfast at McDonalds, drove to the church and attempted to sleep on the couch.... now my neck hurts and we were both freezing!!!! So we gave up on that and here I am..... The Elders came to the church and just laughed at us because we had to put stuff in our car so it looks like we live out of our car. We told them how late/early we were up, we have ZERO makeup and our hair is well….. you've seen me in the am... they were cracking up with how tired we are!!!!!! So yeah, bed bugs “bite!” lol

"Original Arbys!"

       The Elders called us the other night. We were talking and said goodnight; and they were like “Don't let the bed bugs bite!!!” ooohhhhhh!!!!  I could’ve slapped them!!!! But, it was funny!! We saw the Lake Nokomis Elders a lot this week. We had lunch with them at Panda and that was fun. Last Monday the Saratov Approach was soooo good. It was weird watching a movie like that on your mission. I could understand how the Elders felt love for the person who wanted to kill them. It is kind of a bizarre feeling, but after I was so appreciative for my companion. Let me tell ya those Elders had the longest comp inventory ever!!! hahaha I am grateful; for Sister Hunt!  She’s da best!

     We had a miracle this week. Our Stake youth performed ‘Journey with Joseph’. It was a play about Joseph Smith.  It was so good.  We got to go and Heavenly Father blessed us immensely there. TWO of our ‘gators were IN the play and both set a date to be baptized! Summer is getting baptized this week and then ANNIKA’S MOM WANTS to get baptized too. We taught her yesterday.  She felt the Spirit and cried. She wants to learn more #thechurchistrue.

"Journey with Joesph, Summer, Hope & Shania"

      SO, YOU READ IT RIGHT….. WE HAVE 4 BAPTISMAL DATES!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW!!! Lake Noknomis is the best!!! President’s fireside was last night and I saw my MTC District there.  It was so fun to see my friends!!!!!! Sarah Edgington came and she is the sweetest thing ever!!!! Well, can you post Sister Hunts post too from this week? Hers will have more details and she said it would be okay to add it under mine :)

Love you all to the “Moonisota” and back!!

Seester Ashlee Young

"Cool Plane - for Bryan!"

"Tiffani"

"Package from Sister Hulet!"

"Annika & Sarah with us"

  

"Zone P-day, an apostate missionary....hahaha"

"Journey with Joesph"

"Lake Harriett"

"Reunited with my MTC District!"

"Elders in our apartment...Bed bugs!!

"Our Apartment - to be heated to 140 degrees!"

"Packed up and out and centered in the room"

"Zone P-day, the evolution of a Missionary!!"

"Zone Leaders, Elder Fuller Byme & Elder Ford" 

"How the Elders parked (crazy!)...my car is the gold one!"

"My eyes look scary!!  hahaha!"

"Elders at our apartment, helping clear it for exterminator!"

March 9, 2015 "Obedience - Walking the Straight & Narrow!"

"Walking the Plank"
or as a missionary would say:
"Walking the Straight & Narrow!"

Companion: Sister Hunt

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona 

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN  55438-1715

Dear Family & Friends,

      This week Pres. Forbes sent us an inspirational email on obedience. I know that as I have strived to be exactly obedient that my mission has been blessed. I know that the Savior set the perfect example for us to follow Him and to be the best missionaries we can possibly be. I know I have a long way to go but I am getting closer each and every day. I pray that I can be as exactly obedient as possible while I am on my mission. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father's precious children here in Minnesota. I want to do everything I can to help them come closer to Him. I understand that I can only do that when I am being the best I can be. This week has been full of fun things. I am so grateful that I have been able to come on my mission and have fun while doing the Lord's work!  It is work, it's exhausting and sometimes difficult but it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done!  I am so grateful to have a wonderful companion like Sister Hunt to make me laugh every day and feel the Spirit while doing it. I have honestly been so blessed to have such wonderful companions! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has allowed me to serve in the best mission, with the best President, best areas, and best companions ever!!! I am truly blessed.

"At Church March 15, 2015"

     The highlight for lessons this week would have to be our 12 year old investigator. She is so prep

ared to be baptized on the 20th! We taught her The Gospel of Jesus Christ this week. The Spirit was so strong!  Sister Showley came with us to teach her. She was able to share her testimony with her. Members honestly make such a huge difference in lessons!  When I return from my mission I am going to go teaching with the missionaries, because having that 3rd witness brings such a strong spirit into the lesson. It also totally helps our ‘gators connect with the ward even better!

     So I don't have a ton more time today because it is ZONE P-DAY BABY!!!!!! We will be watching “The Saratov Approach” as a Zone. Then we are doing a selfie scavenger hunt and eating of course! Then later we will be going to see the “girlies!” You asked for more info. so to finish, I am going to give you the highlights from the past week.

Here we go!

"District Lunch"

-Cute Ann Pettit sent a “heart attack” in the mail with scriptures! What a doll! 

-We had dinner with Sister Stacey. She is soo cute. She is going to be our mission mom; she is da best!

-We saw "mom" with all of the Elders. She fed all of us a 2nd dinner….. we were so sick after!

-We went to “Feed my Starving Children” again and our table packed 45 boxes, woot woot!!

-Sister Callicutt fed all 6 of the Lake Nokomis missionary’s dinner. It was super fun!

-Visited the Walkers and had cornashin for dinner! A small chicken like bird haha !!

-Went to B-Dubs of course as a district

-We ate at Sister Wortleys home with her kiddos

"Sister Hunt makes me feel the Spirit!"

-We taught the girlies

-We visited the psych ward with the North Elders... it was crazy!  lol get it;)  I thought they were going to lock me in there! It honestly was creepy. We had to go through a lot of security things. (I kept thinking about Taylor!)

-We had dinner with Des and the Chidlets

-We cleaned Sister Page’s house and then she took us to Taco Bell

-I woke up at 5 am on “spring forward” but it really felt like 4am on Sunday that was brutal.

- FHE with Sister Kraus and her twins….. that was fun

-We visited Sister Stacey at her house for a bit about some YW stuff :) She is adorbs!!

-We cleaned our apartment really well since we are moving at the end of the month

- Did I mention we cooked a lot this week, #sickofdoingdishes

-On Sunday, we invited and they all showed!  7 investigators to church!!!!!!

-The temperature was 43 outside so we didn't wear our coats, had the windows down and enjoyed the warm weather :)

Well, I have to go.  I love you both to the MOONISOTA AND BACK!!! TALK TO YOU NEXT WEEK!

Love ya!!!

Seester Ashlee Young

SNAIL MAIL ME, MUAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

"Lake Minnihaha Falls-Frozen"

"Lake Harriett"

"Bro. & Sis. Walker are the cutest!"

"Minnihaha Falls"

Cold....

Ya-hoo!!

"Ducky"

"Kissed a Seal or Sealed with a Kiss!"

"The Twin Cities"

"The Girls"

"A Bit Blustery"