Sister Bolliger - Returning With Honor Oct 2011

We attended the AMAZING missionary farewell fireside at the mission office on October 16th. As we waited to see Sister Bolliger, several other people gathered too. I think we overwhelmed her a bit as she seemed pulled between realizing that it was nearing the end, crying in the car listening to a song her mission president played for the sisters departing, and seeing her parents and others waiting there. We got some fun hugs and then off we were to listen to a very spiritually rich fireside. Sister Bolliger recited the mission motto for all the missionaries to rise and repeat. Each missionary invited 1 person they worked with to share their testimony. Siser Bolliger invited Chuck but he was out of town on a family matter so he was not able to speak.

The others that shared their testimonies were amazing. The spirit was awesome!

Later in the program she bore her testimony. She mentioned how much she's loved the people and how she's developed a love for the gospel beyond an intellectual knowledge. She shared how seeing the atonement work in her life, the life of her companions, and those that she served was wonderful. The mission president spoke for the last 30 min. giving a stirring talk about doing God's - His work and being on God's - His team! Photos and hugs followed. It was such a special night.

The next morning we arrived to pick up Sister Bolliger. We put her things in the car and were invited in to a final prayer with the mission president, his wife, and all the missionaries departing. I cried through the prayer. It reminded me of being in the temple. We all kneeled in their family room. There was so much love, faith, devotion, and willingness to serve in that room. I LOVED it! It is a precious memory for me!

The Assistants to the President took the others to the airport and we drove over to the temple to visit. It was great. Later we went back to the mission office to get see Sister Jackson from our home stake arrive from the airport and take a photo. Sister Bolliger also got to see Sister Biasayl from Mongolia, Sister Croft, and others. It was a sweet treat though a bit misty eyed for Sister Bolliger. It was hard to leave and talk about completing her mission.

Saturday morning the family went to our Stake President's home so that Sister Bolliger could give her report, talk to him, and be released. She didn't like taking off her name tag right away. It was hard. She loved being a missionary and could feel the mantle of love it brought to allow her to see others and love them the way that God does!

Sister Bolliger spoke about the atonement the next day in church - her "homecoming!"

Favorite thoughts I jotted down from her talk:

Read Scriptures - it's a handbook of life - Book of Mormon

Faith is not just believing - but acting
Gospel challenges us to be converted to do and become who He wants us to become.
Atonement - God takes us wherever we are at and makes us better.
God knows us personally.
The atonement is for all of us!

The Holy Ghost is like a GPS - if we are not understanding the directions....
maybe the volume is down.
maybe we are in a place where we cannot get reception.
When we choose to NOT follow the instructed course, we hear "recalculating."

Pres. Gelwix taught "Keep on Keeping on!"
"If you knew the final score of the game, would you switch jersey's mid game?"
"We do know the final score!"

"Which team are we going to play for?"

Pres Gelwix also taught "Repentance is like weeding the garden. If you go to the root - everything is gone"
She shared about people she'd taught like Andres that prays wherever and whenever he can.
She shared about Chuck that studied and learned and hungered for the gospel.

Finally she shared about helping a companion that struggled to love herself and learning it is not our pace but the direction that we are going that matters! We are all imperfect people trying to follow Christ! 2 Nephi 31:20 "Press forward in steadfastness in Christ..."

Christ revealed himself in his perfect form so we could have a perfect hope in him.

Again, she shared how she intellectually bought into the atonement before leaving to serve a mission. But now she feels it too!

She concluded with her testimony in Spanish.

It was a beautiful day.

This concludes the weekly updates on the mission of Sister Katalin Bolliger

Gratefully,

Sister Bolliger - the Elder :)

ps.

She's now a nursery leader working with the 18mo old - 3 years olds in our ward. Awesome!

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 77: Miracles, Plan of Salvation in Video Game Language, Farewell to Fresno Mission

As I was praying last week I got the distinct impression that there were still many more miracles that I would see on the mission. And boy if that wasn't true!

