April 25

Howdy from Woodville, TX where my life, emotions, and missionary work have been a complete roller coaster, and where I wouldn't have it any other way!  This week has been the kick-off week of sorts for what President Moldenhauer has been inspired to call "The Standard of Becoming- living the doctrine of Christ".  We're raising our vision as a mission and seeing miracles because of it. 

 

Monday started off w/ a sweet P-day.  After our normal cleaning and errand running we went up to Jasper for some district P-day fun.  We went back to that ankle-deep creek since Elder Hakes and I both have new companions that had not yet experienced it.  We all had lots of fun.  We saw a snake in the water... we're pretty sure it was poisonus (red touches yellow and all that good stuff)... but we keep forgetting to show the picture w/ took to one of our many snake expert members to tell us for sure.  When we saw the snake we all got out of his way and went the other direction.  The M* family fed us dinner that night- spaghetti and garlic bread and green beans w/ strawberry shortcake for dessert.  It's definitely different over there w/o Carrie around, but she is doing great in the MTC and leaves for California this week.  We also stopped by the younger M* family for a good visit. 

 

Tuesday was the day of our special mission-wide fast for missionary work.  Some of our members participated as well.  We started off our proselyting day by biking to the library to spend time on mormon.org.  Then we came back the apt. for awhile to finish our weekly planning that we didn't do the previous Thursday and hadn't finished yet.  We made lots of phone calls to schedule appts. and recruit the help of the members since we're still pretty much not using our car.  In the afternoon we set out to go visit Frankie C*, but on the way there we met a man named Isaac W* who was walking down the street.  We ended up having a lesson w/ him while we walked and talked- he's totally searching for truth and trying to change his life.  He's moving to Dallas this week so we exchanged info so he can meet w/ missionaries up there.  Then we got to Frankie's and she wasn't home, so we headed to Bro. Jeff J* apt, but ran into someone else we needed to have a gospel conversation w/.  We arrived at Jeff's in time to watch him bike away w/ his headphones in his ears so he couldn't hear us call after him... so we sped after him on our bikes and caught up to him.  We had a lesson w/ him including a kneeling prayer right there on the busy street corner next to Walmart.  It was pretty sweet.  After that we met a man named Owen who accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and an invitation to read Moroni 10.  Then we went to the D*'s home and watched "The Lamb of God" w/ them and commited them to prayerfully find someone to give it to.  Then we biked home all speedy like just in time for Sis. A* to drop of dinner to us- homemade gumbo w/ an amazing "5 flavor cake" for dessert.  We spent our dinner break recovering from eating so speedy when we broke our fast.  We were pretty hot and tired too, so we just laid there for a little while.  Then we biked up to the church where we met w/ a less-active member Jacob C* and one of his sweet daughters Chelsea (age 11) for a church tour.  It was a powerfully spiritual experience, and Chelsea accepted the invitation to be baptized on May 7th.  She's so cool.  Then we started biking home and we passed a guy that looked kind of tough and it was getting kind of dark.... so I didn't plan to stop and talk to him.  Then we totally startled him as we biked by, so he spazzed out for a second so I looked at him and realized he was a potential investigator we'd previously lost track of.  His name is Abdul and we had a powerful lesson about the atonement right there on the street and invited him to be baptized on the 7th.  He's afraid of water, but as we talked about faith he was comforted and felt like it was something he wanted and could do w/ the Lord's help.  We're way excited about these people and it was so cool for all of that to happen on the night of our mission fast.  That night as we were getting ready for bed, I told Sis. Bouwhuis, "I'm scraped up and bruised, and sweaty, and my ovaries hurt, and my allergies are about to explode!!!.... and....  I'm so ridiculously happy." 

 

Wednesday we biked up to Heritage Village where we did service, sweeping and dusting around the village.  We enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House and then biked up the the nursing home for our weekly visit.   Then as we were biking to go visit a referral we met Jason H* standing out in his yard.  We stopped and talked to him and sat on his porch and had an awesome lesson about the Restoration.... he accepted the invitation to be baptized on May 14th.  He said he felt really different than he'd felt in a long time and that it was a good thing.  It so cool to watch that light go on in people.  We had a church tour scheduled w/ some investigators that afternoon, but when it fell through, Sis. M* still came out w/ us and we went to go visit Sis. Frankie C* and her sister Donna G*.  We had a great visit and lesson about the Atonement.  Sis. M* dropped us off at Temple St where we tracted untily our dinner appt. w/ the G*s who live on Temple St.  They fed us steak and twice baked potatoes and salad and lemon bars for dessert- so good.  We had a lesson w/ them about Easter and the Atonement as well, and it was pretty cool because all of Sis. G*'s daughter, Callie's family was there and participated.  Callie's daughter Allie (age 12) was baptized last year, but the rest of the family are not members yet.  We really love all of them and have so much fun spending time w/ them.  Sis. G* dropped us off at the home of John and Ayisha W* where we had a lesson w/ them and their 3 children- Brittany (15), David (11), and Shannon (9).  We met John and Ayisha at the library a couple of weeks ago and it turns out she's always wondered why there's so many different churches.  They have a strong awesome family and have faith in Jesus Christ.  We taught about the Restoration w/ them, and they're really willing to search this out together and find out if it's true.  We love that family and are so excited about them.  After the lesson we walked down Pine St and talked to people until it got dark and Sis. G* came to pick us up. 

