August 19, 2013 - Sister Walker FINALLY answers our Questions!!!

We have been sending Sister Walker a lot of "Question" letters.  She finally had some enough time to sit down and answer some of them for us!

What do you do on a typical P-day?

Personal study

Comp study

12 week

shop 

laundry

clean apartment

pday sports

naps

dinner

Teach:)

(She sent us a copy of a day in her planner.  WOW!! busy, busy, busy bees!!)

What has been the hardest thing to deal with so far?

I don't know how Christ handled the torment.  People treated him terribly, and I've experienced portions of it and it is not enjoyable!

What do you enjoy doing the most?

I Love teaching the Plan of Salvation.  It's such a beautiful plan:) and we truly do have a purpose, each and every one of us!

Do you still have a hard time getting up in the mornings?

Amazingly no!  I've found that if I just role out of bed and Pray to wake up, then I do!  It's awesome!  Try it out:)

Are you missing me (Joe) more than anyone else?

I truly do miss you.  Especially your HUGS, and your jokes.  Got any good ones?

Have you heard anything about the New Tucson Temple - where it will be and when will it be started?

We have heard very little, except that is will be bigger than the Gila Valley Temple.  I'm very excited.  People say the missionary work really blooms while temples are being built in the area!

A couple of Keaton's questions:

What was the first food you haven't liked?

Lobster - Oh my gosh.  I ate it, but I was dying!

What is your new favorite food?

Butterfinger Pie!  I'm obsessed!

(This is really weird...She hates desserts, doesn't like sweet things, and never eats candy bars, and hates PIE!  What's up with this ?!)

Have you started the new Socail Media/I pad thing?

Yes, they sure have.  We're expecting Ipads and Iphones around January time.  Crazy!. We are going to have EVERYTHING on them.  Including our scriptures, Mormon.org, lds.org, access to a ward list and map, our planners and facebook.   I will be setting up my current Facebook account to use here in my mission! They are wanting us to get to know our investigators better along with leaving inspirational things on it.

(Well, I guess it's a good thing I finally gave in during her High School years and let her set up her facebook account.  Joe and I were against it for a long time.  Wow, now it would have probably been NOT a good thing if she didn't know how to use it!  She will be fine, She's a PRO at Facebook!!!! She said there will be limitations on what they will be able to use on it thought.)

Sister Walker had a Dr's visit this last week.  Yes, She is feeling much better and feels stronger!  Thanks for everyone's Prayers, and did I say Prayers for her and our family.  It has been VERY stressful for us, not to be with her.  Thanks for all the kindness shown by everyone and voicing your support and comfort to us! Thanks for all the letters that were written with encouragement for her.  And, THANKS to everyone for remembering her in your PRAYERS, (oh, I think I said Prayers already!)

Kellee was soooo happy when she went into the room at the Dr's office, and found herself to be surrounded by AIRPLANES, AIRPLANES and AIRPLANES!!  It's like Joe was there to surround her in his Love.  Joe even has posters like these from the Reno Air Races, that he attends each year!  It's amazing how the Lord can comfort everyone with just an AIRPLANE!!!  

August 12, 2013, MY TWO MONTH MARK!! HOLA!! from Sister Kellee Jo Walker

"Welcome to the Campbell ward where they are nearly dead, or newly wed. HAHAHA That's what Bishop told us yesterday and I was dying of laughter. We have a LOT of oldies and new students who are just married or starting families going to the UofA. Not a lot of large families like we have back at home. This week has been a rough one, i'm not going to lie. We didn't teach nearly as many lessons as we've been teaching in the past, but we are truly trying. And I think that is all that matters. :) So guess what? President gave Sister Dredge and I bikes......! We are now a part biking mission! We didn't have to pay for them, since they were Sister Killpacks old bikes. They are beach cruisers! And let me tell ya, riding a bike in a skirt is crazy hard work. Just try it and tell me how it goes. hahaha"

"You'll never guess what I've been eating. They are called Sanorin Hotdogs, A BILLION TIMES BETTER THAN JDAWGS. I know that's surprising  but truly, they are fantastic. They are stuffed with beans, peppers, salsa, mayo, and green mushy stuff. (Could that be guacamole  that she would NEVER dream of eating here at home!)   I eat 3 a day. hahaha good thing they are only  $1.50. HUZZAH Guys!"