This Wednesday we got a call from a recently reactivated member that her fiancee wanted to take the lessons! We called him that day and set up an appointment with everyone. We went to his little teeny house--which you can definitely tell is a bachelor pad--and had our first lesson with him. His expectations for meeting with us were just to "learn all that we had to offer!" :) We can certainly accomplish that! We started with How to Begin Teaching and then it quickly transitioned to teaching the first lesson. He is really smart and so it was so wonderful to hear him dealing with the language of the Book of Mormon and Bible so easily!

We scheduled a church tour the next day and we were so excited for it! They all showed up again (investigator, his fiancee, the daughter of his fiancee, and the mom of his fiancee) and we gave them a tour! He accepted the invitation to come to church. The whole tour was basically him reteaching us the restoration! We watched part of the Restoration DVD and then committed him to be baptized. And he readily accepted! Hahahha. His date is for the 30th of October.

This particular man is very into video games. And so as Sister Wiese and I were preparing for our next lesson with him, the Plan of Salvation, we decided to put a little twist on it all. So, we related the plan of salvation to a video game! And my goodness. It went so well! Haha. Before we lived here on this earth, we lived with God and he was telling us about this video game that we would have to play so that we could receive more blessings! We were so excited for the release date (hah) and he explained to us the rules. That there would be consequences for every action but it was up to us whether we would follow God! Then, the video game was written (the Creation) and the first players came into the game. Adam and Eve. Our purpose here on earth is navigate the video game and get as many points as we can! But God hasn't left us to our own devices. Just like a video game, we can build our immunity and upgrade weapons by doing certain things--keeping the commandments and making covenants. And...the controller is in our hands. We can choose to wander around.. or we can proactively try to fulfill our quest. We're not alone though! This is a team effort. We can talk to our friends and family and learn from their mistakes. And..we have all of the secret codes and tricks! The scriptures! After we die we are waiting for our final score. Then, God tells us how we did! And based on our score, we can inherit one of the Kingdoms of Glory. :) He was so into it!!!

We also saw miracles with our investigators this week. Another insanely progressing young man in the Navy is preparing to go on detachment for three weeks. Well, we made him a det survival kit! It has all of the pamphlets, mini military scriptures with some awesome scriptures already marked, and a few DVDs. Haha. He was so excited! He nonchalantly mentioned that he had to switch shifts so that he could come to church on Sunday. Wow!

Things are a bit interesting this week as this Saturday is also another preparation day. Transfers got moved to Monday becuase of some things president has later next week, so everything is kind of crazy! I am not looking forward to leaving the mission. I love it so much! I am just trying so hard to stay focused and keep finding, teaching, and baptizing!

-

Sister Bolliger's Invite to the Fresno Mission Farewell Testimony Meeting

From the bottom of my heart, I'd just like to say,

How much I truly do want to stay!

This missionary time has been a privilege it's true,

Especially because I have met all of you!

I just wanted to thank y'all for the example you've shown,

From your Christ-like love, service (and teasing) I have grown!

So as it's time for me to prepare to leave,

This invitation to my farewell I hope you'll receive

With the remembrance of which missionary I am -

and that you'll come to my farewell if you can!

I'm off to new adventures with my faith in the Lord...

and with my missionary memories I'LL NEVER be bored!

Peace be the Journey -

Hermana Bolliger & Sister Bolliger - The Younger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 76: This week was full of more wonderful missionary things!

This week was full of more wonderful missionary things!

I could hardly wait for general conference!

Early in the week we had a splendid lesson with a lady who was a referral from her neighbors. She said that we are her "spiritual adivsors" and that she had such a wonderful week as she read the Book of Mormon and prayed daily, as we asked her to. She said that the time couldn't go by fast enough for our next appointment! I have really come to know what it is like (as it says in D&C 50) when the teacher and the receiver do both by the spirit, and both are edified. Sister Wiese and I just looked at each other in looks of astonishment and gratitude for this woman's desire to change and recognition of the spirit. As we taught her about the Restoration we could tell that she was having some questions or doubts. After we finished, however, upon asking her to share with us some of her concerns, she said that there was just something about us that took away all of her doubts. Duh duh duhh! The Spirit at work yet again!

One of my least favorite things to do on the mission is have a lesson with people that are not progressing and explain to them that we can't visit them anymore if they do not keep their commitments and progress. We had a few of those this week. And they were all in Spanish. But, I have come to trust in the Lord's timing and in the Lord's way and in the promptings that we receive. It went over much better than we expected, and I hope that soon these families will understand the importance of the gospel in their lives.