 

Thursday weekly planning took way to long, but we had a lot of really spiritual conversations.  I really love Sister Bouwhuis and am learning so much from her and am so grateful to be her companion.  That afternoon we biked over to visit Ladonna B* and had a brief lesson w/ her.  We had dinner w/ our branch mission leader and his wife, Bro. and Sis. Ronnie and Dolores L*.  They made us an awesome enchilda casserole w/ a tasty low-cal rasperry jello dessert.  They've been out of town for like 3 weeks, so it was Sis. Bouwhuis' first time to really get to know them.  It was fun, and Bro. Lovelace showed us his sweet cars and his massive train collection.  They came down to the church w/ us after for a church tour w/ our new investigator Paul W* (a referral from Bro. Matt G*).  It was SO powerful.  When we went to the baptism font, we asked Paul how he was feeling.  His response was something like, "I feel like I want to jump in right now if there was water in it."  He accepted the invitation to be baptized on May 14th.  He is so awesome. 

 

Friday we biked up to the church for District Meeting which was awesome and then went to lunch w/ the Elders at the "Behind the Red Door" Tea Room.  It was so funny to watch the elders experience such a girly place... but they told us to pick wehre to go.  Our church tour w/ Abdul fell through after that because he had to work late.  We did have a church tour that afternoon w/ Ladonna B* and her boyfriend Patrick.  Sis.D* came w/ us and it was pretty awesome.  Patrick said he really wants to find and know the "full truth" for himself.  We biked around visiting people that afternoon.  The D*'s fed us fajitas for dinner and then we met Megan O* and her friend Chanice at the church.  We had a lesson w/ them on the Plan of Salvation.  Chanice has so many good questions, but she really struggles to have real faith in Jesus Christ.  We really love teaching her because she's so fun has so many high standards. 

 

Saturday we met w/ Rose and Bro. W* at like 9 am because they called and wanted to meet w/ us before they went out of town.  Then we came home and finished getting ready.  Around 10, we went out to Chester w/ Sis. K* where we found all but one of the less active members and potential investigators we were going to visit to not be home.  The one who was home, was getting ready to leave so we just got to visit w/ her for a couple of minutes.  Sis. K* took us back up to the church and the 3 of us practiced our special musical # for Easter.  Then she dropped us of at the D*'s where we'd left our bikes and we biked back to our apt. to eat some lunch.  Then we biked up the church.... on our way my skirt got caught in my bike chain... and ripped... and messed up my bike.  Sis. Bouwhuis prayed and was able to fix the chain and the tear in the skirt is low enough that I can just hem it and still have it be long enough.  We got to the church and all our plans for church tours and lessons fell through.  We were able to bike up to the W*'s and have a good visit w/ Ayisha and drop of copies of the Book of Mormon so they could each have their own.  That evening Emelie O* drove us out to Spurger where we had dinner w/ Nita B and Ashley M*.  They surprised us w/ a giant Easter basket filled w/ lots of  yummy practical food, including fresh fruit, and a handmade bracelet for each of us.  So sweet!  She made us spaghetti.  She puts italian sausage and SPAM in the sauce and it's actually kind of amazingly delicious.  She also made us homemade chocolate pudding-yum.  We played some volleyball w/ them in the front yard and then had a lesson about the hope that comes because of our Savior's atonment and what Easter is all about.  Emelie O* brought us back to the church where another church tour fell through so we ended up stranded at the church.  We joked about just sleeping at the church, but Sis. Gibson came to our rescue and took us home.  That night as we planned for Sunday we discussed the fact that our Quality Contact goal for the week was 60 and we only had 20.  Sister Bouwhuis was determined to get 40 on Sunday and I was determined to have as much faith as I could and support her 100%. 

 

Sunday we biked to church...none of our investigators ended up being able to come and that pretty much broke my heart.  That and a million other things had me pretty emotional and sad for most of the morning and early afternoon...  this whole week really was rollercoaster in a lot of ways, but especially emotionally.  Our church meetings really were great though, and our musical number in Sacrament Meeting really brought the Spirit.  We ate the lunches we packed at the church after (mostly made up of stuff from our Easter Basket from the Mocks).  Then we rode up the hill and went tracting for a couple of hours in the Blazing Sun.  In two hours we only got 10 contacts and were quite drained.  We went back to the church to cool off and drink more water.  When then biked over to visit the C* family, and only Sis. C* was home.  We met their cute 2 week old puppies and had a lesson about the Atonement w/ her.  Then we went across the street and contacted a porch full of people.  Then we biked up to to Pecan and passed a park w/ lots of people playing basketball.  Unsure of how to approach them, we stopped at our potential investigator's home first.  Tequila was home, but getting ready to go, but asked if we had anything for her to read.  She was so excited and grateful as we gave her a Book of Mormon and explained what it was, and the hope of the message we share.  We set a return appt. w/ her and then went back to the park where we contacted 12 more people.  Then we biked over towards Jeff's complex, and stopped to talk to 4 more people.  2 of those are new investigators Tanya and Eddie L*.  They are totally searchers!!!  We taught them a brief lesson and prayed w/ them and he asked for a Book of Mormon and we set a return appt. for a church tour.  Then we contacted one more person before Sis. K* picked us up for dinner.  At the K*s we enjoyed ham, rolls, green beans, and sweet potatoe casserole for dinner w/ a coconut creme type pie for dessert.  It was all completely delicious and especially fun because she unknowingly fed us a couple of my families traditional Easter food.  That was really fun.  After dinner, the K*s returned us to our bikes where we rode off and ended up contacting several more people the Lord placed in our path.  By the end of the day we had contacted 46 people.  It was completely a miracle, and completely after a major trial of our faith.  We also visited L* where were very needed before biking home. 

