Sister Kellee Walker's Tuscon, Arizona Mission - February 24, 2014

Hi There Folks - February 24, 2014

Okay so I have sooooo much to tell you!! This week was incredible! I'm afraid I wont have enough time to even tell you all the exciting things that happened so bare with me because I have a feeling this email is going to be all over the place. 

So first things first. My birthday is comin up!! And my 9 month mark!! Holy crap how did that happen?!! 20 years old... ew that just sounds so bizarre. The only things I can think of that I reallyneeeeeed are pictures of you guys, like your adventures and such, I would love a copy of my farewell talk if you still have that, and my rose lip balm from bath and body works. I don't need ANY lotion, I just got a ton from a member in the ward. But anyways, The lip balm is called Rose Salve and it's in a little tin case. Other than that, I really don't need anything. Mostly because I've kinda been spendy at Target the past few weeks. They have had some AWESOME sales on short sleeved shirts, so I buy them. And now I'm a total babe missionary. hahaha just kidding.. but really.

Okay so let's get down to business. This week Sister Delap and I were able to go on exchanges with our 'Sister Training Leaders' And our Sister Trainers are Sister Dredge (My trainer) And SisterEmbry! I got to spend the whole day with SIster Embry and we actually accomplished soooo much!! I even managed to run over a mouse.... And teach 6 lessons (: 

I got my valentines package from Brendan!! I think we might be in love.. hahah (: It makes me rather happy. I am so very excited for things to fall into place when I get home. In his package he sent me a teddy bear and it is the most cuddliest bear i've ever cuddled. Besides Ted of course. 

THEN (this is the coolest part) Sister Delap and 6 other Elders were asked to attend a City Hall Recognition for President Thies, our Stake President!! So we got to drive into the heart of Tucson and see all the ghetto-ness and we went and got FRO YO and all had a great time together!! I don't know if you remember me telling you but Elder Donaldson went to highschool with me and the same YSA ward and we are in the same District AGAIN!! And he was with us when we went adventuring in Tucson. It was really cool to represent the Church. I was honored when President Thiesasked Sister Delap and I out of all the other Sisters he could have asked! We just have a great relationship, that's all.

2 funny stories.
1) On Tuesday, I believe it was.. Sister Delap and I were EXHAUSTED!! And we were going to take a nap for lunch but then decided to eat food instead so we didn't get our nap and I have to drive everywhere because my comp doesn't have a drivers licence. And we had a half hour drive to our investigators house and we were pretty early, so we decided to pull over in a little nook away from the street and take a short little nap. So we pulled over, locked the doors and pushed our seats back and set the alarm for 10 minutes. Not even 5 minutes later we hear a BAM BAM BAM BAMBAM BAM BAM. It was the freaking Elders.. They basically made me pee my pants!! Not really but it scared me soooo bad! And the whole time they were just laughing and laughing and laughing. We are going to get them back.. mark my words!!

2) Every Wednesday and Friday morning, we go outside and play Basketball with a few sisters and Elder Taylor and Elder O'Shai for our exercise hour. Well we were the first people out there and there is an Owl (Probably Owlvin) just chillin all cute on a branch not to far away. Well there is a creepy lookin crow making the most awful noise just squawking away. The owl decided to just fly right on over to the crow, head butt him and tell him, "Dude, Shut up" Then he flew over to where we were and landed on the fence and glowered at us. I told Sister Delap that he looked like he was in a pretty bad mood. Now i'm even more afraid of birds. Great.

Also, at the time, it wasn't really funny but now it is really funny.
So we get to church and everyone is finding their Pew to sit in and usually they would have opened the overflow curtains by now but they hadn't so we didn't really think anything of it, until the room started to get really REALLY crowded. And the bishop gets up and says, "Hey, so uhm we would open the overflow, but some one put a bike lock on the doors.. so please scoot as closely as you can so we can fit everyone." Just imagine a hot, squishy baby infested chapel for an hours time. It was actually really funny. People were really annoyed.

OH! Investigator wise, we have 3 new investigators so that makes 7 investigators and 4 of them have baptism dates for march! YAY MARCH!

