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:)

Sister Kellee Jo Walker's Tucson Mission Adventures, July 28, 2013

Thanks Everyone for being so patient while I entered all your emails, and got Sister Kellee's blog updated!

We miss her lots, but love that she is serving her Heavenly Father!

Please take a moment of your time when you can and Send her a note, she wants to hear from you all. 

 Sister Kellee Jo Walker

Arizona Tucson Mission

939 Chapala Drive

Tucson, AZ  85704-4516

PLEASE send this blog link on to your family members and friends, she wants to share it with everyone!

Prayers and more Prayers will help her reach her Goals and keep her safe!

Love, 

Joe, Becky,  SIster Kellee and Keaton

Sister Kellee is Working HARD!!! July 15, 2013

"We had over 60 lessons over the past 2 weeks which is INCREDIBLE.  We have been go go go and there's the pic of me passed out during personal study!! Haha, it's hard work, but very rewarding.  I hope you are proud!"

"It's sooo hot here, like you have no idea.  Don't ask me how I know this but, the toilet water is even hot.  Not warm, HOT!  I take back wanting to live here.  Utah is fine enough.  It's nuts.  Hot weather + wind + rain + thunder + lightning = wet ,sticky and exhausted Kellee!"
(Notice, even though she says it's HOT, she is still bundled up in her minky blanket!  I knew there was a reason I sent a big warm blanket with her!)

I really am loving it so much here. It rains a lot around 7 pm and monsoons everywhere. The roads get flooded and all the cars just have to stop until it's safe to drive again!! The humidity is almost unbearable but thankfully this season only lasts 2 more months and THANKFULLY we have a car. (It's funny how in one sentence she does Not want to live there, but in the next sentence she Loves it!)

     The thunder and lightning is awfully scary.  I wish you could see the sunsets, they are sooo beautiful here."  (I thought that maybe she was showing us pic of a fire!)

Exchanges with Sister M for a day.

"We are working our tails off.  I sincerely feel like the Lord will be here before we know it.  What are you guys doing to be prepared?  I am reading the Book of Mormon again, and think it would be cool if we all read it together!  I only have about 15 min a day to read though:("

"This week has been nuts. I have a cold and have been a little under the weather but I just keep pushing myself because I don't even have a desire to rest. I want to serve with 100% obedience. I'm doing a lot better today so don't you worry!! Just say a prayer that my nose will stop running. hahaha"

"This is going to sound crazy but we have taught over 90 lessons over the past 3 weeks. I don't know if you understand how INCREDIBLE that is, but it truly is a blessing. People are lucky to teach 15 lessons a month and we've taught 90 and it's not even the end of the month!! We are seeing miracles everyday and I am learning so much!! I hope I come back with a better understanding of this gospel and a greater appreciation for my savior.
The people I meet are amazing. They have a lot ahead of them but I have such a love for them all."

"We met this guy named H. who is a raging alcoholic with 3 kids who all have different mothers. He is currently married to a woman who is in jail,  but he has such a desire to come unto Christ. He wants so badly to change his life and to give his children the life they deserve. My companions and I were all writing down his telephone number and he said, "Dang, 3 pretty ladies writing down my phone number all at once!! I am looking for a new wife!!" HAHA I could not stop laughing. We also met this sweet beautiful 19 year old named Wendy. She has a 1 year old son and her boyfriend lives in Mexico because he doesn't have citizen-ship here. My heart aches for her. She is lonely, confused about her love life and wants so badly to find somewhere to belong. She came to church with us yesterday and she just cried. She has found that place to belong and she is ready to be baptized. We just need to teach her about the Law of Chastity because she is afraid that if she stops doing those things with her boyfriend, then he will leave her. So we are praying for her and hoping her boyfriend will understand and respect her decision. I wish I could just talk to you on the phone and tell you all about these amazing people I meet. Hahah "

"The worst feeling in the world I have decided, is when a person you have been teaching decides to stop taking the lessons.. It breaks my heart into a million pieces. Sweet S. dropped us today and I felt like someone punched me in the gut. Satan works on these people to the point where they find a reason to stop seeing us. And all we can do is bear our testimonies and hope they will change their mind later. This work is really tough but the miracles we see over and over again outweigh the hard times."