 

It has been an amazing week.  This super long email doesn't even scratch the surface.  I'm just SOOOOO grateful and happy to be serving the Lord as a full-time missionary.  I'm learning so much and becoming the version of myself the Lord intends for me to be.  There is so much joy in helping others come unto our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He truly lives and loves us!!!   I love y'all so much!!!

April 18

Howdy from Woodville where we have driven our car ZERO miles in the past 3 days.  We've had a crunch for miles and are striving not to exceed the limit for our area... so we're utilizing our bikes and mobilizing our branch members.  It's definitely an adventure to say the least.  I don't have my planner w/ me to help me remember the details of my week... so I'll just do my best. 

 

Monday was a fairly normal p-day.  During the day we did also go to the highschool track meet to watch one of our investigators race.  That was fun and effective.  We also went to wash and vaccuum our car like good little girls and I spotted a nail in the tire.  So, we had to go to the local tire place and get that fixed.  They decided to be nice and waive the charge as well so it didn't cost the church anything :)  They're nice people and they will be blessed for it.  We had dinner w/ the H*s, and then we met up w/ Bro. Kenneth W* W* and Rose S* at the church.  We did a church tour w/ them, and it went really well and was very spiritual.  Rose really wants to be baptized, but face some obstacles in being able to keep important commandments.  We really love and want to help them and are praying to know how we can help them make the changes they need to make. 

 

Tuesday I can't remember much about during the day except for we biked to the library and spent some time on mormon.org and I think we tried to visit some people.. In the afternoon we went down to Colmesneil.  Bro. M* took us down to visit the D* family who used to be members of our church.  They're very sweet and it was a good opportunity to meet them.  Bro. M* was especially awesome and bold in inviting them to come back to church.  The M* fed us dinner that night.  It's always a feast over there.  We enjoyed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, salad and some yummy cream cheese walnut cake for dessert.  We were supposed to give two church tours that night, but they both fell through.  We ended up meeting Megan O* at the church still and visiting and sharing a message w/ her there. 

 

Wednedsay once again I don't remember much else about during the day... I really need my planner!  In the evening we had dinner w/ the G*s who fed us spaghetti w/ meatballs w/ garlic bread and salad and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Oh I remember the morning now!  We went to Baytown!  We had to have our car inspected in Harris county because that's where it's registered and they don't do emissions testing out here.  So we took a little road trip which was pretty fun.  While the car was being dealt w/ a couple of recent converts in Baytown, Samantha and Ariel, came and picked us up and we went to lunch at 5 Guys.  That was quite fun.  We also had a quick visit at the church w/ the sister missionaries serving up there.  The guy who worked on our car is totally searching for truth and told us about how he really just wonders if prayers are truly answered.  We ended up talking to him for quite a while and giving him a Book of Mormon.  It as a REALLY cool contact.  After coming back from Baytown and eating dinner, we went up to the nursing home for our weekly visits. 

 

Thursday I really don't remember during the day.  That evening we went over to teach Rose and Bro. W* and they surprised us w/ a feast.  They had smoked BBQ ribs, homemade rolls, mac and cheese, cabbage, and carrot cake.  We felt very loved.  We had a lesson w/ them about the Word of Wisdom.  After that we met  up w/ Sis. K* who took us to the church.  Bro. Matt G* and Allie stopped there too, to give us cookie slices from Great American Cookies (a childhood favorite of mine).  He also gave a referral of someone to visit.  Then we had a little song practice w/ Sis. K* and Sis. O*.  We're doing a special musical # in church for Easter.  Then we were supposed to have another church tour that ended up falling through.  Rose and Wayne came up to the church though and so did the L*s- all for different random reasons, so good unplanned fellowshipping happened and it was effective :)  The Lord is very good at His job. 

 

Friday we road our bikes up to the church for district meeting.  District Meeting was awesome, and after lunch the elders dropped us off down in Doucette where we helped the M*s paint cabinets for Sis. B*'s new trailer.  Then the Millers took us back to the church and we rode our bikes back to our apt.  We were still in service clothes... riding a bike in pants is a MILLION times easier than a skirt.  Sister Skinner picked us up at 5 and took as to dinner at her home in Colmesneil where we enjoyed pizza.  She took us up to the church where we did a church tour w/ Megan O* and one of her best friends Chanice.  Chanice is so cool!  She doesn't think she believes in organized religion because so many of her questions and concerns haven't added up w/ the things she's learned in other churches.  She's such a good girl and has a really open mind.  The church tour was really fun and effective and we'll be seeing her again this next Friday for another lesson at the church. 