We had some great lessons with our resident golden investigator. Haha. We had a lesson at a member's house on Wednesday with the intention of teaching him the Law of Chastity. We felt impressed to start teaching the commandment by talking about prophets (another good thing to explain General Conference). Well, it turned out that prophets was actually his concern! He said he had kept thinking about it since our previous lesson and we were able to explain to him the process by which a prophet is selected by God and how we can know for ourselves if he is a prophet of our Heavenly Father!

We had a teamup the next night and so we texted him to see if he would be okay with yet another lesson the next evening. He was. We met at the church and THEN it was law of chastity time! Haha. We were a bit anxious to teach this---with him being 25, male, and in the Navy--but it actually went over quite well! He explained that he had already come to a similar conclusion previously on his own, and that he wanted to do everything he could to be "sealed" in the temple with his girlfriend. Having lessons with him are so amusing! We were explaining why we were talking about the law of chastity (as it is a commandment that must be lived for one to be baptized) and I said, "It's not like we woke up this morning with smiles on our faces that we'd have to teach you the law of chastity!" And he responded, "Are you sure? Because you both always seem to excited and happy in our lessons!" Hahahah. Little does he know it's the "Golden Factor"--it's so exciting to teach someone that has been prepared!

Well...resident golden investigator came to the Sunday morning session of General conference. And did quite well staying awake! :) We got a text from him during the afternoon session saying that he was watching it at a members house! We had teased him suggesting that as a marathon runner he could handle another session of conference.. but he had a rough night so was going to go home and watch it online. Well, he got to his house and was locked out! As he was pondering what to do a member texted him inviting him for lunch and the last session. Hahahah. Yes! God works in wonderfully mysterious ways.

Conference was wonderful. I went with questions again and was so edified! It went by far too quickly. As one of the Seventy was talking about Returned Missionaries I began to tear up. I was sitting next to a recent convert and surrounded by people that I have grown to love in my many months here. I do not want this experience to end. However, I gained great comfort from conference that no matter what I am doing in life, or where I am, I will be able to still be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will still be able to access guidance from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. I will still be able to endure difficulty and trial--for in fact that is why I am here.

I realized as we were driving around on Sunday night that I had two weeks from that day until I would be released. Ah! I haven't started packing. And I have tried to push it out of my mind.. but I think the time has come to man up (haha) and face the future! One of our members took us out to dinner. She's a psychologist at the prison..so I was asking her about helping me deal with change. Hahah. And she mentioned how there are pro's and con's to every situation in life. And the fact that there are pro's to being a missionary and pro's to being a civilian (lol) and that accepting and appreciating the pros of both things doesn't mean that I am diminishing my appreciation of either one. It's just a logical way to go about it!

Peace be the Journey,

Sister Bolliger - the Younger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 75: Baptism, Training in Visalia, Fresno Farewell Fireside, Back Seat Driver

Well this week was fantastic.

We had a baptism last night. And it was splendid! Isis Yamilet B was baptized by one of our pre-mission ward missionaries. Isis is 9 and I think her baptism was a great reminder for her family about the importance of baptismal covenants. She felt so special! It took four times to get her baptized, haha, but it was well worth it! Her primary teacher gave a talk, along with another sister in the ward that does the music in primary. Isis really wanted to swim in the water after being baptized, but I think that being baptized four times took away that desire! She just wanted to get dry! Haha. A huge part was that Isis' older sister, Alicia, bore the closing prayer. She has been an investigator that I have worked with off and on the whole time I have been here in Lemoore. She was very nervous, but I walked up with her to the front and she said a beautiful prayer in Spanish. I was so proud of her!

We had specialized training in Visalia this week. This was my last big meeting as a missionary. Ah! Tradition in the mission is that new incoming missionaries and departing missionaries bear their testimonies at such meetings. Oh my goodness. I was the first to go to bear my testimony and I had promised myself I would not be emotional. But, for the first time really...it has hit me that all of this is going to end. That I am not going to be "Sister Bolliger the full-time missionary" forever. Gah! I have been taking a lot of comfort in a talk from Elder Holland, however, that says "faith is pointed towards the future." I am trying to have faith for the future and be calm as this transition quickly approaches!

