Week 70: It's Summer Time!

It is so hot! I feel like I am melting. The car said it was 101
degrees yesterday.

This past week the Hermanas had a service opportunity. A less active
member was moving, and had to be out of the house by the end of the
night. We go down into the basement, and the air just feels funny. It
turns out that the house had flooded awhile ago, and everything was
wet. We work for a little bit, and the Elders said that we should go
get some fresh air. Turns out the more we work the more black mold we
found. Some of the Elders went to the hospital to go get some masks,
and gloves. We went home, showered, and took a nap for lunch.

It is graduation season! Big shout out to my sister Delanie! I love
her so much, and am bummed that I can not be there for her big day.
This week we went over to Bishop Lindsey's house for dinner. It was a
graduation party for his son. It was so fun!

We went tracting Saturday, and we found this awesome tree!
We also got to pet a baby goat.
We also found tree stars!
Sister Stephens gave me a temple tattoo.

That was my week.

Ponies

Tree Stars!

Massive tree

How cool is this tree?

Week 69: Happy Memorial Day

This week was so much better! I can not believe it was the last week
of the transfer. I feel like I just got here. This week feels like it
went by in a blur, and now here I am emailing again.

My mom occasionally will ask me what is the worst thing I have eaten
for a dinner appointment. I never had an answer. Everything is edible,
and I know what I am eating. Now the question of sanitation is
another... This week I finally have an answer for the worst thing I
have eaten on my mission, and possibly my whole life. Before the
sister we were going to eat at said that we would be having pork
chops. Great! I love them... Nope we didn't have that. Instead she
made this German dish. She is explaining how you put the noodles down
first, and you put the sauce over it ( at this point I am think it is
beef stroganoff, which I love, but no.) then you put the meat on top.
There were individual pieces to take. The dish was a cooked dill
pickle with mustard wrapped with a thin steak, and bacon. It was so
gross. I could not even fib, and tell her it was good. I thanked her
that she had us over, and I drank a lot of water with my dinner. The
funny part of it is that her husband does not even like it! I do not
know if they were in a tiff with each other, and she wanted to be
spiteful, so she made this dinner instead, or what. Some times you
just have to go to McDonald's after dinner appointments I guess.

We had housing inspection this Friday morning... and we forgot!  We
were sitting in the kitchen having companionship study when the
doorbell rang. We looked at each other with panic. Now I want you to
know that we are clean people, we just live in our space. And it is
kinda hard to have everything perfect when there is two of you in one
bedroom. We quick ran to our room, and I started to chuck EVERYTHING
into the closet. (Years of last minute "quick mom is home cleaning"
have prepared me for this moment.) Our bathroom had no hope of
redemption. Sister Stephens told me to go answer the door while she
stayed, and did what she could. I go to answer the door, and I stall
the senior couple as long as I could. We walk in, and my companion had
tossed her covers over her bed, but failed to do that to my bed. (side
note, I sleep on the top bunk, and I hate making the bed, so I just
don't). They were so kind when we told them that we forgot that they
were coming, and said they will not write us up if we cleaned. We told
them we would so do that!

Forgot to clean...whoops!

We also went to Columbia River for a baptism for Aamir! (that is not
how you spell her name, but this is the only spelling that I know of
this name). She is Jayden's cousin who got baptized a couple weeks
ago. I got to speak about baptism. It was so wonderful! I love that
family so much!

Another great baptism.

We also got transfer news! Sister Stephens and I are staying together,
and finishing our missions together! I am so grateful that she is
still my companion. I look forward to this last transfer with her.
Wow. My last transfer. I only have six more p days! I am so excited
that I have this time allotted to me to serve God.
Now for the best news.. Sister Mandin is going to be in my district! I
love her so much! My dream would have been to be companions with her
my last transfer, so we could say that I brought her into the field,
and she took me out of the field. However, I am so happy that I get to
serve around her.

Being silly

SIX more P Days!

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week ahead of you!
Love,
Sister Slattery

Week 68: I have had better weeks.

Well last Monday my companion lost her wallet. After a tough week it
was the icing on the cake. Little did we know that was the beginning
of our trials.

Tuesday was not bad. We did have an awkward dinner with this member.
She took us out to dinner, and her visiting teacher came with. We just
sat there listening to their conversation; thanked her for dinner; and
left.