 

Saturday morning Sis. Skinner picked us up and we went to an Easter Party thing for the children of the Sinclaire Home.  The children who live there have all been removed from their homes because of various tragic family situations.  We volunteered at the annual Easter party for them and had so much fun. I helped by applying lots of temporary tattoos and chatting w/ the kids while I did so.  Sis. Bouwhuis mostly helped w/ the egg-dying, and it was cool.  There was also some volunteers there doing petting zoo stuff, so I got to hold some baby goats- one of my new favorite things these days, and play w/ and pet a really cool llama named Stormy.  I want a llama.  Sis. S* took us to Sonic for lunch.  Then Sis. Bouwhuis and I hopped on our bikes and rode all the way up to Ivanhoe where we rode around and visited people and then went tracting where we found a cool new potential investigator named Linda.  Then we rode up the H*s where we enjoyed tacos for dinner.  Then we rode back down to Woodville.... we rode a total of about 20 miles and are quite saddle sore from the experience. 

 

Sunday we had Branch Conference at church.  We also had SIX investigators come.  None of them are actually progressing investigators that we're working w/ regularly, but they all came and we were really excited about that! We had a pot-luck lunch after church which was yummy and fun. We did some weekly planning after church, and then Megan O* came and picked us up and we visited and taught a whole bunch of people w/ her.  It was great week and I'm very tired and very happy :D

 

I love you all!!!! Happy EASTER!!!!!

April 11

Howdy from Woodville, TX where we are approaching summer weather very quickly! 

 

Monday was a fairly normal preparation day.  We cleaned and ran errands and such.  Right as we finished our grocery shopping, we were immersed in a downpour/hailstorm.  It didn't last that long, but long enough to drench us and our groceries in the parking lot.  Fun adventures :)  That night we had dinner w/ Bro. and Sis. M* and B* O* and family who fed us some delicious grilled chicken, homegrown corn, potato salad, rolls, and Reeses PB cookies for dessert. We also stopped by S* F*'s home, she is 17 and has lots of challenges, but has a solid head on her shoulders and we are excited to be teaching her.

 

Tuesday we had a lesson w/ recent convert Bro. J* J* in the morning, and we also stopped by for a visit and lesson w/ F* and D*- two fabulous sisters.  Then we rode down to Beaumont w/ Sis. D* and Sis. K*.  They dropped us off at Dr. Stovall's office and went to take care of some other things and then picked us up when we were finished.  Dr. Stovall drew some more blood and asked me some questions and told me to just keep up the good work.  Nothing new, which is fine w/ me since I haven't had an episode in a couple of months now.  The D*s fed us pasta that night and the K*s joined us too.  We also went up to Crosby hill to visit Bro and Sis S*. 

 

Wednesday morning we had interviews w/ President Moldenhauer.  He is a humble, inspired man and interviews w/ him are always and uplifting, spiritual experience.  The Jasper elders had interviews here in Woodville too, so we all went to Subway for lunch after.  They also came over after that to help us dedicate our apt.  Then Sis. Bouwhuis and I hopped on our bikes and rode down to the library to spend an hour on mormon.org.  We rode our bikes home and met Bro. C* B* at our apts. We drove up to Warren to visit Bro. and Sis. E* and L* W*.  Bro. B* followed us in his car and visited them w/ us.  It was a powerful visit, led by the Spirit, and I was grateful to feel the Holy Ghost work through us.  As we drove back from the W*s we passed a couple of zebras in a field... we took pictures :)  We stopped by a gas station to use the restroom and ran into Sis. D* P* there and had a good visit w/ her.  We ate dinner at a little bitty country place called the BBQ-pit.  It was inexpensive and delicious and a fun experience.  Our appt. fell through up in Ivanhoe so we decided to go tracting.  We tracted into a young man named Kevin who happens to work at Subway... we'd just talked w/ him earlier that day!  He's so cool and definitely open to seeking out truth.  We had a lesson w/ him on his doorstep and are excited to continue teaching him.  We'll be taking him on a church tour tomorrow night.  We stopped by and visited the Young Womens activity at the church for a few minutes, and then went to the nursing home for our weekly visits w/ Sis. D* M* and Sis. Y* W*.  

 

     Thursday morning we attended the ladies' class at the Agape church in Colmesneil.  That's the church our friends who took us to lunch last week attend.  Everyone there was so welcoming and excited to have us there, and it was a wonderful fellowshipping opportunity.  After lunch we biked over to Bro. J* apt. and had a lesson w/ him, and then biked around to visit a handful of other potential investigators.  In the afternoon we went back to our apt. to weekly plan.... it went well once we got past our massive giggle fits.  Sis. Bouwhuis and I have so much fun together.  The G*s fed us dinner that night- pork ribs, potato salad, and baked beans w/ banana nut cake for dessert.  We had a spiritual lesson w/ them about acting upon the counsel and guidance we received from General Conference.