We got the fliers for the farewell. It will be in the evening on Sunday, October 16, at the mission office (1814 n echo). I am redoing mine to look spiffy and should be sending those out ASAP.

I loved going to the Relief Society broadcast. In the Hanford stake, they have a tri-tip dinner beforehand! I didn't even hold it against them that it was tri-tip. Haha. They had leftovers that they gave to us. What a spiritual and physical feast that was! I love listening to our church leaders and especially being able to prepare for General Conference that is coming up!

This week we have been all over our huge area contacting former investigators and going through the records that we have for members. I am trying to set Sister Wiese up with all of the information that I have in my head--in an accessible location! I'm doing an intense color coding of the map with everything and it should hopefully help her out!

Also, for the first time EVER in the mission. I am no longer the driver. We requested to have Sister Wiese be the driver so that she could learn the area. Ah! It is freaking me out! I just realized the other day that I don't have to look at the road while a passenger. I have driven every day of my mission. And it's a weird adjustment to be a passenger! haha. But it is great as Sister Wiese is able to learn the roads and the area better. It's also a great mental exercise for me as I have to transition my autopilot driving into coherent directions. lol. Thankfully we have something called a u-turn! :)

We had a great lesson with a referral from the ward. It was awesome as we started out with our expectations and hers as well. She has come from a rough religious background but she is excited to change! We had anticipated that she might have some problems with the Book of Mormon but she readily accepted our reading assignment and treating it as scripture!

I have still refused to look at a calendar to see how many days are left. With the change of when we're released I know that takes away a preparation day for me to get ready to leave! Ah!

Sister Bolliger - the younger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 74: My First ? on My Mission, Other Lows, So Prepared Investigators, Baptism on Sunday

So a funny story that I forgot to send you last time. :)

Well.. I had my first police run-in in the mission. And might I add, life. We were on our way to the church, and driving down a road I have probably driven on daily since I have been here in Lemoore. Well, in lovely California, the left arrow to turn and the main lights to go straight do not turn green simultaneously. So, I was next to a policeman waiting to go straight, when I suddenly acted on pure reflexes. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the arrow to turn go green, and I immediately sped out of the intersection. Well, all of a sudden I realized that none of the other cars had followed me. And that there was a policeman behind me with his lights on. Oh how precious. I pulled over into the Quick 'n' EZ parking lot.. and was prepared to explain myself. Haha. I felt so dumb! Well, as the policeman was talking to me, I heard the description of our car over his radio. Hahah. We were wanted women! He replied, "I got 'em." Ooh! I'm infamous! I explained that the lights in Texas were NOT like that. I probably should have checked my Texas pride a bit, but it turned out in my favor. He ran my license through his computer and came back telling me to be more careful next time. I wanted to give him a mormon.org card but decided not to press my luck. lol. My first time ever to get pulled over! Not that I haven't merited it before, but I was caught this time!

This week has been intense!

We met with the most golden investigator EVER!! His girlfriend is a member and is in Iraq at the moment. We had our first lesson with him at a members home (which happened to be just down the street from his new apartment) and it was AMAZING! He said that he just wanted a relationship with God. And wanted to pray daily, not just when he needed help. And wanted to come to church. And understand the scriptures. Hahaha. FOR REAL! He had already read 1 Nephi and all of the information on Mormon.org. It was sooo cute though. He was explaining how he just didn't understand how we could get the Book of Mormon from the plates. He was like.. "Well...the plates HAVE to be round." As soon as Sister Wiese and I understood the dilemma we whipped out a picture and showed him that the plates were thin sheets of metal bound together like a book. Hahah. He was SO relieved to understand how it all came together! The members were AMAZING and invited him to sit with them at church.

We set up a church tour for the next day and the member said he would love to come. Our golden investigator said he would love it if the member came to help him feel more comfortable! The church tour was great. Spirit-filled! He wants to be baptized. So bad! Hahah. There is just a bit of trickiness in setting a date since he is being deployed for a month in October. We're pushing for October 2nd and I know that he is SO SO prepared!