" Please look up the talk called, "We Are Doing A Great Work And Cannot Come Down." By Pres. Uchtdorf. I am absolutly obsessed with Nehamiah in the Bible. LOOK IT UP FOR FHE"

Kellee has not been feeling well, and she had to send her Mom (me), some comforting words.  I love that she can comfort me, when she knows I'm stressing because I can't be there to take care of her-

"I know you worry about me a lot, but I am in good hands Mama. The Lord is watching over me and is with me always. That's a special blessing us missionaries get, to have Jesus with us always. I am very thankful for all you've taught me! There are certain instances where we are stuck in a situation and I think, "What would my Mom do?" And then we figure things out because of your example to me. So thank you for all you do for me Mommy :) I love love love you."

Now a note to her Dad-

"There are so many noisy airplanes here. I can just imagine you running around like a leaping gazzell looking for the planes. HAHA. 

(Big Joke with our family, and anyone that knows Joe, knows that any aircraft is a cool aircraft, even more so, when they are old, were used in any kind of history, can't fly anymore, or have been restored.  This LOVE for aircraft and History, has been passed onto my kids.  Just ask them and they can tell you what any aircraft is and what it's purpose is or was clear back to the Wright Bros.! Many of our family vacations have been spent seeking out old plane graveyards.  The minute we read Kellee's call to Tucson, Joe knew there was an Airbase there and the Biggest Aircraft Graveyard There!!  Yes, we will all be visiting it after the Mission!)

"They're always flying in some kind of formation. We aren't allowed to go to the actual aircraft graveyard since its out of our area, but we are going there together when I get home! Deal?" 

"The weather here is hot. Much too hot. Some days are perfect, but most days I melt. There are no shirts light enough to keep you cool. Man, I don't know who in their right mind would want to settle here before they had AC. The rain has stopped, so it's getting back to 115 degree weather. I'm excited for the winter? Who knew you'd hear me say that!!"

"That's crazy about your work!! Are you going to loose your job? I've been praying for you and your coworkers as well. And your crazy coworker who killed his wife? WHAT THE HECK? You were working with a criminal..... man oh man. We are actually teaching a guy who just got out a jail for a criminal act, so we have to be very careful. But you know he has good intentions if he is trying to come back to Christ."

(Yes, Joe's job has been a little stressful lately!  If you want a good laugh, just ask him about it!)

"HIIIIIIIIIIIII DADDY! 

Things here are craaaazy still. Lots of mean people, lots of nice people.

Lots of food and lots of falling asleep during my nightly prayers. 

This work is tiring, but extremely worth it.

The happiness it brings to peoples lives is incredible. 

There is no way this gospel isn't true. 

My testimony is growing stronger everyday, and I can't wait to share it more. 

I love you dad, with all that I am. and I hope all is well back at home. 

Give Teeko a hug for me and maybe a kiss or two. " 

"Thank you thank you for telling me about the missionary moment you did during sacrament meeting. I was actually wondering about that.  I am very glad you were able to do that!! Being a missionary is tiring work, but it is sooooooo rewarding!"

(I am VERY Proud of my Husband for doing the Missionary Moment is Sacrament meeting.  I guess everyone may have wondered why Joe did it and not me, her Mom.  Well, Kellee had always challenged Joe to do this for her before she left.  I think Joe is pretty willing to try new things, but standing up in church and talking on any subject is NOT one of them!  It very much pushed him to his limit when he got the calling of Ward Clerk and found out that Dear Bishop Veenker wanted him to sit at the desk on the stage, take roll, and then go walk through through everyone and count, That was just asking TOO much!!  He has survived well, though, and made Kellee very proud by being willing to do this for her!  Only his 'Sweet Pumkin Girl', could get him to do it!!  And I don't think we will see it again soon!!!!  Gotta Love ya Joe!!!)

Brotha: 
"Hey dude. I am so jealous you got to take your friends to the cabin! That sounded like SOOO much fun. And you're doing Lacrosse  Man, how did Levi convince you to do that? That is way cool. Jason our Cous used to do Lacrosse  call him up and he can teach you how to be a PRO. And guess what? We saw a giant EAGLE (I hated to inform her that this is NOT an Eagle, but it is pretty big and cool, and it was close!)  just chillin in an apartment balcony. It was huge. I was afraid it was going to attack me!! Are you excited for school? I wouldn't be. hahaha but you always like school so i'm sure you're excited. What classes are you takin? I love you Keaton, and I talk about you all the time to pretty much everyone! I miss you lots and lots. Can't wait for that hug (: "

 I Love you all very much and I am so thankful for all you guys do for me. Keep doing the things God would have you do to return and live with him again as an eternal family. (: You guys are my everything. 

Love always, Sister Kellee Jo Walker

 

 

No Transfer for Sister Kellee Walker Today! August 6, 2013 - Staying in the Campbell Ward in the Heart of Tucson!

No Transfer Today!  Her she is with her New District.  Her Tri-panionship changed, and now it is Sis Walker and Sis Dredge are in a Companionship.

