glare.

2012-02-13T12:55:00.000-05:00

Engaged. June 23. SLC. Just 10 days after I get home. I'm not trunky..

2012-02-13T12:53:00.003-05:00

HNA FISH!

Recent Convert, Lucia!

My favorite family in Sylmar. The Gaytans! Miss you guys!

2012-02-13T12:43:00.002-05:00

I had a baby! And her name is Hermana Fish. I'm white wash training in Reseda. So far so scary.

2012-01-31T17:05:00.001-05:00

2012-01-30T15:47:00.000-05:00

How I do lately. My mission president told me I should have gone to San Francisco.

2012-01-30T15:05:00.001-05:00

2012-01-30T15:01:00.000-05:00

2012-01-30T14:58:00.000-05:00

Exchanges on bike w/ Hna Busch in Canoga Park, the most dangerous area in the mission. The hermanas there see dead bodies in the streets. Hear shootings all the time. No fear. Loved it. When do I go back?

2012-01-30T14:53:00.002-05:00

Crappy photos I know. This was the annual sisters training. These are all the sisters in the mission. 12 English, 12 Spanish I believe. (Hermanas are cooler, just sayin.) Those are all my companions in the second picture. Except the 2 that have already finished their missions.

2012-01-30T14:45:00.001-05:00

Vladmir's baptism yesterday. Actually just found out his name is spelled Wladimir. Yup. It was great. Last pic there is with my mission president President Martin and his wife.

Wladimir was baptized years ago in an evangelical church by immersion and really felt that he had received the Holy Ghost at that time. So I was interested to see how he would feel about his baptism this time around. He got up afterwards and asked to bear his testimony. As he spoke he got all choked up and started to cry. I think that the Spirit was bearing witness to him that what had just happened was the real deal. He has a great conversion story. The man reads the Book of Mormon like I eat tamales. Give me mooore please.

It's been interesting how the Lord has been putting people in our paths. I know there are people who have been prepared to hear and accept the gospel. It's cool to watch them seemingly fall out of the sky into our laps ready to be taught and baptized. I love this work. I loove my life. I love the Lord.

2012-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

rest easy? no, dont rest at all. run and play and chase and explore all the places i cant reach, so you can show me around in a few. "you think dogs will not be in heaven? i tell you, they will be there long before any of us."

(from Emma's blog)

2012-01-23T16:33:00.000-05:00

WOW. I am so happy to be a missionary it blows my mind. I didn't know what happiness was before. But I realize that the mission isn't la neta del planeta. It really is the best 2 years. Or 18 months. But it's not going to be the best 2 years of my life when I'm all done with this existence. There are bigger and better things to come and I'm stoked on those things. But for now. I'm here. And I couldn't be more pleased.

Before my mission sometimes I got angry. If you think you've seen me angry you haven't. Unless you are Jimmy Barrett or Dave Smith. They know what angry Lindsay looks and, more importantly, sounds like. Yeup. It's been cool to work on biting my tongue as a missionary and not tweeeaking out on people when I desperately want to. The closest I've come has been the occasional, "JUST DON'T TALK TO ME RIGHT NOW."

I always heard people say that the mission prepares you for marriage. But I kind of just thought they were referring to Elders who had never lived on their own before. But as my past 2 boyfriends know, I haven't been the greatest at relationships. Sorry. And companions are a lot like boyfriends, or well... girlfriends. Spouses. It can be rough to get along. And I've been with my current companion now for 6 months. That's longer than some marriages I've known of. So for the record, I've gotten a lot better at relationships. Apply those principles to a relationship with someone I actually want to be in a relationship with..... and I think I'm golden.

My dog died. Just thought I'd throw that in there. Not gonna go into details for fear of crying (not yet sure if that was a joke or not..) But my mom says he's now running free in the woods of eternity. A nice thought.

I recently got an email from BYU telling me they have reached a decision on my application to BYU. Which is interesting considering I've been attending since 2006... Did I get kicked out and not know it?

Also, apparently my 5 year high school reunion was in November but NO ONE TOLD ME. I mean, not that I could have gone anyway... but an invitation would have been nice. I GRADUATED TOO YOU KNOW.

On a spiritual note, I love the gospel more and more every day. It has always been at the very core of who I am but I've definitely malnourished my testimony over some of the past years of my life. The mission has been amazing, rehab for the soul. The ultimate detox. Getting the junk out of my system and focusing only on the things that matter most.

I love being a missionary. I love seeing people light up as they discover that God loves them and has a plan for them. I love spanish. I love mexican food. I love life. I love everyone I meet and I'm stoked on a life of missionary work that I have ahead of me. And eternity really.

Thanks to my friends and family for being supportive. It's hard to do this. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely hanging in there. So your love means everything to me.

Linds

2012-01-23T16:23:00.001-05:00

**Me and my favorite old deaf and blind man:
"My nametag is in spanish"
"I don't think so."
"Yes it is! look at it!"
(gets his magnifying glass out and pulls my tag really close to his face) "What's it say?"
"La iglesia de jesucristo..."
"'You ain't standing on my front porch' is what that sounds like to me!"

**Same old blind deaf man perplexed about caller id:
"You know what I don't like? When people call you and it says 'no name.' I ain't never met nobody with no name! So I answer and say "I ain't never met anybody with no name!' and hang up. That's so stupid! Don't you think that's stupid? Their name is no name!"

**Our wonderful recent convert on what he wants to know now:
"I just want to know the stucture of the church, you know? Like the ranks of the priesthood and how you get the Priesthood and how you know it's fast sunday and stuff like that...well...I'll just get to the meat and potatoes of it...I want to know how to go to the temple!"