He came to church this last Sunday and although the lesson material was a bit heavy (eternal marriage and way too indepth plan of salvation), he LOVED it! Haha. He was like.. "this is the most lively church I have ever been too!" (thank you young families and rambunctious children). He also volunteered the information that he only drinks a glass of wine very occasionally and that he thinks that drinking alcohol is stupid. :) We were already planning on teaching the word of wisdom next!

This week did have its lows though.. a family that we were teaching that was so promising got REALLY REALLY anti-ed. It was so sad to see them declining to find out for themselves through prayer. It was a bit discouraging but Sister Wiese and I both felt that it was a testimony building experience for both of us. The gospel is just so true!

We picked up a few former investigators this last week. There are lots of people prepared here in Lemoore for the gospel!

We are having a baptism this next Sunday. This week is going to be amazing!!! I am so excited for the Relief Society general meeting. This Sunday is going to be the Primary Program. I am so excited! :)

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 73: Always Hectic Transfer Week, Splendidly with 5'10" Comp, Vineyards & Spiders- No Worries, Providential Referrals!

Milagros!

Well, this week has seen its fair share of miracles. :) Things are always a bit hectic transfer week, but I am happy to say that things are going splendidly!

It took quite a bit of work to get the apartment ready for Sister Wiese. I like to have things clean. And we have a mold problem in our bathroom that I hadn't noticed until a few days before transfers. Because I never wear my glasses in the shower and our lights have burned out in the bathroom...I couldn't see the mold. Gross! So..I attacked it with straight bleach. And boy does it look beautiful now! Sister Croft was sad to go to Madera, but we had some bonding time where I dyed her hair before she left. Haha.

Sister Wiese is from Bluffdale, Utah. And she is 5'10"! It is so odd to have to look someone straight in the eye! Hahah. We keep bumping into each other because we are used to littler companions. I feel the spirit SO much with Sister Wiese. She's a bit quiet, but appreciates my humor. What more could I ask for? :) We have seen lots of miracles as we have worked together in this area.

This Wednesday was the vineyard time! It was so much fun! Each congregation is assigned a certain number of rows to take care of throughout the year. We were scrambling for a ride to go up to Madera to help, and we finally found one and were able to go! We got SO dirty but it was fabulous. We picked grapes (and I didn't even hurt myself!) with special knives and it was a great way for Sister Wiese to get to know the ward! There were lots of spiders and bugs but I didn't care at all. I was wearing pants. And tennis shoes. Haha. But...leaves kept getting stuck in my hair so I am pretty sure I looked verrrry special.

We had a phone call from Bishop last week saying that a woman in the Bay area wanted her sister to be visited by the missionaries. So, we went to try and contact her. It took us probably 4 tries because her roommate would keep answering the door and saying that she wasn't there. Well, we finally met her and she is adorable!! Roxanna is so spunky. She is going to school at West Hills for Culinary Arts and has a two-year-old son with Autism. We were able to help her move out of her apartment and then into a storage unit. Our height came in handy!! We were able to stack those boxes all the way up to the top! Haha. She then came to church yesterday with her brother-in-law and nephew (who are members) that were visitng here for the weekend. It was perfect! We already have a great fellowshipper in mind...a lady who is a caterer and herself has an autistic son. :) We introduced them on Sunday and we're excited for Roxanna to get baptized!

We also had another providential phone call from Bishop last night. He said that a young man from the Navy base had contacted him trying to find the missionaries. Haha. Yes! He had talked with the missionaries when he was living at home, but his parents had them stop coming. Well, one of his friends reintroduced him to the church and so he wants to learn more! We're having a lesson with him this Wednesday at a member's house. We invited him to go on Mormon.org before the lesson and he replied that he has already been on there! Haha. Sweet!

I don't know what it is about the water here--but it seems like EVERY animal has little babies. In the trailer parks the chihuahuas have their little chihuahua puppies. A member's house we stopped at yesterday had little husky puppies. Another house had a little toy poodle puppy. And then another house had baby guinea pigs! Ay caramba!

I am excited for my district this transfer. My new District Leader is from San Antonio, Texas. We talk about Rudy's a lot. Haha. And there is another Elder from Texas here as well! Maybe Heavenly Father is trying to prepare me to go back home? Hahah.