Okay so that basically sums up my week. 

I Hope your guy's week is full of adventures and stuff.
Dad, you asked if the weather was warming up? Well it never got cold. hahah it has been in the 70's the past 2 months. But yes it has been getting warmer!! Last week it was in the 80's and we actually hit the 90's for a little bit there. CRAZY HEAT. I love it.
Okay bye.

Love always, Your sweet Sister Missionary, Kellee jo

Gotta love some Fro Yo!

Sister Kellee Walker's Tuscon, Arizona Mission - February 17, 2014

February 17, 2014

Hey Familia!!!

First of all I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for the Valentines Package!! It made me smile so bigggg! You should have seen my face when I opened it and saw Finn and Jake. We got a pretty good picture so I will try to figure out how to attach it. These computers are too high tech for me. It's weird.. everything is changing. And mom thank you so much for the loooooong amazing letter. I loved reading about all the things you do in a day and about Keaton's life. He doesn't tell me much about it so i'm glad at least you will tell me!! And Dad! I loved the valentines card you sent me!! It was the most adorable thing i've ever laid eyes on. haha I liked how on the back it said, "Made at Joes Desk" That was pretty great! Did you come up with the poem?

Any who.. I loved all the pictures you sent me!! I can't believe how different everything is looking! The huge tree is gone, the kitchen looks like not even our house!! And Keaton is a freakin beast!! When did he get so tall?!?? I don't think I like that very much. hahaha it looks like Morgs birthday was so fun! She looks happy! And I'm glad that her birthday letter came right on her birthday! I'm getting good at this mail thing! Brendan on the other hand.. hahaha He said he sent me a valentines package and it should get here by Valentines and it isn't here yet. So i'm patiently waiting (: I'm getting really good at patience!!

Okay so let me tell you a little about this week. It was a strange one, that's for sure!! Sister Delap and I ran around like wild animals trying our hardest to talk to everyone and visit less actives and do service for members all week long and NO ONE WAS HOME. How lame right? Like literally no one was home. We taught only like 12 lessons this week and that is pretty bad. But I think the fact that we followed promptings is showing God our willingness to obey and to have faith in Him so then when there really is someone who is ready for the message we share, we will be lead right to them because we are getting pro at listening to the spirit. YAY!

Also, Sister Delap and I walked into our apartment earlier this week late at night (for missionaries)  and we flipped on the light, turn around and HELLO!! A giant cockroach the size of babies foot was just chillin on the wall like a boss. I freaked out like a dramatic little girl and made Sister Delap get rid of Him. So she casually goes over to the closet, gets the vacuum and walks over to the little nasty and then AHHH he freaking squeezed his little crusty body inside our heater vent.... I decided at that point that his name would be Lucifer. So then the pest control man came a few days later and alas, we haven't seen one since. Freakin bugs.

Okay another story. So you remember my cute little pet Tubby? The yellow cutie sittin on our cars dashboard? Well we decided he needed a wife so we found the most adorable one we could find and named her Bianca and we had a lovely wedding ceremony and reception in the dirt with a pebble walk way for the bride. I took pictures so I will try to attach those as well.

Also, I need to tell you about my hilarious dream I had the other night. So before I tell you my dream, I need to preface a little bit. We had dinner with a family in the ward, The Richards. And we some how got talking about cancer and specifically prostate cancer.. I don't remember why. anyways back to the dream. So I remember I was in an interview with President Killpack and I was talking with him about all my concerns and worries and fears and he gasped and grabbed my arm and said, "Sister Walker.. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. I'm afraid you have... APOSTATE Cancer........" And in my dream i just started crying and saying, "WHY?!??" All dramatic like. And then he patted my back and said, "Do the best with the time you have left." Then I woke up and told Sister Delap and we giggled for a long time about Apostate Cancer.