This is all the Elders and Sisters, President and Sister Killpack, and two sets of Senior Missionaries.

Looks like to me that there are many good people to be watching over my Kellee for me!  (Oh, there's her Heavenly Father in the middle of them all tooo!  Most important influence!)

It's been an interesting 2 weeks of Mail problems:(.  If any of your letters have been returned, it's because of one of the Post Offices in Tucson has been closed down.  The Mail now has to take an extra stop in Phoenix, then sent on to Tucson.  So Sister Walker went 2 weeks without anything from us.  

This really has made me appreciate how fast she can really get her mail.  It takes 15 days to get a letter to Austin in Jamaica  and the Mission President in the very bottom of Argentina, (Dr. Mark Rogers, who I worked with at the hospital), can't have anything sent to them.  (The country is not allowing any mail from the US into Argentina right now.)  So, I need to count my Blessings that usually she can get our stuff in 4 days!

"Holy cow guys!! I'm so sorry you've had to deal with mail problems!! Good grief. I thought you guys were just busy, which is understandable but i'm glad to hear that you've been thinking of me!! I did get a letter from Kylee!! (: Transfers were this morning and looks like I'm staying here with the beautiful Sister Dredge!! Same address for the next 6 weeks. Sister O'Donnell got transferred to the Binghampton ward which is the ward right after ours so luckily we still get to see each other. (We are in the same District) 

I have the CRAZIEST story to tell you guys. Mom and Dad will probably flip out but seriously, it was crazy weird. Okay, so the other day we were driving down one of the main roads on our way to an appointment but we had a few extra minutes, so as I was driving, Sister Dredge felt prompted to talk to this lady walking down a little back road so I turned the car around and parked it. We started walking towards her, trying to catch up with her and then BAM!!!!!! A Dr Pepper comes FLYING over this huge brick wall. Scared the poop right out of me.  

(She probably thought this was a gift from the Heavens, since her FAVORITE soda is D.P.!!!, and she hasn't had one for awhile!!!)  

We thought it was just a kid messing with us so we kept walking. Then all of the sudden all this produce comes hauling over the wall. Milk, Cereal, Ham, Cheese, Soda, Beer, all sort of groceries. Then people start flying over the wall and they're yelling, "HURRY UP! PUT IT ALL IN THE TRUCK! DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE!!!" They had conveniently parked their truck and thrown all their STOLEN items near the truck and drove off. I was in shock, literally. I couldn't believe what I had seen!! And I didn't understand why God had prompted us to talk to that lady, especially since we didn't get the chance too! It was way weird right? That was probably the craziest thing that's happened this week."  

(I think it is very interesting that it was Food that was being stolen, not electronics or a car or $.  Maybe she and I needed to be reminded that we are VERY blessed to have any type of food we want and whenever we want it.)

"Lessons here are starting to slow down a bit. We still teach over 30 lessons but a lot of our investigators tell us to stop coming over or that we aren't interested. It's hard when people reject the gospel because we as members KNOW what they are missing out on and it breaks my heart. They're time will come i suppose."

 

Sister Walker never forgets to send a Sunset.  They are the 'Most Beautiful Ever", she keeps saying!!

(Just like her!)

 

Sister Kellee Jo - July 29th still raining & super duper HOT!

I asked her if she wanted the Umbrella she sent home, "No!  We usually dance in the rain!  It's so hot that the rain feels great. No umbrella needed!"

(Although, I think she needs to take time to IRON her shirt- oh, funny me, she needed me to do that!)

I think she is trying to convince me that she is eating healthy?  Sorry Sister, but I don't think Cocoa Puffs and Oreo's are in a food group. I do need to give her credit for banana's, strawberries, yogurt and her Vit D WHOLE milk!  She's so skinny she needs all the calories she can get!!! 

She thinks she may be transferred after her first 6 weeks in Tucson, so I think she wanted to leave her mark.  I guess all the Missionaries that go through the apartments paint and repaint their names on these stools.  It's interesting to me that she has time to paint, but not time to IRON her skirt?!

"We taught another 30 lessons this week and President is SOOOO PROUD! He said that is extremely rare to be teaching that many lessons so consistently.  There are so many people who have been prepared to hear the Gospel and it's my privilege to be the one to teach them.  My confidence is growing more and more each day and I'm learning ways to open myself up to people. It's crazy to me how much love I have for these people here in Tucson. I hardly know them but my love for them is crazy."

    "There are A LOT of trials I have already been through and it's only been a month, but the things I am learning are incredible. My testimony has been strengthened, my relationship with God has increased and my love for my Savior continues to grow as I learn and rely on him."