**Our mission leader and his wife regaling us with their tales of their old jail days:
"I thought she looked really cute in an orange jumpsuit!"
"You didn't even see me!"
"naw...but I saw your eyebrows- they looked so good! Like you got 'em done somewhere!"
"yeah, in my cell there were these mexicans who did my eyebrows with bedsheet strings. It was great. You know what else is great about jail? You can sleep ALL day and nobody wakes you up! It's great...but the beds are made out of concrete, so I guess it's not THAT great..."

Just some quotable quotes from Hermana Eryn Sinclair. Thank you very much m'dear.

2012-01-09T15:50:00.002-05:00

mizyew

2012-01-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

2012-01-09T15:30:00.001-05:00

Happy year mark to me.

2012-01-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hey, so... best news. Sebastian is still the most good looking of dogs. This is my puppy that I impulsively got just a few short months before leaving for my mission. I gave him to Chris Nielsen and I'm stoked that he's a) still alive and b) so happppyyyy. Yay. Mmk. Over and out.

2012-01-03T17:54:00.000-05:00

2012-01-03T17:50:00.000-05:00

I miss themmm.

2012-01-03T17:10:00.002-05:00

2012-01-03T16:40:00.000-05:00

Happy P-day

2012-01-03T16:36:00.000-05:00

Well I am, after all, a missionary..

2012-01-03T16:34:00.001-05:00

Flirt to convert? Naahh..

2011-12-26T15:52:00.006-05:00

Thanks to E.Yager I've been watercoloring postcards in my spare time. I'm grateful for friends who know me so well. Thanks gurrrl.. luhyew.

2011-12-26T15:39:00.001-05:00

Meerrry Christmass to mee. and you.

2011-12-26T15:34:00.001-05:00

Cutest couples award 2011.

2011-12-26T15:23:00.000-05:00

2011-12-19T14:26:00.003-05:00

I haven't done laundry in 3 weeks.

Merrrry Christmas errbody.

I'm reading Jesus the Christ to celebrate Christmas this year. I'm learning a lot from the Spirit more than just the words on the page. And a lot about myself, in addition to Christ. Christ wrote about sinners. And that's me. So it's nice to hear what Jesus has to say about me. There is hope.

I wish I got to have 2 Christmas's as a missionary. It's so nice. No distractions. Just me and Jesus and the people he wants me to love. No malls. No Santa.

Speaking of Santa...

I was at the Bishop's house for dinner and his 11 year old daughter comes up to me.

"Hermana, I have a question. I asked my dad and he said to ask my mom. So I asked my mom and she told me to ask the missionaries."

At this point I'm thinking... Oh no. Here comes the where-do-babies-come-from-question. Nope.

"Do you think God and Santa are friends?"

"Yes, yes I do."

Have a good holiday everybody. You're good friends and family to me. I love being a missionary with all my little heart. I'm trying to be a good person and do what's right everyday. I'm trying to be like Jesus. I'm growing up a lot. I thought I was already grown up before I went on a mission. Very humbling. Weird and awesome and hard and so rewarding. Love you all. Adios.

2011-12-12T15:27:00.006-05:00

When we asked Cesar who he wanted to baptize him he pointed right at me and said "YOU!" Well, unfortunately that couldn't happen. But his baptism was real tender and we have a new man on our hands. The story of Cesar:

One night we were leaving an appointment and heading out to our car. We passed Cesar and I came up with some dumb excuse to talk to him. Somehow I ended up inviting him to church. He handed me his iphone and I typed in the address and found a map and then pulled up some of the church websites. We talked to him for probably 4 minutes tops.

Sunday: He is at church. Jeans, leather jacket. He stays all 3 hours! During Sacrament meeting he leans over to me and says he feels something good but weird that he's never felt before. I told him "That's the Spirit!" He told me he subscribed to the mormon channel on youtube. Ha. Too good. That night we invite him to a baptism in North Hollywood. He comes. Afterwards there's a fireside in Van Nuys. He comes. I have NEVER brought an investigator to 3 church buildings in one day. It was a sign.

Next Sunday he shows up looking so sharp. New white shirt. Tie with the tags still on. He didn't even know how to tie it. We started teaching him a couple times a week. He gave up his coffee and alcohol. Didn't even blink an eye. He starts keeping the Sabbath day holy. Ain't no thang. Every single thing we taught he was immediately ready to accept. On fast Sunday he asked me where the tithing slips were because he wanted to pay his... not even a member yet. What a guy.

From the day we first met him to the day of his baptism was just over a month. So golden I don't even know what to say. We felt the Spirit so strongly with him. Before his baptism yesterday Hna Blackburn asked him, "Cesar, what actually made you come to church that first time we invited you?" He said that he just felt something telling him to go, something he'd never felt before. I love it. I love missionary work. I love seeing people's lives change.

After his baptism we had a stake Christmas musical fireside. It was wonderful and when we were all leaving he stopped me and looked at me really seriously and said, so sincerely, "Hermana, Thank you." That little phrase held so much meaning in that moment. It was not just a thank you for inviting me to this activity. It was a thank you for finding me. Thank you for inviting me. Thank you for teaching me and encouraging me and not giving up on me and for knowing that I was going to be this happy even though I couldn't comprehend it myself.

I wish you could all meet Cesar. I wish you could see how he has changed. How HAPPY he is. And how HAPPY I am. I didn't know what happiness was before my mission. And I'm sure I'll continue to say that at times in my life. I didn't know what happiness was before... I got married... or ...I had kids... or grand kids... and just think of all the experiences we are going to have after this life. I am gonna keep saying "I didn't know what happiness was before this!"

I love my life. I love this work. I love the Lord.

Adios!

2011-12-12T15:02:00.001-05:00

And you thought only Elders took pictures like this...

2011-12-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

2011-12-05T16:18:00.010-05:00

WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, LADIES.

Ok. Get ready for this. The evolution of the Sister Missionary Dress and Grooming Guidelines.

The original: (gag me with a spoon)

The much needed update: (a step in the right direction, but sorta screams "young women who don't know how to dress")

And finally...

drum roll please...