On the more spiritual side of things, I think I told you about the Mission Wide 40 Day Fast that is taking place and how each district is assigned one day out of the 40 to fast for the entire mission. Well our day was the 15th and it was amazing to see all the miracles that happened on that day. Even though like no one was home, we were still able to talk with a lot of people and give them an opportunity to listen to our message. And also, for some reason, ward council was cancelled yesterday so we had like 3 hours unplanned so as a companionship, we prayed together to know what to do and then we wrote on separate pieces of paper 3 names and you'll never guess what? All 3 of the names were the same, in the same order. So we started with the first lady & she was home so we got to share a message with her. Then the second lady has been so hard to get a hold of but she was home!! And the third gentle man was a potential we have been trying to visit so we went to his house and he was outside (: It is just so amazing how those little miracles give you the boost you need to keep pressing forward.

This week has been really great. Slow, but really great.
I'm really feeling the love from home. Thanks for that.

I love you all so much and pray for you as often as I can.
Love always, Sister Walker

PS: My birthday is coming up.. and I'll be 20.... I don't really like that. So lets just not celebrate and maybe I won't have to give up my teenage years. (: I really don't think I need anything in particular.. Maybe just a mix of moms hot cocoa that we usually make on Christmas. I've been craving that lately. (:

I Love my Valentines!

The big bug is hiding in there!

Tubby and Bianca on their wedding day!  Can you feel the love?

Sister Kellee Walker's Tuscon, Arizona Mission - February 10, 2014

February 10, 2014

Psalms 4:7 "Thou hast put gladness in my heart."

I had the opportunity to share my "adoption" story with some investigators and it helped me to realize eternally, how blessed I really am. To have loving, caring, and supportive parents who would do absolutely anything to see me happy. To have a baby brother who loves me despite my imperfections and is sooo patient with me. I have friends who are always there for me. Gosh, I am just so lucky!! What did I do to deserve such a wonderful family?

So funny story.... Last Pday I bought a barbie. I don't know what it is about them but even now, I love them sooooo much!! She even looks like me (: And sorry about using my temple card, I get so very confused with all the money. And since Sister Delap is a visa waiter, all her money plus my money goes on my missionary card and I have to with drawl 130 dollars at the beginning of the month so she will have cash in case she gets sent to Brazil. So last pday was our trial run and I got a little confused and frazzled but it all worked out!!! OH KEATON!! Our zone leaders taught us something awesome that I want you to try sometime. Sister Delap and I tried it and it totally works!! Okay so all you will need is someone to drive a car 50 mph and then take an orange lean out the window a bit and then  bowl (not chuck) the orange in front of you with as much force as is possible and it will roll for a little bit then BOOM it explodes. hahahaha oh my gosh it is hilarious.

Also, The relief society asked me to speak at their 'Progressive Dinner' and that was a lot of fun!! Talking in front of people isn't even scary any more!!  They had me talk about effective ways to share the gospel in every day conversations. And mom, I suggest you go to desseret book or seagull book and buy a book called, "The Power of Every Day Missionaries" By i think Clay Christenson. It is soooooo good. Read it, study it and apply it (: I also got to talk about my experience with Austin & that brought back a lot of great memories! I am so grateful for that experience and for the fun that we had together. I'm glad that we will always have that eternal bond (: He is an amazing missionary & I am sooo very proud of him. I hope he knows that.

More on the missionary side of things; We have 2 baptismal dates!! One with Terry and one with Hailee. Terry is an interesting case. I don't remember if I told you about him yet but I will tell you again. So his wife is a member, just really less active and about a year and a half ago, he was taking the missionary lessons! But then got in a really bad motorcycle accident and he lost a lot of his memory..  It's a miracle that he is able to retain and remember the information we teach him. He can't remember things in the past along with things that he is just told. But amazingly, he has been remembering EVERYTHING we teach him. We ask a lot of questions to check for understanding and he comes right back with an amazing answer, right on the dot. His baptism date is for February 22 but because we are taking our time teaching him, we may have to push it back a little. He is doing amazing things though. And Hailee is a Former investigator as well and she is 10 years old. She was taking the lessons a long while ago and was waiting for her dad to baptize her. We set the baptism date with her yesterday for March 8th!! 