"Keaton, I heard you went to the cabin!! That's so weird because this whole week I had a huge desire to go to the cabin, haha.   When I get home, we can take a trip up there and just hang out together!  Also, I wish you were here to squish all the nasty bugs. There are SO MANY BUGS. It's gross."

"Dad, your birthday is coming up!! I sent you some stuff in a package so keep your eyes out for it!! I hope you do something really fun for your birthday. And make sure you eat some chocolate cake for me!! I have been craving chocolate cake so bad."

                              "I love you all so very much and I miss you just the same.
The Lords work is progressing and I am so privileged to see it progressing every hour.  The work out here is booming, and a lot of the reason is from the members in the ward.  Be sure to encourage the ward at home to find people for the missionaries to teach.   This Church is true and there is no doubt in my mind about it. God has given me all that I have and I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve him in return. Be safe and remember my love for you all grows each and every day. God be with you til we meet again."

Love always,
Sister Kellee Jo Walker

  

Sister Kellee's First week in Tucson! June 24, 2013

Her Cute Sister Companions! In the middle is Sis D, from Draper (Yeah! close) and she is their 12 week Trainer. Sis O is the other newbee from New York:) (I think there will be a road trip after her mission to visit!  What a great excuse for our family to go to the Hill Comorah pageant!)   They look like REAL siblings!

Her Mission President Brother and Sister Killpack, from Delta, Utah.  How cool is that! When she gets home, she can just drive down to visit them!!!!

The whole crew that arrived on June 24th.  18 Sisters and 10 Elders.  The biggest group this President ever had arrive on one day!  GOOOO Sisters!!! (and Elders:) They all arrived on one small plane.

Just some thoughts from her letters...
"As a District, we have a goal of teaching 20 lessons a week and in my companionship, we taught 30!!  How incredible is that !  We teach lessons to people we meet on the street, less active and Members.  We mostly just listen to the spirit when we teach and it is incredible how much I've learned.  I'm getting more brave at confronting people and not getting my feelings hurt when they slam the door in my face.  HA and I'm really just having a blast.  The temperature was 122.  The members told us that the temperature broke a record!!  
We are teaching an Indian (he's from India!) named Ali.  He got sent to the United States when he found out he had cancer and the day we knocked on his door, he had just received the news that he had beaten cancer!!  He told us there was a reason God kept him on the earth and he knows it was because he needed to hear our message!  He has a hard time speaking English but he can feel the spirit and I think that's enough.  We ordered him an Arabic Book of Mormon and we're just taking the lessons slow so he can understand.  He was a Vet back in his home and he had a pet LION!!! Ali holds a special place in my heart because I was the one who knocked on his door!!
Also, Elder Donaldson was in my YSA ward back home and he went to my high school and he is in my ZONE!! That means we get to have dinner together every night and go to the same church   It's funny when people find out that we already know each other. 
 We are assigned to the more poor side of the city.  The houses here are sooo sad Mom.  These people are kinda miserable and not very willing to hear what we have to say.  It's sad to see the poor conditions they live in.  When you said that it would be like a third world country in some areas, I didn't expect it to literally be like that.  But it just makes me SO grateful for what I have."