The REVOLUTION: (would it be sacrilegious to do the hosanna shout?)

All of this is online at http://missionary.lds.org/dress-grooming. My mind is sort of being lit on fire right now. I love the church. I love the direction we're moving. I love being a missionary more than anything in this world and I would invite every LDS girl to prepare to serve one. Yeah yeah, you will get married sometime. And youre gonna live happily ever after. But first, do something that is gonna impact you for the better like nothing else ever will. Cement yourself in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And do it in style, ladies. Amen.

2011-12-05T15:01:00.004-05:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the support. I know I make the mish look so easy (sarcasm). But it's not. So thanks for bein so good to me. It means the world. Love you.

Love,

Linds

2011-12-05T14:57:00.002-05:00

I like bright tights..

And I cannot lie (=^･^=)

2011-12-05T14:52:00.004-05:00

Excerpts from a letter from my brother:

I am not dating anyone right now. I saw a girl at church yesterday that I totally fell in love with though.. strictly based on looks.. which is rarer for me than you might think.. ha. I'm going to try to introduce myself to her next week... somehow. Brace for awkwardness.

My life is pretty strange. I feel like I've lost a lot of my friends lately but I don't know exactly why. It's not really a bad thing though. I believe in destructive innovation.

I rarely talk about my mission because it makes me sad for some reason, but I did see a UFO on my mission once. Not kidding at all. It was a green hovering light way off in the distance that suddenly just shot at incredible speed off out of the atmosphere. No one believes me and I don't blame them at all.

I love you.

James

2011-12-05T14:36:00.003-05:00

Also. I've been developing a new found appreciation for Christmas music. The goods. Hear 'em out people.

2011-12-05T13:35:00.009-05:00

A TRIBUTE TO 7 WOMEN I LOVE: my companions :)

My very first companion was Asenath Busch. My MTC companion. Sena is from Lewiston, Idaho, is THE BIGGEST harry potter fan, and the only other person I've ever met who likes to give cacti as Valentines gifts like me. But Sena was needed in the field earlier than expected, so she left me all alone in the MTC after only 6 weeks. The remaining 3 weeks were spent in a TRIO with my other 2 MTC companions...

Summer White from Dallas, Texas. Shares my love of cake donuts, the best massuese a girl could ask for, and slow dances with me at night after long days.

Kimberly Williams from Portland, Oregon. The girl sings bass. Enough said.

Then to the mission field where I met my mama/trainer Mariana Lisset Rodriguez from Guatemala City, Guatemala. The girl is hardcore. She plays sports with the boys and dominates. She and I are like long lost sisters with different fathers, separated at birth that had to re find eachother through the twists and turns of life that eventually led us to overlap in the mission only 6 weeks. When I look at the work the Lord must have done to get us to meet, I am blown away. She taught me how to be a latina. I love this girl with all the weird parts of my heart. She is my kin.

After I killed my mom (my trainer finished her mission and went home) I met my step-mom,Clarissa Darger Thomas from Saint Louis, Missouri. This girl is 100% missionary. She taught me how to work so hard that I didn't know what day it was, what time it was, the 6 weeks we were together fleeewww by. It was also her last transfer on her mission, but that girl was not one bit trunky. We also had a lot of fun together. We had a puppy, we had a birthday party, we made forts and had slumberparties. We worked hard and played harder.

Next, Allison Clare Morning Skye Beauchamp. Yes that is her real full name. From Denver, Colorado. Hna Beauchamp is cool. Really cool. But not one bit prideful or boastful. She lets you slowly find out how truly interesting of a person she is. For example, I had already been with her 2 months before discovering that in addition to Spanish, she is fluent in Portuguese and ASL. She has great taste in music. She is a gem. A total doll. An angel really.

And finally, my current companion: Dana Renee Blackburn from Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a scriptorian if I ever knew one. I've never met a person who understands the scriptures quite as easily as she does. We were at BYU at the same time so we know a few of the same people, which is fun. We have worked hard together and laughed harder. I think she's the companion I've come closest to actually peeing my pants with.. TMI?

So yes, I have had 7 wonderful companions so far on my mission. They are people I would probably never have met had I not chosen to serve (even though Clarissa and I are 3rd cousins!). I owe soooo many things to my mission, to the Lord really. And knowing these wonderful women is one of them. From each one I have learned invaluable lessons. I have grown up. I've grown forward. I have made life long friends. Thanks ladies. You will forever hold a place in my heart and a title in my life that is unique. Different than any family member, any friend, roommate, coworker, or teammate. We have been mission companions. And that's nuts!

2011-11-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

Kingsssbeard. Bestfriend.

2011-11-28T17:45:00.003-05:00

I attended a 2 day leadership training this week. It was long. But very edifying! My mission president is a very successful businessman. He was the Senior Vice President for some financial department of Pepsi and Frito Lay. So he is always good for imparting words of business wisdom that he applies to missionary work.

During one of the various 5 minute breaks I saw a woman poke her head into the room full of about 50 Elders and at the time... just me as the only sister. I figured I should go see who she was or what she needed. Turns out she is not a member of the church. She is from Sacramento and was down in LA to take care of her sick father. She was lost, saw the church and felt that she might be able to find help there. After getting her directions I looked at her and I said something to the effect of: "Diana! I don't believe in coincidences! And you may not fully understand the odds of us meeting here today but I know that God put us in each other's paths for a reason." She started to cry. That's when she opened up about her family and all the things they've been going through and how they've been searching for answers and praying for guidance. She just kept saying, "I know, I know!" I gave her a big hug, I bore her my testimony, I told her she always has a family in the church, a support system wherever she is. By the end I had written down all her contact information so we could have missionaries go visit her at home in Sacramento.