Great things are happening right now! There are still days where it is so hard.  This week we ran into a few people who really had nasty feelings towards Mormons and it truly broke my heart. There are a lot of things that keep happening that try my faith. I have my testimony though, and that is what keeps me going. (:

I love you guys so very much.
And I'm grateful for the time that I have to write you.
Be safe and remember the covenants you've made with our Heavenly Father.
I love you so.

Love always, Sister Kellee Walker

Sister Kellee Walker's Tuscon, Arizona Mission - February 3, 2014

Hola Familia
February 3, 2014

Acts 17:27-29 (JST)
That they should seek the Lord, if they are willing to find him for he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver or stone, graven by art and man's device.

This week has been pretty casual. But it's been a good casual week!! The craziest thing that happened this week was that our ward boundaries changed and we lost 100(ish) of our members and less actives including Sharon & Donella.... our recent converts. But they will make great friends in the Bonanza Ward so I don't need to stress over it. Elder Donaldson (from my same High school & YSA ward) is in the Bonanza Ward so they will be just fine and dandy. Brendan knows him so he can vouch for me! Hahah

OH WAIT! I just remembered something else crazy that happened!! Our apartment is in the East Stake so we have to drive about 10 minutes to actually enter our Ward but we live in a pretty sketchy apartment complex and our neighbor (who we've come to the conclusion that she is schizophrenic) got arrested! We got to watch the whole thing from our deck and it was so entertaining! It was like watching TV but even better. She was in her footie pajama's and kept saying over and over again, "I'm diabetic!! You can't take me to prison!" From what we gathered, her boy friend bought her a watch and she was all paranoid that the watch had a camera in it and that he was always watching her.  Yeah, like I've said many times.. Tucson is crazy.

Sister Delap and I have a pet cacti fruit. His name is tubby and I attached a picture for you to see him. He's a little cutie pie.  They grow on top of pretty much any kind of cactus but Tubby came from a barrel cactus. We opened one of them to see what was inside and probably like 17 black seeds fell out and a bunch of SLIME. Like really runny boogers is how Sister Delap explained it. HAHAHAH Sister Delap & I have lots of fun together. We like to make jello and blow bubbles and paint our nails. So many funs were had this week.

So we have been having a little bit of a rough time with investigators this week. Nicole informed us that she is moving back to away and doesn't want to get baptized.. but we are still working with her, so we won't give up!! Brother Weston is doing amazing though. He has a baptism date for Feb 22!! He got in a motorcycle accident a year ago and he forgot nearly everything so his wife has been teaching him about his life and she brought up religion and she is LDS and he had never had an interest in Mormons before but for some reason he all of the sudden is interested so we have been teaching him, but we have to teach him very simply and very slowly. Which I'm good at (: So it's great. We took Sister Killpack (the Mission President's wife) to a lesson with him and she had a lot of great things to say about how I teach!! Being a missionary & especially a trainer is so much fun. You would be proud!

Our mission is doing something really special that I want to tell you about. It's called a 40 day fast. Don't freak out mom, I'm not going to have to fast for 40 days!! As a mission, all the missionaries fasted yesterday for our individual investigators and less actives and then we are all assigned as a district, one day out of 40 to fast for other missionaries & their investigators. So everyday, someone is going to be fasting for me and my investigators. It is going to bring us soooo close as a mission. I am really excited.

Dad, you mentioned Sister Culley who was in Morgan's ward? Well crazy, but I did get to meet her! And Sister Delap, my current companion was in the same District in the MTC with Sister Culley. CRAZY small world. I love it.

Keaton, I have a riddle for you & dad to figure out!

What is more evil than the Devil but is more Powerful than God? Poor people have it, but rich people don't and if you eat it, you'll die.
What is it?

Also mom, sorry i used so much money on my credit card last week. I had a blond moment and got confused with my cards and accidentally used my credit card instead of my missionary card. they look really similar. I'll be more careful i promise!!

Thank you for all the pictures. I just love them to pieces! They bring big smiles to my face. Tell Morgan i say HELLO and Lexi too. I miss her a lot & it hurts my heart that I still haven't heard from her.

I love you all so much.
SO MUCH.
(especially you Keaton!) You're a stud.

Introducing Tubby!

Sometimes missionaries blow bubbles in their rooms just for fun