Oh P.S. I Hit 10 Months!

Hey team👋

Well another week here in Texas! It was.. something else, I'll sum it up real quick.

I ate street tacos and the BEST pineapple agua fresca that has ever graced this earth. Mm. 

A member gave us giant apples. Hence the picture.

It rained superrrr hard for a solid hour one day and I just sat in front of the window soaking in how awesome it was. Our apartment almost flooded though so that's not gReAt.

We went on exchanges! I got to revisit Sienna and spend some time with Hna Koopmans who I love so much! 

We had a stakewide training about a pilot program for some updates (idk how to describe it but its #stressful) and I saw some old friends!! My old ward mission leader from Brazos and his wife who were our neighbors in the barn :') happy times. 

Missionary work moves forward, be nice to people, my companion is amazing, texas is hottt, keep trying your best.

For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. (D&C 84:88)

Hermana Eastman

Oh ps do you want to hear a funny story? Okay so this just sums up how things are going haha. Today we went out for lunch and I parked next to a truck. Then as we were getting out of the car, I turned to Hermana Smith to say something. Then, to my surprise, I walked straight into a long wooden plank that was sticking out of the truck bed. Even more unfortunate was the fact that my short head sits right at truck bed level, so my poor nose and eye socket took the brunt of it😅 it's okay though because I'm not bruised. But it was just a good giggle for everyone nearby. Anyway that's my story.

Y'all Ain't Ready For This

Alright so first of all I'd like to say that I have 3 misquito bites on my shin that are in the exact formation of Orions belt. Nature is beautiful. 

So MANY things have happened this week and so to spice things up, this weeks edition of my email will be in newspaper form. It might be long so if you have to wait in any Costco lines or sit in a dentists office, this will be perfect.

Front page (above the fold) headline:

NOT JUST THE CHICKEN WAS CHEWED AT CHICKFILA

Early on friday morning our mission had a zoom call about OYMs ("open your mouth" street contacts) and Hermana smith and I were SO hyped to get out and talk to people. This is really the only time i can be so bold and stick out among the common folk as a missionary. Every minute of my mission counts. And if I have to be awkward, at least I'm doing it for the Lord. So anyway Hna smith and I had a great comp study about what we can do to be better. And we prayed that we might be placed in the right places at the right times. So then we went to chick fil a for lunch (of course) and as we were sitting outside we saw a man walk up to order. I thought to myself "I just know were going to talk to this man." So I waved and smiled like a polite little Hna eastman does. Then he said "are you guys sisters or something?" Meaning biologically and obviously not because we dont look the same but that's okay because it was a great transition into missionary work. But when we told him what church we belong to his disposition turned more sour than the pickles on my chicken sandwich. He began to talk down to us and said he knew a lot about our beliefs. I asked him then if he knew any members and he said no. I was like... interesting. Then he said "I just dont believe Joseph Smith will judge me after this life." And we were like "....yeah same. We dont believe that either." And he was like "that's not true." And we said "we believe in Jesus Christ." And he then he said "you're lying." I said to myself "?? sir. how...does that...make sense...?" I don't think I've ever had someone tell me I was lying about my own beliefs hahaha. Unfortunately for this man I enjoy a good wholesome argument and I was about to whip out my arsenal of intelligence but luckily for us both, Hermana Smith came in with her sweet testimony of Jesus Christ and God's love. She's the best!! And saved me from something that wouldn't have benefited anyone. This man still wasn't having it bless his heart and told us some not great things and when we asked to share a scripture he said no. So then we took the L and went on our way. I was so flustered I left behind like 5 waffle fries which is the second biggest tragedy in this story. The first being that this guy, who I know God loves so much, hasn't accepted the blessings of the gospel. But I know God is aware of him. And I know that was an answer to our prayers. We didn't even feel defeated afterward, we saw it as an answer to prayer to get to talk to someone and defend our beliefs.

Sports section:

Hermana Smith is like an Olympian I swear. Our morning exercises consist of a marathon, then a triathlon, then a weightlifting competition, complete with a race through an American ninja warrior course. All in the comforts of our own parking lot. I have never sweat so much. I could pour a water bottle on my head and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But it makes us feel energized. Nothing like the pain of sore legs to keep you going!