God is always behind the scenes, orchestrating our lives. It's nuts. It's like a chess board and He's always carefully moving the pieces around, putting us where we need to be. I'm grateful to have that perspective. The cool thing about that experience is that it's nothing out of the ordinary for a missionary. Things like that happen ALL THE TIME. It's always awesome to see it dawning on someone's face in front of you that they are really on to something good. That their life is about to change. It's wonderful.

CESAR is getting baptized in a couple weeks. He is too good. He's in the quitting drinking coffee and alcohol stage. He made it through Thanksgiving with the fam. So basically, he's solid. He said he told his family he's Mormon and that he doesn't drink anymore. Haha! Awesome. We taught the law of chastity the other night and his only question was: "So how am I going to repent of all the things I've done wrong in my life?" Yeah. Wow. He couldn't be more sincere.

VLADMIR is in love with my companion. He calls us all the time. He called last night and was telling me how he is lonely and he wants to see me and can't sleep because he can't stop thinking about me. I said, "Vladmir, do you know who you are talking to?" "Yes! Its my preciosa bonita chiquita hermanita quemadita! (Hna Blackburn)" "NO! This is Sister Erickson!" I asked him straight up: "Hno, are you in love with my companion?" "Yes." Haha.. oh man. Then I proceeded to tell him that we can no longer teach him we are very sorry but we can't be getting ourselves involved with 63 year old Mexican men who are human traffickers during the week of illegals from LA to Houston.

End of story.

My life is so weird. Kloveyoubye.

2011-11-28T17:37:00.003-05:00

I am gonna try not to be such a Grinch this year. Oh the things I do for the people I love!

Also -- the funniest picture of my companion ever taken. I can't look at that intense facial hair without laughing every time.

2011-11-28T17:33:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving. Sorta just felt like every other day... but. Dassokay. Wearing lipstick helps me feel festive.

2011-11-28T17:22:00.002-05:00

Yeh right.

2011-11-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

2011-11-21T14:06:00.007-05:00

This blog post is entitled: A million awkward pictures of me. Or: fashion blog parody part 1.

So, Sister Missionaries - not known for being the most stylish members of the church. And this post is not meant to try to change that. Just thought it could be fun to show what a standard week in the mish looks like for me. Or at least - what I look like on any given day as a missionary. Enjoi.

Monday: P-day. Means no showering and throwing something together last minute to be out of the house by 6 pm. Skirt from DI. Shirt was a mission find (missionaries are always leaving their clothes in apartments and handmedowns are where most of our wardrobe staples come from). Shoes were given to me by a member (male) of the church in Palmdale.

Tuesday: Early appointments means leaving the house with wet hair. I almost never do my hair. Or brush it. There are some dread locks developing under there somewhere. Skirt: mission find. Sweater and shoes: Nordstrom. Neckclace: from Hna Rodriguez de Guatemala.

Wednesday: Scarf: snagged from the lost and found in the mission office. Sweater: another mission find. Shoes: Nordstrom. Skirt: Ross (bought my first transfer in the mission).

Thursday: Its been cold! Tights! Sweater: Banana Republic. Skirt: Goodwill (from H&M). Shoes: my new TOMS.

Friday means District Meeting..which really means: don't look too cute cause there are gonna be Elders there.. Coat: mission find... Skirt: Forever21. Current nails: Pink glitter.

Saturday: Sweater: JCrew. Top: Forever21. Skirt: Mission find.

Sunday: Church and a baptism! That means... heels! Steve Maddens.

This is David Delgadillo. He referred himself online through mormon.org. On October 3rd we gave him a call, to see if we could come meet with him. He said that he wasn't interested in meeting with missionaries. Bummer. On Tuesday I figured why not text him and invite him to come to the church for a tour of the building. He said yes!

We gave him a nice little tour of the church. We sat in the chapel and talked about the restoration of the church and the Book of Mormon. The spirit was SO strong! We all felt it. We encouraged him to keep learning more about the church online and invited him to read the Book of Mormon and taught him that to know if it is true he should pray about it. We set another appointment.

In the next meeting with David (sidenote: every single lesson with him was a member present lesson held either in the church or at a members home. THAT is the way to do missionary work!) we asked David if he had a chance to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. The answer to this question is almost ALWAYS no. He said YES! And he believed it is true. We asked him if he would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. And... he said yes! Wooh.

Teaching David was wonderful. He would come to us with all these questions before we even taught the lessons...like, "So, can you tell me a little more about tithing and how I pay that?" or "So I've already stopped drinking alcohol but what can I do to give up the coffee??" He was golden. He IS golden.

I am so grateful to see people who the Lord has been preparing their whole lives finally come to learn about the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make covenants with Him. It is wonderful. It's cool to watch these people come into our lives seemingly just "by chance." But we know that it is the will of God. We we see miracles every day. We have seen that by putting more faith in the Lord (which is done by being obedient) we are seeing more miracles. I love it. I love being a missionary. I love this work. I love my life.

Sometimes I think about my friends or other people I know at home. I think: "Oh what a glamorous life you lead. How boring." Ha.

My life is VERY different from how it was 11 months ago. It is VERY different from any one of my friends on facebook... but I am so grateful to have it the way it is. I don't want to get sucked back into the vortex of worldliness and complete garbage after my mission. I'm no nun ok... but I have learned a lot about happiness so far on my mission. I have learned where true happiness lies. That's something I hope not to forget.

2011-11-14T15:42:00.002-05:00

My mormon.org profile..

2011-11-14T15:16:00.000-05:00

Songs I'm currently craving

2011-11-14T14:18:00.002-05:00

Aye aye aye! I got lit on fire this week by a 9 year old boy during a lesson. We have this activity we do that involves an exercise in faith and lighting a tea bag on fire. Well when I asked the boy if he trusted me and he said "No!" I should have stopped right there. He proceeded to blow a flaming tea bag in my face/hair. It was awful and so hilarious. I almost peed my pants (skirt).