 

     Friday we had a wonderful zone meeting down in Beaumont.  We carpooled down there w/ the Fred and Silsbee elders in the Fred truck.  We went to lunch at New York Pizza and Pasta which was delightful.  When we got back to Woodville, we biked over to visit L* B* and then biked up to contact a referral given to us by Sis. M* O*.  The referral, her old highschool teacher was very kind and gave us his phone # so we could set an appt. to come back and share a message w/ him and his family.  We had dinner w/ the O*s that night and M* was excited hear that.  They fed us Pizza Hut pizza and yummy salad for dinner.  We had a great lesson w/ them about doing things the Lord's way.  Then we went over to visit Grampy K* O* and share that same message w/ him.  

 

    Saturday morning M* came and picked us up and we went down to the church and had a church tour w/ her.  She's so awesome and excited as she's preparing to serve a mission.  We all had a great spiritual experience during the tour and M* has committed to inviting a whole bunch of her friends to come on a tour as well.  We went over to a local bluegrass jam after that and enjoyed bbq brisket and great music.  We were invited by Bro and Sis T* and C* L*.  Sis. L* played in the jam and that was cool.  We had several good contacts while were there so it was an effective missionary opportunity, yummy lunch, and was even topped off by some homemade strawberry ice cream.  We stopped by and helped out w/ the birthday party of one of our investigators that afternoon, and then went up to dinner w/ M* family.  They fed us cowboy stew for dinner w/ banana pudding from dessert. (pudding made from scratch is definitely a new favorite!)  We had a really effective visit w/ them.  Once again I was just so grateful for the guidance and power of the Holy Ghost

. 

     Sunday we had church which was fantastic as usual, and a branch council meeting after that which went well.  We had a really effective afternoon, visiting and setting up appts. and church tours w/ potential investigators.  We had an especially awesome visit/lesson w/ J* and A* who we met here at the library a couple of weeks ago.  We are SO excited about teaching them and their awesome family.  The K*s had us over for dinner- french dip sandwiches, coleslaw, chips and butterscotch cookies for dessert.  We showed them how to navigate mormon.org to create their own profiles.  We also went over to visit and teach Sis. F* C*.  It was a really great day.  I've really loved this whole week.  We've been working hard and having fun, and feeling the Lord's hand in this work.  Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever!!!  I love you all so very much! 

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*

April 4

Howdy from Woodville, TX home of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival!

Our week started off great, getting Sis. B* settled and everything.  Monday night C* M* came to dinner w/ us at the home of Bro. and Sis. C* and M* B* and family.  They fed us yummy breakfast for dinner (including farm fresh eggs).  After dinner we enjoyed trying our hand at goat-milking and baby goat bottle feeding.  I need some more practice at the milking, but bottle feeding went pretty smoothly.  We had so much fun.  It was also great to spend some time w/ C* who left for Utah on Thursday, and goes into the MTC this Wednesday.  We had a great lesson on hope w/ the B* family, then headed to the D*'s so they could meet Sis. B* and we could have a visit and lesson w/ them. 

Tuesday morning we volunteered over at Heritage Village.  This week we weeded some flower beds, and then enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House.   We went to visit a potential investagitor we've had a hard time getting a hold of, and we were grateful to find her home.  Not only did we have a great lesson w/ her (L* B*) we also taught her friend L* too.  It was powerfully spiritual experience.  We visited a few more people include the W*s- a part-member family down in Doucette.  The M*s had us over for dinner- fried deer meat, purple-hull peas, rolls, pear pie w/ bluebell ice cream for dessert.

Wednesday we made our regular visits at the nursing home and then stopped by the library to spend our weekly hour on mormon.org- a.k.a. the coolest website ever.  We had a really awesome lunch at a place called "Behind the Red Door- Tea Room".  Sis. Lundgren and I met a woman named B* S* at Walmart a couple weeks ago and helped her out in the photo dept. She thought we were so sweet and fabulous that she wanted to feed us.  We ended up having lunch w/ her friend and her pastor- Sister J*.  We had a delightful lunch answering lots of questions and eating amazing food in a fun atmosphere.  That afternoon we went to a return appt. we set up w/ a man named D* L*.  We had an awesome lesson w/ him about the restoration and he agreed to prepare for baptism on the 30th of April.  He's really cool- keep him in your prayers :)  That night we had dinner w/ M* and B* O* family- salad, chicken spaghetti, and chocolate/strawberry cake for dessert. 

Thursday we had a really effective weekly planning session.  After finishing that up and eating a quick lunch we went to try some potential investigators and such.  We had a lesson that afternoon w/ A* L* (recent convert) about revelation and spiritually preparing for General Conference.  We also stopped by the Anders home for a visit and lesson before heading to dinner at the G*.  They fed us pasta, chicken, garlic bread, salad, and german chocolate cake. 

Friday we had district meeting out in Jasper.  Sis. Bouwhuis had a horrible headache by the time we ate lunch and got back to Woodville and I wasn't feeling well myself, so we ended up having to take a good chunk of time to rest.  The D*s had us over for burgers that night and we also stopped by Walmart to visit some people we knew would be there. 