Then on Monday, July 1st, Joe had to call Kellee's Mission President with some very, very sad news.  It's even hard for me to write this now... and its been a few weeks.  This is why there have been no posts for a bit.  
On Sunday, June 31st, our very good family friend of 24 years died in his sleep.  Taylor Wright, the Son of Paul and Lisa and the Brother of Morgan, our very bestest buds, went home to his Heavenly Father.  
It was hard not to be with our Kellee when she received this news.  I needed to be there to hold her... but needed to trust in my Heavenly Father that he would be able to comfort her through others.  I'm soooo glad that they are in a tri-companionship, it took the strenghth of all three Sister's to help Kellee through this sad event.  After a Priesthood Blessing for her comfort, they all three knew they needed to get back to work harder and harder. 
 Kellee said, "Mom, my heart is VERY heavy, I cried and cried and cried.  I don't know why I cried so much.  I think perhaps because I can't be there for Morgan, (our best family friends for over 28 years).  She has gone through SO much and now I can't even be there to give her my love.  That absolutely breaks me to pieces.  Give my love to them please.  PLEASE.  I've been praying all day for their family and the District here is praying as well, so hopefully they will be able to feel of our love."

What a strong little Sister Walker that is so Faithfully and Obediently willing to serve her Heavenly Father.  
We LOVE you Taylor, and will be on our best behavior so we can be with you again:)

Kellee's" 11" Whole Days in the Missionary Training Center!!!!

Kellee seemed to  LOVE her whirlwind stay at the MTC. 

 Her statement was, "Things here are crazy!!! My schedule is go go go go all day, non stop!  I sleep a good 8 hours, but I'm still wasted by the end of the night.  I got a top bunk and it's pretty awesome, except making the bed is really difficult.  (Hummm, notice the words, 'making the bed'- which NEVER happened at home!)  We had a MOUSE in our room.  Our room is in the newer dorms, but somehow we got a mouse in our room!  He was a cure little fellow that just snuck under the door, he probably wanted food.  Because you know what happens when you give a mouse a COOKIE....HA!! (probably one of Aunt Mary Ann's cookies!)

This is her 'take' on the MTC food,

 "You'll be so proud of me!  I have been eating pretty much ALL the food they serve.  They give you a lot of options, so I can always find something to eat!:)  They also have BYU ice cream every Wed and Sunday.  I LOVE IT.  And every type of cereal you could imagine.  They also let you have coke for breakfast (no caffeine though)."  

Well, I'm sooo glad that the MTC is letting my Daughter choose what she wants to eat.  It sounds like a very(?) well rounded and nutritional diet.... ice cream, cold cereal, and coke for breakfast..Yeah:(.  That is probably why she told me later that she had gained 10...yes, 10 pounds in the MTC!  I thought I was a good cook, but not as good as coke and ice cream for breakfast!!

She enjoyed the "Spirit" she was able to feel at the MTC, 

 "Mommy, i really think you'd love it here, The spirit is so constant!  I've almost forgotten what it feels like to not have that constant feeling, it's completely amazing.....   I won't lie, it is really different. I'm not going to say hard, because its only hard if you're not willing to try.  I've learned to really rely on Gods support.  He has been with me these past few days and I know he's the reason I'm still here.  You have to have 100% faith that you can do it.  I really LOVE it here Mom!  I'm a little unorganized, but I'm happy Mom.  Christ is here. I'm blessed to have his presence with me constantly!!!  And thank you for your Prayers, I feel them daily and that's what keeps me going.  I remind myself that this is the way the Lord wants us to learn, then accept it and soak everything in.  Don't dwell on the rules, on the time, on the people at home.  Like Bishop said, Just BE OBEDIENT.  Its cool to see how Obedience has already blessed my life this far......Now the days are FLYING and I'm just really excited to get out in the field and meet all those people who have been prepared by God for me!!"

We love Kellee Dearly, she has brightened our home, even when she has been away!

I hope your group LOVED the JDAWGS package!  It was fun trying to get it to the MTC still warm! And the Cookie package from the Dolinar's, and all the other Daily packages.  It kept me busy, and healed my heart to serve you!

Aside from a few Camera problems, and needing to send some of her LARGER items home to make luggage weight, a torn-brand new purse/bag, double ticketing of her flight at the airport, her lost luggage that didn't make it with her to Tucson, AZ, (yes, Delta can get luggage all around the world, but apparently not to Tucson!!)  She made it to Tucson!! on June 24, 2013:)