Economics:

Due to a lack of planning on our part, we have run out of toilet paper twice this week. But luckily, thanks to the help of the neighboring Manvel missionaries and our church custodian closet, we have stayed afloat🥴

Food and beverage:

Miracles in missouri city. I, Hermana Eastman, she who has the appetite of an adolescent squirrel, ate 7 tacos at a members house this week. Sevennnnnn. I was so proud of myself!! The following day I had 4 tostadas and I know my mom has just fainted at the thought. Unheard of. 

Nature:

We went to go help a member paint her porch. I've come to identify her house as the "red wasp house." There is a particular type of wasp, an alarming red, that haunts me. They are big and scary. And they are always at her house. But this woman, Hermana Garcia, has no fear. When the wasps got close to us and we were scared, she came out with a dish towel and swatted them to their graves!! I asked her if she was scared of them and she said "no. They don't sting me. I killed two this morning in my house."🤯🤯 Then I went inside her house and I saw the evidence. See picture below of the horror. 

Fire:

As we were out knocking doors, we saw a thick column of black smoke rising out of the trees. It was right next to a house of a former we were hoping to meet. But then we realized that the fire was coming from behind a gas tank and so we decided not to go near that... we pulled of to the side of the road because the fire trucks were driving by!!! They put out the fire so it's okay now. 

Travel:

We helped some ladies in our apartment complex carry some suitcases up the stairs. When we asked if we could help they look at each other and then asked us if we speak spanish. I said "why yes! We do!" It was awesome. They're just visiting for a little bit. Come to find out, they're from Barranquilla Colombia WHICH just happens to be where my FAVORITE temple is!!! So it was an awesome opportunity to share a little piece of the gospel and make friends. Miracle.

The most important things:

We got to go to 2 baptisms this week!! Two young boys in our ward were baptized. And we had a friend who's not a member of the church come and see! It was awesome!! Our friend was asking about baptism, life after death, missionary work, primary, Jesus Christ, and all the good things that make up this gospel. How grateful I am to get to share this. 

Funnies:

An elder in our district accidentally said "nosnortros" instead of "nosotros" in our missionary coordination meeting and it made me die with the giggles.

Scripture: 

1 Thessalonians 2

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

God trusts us with the knowledge of His Son. He trusts us to share it.

Big hugs!

Hermana Eastman 

Buckle Up For This One

Hi everyone!!! This week=crazy. So much has happened I dont even know where to start. This was the 2020 of weeks. But in a good way.

News: Hermana Tea has gotten her wings and flown home like an eagle. I'm now in Missouri City🤯 back in my old area and training Hermana Smith!! Can you believe it? I certainly cannot. That means they're whitewashing Sienna. Crazy times. I wrote so many sticky notes everywhere to help them take over the area. 

Haha okay last week I bought this game where you put the dentist thingys that keep your mouth open in your mouth and you try to talk. I tried to convince my district to play but they're too shy... hahaha but I thought it was funny. Hna tea will kill me but I'll include a picture.

Hermana Tea and I drove by IHOP on thursday and I said "I like IHOP. Why haven't we gone yet??" So then the next day we said "let's go to ihop" and we did our daily planning at ihop🤪 dreams do come true. 

I went on such a fun exchange up in the city with Hermanas Barker and Ferguson while Hermana Tea got to go to the temple and GUESS WHAT we found out that Hna barkers boyfriend was my neighbor in meridian Idaho when I was 5 years old. We were in shock. What a turn of events. It was so fun to be in a city spanish area for a couple hours. And I got to make new friends! Win win I'd say.

THE MAIN EVENT.

Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. Guess where Hermana eastman got to go this past saturday. I'll give you a hint: it's the best place in the world and you love to see it and theres a golden man on top..... you know what it is??

THE TEMPLE!!!!  I got to go to the temple!! Milagro my friends! A member in our ward was going for the first time and he invited us. We drove up with some members and on the street leading to the temple there are some really nice houses. I thought "wow" but then we got to the temple and I thought "not even the nicest house on this street compares to how beautiful the temple is." It's so beautiful. And a mini miracle was that there were some members from the Brazos branch (my og area!!) Doing baptisms that we got to see. I only cried 3 times in the temple which is pretty good considering I have leaky faucets for eyeballs. Needless to say, it was spectacular. What a gift the temple is!! A place where we can literally have a glimpse of heaven. I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father, His plan, and His Son Jesus Christ who makes it all possible. I know it's true. 