Saturday we watched the first session of General Conference w/ the M* and B* O* family. I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE- IT'S THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!  We then went back down to Woodville for the Tyler County Dogwood Festival celebration!  There was a sweet parade and lots of booths, and we spent time visiting and contacting people.  It's pretty much the most exciting thing that happens in Woodville and we had a great time enjoying it and using it as a missionary tool.  We had dinner w/ the M* family out in Crosby Hill.  They fed us pork roast... from their own pig, home grown corn and purple hull peas, w/ sweet potato pie for dessert.  We then went over to the D*s and watched the second session of conference they recorded.  (We were at the Dogwood Festival during that time.) 

Sunday we watched the first session of Conference w/ the L* family and A*.  We joined them for their weekly "Sunday Spaghetti" before going to an appt. w/ a potential investigator.  They ended up not being there, and neither was anyone else we tried.  Then we went to watch the second session w/ the K*s who fed us pulled pork sandwiches for dinner afterwards.  It was a wonderful week filled w/ lots of little miracles. I so love Woodville, and I love being a missionary, and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!!   I also love all of you!!!!

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 29

Howdy from Woodville, TX where I'm delighted to be serving for the next 6 weeks! Transfers were yesterday, and Sis. Lundgren was transferred to Kingwood to serve in the 2nd Ward in a trio w/ Sis. Singleton and Sis. Brooks.  My new companion is Sis. (Courtney) Bouwhuis from Holladay, UT.  She's been out here in TX for about 6 months now.   Before coming on her mission she was attending UVU studying secondary education.  After the mission she intends to complete that degree and get a masters so she can be a principal.  She is fabulous and I'm delighted to be serving w/ her!  I'm going to miss Sis. Lundgren very much, but I know she's going to thoroughly enjoy her new companions and new area. 

 

Last Monday we had a really fun p-day.  We went up to Jasper for a district p-day.  We went and hiked down a creek (ankle-deep) and played in some mud and collected petrified wood.  (this activity was approved by our leadership)  The creek is out in the woods on the property of one of the church members in Jasper.  We also had took a picnic lunch out there purchased from Novrozsky's.  It's a burger/sandwich/yuminess place found only w/in the boundaries of our mission.  We ordered different burgers and shared- hickory burger, hickory chicken burger, fried egg burger, and last but not least peanut butter bacon burger.  The food was fun and delicious and we had so much fun playing in the woods!  That night Bro. and Sis. T* and C* L* had us over for dinner and fed us Texas Hash.  We went over to visit the C* family after that and had a great visit and lesson w/ them about the steps of the Gospel. 

 

Tuesday we went to Heritage Village to give service which was sweeping out a lot of the buildings.  Then we enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House before heading up to the nursing home of our weekly visit.  We went tracting and tried to visit several people that afternoon.  In the evening we enjoyed dinner w/ Bro and Sis. E* W* and L* O*.  They fed us pork chops w/ lots of delicious sides followed by brownies for dessert.  We also took a walk w/ Sis. O* down to "Grampy" K* O*'s home to bring him some food and visit. Then we went back to their home and had a great lesson about the blessings of listening to the prophet and such. After that we went to visit Bro. and Sis. M* and B* O* and had a great visit w/ them. 

 

Wednesday we got up bright and early and went to the Houston Temple for an endowment session!!!  I love it so much there :)  We rode down w/ the M* family and attended the session w/ C* M* who just received her endowments last Friday in preparation to leave on her mission.  We love Carrie so much, and it was such a great experience to share that w/ her.  We went to Pancho's Mexican buffet on the way home which is a rather magically delicious Mexican restaurant.  That evening we went to the M* home for dinner which included yummy homemade granola bars.  It was a really uplifting effective dinner appt.  After dinner we stopped by "Papa" and Sis. S*s home and had a great little lesson w/ them. 

 

Thursday we did weekly planning in the morning, and then went to visit several people.  We got in contact w/ a less-active member that afternoon who told us that she wants to start coming back to church and that 9 yr. old daughter wants us to teach her the lessons and be baptized.  We're pretty excited for them :)  We had dinner w/ the G* family that night and they fed us some great stir fry w/ banana pudding for dessert.

 

Friday we had adventures w/ our car not working, so C* had to come rescue us and take us to our appt. at the church at 9 a.m..  We were a little late, but it worked out.  We had district meeting after that, and then went to lunch at Elijah's Cafe.  The elders then helped us evaluate and test out our car issues (while on the phone w/ our vehicle coordinator).  We already needed to an oil change that day, so we took it in and also had them do some diagnostic testing.  Our car is drivable, but still having some issues.  Elder Tolman (vehicle coordinator) is helping us get it figured out.  That afternoon we spent some time at F* and D*'s and then came to the library to spend some time on mormon.org.  We went tracting out by a lake in Colmesneil and got eaten alive by mosquitoes.  The S*s fed us smoked ribs for dinner and we had a really good visit w/ Sis. S*. 

 

Saturday morning we did some service cleaning at Heritage Village.  We then headed down by the county courthouse for the Western Weekend portion of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.  We watched an awesome horse parade, had delicious BBQ sandwiches and were able to contact and talk w/ lots of people in the community.  It was GREAT :)  That evening we had dinner w/ Bro and Sis M* and B* O* who fed us awesome taco salad (after we petted and visited E* and M* O*'s horses).  We headed to the L* home after that to join the Young Women in our branch in watching the general Young Women broadcast.  It was so very wonderful.  We got the call that night notifying us that Sis. Lundgren would be transferred Monday. 