Peace be the Journey,

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 72: "I will finish my mission here in Lemoore!" Great Miracles & Lots of Referrals - Amazing!

Well, the verdict is in. I will finish my mission here in Lemoore! I can't believe that time has been flying by so fast!

Sister Croft will go to Madera to a Spanish Ward, and I will be getting Sister Wiese, one of Sister Croft's MTC companions! It is unusual as the whole ward has kind of figured out that I am almost done with my full-time missionary service! I've been getting a lot of questions about what I'm going to do when I go home. Gag me! Haha. I don't even want to think about it. :)

We have seen some great miracles lately. There was a family that we found knocking that is SO ON FIRE! We had a lesson with them last Saturday night, and then they came to church the next Sunday! They loved it! We had a lesson with them last night with our member fellowshipper and it is amazing to see how prepared they are! We joked with one of them that she could see Sister Croft again when she was baptized, and she was like.. when am I getting baptized? lol. :) They have been reading and the Mom is SO prepared! Oh my goodness! It is astounding. She even said that she wanted to come and go pick grapes at the vineyard with our ward this Wednesday. Pretty amazing I'd say!

We have received a lot of referrals and everyone as of yet has been bilingual! Imagine that! Haha. It has been amaizng to see the hand of the Lord working through all different sorts of people to help us find those that are prepared to receive the gospel at this time!

My body is deciding that it is tired. Haha. I had to buy a heating pad last week because I am just in so much pain these days! Haha. But no slowing down yet!

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 70 - 71: Phew! We made it through this week!

Well this week has been insane!!!

On Wednesday we were able to go to the temple and it was such a joy! I love going! Although I could barely stay awake (whenever I sit down I seem to fall asleep) the Spirit was absolutely beautiful. :) Wednesday night we drove back up to Fresno for an exchange. Sister Croft when in a Spanish area and I was able to be here in Lemoore with Sister Gurecki! I sat next to Sister Gurecki's twin in my French and Italian Cinema class my last semester at BYU! So we had a splendid time! We found lots of new investigators and did tons of spanish chatting!

On Thursday, we switched back at 8PM that night.

On Friday, we did weekly planning and then prepared for Special Ops. Special Ops is when priest and laurel age young men and women (16-18) from the Hanford stake are able to be set apart and go with full-time missionaries for the weekend. It was great! I was able to have Sister Willis as my companion, and Sister Croft had Sister Preston! We stopped by the ward party before we went to Hanford to get the new missionaries, and it was so spectacular looking! :) We drove home late Friday night back to Lemoore and had to make an emergency stop at the church to get another chair for one of the Special Ops ladies to sit on! Haha. Planning Friday night was pretty intense as we did it for two sets of us!

Saturday began with lots of incredibleness. Sister Willis and I went all around town talking to everyone we saw and knocking some amazingly fruitful areas! Sister Croft and Sister Preston went on bikes for the day and it was amazing how many new investigators we found! That night a brother in the ward took all of us out to eat---and that was quite a treat! The restaurant was Ethel Red's Chop House. Doesn't that sound delightful!! It was so delicious!! And reminded me of good ol' texas.

Sunday was also a full day! We had the Special Ops sisters make phone calls and send texts to remind people to come to Church taht morning while Sister Croft and I went to Ward Council. Then it was Sunday business as ususal getting the translation equipment ready and to work! (I had to go up to the stand during Sacrament Meeting to go fix the translation material) Then, Sister Preston's parents showed up to take her home. We took a picture and they followed us to the apartment to go and get her things! Sister Willis stayed with us for a bit longer. We went to go contact some people we had met the day before and then she was off back to her home ward! Then, the work was not over! We had to go and get ready for our baptism that night! Destinee D our cute girl in the Hanford ward that we were teaching was getting baptized! We went over to the Stake Center to make sure things were getting ready. Well, thre were no Elders to be found! Since it was not our building we don't have keys to the font so that it could start getting filled! Well, after a few frantic phone calls, the other set of Elders from Hanford (not from the ward where Destinee lives) came and opened it up for us. :) We were a bit nervous! hahah. We filled up some garbage cans with water to make it go faster. Well, the baptism went really really well! Fortunately it started a little bit late...which gave the font plenty of time to fill up! :) Destinee had asked me and one of the Elders from her ward to sing a duet. We sang "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me." With our like five minutes of practice before the baptism...it went really really well! The talks were perfect and it was so wonderful to see her baptized! Her Bishop baptized her. Sister Croft gave Destinee a picture of the Savior that she drew. We both signed the back of it. It was swell! She calls me Sister Boulevard, and Sister Croft, Sister Kraft. It was so beautiful and so exciting!!