The mission has really eliminated any fears I might have had before. I can do anything! I can talk to anyone! I will probably be afraid of white people after my mission actually.. ha. I never see them. I forget that I am white.

Man, I hate saying "the mission" all the time. I HATED reading missionaries emails before my mission. Mission lingo - it was like a foreign language that I had absolutely no interest in learning. Terms like "zone conference, district meeting, white-washing, killing your mom or being born in the mish." Now I get it! My mind has been opened and I can now relate so much more fully to other missionaries and return missionaries. I used to hate hearing mission stories. Man, I was such a brat. I'm changing my ways.

We have THE COOLEST investigator. His name is Cesar. We met him while leaving the home of of some people we are teaching. Just by chance.. We invited him to church.. and.... he came! And stayed all 3 hours! And felt the Spirit! And then we had 4 lessons with him that week. And yesterday he came to church again and to a baptism later AND to a fireside even later. Wow. I have never had an investigator want to spend so much time at church before. Ha. Every time we meet with him he brings us some sort of offering. First it was the movie "Soul Surfer." Which is kinda funny because I was there when it was being filmed in Hawaii. Then he brought us Vitamin water - like 8 bottles. Then a big bag of tamales. yummm. Then some mexican pastries. What a swell guy.. He has a baptismal date for December 18th.

My friend Elder Rowley and I sang a sort of folky rendition of "Come Thou Fount" at the baptism last night. He played guitar. It was fun. I have really gotten into singing and performing while on my mission. It was something I've neeevvvver done before. But the mission extinguishes all fears, like I said before. I've sung solos in church, at baptisms, and once at a stake musical fireside. I'm not a fantastic singer by any means. But music can bring the Spirit in a very powerful way. So it's always nice to get together with someone talented, a pianist, a flutist, somebody on guitar and come up with something fun to perform. Hopefully it's something I'll retain after the mish. Rowley wants me in his band so... we'll see.

Theres this guy in our ward.. pretty cute. Just graduated from the U and moved back home. Allll the ladies in the ward are in love with him and every one tells me to come back and marry him after my mission. Haha. We'll see. (But really, I'm not into it. Sort of an Apex bro type..)

Welp. I can't think. Brain's fried. I'd sure love a letter or an email or a nice comment if anyone is feeling charitable enough to help this poor soul.

You know you love me.

xoxo gossip girl. .. . .

2011-11-14T13:34:00.001-05:00

Fav Christian Spanish artist.. is that weird that I have one?

2011-11-07T16:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Brother Jamalski. Miss yyou mucho.

2011-11-07T16:16:00.002-05:00

Sister Baum doing my hair.. and our old room when we used to live in the members apartment.

2011-11-07T16:10:00.003-05:00

This is Vladmir. He is an interesting investigator to say the least. He is in LOVE with us. He may have kissed my companion on the neck last week...at least twice. We make sure to always bring members to all our lessons. Vladmir is almost half way done with the Book of Mormon. That's impressive. He is very dramatic and loves to sing us romantic canciones. The last picture is when the candle got so hot that it exploded abruptly.

2011-11-07T15:59:00.003-05:00

For Halloween I dressed up as my district leader, Elder Riggs. He dressed up as me.. complete with blonde wig. I looked like a Deacon. It was great. We played a little volleyball, roller-skated around the gym.. the usual. My pants are a little high.. heh.

Its cold! I mean... its like 60 degrees. I keep counting my blessings that I'm not in Provo or Boston.

I saw a car completely on fire the other day. And later that night some cops handcuffing a man to a fence. Oh, Sylmar.. How I love thee. The smog is probably the underlying cause of all my health problems. Sometimes it looks like a cool, foggy day at the Cape or something. But then I remember that's dirt in the air. Sick. We live across the street from Sylmar High School so I am kept very up to date on teen fashion. If you can call it that. Love this town.

2011-11-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

Film continues to be an adventure. To quote the hermanita:

i am still learning a lot about my cameras. every roll i get developed is a new lesson. the fish eye has been great but i know i can get more out of it. i forgot my holga in salt lake so i will be happy when we are reunited in hawaii. i am by no means a wanna-be-indie-so-i-use-film photographer. its just fun. film is fun. the anticipation in waiting for it to get developed, being meticulous and careful with each shot, learning to accept imperfection, or in some cases, complete failure. for example, when i tried to develop several blank rolls of film. or when i shot an entire roll with the lens cap on. or when an airport security scan fried one. or when i didnt realize focusing the camera is actually pretty important. its a roller coaster. but roller coasters are fun. film is fun.

2011-10-31T13:46:00.002-04:00

The little miracles are what make the mission worth it:

"I would be delighted to be baptized!"

-Claudia after being asked in our first lesson if she had ever considered baptism

"Where were you girls a year ago!?!"

-Stephanie, when we contacted her knocking one day

"I just kept feeling something tell me 'Open the door, open the door!' I never open the door!"

-Rafael during our door conversation while knocking an apartment complex

I love the mission, ok.

.........

We're teaching a cool family. The 9 year old daughter and I get along PERFECTLY. We love all the same kinds of icecream. We are obsessed with Japanese stuff. We are sassy.

The elders in my district, my companion and I all discovered recently that we each grew up watching Willy The Sparrow. I have NEVER been able to find anyone else who knows and loves this movie as deeply as I do. Wow. I am home. Also can we give a shout out to: Scamper the Penguin, The Buttercream Gang, The Seventh Brother, and Once Upon a Forest. Anybody? Anybody?

We were in the elevator the other day leaving our apartment. Three men got in. I was holding a big box of Books of Mormon.

One of the guys said: "Hey, uhh.. whatcha selling?"

Me: "Oh, I'm not selling anything.."

Guy: "....Are those Bibles?"

Me: "Nope..."

Long Pause.

Me: "They're Books of Mormon.. Would you like one?"