 

Sunday we had a branch council meeting before church.  Church was super great, particularly because C* and her family spoke in Sacrament Mtg.  She leaves for Utah on Thursday and goes into the Missionary Training Center on April 6th.  We had a branch pot luck dinner following our meetings and it was lots of fun and lots of good food.  It was a good opportunity for Sis. Lundgren to give hugs and visit before leaving too.  We spent some time in the afternoon allowing her to pack, and we visited lots of investigators and such so she could say goodbye.  Sis. S* O* fed us homemade shrimp etouffe for dinner.  It was an EXCELLENT week!!!

 

I love you all!  Write lots :) 

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 21

Howdy from Woodville where the Lord is guiding and blessing us every day!

Monday we were able to go join missionaries from a couple of zones and play a whole bunch of ultimate frisbee and other fun things. It was super fun to be around so many missionaries- especially Sisters! We have no other sisters in our zone, and only one set in the neighboring zone we do activities w/. That was lots of fun, and a good opportunity for Sis. Lundgren and I to relax. We also got help Sis. Moldenhauer do some needed shopping at Sams' Club. Pres. Moldenhauer was grateful to not have to that. It was fun and reminded me of running errands w/ my own awesome mom. While at the mission home we also took walks w/ Sis. Moldenhauer every evening, and most of the time Pres. Moldenhauer came too. They have some awesome golf courses and roads in the area that make walks really nice and fun. Monday night I learned how to make chicken pockets w/ Sis. Moldenhauer and that's what we had for dinner- delicious :)

Tuesday we got up early and went up to Liberty, TX to a leadership training. Usually sisters only get to go if they're training a new missionary, but we got invited just because we're loved and it was really really cool. We helped Sis. Moldenhauer prepare breakfast for the missionaries, too. We had to leave Tuesday's training early to meet up w/ a counselor that's helping Sis. Lundgren out. He's a really great guy, and an EXCELLENT counselor. We were able to spend some time in the afternoon working in Fall Creek (Sis. Lundgren's old area). It was pretty effective and nice to be able to do some work. Sis. Moldenhauer fed us spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.

Wednesday we went to the second day of training. Since we didn't have to leave early that day, we rode up w/ Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer and the assistants to the president, Elders O'Conner and Hoffman. It was a fun ride and we were treated to breakfast at Happy Donuts on the way there- so yummy. We once again helped Sis. Moldenhauer put out breakfast for the other missionaries and set up for the training. We learned so much at the training and really felt the Spirit. It was just so good for us. We ran a few errands on the way back to Kingwood, mostly for the mission office, but also for me. Sis. Moldenhauer had found out earlier in the week that I'd been wanting to go to Cavender's or Baskin's and buy myself some sweet TX boots, but that I hadn't had time or opportunity to do so. So, she sought out the nearest location for me :) We dropped of the elders and Sis. Moldenhauer at Pappasito's close by so they could get us a table for dinner. (Elder O'Conner will go back to being a regular missionary for his last 6 weeks, and the Moldenhauers like to take the assistants out to dinner at the end of their time serving as assistants.... we just got invited to come since we were living at the mission home) President drove us over to Cavender's where he stayed in the car convinced that Sis. Lundgren and I would not need assistants picking out cowboy boots. In less than 20 minutes I'd picked out and purchased the perfect pair of boots, and had a gospel conversation w/ 3 of the employees (with Sis. Lundgren's help of course!). We joined the others back at Pappasito's where we still had to wait a little while. It was worth it though. They were having a special on fajita's which were delicious and we had way too much fun talking and laughing over dinner. Despite being very full and very tired when we got home, we still went on our nightly walk :)

Thursday we went to a dr. appt. for Sis. Lundgren to follow up on a surgery she had a couple of months ago and verify how connected her current anxiety issues may be to that. We also ran a couple more errands w/ Sis. Moldenhauer, included buying my fancy new bike seat. After eating leftover fajita's for lunch and having a good visit w/ the Moldenhauers we headed back to Woodville. That night Brother D* G* was baptized and it was a completely wonderful service and so very exciting and fun to experience. I feel privileged to know the G*s and have them as my friends. Recent Convert J* J* also came to the baptism which was SO good since he's been strugglin lately. Elder Serdar who baptized J* was also in attendance, so that was a little miracle too! We had chicken spaghetti for dinner at the G*s after the baptism.

Friday we had district mtg. which was really awesome. After the mtg. we grabbed lunch at Subway and took the elders over to have lunch and share a message w/ J*. It was really uplifting for him. After that Elder Hakes, put on my new bike seat and adjusted it a couple of times. I tested it around the parking lot and it seems to be good, but we haven't taken a real ride yet to really find out. Should be fun :) The Elders had to hang around Woodville waiting for prescription so we took them to our visits at the nursing home as well. We did some tracting that afternoon w/ some pretty cool miracles, and then visited C* and L* B* before heading to dinner w/ Bro. and Sis. R* and D* L*. They fed us brisket and corn and broccoli slaw :) Sis. L* also cut my hair while we were there. It desperately needed a trim and some re-shaping, and we didn't get to have her do it on P-day since we were out of town. It turned out cute and feels really good :)

Saturday we gave a church tour to Sis. M* M* when the investigator who was supposed to have one didn't show up. We spent some time on mormon.org, had miracles running into investigators who really needed our help, and went to a little party at Sis. K*'s home to fellowship w/ some sisters in the ward and some of Sis. Kethan's non-member friends. We went tracting in the afternoon and had dinner w/ the H*s in the evening (homemade fried chicken).