On Wednesday we left early so we could go get Sister Stephens a new
drivers license. It took less time than what we thought, so we went to
the stake center for district meeting, and waited for everyone to show
up. We are on the floor watching addiction recovery videos when the
door knob jiggles. We shot up so fast! It was our district leader, and
his companion. It was really awkward, but so funny! Our appointments
pretty much fell through the rest of the day. Then we were having
dinner with this less active couple. They could have us over, but it
had to be later. She told us 7:30.  We get there, and dinner is not
even done. We finally sit down at 8 for this lentil soup which was not
the best. It is time to give a spiritual thought, and I go to get my
iPad, and it is not there! I am silently freaking out. So my companion
come over, and while she was grabbing  her iPad I pulled out the phone
to see if we had anything on it. We had a 6 message epistle from our
investigators who were getting baptized on Saturday.   They were
dropping us over text message, and told us to cancel the baptism. Here
we are heart broken, and we still have to be engaged in the dinner
appointment, and give a spiritual thought. We leave, and we go see if
we can find my iPad at the last house we were at. It was not there. I
called the person we were at before that, and she said yes it was
there. Thank heavens! I do not understand why she would not have
contacted us to let us know she had it, but whatever. I knew where it
was. We decided that were were not going to respond to our
investigators. That we would go over to their house the next day, and
see what happened. We were really in a damper mood the rest of the
night, and pretty much all day on Thursday.

On Thursday we left early to go get my iPad, and then we went to the
mission office to trade cars. We got a new 2026 Toyota Corolla, but it
would get stuck, and was having a struggle to get us to some of our
members houses. We go, and we now have a jeep with four wheel drive!
Sister Stephens also picked out her classes for school. At this point
we are back in our area tracting when we get another text from our
investigator asking if we got last nights text message. We decided to
go over then. While we were on our way there I felt like I was on a
death march. I didn't know what their concerns were, I kept over
analyzing if I was a bad missionary, and praying desperately for the
spirit to be with us. We pull up, and they are in their truck. It was
the worst feeling of dread getting out of the car. We talk, and they
said that they were under spiritual attack. Of course! Because Satan
wants them to be miserable! This gospel is true, and brings happiness.
He knows that, and wants to keep as many people away from it as
possible. We testified of the priesthood, and she completely
disregarded it." Yeah, that is what you believe" she said. Ouch. I
just do not understand why they kept meeting with us. They never even
said, hey I have a concern, or anything like that.  (Her husband did
not say one word to us, he just sat in the car, so we just talked to
her.)  

It hurt so much. We testified of our Savior, of the priesthood power,
and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They paid no heed
to the spirit, and what we had to say. They want to handle this
situation by themselves.
Anyways, there is a lot I am leaving out, but it was such a hard day.

The Morgan's came, and picked up some of my stuff to take home to Las
Vegas. They then we're kind enough to take us to lunch! They are so
awesome!

Then on Friday we had more investigators drop us. We were so
depressed. Later we decided that our Areabook is just purged. The area
is not going dead. Once we got out to work it was good! It is amazing
what work will do. We even found a new investigator!


Then that night our investigator who wants to be baptized came to a
baptism with us! It was so good!

On Sunday

it dumbed buckets of rain! We watched a mission approved movie
with Sister Baxter, and called it a week!

This week has been the most draining roller coaster spiritually,
emotionally, and mentally of my life. I do not know how to convey to
you all the emotions that I went through, and how challenging this
week has been. It has solidified my testimony of this gospel, the
Savior and is infinite atonement, and the restoration of the
priesthood.

6 Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will
rejoice in thy name forever.

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine
afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou
shalt triumph over all thy foes. D&C 121

Love,
Sister Slattery

Week 67: Another Manic Monday

Okay so for the past three weeks we have had some craziness happen.

Elders broke our phone in half, went on a hike to Mount St. Helens, and

this week Sister Stephens lost her wallet. Crazy right?

This week I got to go back to Columbia River again for Jayden Kennedy's

baptism! His family came to church one Sunday.His  mom and Aunt

were members, but he was not. We started to teach them, and he was so

excited to get baptized! It was wonderful to go back! I see that boy,

and I see him going on a mission, getting married in the temple. So

many lives he will touch and influence!

Saturday's are a special day!

We also had interviews with President! It was kinda short. He said he

had no reason to separate Sister Stephens and I, so we maybe will

finish our missions together. That would be great! Also found out he

is planning on doing an "unofficial" exit interview with everyone

going home in July. We also get to have a dinner with President and

Sister Taylor on June 13th. Sister Taylor told us that the new mission

president and wife will be here June 29th.

You just never know what you will find in the woods.

We got a new car this week! A brand new 2016 Toyota Corolla. We named

him Heber. He is very classy. However.. He is only two wheel drive,

and low to the ground. Our area is a lot of boonies. Heber needs the

city life. We potentially will be getting a different car more suited

for the area.