I proceeded to hand out 3, 1 in Spanish and a couple English. I told them this book comes with a promise, and we all turned to Moroni 10:4-5. Read it. Testified it was true. They're in #312 so we'll be making a house call soon. :)

........

Halloween Ward Party on Saturday. Primary president asked us to do a game. We set up a table with a whole pile of Books of Mormon and Libros de Mormon. Pens. The game? Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon. Haha.

It started off as I expected. No one wanted to do it. But eventually we got most people to participate. We had some really heartfelt tender testimonies of members both old and young. Some even asked if they could take the book home so they could give it to a friend. So stoked on that. Nothing makes missionaries more happy than members sharing the gospel. Honestly. If I didn't get another letter my entire mission but I saw a dramatic increase in member missionary work, it would be 100% worth it.

Welp. Big gulps eh? .. ttylski

2011-10-31T13:42:00.002-04:00

Mission Rules I Have Never Had A Problem Keeping:

+ Use deodorant

+ Do not sit on the stand unless you are participating in the program

+ Do not fast for more than 24 hours at a time

+ Do not change diapers

+ Do not become involved in adoptions

+ Never take part in pranks or jokes about terrorism

+ Do not write directly to the First Presidency

+ Do not call Church Headquarters

I've pretty much struggled with all the rest at some point or another..

2011-10-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

I would like to listen to this on repeat for the rest of my mission. That's 7 months if you were wondering..

2011-10-24T14:04:00.004-04:00

Can't believe its almost Halloween. Last Halloween I had my mission call, was in a haunted house, threw a massive dance party, got it shut down by the cops, had a panic attack at Emily Labonte's house.. bleh. That honestly feels like it was 4 months ago max. Caaahraazy.

We're teaching a homeless alcoholic man named Antonio. He lives in an alley behind a meat market. We got him to church on Sunday. Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles. He has a baptismal date of November 27th. Wish us luck.

I've been thinking a lot about the man I'd like to marry someday. Chiropractor, makes all my decisions whilst ordering fast food. So far those are the only requirements.. joke.

Sunday morning about 30 minutes before Sacrament meeting I get a phone call from the 1st counselor in our ward. He wanted to me to speak for 20 minutes. I thought he was joking. I wasn't even home. We were out tracking down Antonio and finding him a ride to the church. So with close to zero preparation I gave a 20 minute talk in Sacrament meeting.. in Spanish. I only used Spanglish twice, i didn't know the word for shelf and when i tried to translate the saying "If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures" I got a bit confused and just had to say it in English. The thing is, everyone understands English... they just don't speak it. So no worries.

Then in Relief Society someone had brought a bag of clothes to give away. They were advertised as being for a "10 year old boy." My ears perked up. So yeah. I have a new pair of jeans and a couple tshirts. Noice.

Sometimes as missionaries we almost hope no one shows up to church... because sometimes church is CRAZY. We had 4 investigators at church on sunday. It was good... because I spoke. I was followed by someone who just destroyed any sort of Spirit I may have brought. Aye aye aye. You wouldve thought we were at some sort of evangelical or jehovahs witness church. They are so obsessed with dooms day and the end of the world. Jehovahs witnesses use scare tactics to intrigue people. They are such conspiracy theorists. Anyway.. it was like that. But thats ok, because the church is true and somehow it's all gonna work out. I'm trying to manage my anxiety so sometimes I just gotta let things slide and not freak out too much.

Lifes good. Lifes great. Hugs and kisses.

Peace out Girl Scout.

2011-10-17T13:59:00.006-04:00

The little things that make up my life...

The phone.

The planner.

Current color.

AK's ipod.

My qualifications.

Stuff I keep in my wallet.

Cards of true value.

Places I no longer shop.

Coin Laundry.

My face.

Fav snack.

The tag.

The drugs.

The jewels.

Earrings of choice.

Promise ring. Emma's waiting for me.

This week.. hmmm. Homesickness. Anxiety. The like. Gained 10 pounds last transfer.. (thats a 6 week period for those who don't know...) but in all the right places if ya feel meh. Went to a leadership training. Sneaking suspicion that I'm gonna train next transfer. Yikes! The Hollywood sign is officially off limits. Darnitall. The people of Sylmar, San Fernando, and Pacoima California are very much ready for Halloween. I have never seen so many people get so into any one holiday before. Wow. Received a lovely package from my mother and another from the former Elder Cody Ryan. Thx frensies. Jewdabest.

2011-10-10T15:38:00.000-04:00

2011-10-10T15:36:00.002-04:00

My address.. one more time... in case someone is feeling inspired.

14078 Astoria #204

Sylmar, CA 91342

2011-10-10T15:30:00.002-04:00

The ghetto is beautiful.

2011-10-10T15:21:00.003-04:00

My cute mama. My soul longs to be with her. Love you maaam. P.S. It's officially cold enough to send that thing you bought me that I was supposed to wait til it's cooled off to ask for. It pourrrreed the other day, so we took our district to the Temple to get out of the rain. So goods.

2011-10-10T15:17:00.002-04:00

Mission Mom! My trainer Mariana ;) What a babe rright? If anyone feels like flying down to Guatemala to take her out on a date, let me know. (It was a long 18 months if ya know what I mean... and running)

2011-10-10T15:06:00.003-04:00

Every missionary knows that teaching the first vision is powerful. We know this because Satan will do whatever he can to destroy that moment while teaching the first lesson, the restoration. Every time... as we are about to start reciting, "I saw a pillar of light..." or "Vi una columna de luz..." we wait for it. Whats gonna happen this time? The phone rings. The dogs go nuts. A garbage truck crashes outside their house. A train goes by. Ambulances arrive across the street. The doorbell rings. Someone has a freak coughing attack. The TV turns on... all by itself! The neighbors BLAST reggaeton... SOMETHING. ALWAYS. HAPPENS.