Phew! We made it through this week! I am pretending that I am never going to leave the mission. And that I am never going home. Haha. This Saturday we find out about transfers. I don't want to leave Lemoore!!

Peace be the journey!

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 69: "When do I get my lesson? I haven't had one yet!"

This week was pretty good!

We were able to see lots of miracles. :) We had a potential investigator that lived in a trailer park near a member family that we visit frequently. Well, we had tried to set up some appointments before, but nothing came to fruition. Well, as we were walking to the member family's trailer, this lady was outside and asked us what we were up to! We explained again that we were dropping by a few things and then were off to go teach some lessons! Well, she then asked, "When do I get my lesson? I haven't had one yet!" So, she left cleaning her yard and we went into her trailer and had the first lesson with her! She's in her late 20's and has a 9-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a 1-year-old. We committed the mom to baptism and she readily accepted! She has been saying she has really wanted God in her life and that although she didn't know how to pray, she wanted to learn how! :) We invited her and her family on a church tour the next day. They came!!! We had a sweet ward missionary there and it was such a privilege to show them around the building and explain more about what we believe! Her daugher also committed to being baptized on the tour!

We were also able to have a wonderful lesson with a part-member family. It has been difficult for us to get into their home and have a real lesson--but a real lesson we had! The whole family sat down and we were able to briefly begin teaching them. The father offered a beautiful prayer and it was so amazing to see how they have been prepared for this time!

We had a Zone Conference on Thursday and it was interesting to see President Gelwix's vision for the mission! He committed all of the missionaries to read the Book of Mormon again before December 24th at 10:30 PM. Weird how I will be home by then! Ahhh! I am reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish so I hope to count that for his goal. :)

We had a linger longer after Church this sunday. It was fabulous! We have had so many new families move into the ward and so we were able to munch and get to meet new people! A sister in the ward challenged everyone to meet five new people they didn't know! It was fun to watch lots of people mingling that you'd never seen talking to each other before!

School started today here in Lemoore. It's weird as I've been here the whole summer break! Church was packed on Sunday. Such a relief! Everyone can't be out of town anymore. :)

One of our investigators, Miguel, is really doing quite well. We were afraid he might have been scared off after last sunday, but he came back! We had a wonderful lesson with him and two converts in the ward. It was interesting how we thought of bringing a certain brother with us to the lessons, and how Miguel and he had SO many things in common that we didn't even know! The Lord does work in mysterious ways. :)

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 68: "I am turning into a Lemoorean. I am just fine with that!"

This week was busy as usual!

We have started teaching one of the Elder's investigators from the Hanford ward. She is amazing and hilarious and progressing so well! She's probably the coolest 13-year-old that I have ever met. lol. She is busily working on drawing the cover of her baptismal program!

We had a baby shower for Frankie this week. It was so well attended! We had about 25 ladies there and it was amazing to see lots of inactive and less-active sisters there to fellowship each other and get to know one another! Sister Croft drew a picture of a temple for Frankie as our gift. We had some doctor appointments in fresno so she worked on it in the car there and back! It looked so good! I know that Frankie felt like people cared!

People say I am turning into a Lemooreon. :) I am just fine with that! I love these people!

Peace be the Journey,

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 67: Fellowshippers, Showers, My Final Zone Conference Testimony, Easier to Wake at 6:30am, Romans 8!

Well, greetings once more from the Lemoore library.

This week has been quite the week! We were finally able to get some of the fellowshippers we had lined up to come to lessons with our investigators!!

The big thing this week will be a shower for Frankie! A dear sister in our ward is putting on a shower for this less-active sister. She just turned 18 and is having her first baby in less than a month! We are teaching her husband.