Church was great on Sunday- Brother J* J* came too, which was awesome. We visited lots of people during the day and also did some weekly planning we didn't get to do earlier in the week. The K*s fed us lasagna for dinner and we had a great spiritual visit w/ them.

Sister Lundgren is doing much better, but we're still working hard to make sure she continues to do so. I'm so grateful for her faith and example and I love her to pieces! Your prayers and support are so greatly appreciated! I love you all!!!!

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 14

Howdy from Kingwood,TX where I feel completely blessed even though it's a little odd to not be in Woodville.  We've been here in the mission home since Saturday afternoon.  My sweet companion, Sis. Lundgren, has run into a major roadblock of anxiety- the serious kind caused by a chemical imbalance.  She's dealt w/ it a little bit since she came to Woodville, but has been able to work through it and handle it w/ positive thinking and hard work.  This past week though it took a major turn for the worse w/ lots of ups and downs.  We've worked hard together to do everything we can to keep her well and keep the Lord's working moving forward.  Saturday things got really bad though (at least bigger than we could handle), and Sis. Moldenhauer (who has been in the loop and supportive and helpful all along) decided we should pack up a few things and come to the mission home for at least a few days.  It's been really good for Sis. Lundgren and we're getting her the help she needs as soon as possible.  Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer have been so supportive and loving.  I'm so grateful for them.  Sis. Lundgren is such an inspiring example to me of faith and diligence!  She's just AMAZING and regardless of the challenges we're currently dealing w/, I'm so grateful to have her as my companion.  I learn so much from her. 

 

Monday of this week was pretty fun as far as zone p-day goes.  We played ultimate frisbee and softball and had a great time.  That night our branch president and his family had us over for dinner.  They fed us shepherd's pie which was delicious and we had a great time.  According to my planner we went and taught someone else after, but my planner doesn't tell me who and I can't remember, but I'm sure it was great. 

 

Tuesday morning we visited a few people including the S*s- a sweet part-member couple.  We grabbed some lunch and then rode down to Beaumont w/ Sis. D* where I met w/ Dr. Stovall for a follow-up.  Still no real news, but that's alright at this point.  I feel really okay about everything.  The M*s fed us dinner that night- fried chicken, salad, garlic rolls, and DELICIOUS Italian Creme Cake for dessert.  .

 

Wednesday we got out on our bikes in the morning.  We decided (w/ Sis. Moldenhauer's help) that it would be good to get out in the sunshine and be active and be effective in talking w/ lots of people.  It was very effective and pretty fun and the first time I've actually done it on the mission.  (In case I hadn't mentioned it before, I got Sis. Frazier's bike when she went home.)  Unfortunately I kind of really bruised/injured myself on my less-than-ideal bike seat.  I'm just about healed now and will be getting a really good bike seat from a shop here in Kingwood.  We plan to do plenty more biking when we get back to Woodville.  We rode our bikes out the the Jr. High / Highschool where we had lunch w/ recent convert A* H*.  That was fun.  In the evening we went to Sis. R* F*'s home and learned how to make delicious egg rolls for dinner.  After dinner, we met up w/ President Livingston (branch pres) at the church for to talk over some things.  He also gave Sis. Lundgren a priesthood blessing.  We are very grateful for such an awesome branch president.  I once again know we did something great after that, but can't remember what. 

 

Thursday we did weekly planning at the church, but it was broken up by a delightful school lunch w/ A*'s little sister D* H* at the elementary school.  It was "friends day" at the elementary and she invited us.  We gave D* her first very own copy of the Book of Mormon w/ our testimonies written in the back.  She was so excited.  After planning, all of our plans and back-up plans fell through so we just started tracting a "random" area that I'd tracted before but that nobody was home or at least answered.  There wasn't lots of people home this time around, but there was a few really great people, one of which we are VERY excited about.  Her name is L* B* and she has investigated the church before.  We'd actually been trying to find her at another address, and it was a miracle to find her here.  She's really excited to start learning again.

 

Friday we had district mtg. in Woodville.  Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer came and joined us which was fun.  We were able to have good visits w/ them after about Sis. Lundgren's situation, and that was very good too.  Our afternoon involved visiting several people- all good stuff.  We had dinner w/ S*s who fed us tacos/taco salad. 

 

Saturday- all the major stuff was covered in the beginning of my email.

 

Sunday we went to church at the Kingwood 2nd ward.  It was different to be in such a large ward w/ so many children.  It was also different to just attend church and not have a million responsibilities.  The Moldenhauers are taking great care of us.  Keep Sis. Lundgren in your prayers!  We'll probably be here until at least Wednesday.  Send Mail!  but for this week send it to the mission office address. 

 

I love y'all sooooo much!!!!

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*