So this week we of course, once again, had an opportunity to teach the first vision. We've been to this house many times. It's quiet. It's nice. No distractions. As soon as we start teaching the first vision... their 2 parrots who have not yet made so much as one peep suddenly become POSSESSED BY DEMONS and are freeeeaking out. "RAAAAAH RAAAAAWEHH Hermana! Hermana! WROOOF WOOOOOF! Holaaaa Holaa Hellooo Helloooo HAHAHAHAHhahahah." On and on and onnnnn. Typical.

...

We taught the restoration another time last week. We had the lesson at the church. It was nice and quiet. We taught without distractions. When I recited the words of Joseph Smith telling his experience in the grove the Spirit was SO strong. Unrestrained. It was beautiful. We asked David if he had had a chance to read and pray about the Book Of Mormon. (We gave him a copy when we contacted him and explained how he can know if it's true.) He said he had read the part we marked for him, twice. And that he prayed. And he felt something wonderful and he knew that it was true. I asked him if he would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood power, the authority of God. He was already nodding his head "yes" when I told him we would be having a baptism on October 30th and asked if he would prepare himself to be baptized on that day.

I LOVE being a missionary. It is moments like these that make all the other crap worth it. I am the happiest. The most pleasant and agreeable. The most calm and patient. The most excited to share the gospel. Wouldn't trade this for the world.

2011-10-10T14:59:00.003-04:00

Alta. Thanks mom for these great shots. Sure do wish Sylmar, CA was as gorgeous.

2011-10-10T14:54:00.003-04:00

A few family email excerpts.

i need to open up the box inside my soul that is ME. i need to step off the map. i need to be completely irrelevant and consequently be truly relevant for the first time. i need to forget what i look like in the mirror.

-emmaline

I received your disturbing birthday card. I laughed and set it aside. Read your note a few times... Got freaked out by the picture of that guy and turned it over. It sat there for a while but I was still uncomfortable with his butts cheeks hanging out. Put the card away and am looking forward to tossing it except I love your note too much.

-daddyo

James looks good... still wearing those jeans and shoes you bought him. I think when you get home you will need to take him shopping again.

-maaaam

2011-10-10T14:53:00.005-04:00

HEY. Does anyone read this? (Other than my mom...) If so it'd sure be sweet if you could let me know. Comment. Email me. Write me a letter. Thx. xx. mwah.

2011-10-03T16:10:00.000-04:00

To be a missionary is to be so many things:

+ Secretary

+ Personal Trainer

+ Life Coach

+ Therapist

+ Parental Adviser

+ Stalker

+ GPS

+ Jungle Gym

+ Detective

+ Moving Company

etc.

2011-10-03T16:06:00.003-04:00

Coin Laundry. Where I spend a good hour of my P-day morning writing letters and soaking in the latino beats pumping from the ceiling. I dont think those are the "Forget Me Not's" that Elder Uchtdorf was referring to in his talk at the Relief Society general broadcast.. but I'm into it.

My mama in the mission (my trainer) Hna Mariana Lissett Rodriguez sent me a package from Guatemala. She sent it over a month ago. It sat in the mission office for weeks. Then sat in the zone leaders trunk for a few more. Included in the package was this tshirt, wallet, scripture cases for my spanish scriptures, some jewelry and other fun stuffs. THANKS MOM.

Speaking of my trainer, I used to scare her by using this demon voice because she was genuinely afraid of demons. She once saw her neighbor be possessed and try to strangle her mom... So anyway... the other night a demon tried to possess my companions body in the middle of the night. No really. She woke up in the middle of the night and felt someone on top of her. The Spirit told her to rebuke the demon in the name of Jesus Christ in spanish... so she did. And the weight lifted off and she heard a thud on the ground next to her bed. So last night we had the Elders come over to bless the apartment. Oh the mission!

So, this week marks 9 months as a missionary. It feels like it's been about a month..

I learned all about the mexican mafia this week. How the mexicans and the whites are all on one team in all the jails and the blacks and asians are on another whenever a fight breaks out.

This cute little old senior missionary who works in the employment center told me a joke today. What do you call a blonde with big eyes and intelligence? ... A golden retriever.

Sylmar is a strange city. Where ranchos meet cholos. The city is full of cholo gangs but then you also see these old ranchos on their horses riding down the streets on their cell phones all the time. Such a strange place. I miss nature.

What else? Everywhere we go we are called "La flacita y la gordita." I'm the skinny one and my comp is the fat one. Latinos are so blunt. They just say everything like it is. Ha, so sad.

Conference was great, was it not? Conference is like every missionaries version of a vacation. I loved it. Sad its over but excited to apply everything I learned or relearned. I looove being a missionary. I love the prophet. I loooove my family and friends. Miss you all. Mwah.

2011-10-03T16:05:00.000-04:00

New apartment means no furniture. So we were given a little money to do some yard sale shopping. Scored this sweet old mirror and a cute couch. Somebody from the ward donated a nice dining room table and chairs. So we're living in style.

2011-09-26T15:28:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Dad.. Miss yewww loveyew.

2011-09-26T15:23:00.003-04:00

Write me @

14078 Astoria #204

Sylmar, CA 91342

or email me dumbyheads.

lindsay1erickson@gmail.com

lindsay.erickson@myldsmail.com

2011-09-26T15:00:00.004-04:00

I think there's only one place that I'd maaaybe maybe a tiny tiny bit rather be right now than in Sylmar, California on my mission. And that is Laie, Hawaii with my gorgeous fun loving creative talented and wonderful sisters. FREAK. I AM JEALOUS.

I'm feeling sorta homesick today. Familysick.. Cry me a river, I know. I'll get over it.

Had walking pneumonia last week. Yeah. Fun. But I got some antibiotics so I'm on the mend.. We moved. New apartment. Not living with members anymore. It's nice. My apartment feels like one of the belmont or arlington condos up in provo but as soon as you go out the door you feel like youre in mexico. I don't know that I prefer either one..