Dhana and Michael had their baptismal interview this week as well!

They are so excited for their baptisms this Saturday!  They are so prepared for the gospel!

Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Slattery

Week 66: Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's out there! It was wonderful to

see my mom, and family! I can't believe that this was the last time

that I get to skype them before I come home. I never thought this time

would come. It just always seemed so far away.

Weekly planning

Bubbles are always fun.

My week was so good! On Friday we went to the Jonny Miller fireside.

Do you know who he is? I didn't. Apparently he is the Tiger Woods of

the 70's, and is best friends with President Taylor. I did not really

get much out of the fireside, but I got to see my people! I also got

to see Brother and Sister Ball! It was such a surprise! I love them so

much.

4 Generations...Sister Slattery, Sister Mandin, Sister Arbon, Sister Twitchell

I LOVE Sister Ball!

Then on Saturday we had the opportunity to go back to the Columbia River

Ward for Ronny and Jeremiah's baptism! Backstory.... Sister Stephens

taught Debbie (Ronny's wife) when she was serving there. In her

confirmation blessing she was promised she would have an eternal

family. Fast forward to when I was there I got to teach Ronny and

Jeremiah. It was so wonderful to go back and see them!! It was such a

special day. Then later that day we got to speak at this child of

record baptism, then the family took us out to Chinese food.

Baptism Happiness!

On Sunday I got to skype home! At church the young men passed out

tulips to all the women 18 and older, and cards that the primary made.

I love being in the 18 or older club! Then after church the brethren

put together a little luncheon for us. Complete with chocolate

fountain.

Then today we are hiking Mount St. Helens.  I turned back because I

am trying to not over do it with my back. Lots of time in the car today. Zone bonding time I guess.

Sister Stephens and I with Mt. St. Helens in the background..

Longview Zone P Day Hike

Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Slattery

Week 65: Spring

Not much to report here.

The weather is nice. The cats like to play in our bathroom trash.   Had breakfast at Stake President's house today. His new thing is that we can only eat dinner at active members if they have an investigator or less active. The objective is to get the members more missionary minded.

The work is  awesome! We have a couple on date for the 21st  of this month! Missionary work is great here, and this is the best area I have been in for member missionary work. I like the area, it really out in the  boonies and mountains. This area is the biggest in the mission. 

The craziest thing this week is we almost hit this family of ducks. Luckily they were finishing crossing the road!

Can't wait to Skype with my family on Mother's Day!

Until next week,

Love you all

Sister Slattery

Longview Zone 

Week 64: I'm Not In Gresham Anymore

Hey everybody! I am in my new area with Sister Stephens! We are in the
Woodland 2nd Ward. We cover Woodland, and Kalama. It is the biggest
area in the mission. It has a lot of boonies! My companion was making
fun of me because all the pamphlets that I had in my bag. "You are not
in Gresham anymore!" It is so true. Not a lot of street contacting
anymore. It is super awkward when we pull into people's driveways
because there is no where for us to park anyplace else. Sister
Stephens put in an address in the gps, and it said we would get there
in 15 minutes. That is craziness to me. I will get to know my
companion really well with all this drive time.

Sister Slattery & Sister Stephens

Speaking of my companion, I love her so much! I have decided that she
is my spirit animal. We get along so great! I am hoping she will be my
last companion. She also decided to go home in the July transfer. That
would be really cool if we killed each other. (Send each other home)
apparently this area gets white washed a lot. Speaking of going home..
Our second day together we got our trunkie call from Sister Burgoyne.
I never thought I would get mine! It just puts into perspective for me
how fast time goes.

We also had a baptism on Saturday! There are these sisters who are in
the adoption process with a couple in the ward. The area is really on
fire. We have some solid investigators we are working with, and I will
keep you posted.

Hope you all have a great week!

Sister Slattery

The following are the ONLY other pictures I received this week.  Clearly the P Day excitement has turned them into silly young adults? 

Hello readers, it's the Mom.  Just wanted to let everyone one know and also so that this epic week doesn't get forgotten. We as parents have received the official email from the mission office with Sister Slattery's travel itinerary.  She will fly from Portland, Oregon on July 12, to Salt Lake City with a very short 1 hour layover and then on to Las Vegas!  People told me how fast this time would go, but I didn't believe them and I certainly didn't think I would survive not being able to talk to my girl.  It has been one of the hardest things I have ever survived!  For real.  So here is to the last 76 days of this adventure.  And yes I am counting now.....I can't help it.