"The Campbell Ward threw a Pioneer Day party so I got to celebrate Dad's birthday even though I wasn't home with you guys. They had so many different BROWNIES which I thought was really ironic :) we ate lots of food and mingled and listened to a band play music and then we had to leave before the movie. But it was still really fun!!  I've been assigned as the designated driver so i'm always driving the dang car. You think traffic at home is bad? Try the traffic here in the heart of Tucson. It's NUTS. And it wigs me out all the time that the green turn arrow doesn't come first!! It's completely backwards from home."  (Joe's birthday is on the 24th of July.  He thinks he always has to have a big party, because Everyone celebrates his Birthday!!  Kellee knows he LOVES any kind of Brownie.  Joe loved his B'day present from Kell, a RED Arizona Wildcat's Shirt!  Maybe she will start to like RED, Bishop V.,  Not BLUE :(   Oh, and Ryker,  She said HAPPY B"DAY TO YOU TOO!!)

" Hey it is sooo crazy HOT that the lizards carry sticks on their backs while they run  so they can stand on the stick when they STOP running!  (That's a joke an investigator told us! He He)"

This is my favorite part of her email this time,  "I'm VERY thankful for you guys.  I truly am.  I know I may not have shown it the best, but I hope you realize my love for you guys grows more and more each day."

"I hope all is well.  Love you more than all the Oreo's I eat!   And that's a lot!"

Kellee Jo 

Sister Walker says, "Hola Familia!" July 22, 2013

 She knows that her MoM is worried about her drinking enough.  They freeze two of these jugs each every night, and that lasts them through the next day.  Isn't she sooo Cute!  Also, I think she is picking up some Spanish in her English speaking Mission!

 I think she is sending her family at home a Message!

First Baptism for her Tri-Companionship!

"Hola Familia!

Things here are crazy. You would not believe the work that is going on here. We taught yet again another 30 lessons. that's 120 lessons in a month!!!! Our companionship got recognized for the hard work we are doing and let me tell you, I LOVE IT. The people here have been prepared in some way or another to hear the gospel and it surprises me how much they already know, without actually realizing it. T. and A. got baptized on Friday (1st baptism and it's only week 4!!!) and it was incredible. The spirit was sooooo strong. T. has smoked since she was 14 years old and of course she had to give it up. We fasted together, prayed together and cried together through that experience. And guess what? She has completely stopped smoking!! I am so so so proud of her and how far she has come. She has that desire to sacrifice anything for the Lord and it shines through her. And cute little A. is 9.  T. has custody over most of her Grand-kids and A. is one of them. He came up to us one day while teaching T. and asked, "When can I be baptized?" We were overjoyed!! So we began teaching them together and it has been an incredible journey. The baptismal service was beautiful, I wish you could have been there to feel of that spirit. That moment T.  came up from the water was absolutely perfect in every way. I love this work so much."

"I find it difficult at times though. It's very hard being away from home and from friends. I feel very out of place at times. My heart aches for these people. They are missing out on so much happiness. The Lord provides for us all, if only they would give him the chance to. I was reading in 2 Nephi chapter 9 today during personal study and I came across the verses 23-25. It talks about those people who walk all over you and who talk badly about Christ and his children. I found amazing comfort in those verses. Please please please read your scriptures!! I have gained an incredible relationship with them and I can't believe I lived this long without them.
A lot of our investigators have dropped  us this week, and it has been incredibly heart wrenching. I don't understand how people can't see the light of Christ. If you get the chance, look up LIGHT OF CHRIST in the Bible Dictionary. It's really rather cool."

"This week has brought me a lot of tears. Happy ones along with many sad ones. We work too hard to be sad yet we are. This work is truly difficult and trying, but it is VERY worth it. It's worth the pain and the trials, the hurt and the loneliness. Especially when you find the one person who was willing to sacrifice all they have just to get to know Christ. My testimony has grown more than I can explain and my love for Jesus Christ has grown as well. I am so thankful to have had the experiences I've had to prepare myself for this mission. I know I am here for a reason, and I know this is what I am supposed to be doing. Continue to pray for me, continue to read and to attend church. I am so grateful for you, my family. I am grateful for your support and for your prayers. I feel them everyday and am so grateful that you pushed me to serve. This truly is such a blessing. "

"I love you to the moon and back!"

"Be safe and think of me often!!"
"Love always, Sister Walker!"

     I can sense sadness and joy through her letters.  Pray for her to be strong and to always listen to the Spirit to guide her through the challenges she faces.  I found a quote today that hopefully helps her,  by President Henry B. Eyring, "Whatever our age, capacity, church calling or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls until He comes again."  (April 2013)

Love, MoM:)