Best/worst discovery of the week is the grocery store Fresh & Easy. My funds are gonna ssttttruuugggleee this month.

Anyway. I'm just gonna have a pity party this week I think. Wishing I was in a bathingsuit 24/7. Cliff jumping and swimming and playing and hiking and basking and riding around in the back of trucks and living the dream.

On the positive: I still love being a missionary. We are teaching some coool people. Vladmir has read almost half of El Libro de Mormon. Sylvia said she wants to get baptized soon (but still won't commit to a date). Jessica and Mauricio are committed to finding out of the Book of Mormon is true so they will know if baptism is the right path for them (it is btw). And I have 2 baptisms in Palmdale next month! Yayyyyy. Alexis and Ricardo Cueva. Happy day.

2011-09-19T13:18:00.002-04:00

This is Hermano Nunez. We live with him and his wife and their daughter and her husband and their kids and whoever else is sleeping over each night.. ha. He is the stake executive secretary and used to be a bishop. He walks around in his g top all the time and cleans his glock. The other day he was making targets. He said to me "Hermana, I'm gonna kill an alien." What a goon. I love them. We are moving into our own apartment this week so I am sure gonna miss this family.

2011-09-19T13:13:00.002-04:00

Every night I come home to this. Melody. We live with members right. And I made the mistake of entertaining Melody a few times, you know - playing with playdough, painting, coloring, hangin out on the top bunk. So yeah, I have a new little sister on the mission. This kid is out of her mind. I have a great video I'm gonna try to post some time. I made that pillow p.s.

2011-09-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

Hmm...

2011-09-19T13:05:00.001-04:00

La famila Huerta. One of my favorites from my time in Palmdale.

2011-09-19T13:03:00.002-04:00

Texts from Hno Gaytan:

"Please forgive me.

I am so sorry.

I don't know how I could forget.

I will make it up to you."

"I owe you."

"I will be at your beckon call for the rest of your mission."

Members can be so dramatic.

I made my companion laugh so hard that she got a bloody nose last night.

I can't remember anything else that happened this week. I'm sick :(

2011-09-19T12:57:00.002-04:00

I bought this sweet thang at a yardsale for 50 cents. I have recently gained an appreciation for all things Catholica. I have a virgin mary fleece blanket, a couple rosaries, some saints bracelets... what else? Think that might be it. Ha.

2011-09-19T12:40:00.003-04:00

This is Carmen Cueva. My mom in the mission. She and her daughter Amanda got baptized a few months ago. Her grandson Rivers, the boy on the right was able to get baptized a few weeks ago when he turned 8. Rick, Carmen's husband, has a baptismal date and and we have high hopes for Amanda's husband and sister soon!

I love this family with all my heart. I am only half way through my mission, but finding and teaching this family, and helping them come unto Christ has been SO INSANELY fulfilling. If these were the only people I was able to help join the church in my time as a missionary it would be enough to make me happy for the rest of my life. There is nothing that brings me greater joy than watching the conversion of people I have come to love so dearly.

2011-09-13T17:15:00.000-04:00

2011-09-13T17:09:00.000-04:00

Mishun frenz.

2011-09-13T17:02:00.000-04:00

Hey! Thats where I live. Picture thanks to my stalker, Master Paul M. Moyle :)

2011-09-13T17:01:00.000-04:00

I thought it was illegal to pick wildflowers... but my Grandma Ann makes the rules at Alta so I will follow her lead. She emailed me this picture taken recently up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Miss yewww.

2011-09-13T16:59:00.001-04:00

Greetings from the happiest little sister missionary that ever was. For realsies guys. I didn't expect to love my mission as much as I do or to be as happy as I am. How good is that?

2011-09-13T16:23:00.000-04:00

Surprise birthday 2009. Holy Crap that was a long time ago. Emily just emailed me this picture. Ha.

2011-08-29T14:42:00.001-04:00

I miss being a brunette.

2011-08-29T14:33:00.001-04:00

p.s. read my sisters blog because its the best.

excerpt:

some quotes from the 6 year-old boy sitting next to me on my 5-hour flight from boston to salt lake:

"i have two dogs. a licker and a jumper"

"see my dad back there, the one with the silky pants"

"how long is 5 minutes?"

"did you think those cookies tasted interesting?"

"maybe in a little while i will rub your back"

"youre like my best friend on this plane, huh"

2011-08-29T14:10:00.002-04:00

weekly snapshot:

new area: San Fernando/Sylmar
new comp: Dana Blackburn
living in the ghetto
with members
and roaches.

no investigators
psycho ward
heat stroke
flat tire.

baby wont you write me a letter?

2011-08-22T11:18:00.001-04:00

I got transferred dummies.

WRITE ME @

10943 Laurel Canyon blvd. #B5

San Fernando, CA 91340

xoxo

linds.

2011-08-15T16:00:00.004-04:00

Baptisms of Rivers Emmanuel Pimentel and Eduardo Jacob Meneses Duarte.

2011-08-15T15:56:00.001-04:00

2011-08-15T15:51:00.002-04:00

This is what my investigators look like.

This is what correlation with the ward mission leader looks like.

2011-08-15T13:59:00.000-04:00

2011-08-15T13:54:00.000-04:00

zone talent show. not sure what my talent was exactly..

2011-08-15T13:05:00.002-04:00

Sometimes we celebrate Christmas in July and I wear long frumpy sister missionary dresses that I found at the MTC to feel like a real sister missionary. And to keep errbody smiling.

2011-08-14T03:18:00.002-04:00

2011-08-14T02:49:00.001-04:00

2011-08-14T02:44:00.003-04:00

2011-08-14T02:40:00.003-04:00

My companion Clarissa Thomas took this video... this is a typical day in the home of our investigator Zitlaly.