Oh and then guess what. As if the day couldn't get any better, we got chick fil a for lunch. 😭 I wept for joy. Can you even think of anything better? ..I'll wait

Sunday was full of sad goodbyes. It was like at the end of toy story 3 when Andy drives away from all his toys. So just picture that scene and that's how I feel. But just like those toys, I'm happy to see my friends go off to their next great adventure. Oh also it was 100000 degrees at the mission office yesterday so that's why everyone looks like they just ran a 5k through the Sahara desert. And by everyone I mean me.

"Hermana Eastman! Hermana Eastman! Won't you share a scripture with us??" 

Oh absolutely, I'm so glad you asked.

D&C 58:3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation

Good things are coming, even when you cant see them:)

Hermana Eastman 

Short Little Email From A Short Little Missionary

Good week! Lots of work! Here are some pictures! 

Funny highlights: we accidentally scheduled two dinners in one night... needless to say we were near to exploding. We also walked around in the SCORCHING heat looking for people to teach! My face was read and sweaty and everywhere was just damp. But I knew I was giving the Lord my all. ALSO I got to go INSIDE a chickfila for the first time in over a year. I was shedding tears because I was so happy. We went on an exchange with President Richard's daughter and again, we walked in the BLISTERING heat. Not much success but we had fun. She's so awesome! I love the Lord and I am so happy to get to serve Him. I also have realized how awesome it is to know this gospel. It changed everything, including myself😊

Reunions and Biking

Hello everyone!

How was your week? I'll just give you a little snippet of mine! 

My first week back with Hna Tea was like deja vu. We had zone conf on tuesday to welcome the Richards and it was so fun! I even did a piano musical number with the encouragement of my friends and it was awesome! I messed up a lot but I was proud of myself. We had a Rosenberg reunion too! There were 5 of us from our og district at that zone conf. So fun!! I love friends. 

We biked around a lot this week! Biking in the rain, in the heat, in the wind. All fun times. I tried hard to be out finding people! And we had some success! We got to share a Bible message with some strangers in their home. It was awesome! Hna Tea got her dress caught in her bike. Very sad.

We surprised visited the Gonzales', who are technically on our ward but they go to the Brazos branch so we know them super well!! They were very surprised and so happy to see us together! It was sweet. 

I listened to a talk by President Monson about gratitude this week that I loved so much! Gratitude is healing, it's helpful, and it's such a big part of life! Let's all think of what we're grateful for and more importantly, who we're grateful for! I'm grateful to be here😊 and for rain. Man I love rain. Can't stay away from it!

Hermana Eastman 

Your Favorite Email of the Week!

Hi everyone! 

This was a pretty hard week. Lots of opportunities for growth. So much has happened this week I dont even know where to start! Is it okay if I give a little recap of each day? Okay cool thanks.

Monday: we went to the zoo!!! So so so fun. Sister LaFleur and I had a blast just the two of us! My favorite part was the cute elephants and the giraffes. Unfortunately my FAVORITE animal, the noble tiger of course, was hiding from the rain. So that was sad but it's okay.

Tuesday: the Richards arrived in Texas! And we had a goodbye zoom call with the Guthries where everyone cried.. myself included of course.

Wednesday: I got to meet the Richards! Oh they are just amazing people. I already love and trust them! The Guthries left wednesday morning and the whole mission was just sad.

Thursday: lots of packing

Friday: I went on a quick exchange with Hermana Smith who is a new missionary and she is so sweet! We knocked some doors and got rejected. But it was character building!! And I saw a cute puppy🤩

Saturday: more packing

Sunday: sad day. Church was good though! (side note: always be nice to people and say nice things) we had some arepas with a member. We went to the stake center and I was able to get a blessing which was such a ... blessing haha! It was so good and uplifting and enlightening. I'm so grateful for the priesthood power God has given His servants and I'm grateful for the priesthood holders who are worthy to exercise that power and I'm grateful that Jesus Christ has restored His church so we can have these truths!! Wow gratitude all over the place! We got to go to a baptism for a little girl in our ward which was so precious! She was so happy and glad we could come. Oh also it was the 4th of July! The 12 year anniversary of my baptism! I'm ALSO grateful that I have that covenant with God to follow His Son and do all I can to live well. We had to be in our apartments by 8pm so no fireworks for us. But we could hear them! 

Today: I said goodbye to Sister LaFleur. She went home today! Oh I'm so proud of her but sad to see her go! We had some tearful goodbyes. A tearful week. But she's off to her next great adventure😪  I got to talk with the Richards again and receive more counsel from them. I know they were called here by God. 

Guys this mission is the best thing that's happened to me and I'm so happy that Heavenly Father loves me. 

Hermana Eastman