When one of our investigators, Pattie, came to Church last week, she noticed a sister in the Ward that gave some comments in Relief Society. After church, Pattie asked us if that lady could join us in a lesson! Way to fellowship herself! Haha. This sister came with us and we had a POWERFUL last half of the plan of salvation lesson. This sister reminds me SO much of my Grandma Sorensen. She is a teacher by trade and just puts things so splendidly! It was amazing how Pattie opened up and shared with us some of her concerns. Pattie is very excited to keep attending!

We were also able to line up a cute Filipino sister in the ward with another investigator. Maria is 78 and still has quite a quick wit! Her daughter is a member in southern California and so we went to visit Maria after finding her name in our Area Book. When we came with this Filipino sister, they started going off in Tagalog! Haha. Then we heard Maria's thoughts on how Filipinas are the best. Hahah. It was rather precious. She will be coming to church next week when her daughter comes up to visit for a high school reunion! Sweet!

We had another splendid lesson with Alicia, a daughter of a recent convert, that we have been working with for quite some time. She has experienced some heart-wrenching things in her only 16 years, but that night, for the first time, she finally seemed humble and open to the message of the gospel. She closed our visit with a prayer and oh my goodness! It was amazing! Sister Croft and I marveled at the change in her demeanor.

We are having a zone conference on August 11th. Because we only have zone conferences once a quarter, any missionary that is going home before the next zone conference has to bear their testimony. The Zone Leaders were joking around with me about how it's my time to bear my testimony this zone conference, and after thinking about it I realized it's true! This will be my last! Ahhhhh. Where has the time gone???

I think I have FINALLY found it easier to wake up at 6:30AM. Haha. Finally! I have been doing it my whole mission but only lately have I been able to open my eyes and function more quickly! What a tender mercy.

I have been rereading one of my favorite chapters in the Bible--Romans 8. We shared it with a sister that is really struggling Sunday night and I was amazed how truly all of the gospel is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. God's love for us and his sacrifice are really what my testimony is founded on. As we read the words of Paul, before some of the most bitter persecution the Church encountered, he tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He reminds us of our divine natures and how with Christ we are joint-heirs to all that the Father has.

Peace be the Journey,

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 66: Setting the Groundwork for Amazing Miracles, Rototiller Fun, Sister Gelwix is a Hit, Baby Shower!

Well, duh duh duhh, I am staying in Lemoore with Sister Croft! This is the first time that I will have had a companion for more than one consecutive transfer! Isn't that insane? I am so excited! We have really set the groundwork here for some amazing miracles and I am excited to see what happens soon!

We were able to do some service for a part-member family this week, and my was it service! We were hacking at 8-foot dandelion weeds with hoes and axes. The brother then mowed the lawn, and then we each had our own rototiller (rotatiller?) hacking up the ground! It was so much fun! No matter that it was in the heat of the day or that I got a beautiful sunburn, it was so fun! It just contributed to my watch tan. Haha. Physical evidence that in fact, my skin does change colors! :)

Our mission president's wife was able to come out with us this week. She came one night around 6 PM and we took her to visit some of our wonderful investigators! She came with us to meet Pattie. Pattie is living with a less-active member and she has been taking the lessons casually. Well, she TOTALLY clicked with SIster Gelwix! She asked if Sister Gelwix would be at our church service on Sunday. Sister Gelwix replied, "I'll be there if you will!" Woo! So, Sister Gelwix drove down from Fresno, and Pattie came to church for the first time! She absolutely loved the "Gospel Principles" manual and thinks that will help her better understand the scriptures.

One of the amazing sisters in our ward is throwing a baby shower for one of the families we're teaching. The husband isn't a member, and his cute wife is due in one month! They're both SUPER young and in the Navy, and so this baby shower is going to be so splendid! Sister Croft and I are both so happy that we're both here to go shopping and help decorate for this shower. We have really grown to love this sweet sister and are so excited for her to feel the loving arms of the ward wrapped around her!

Peace be the Journey,

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 65: Knock, Knock, Who's There? Wake Up... it's the Sisters with Shirts, Skirts and other Awesome Miracles!

This week we had some awesome miracles!

Probably the most prominent was the cute little Flanders family. The husband is not a member, and the wife is due in one month with a little baby girl! We were able to go with them to a member's house for dinner on base and it was a fabulous time! We had delicious food, they were able to meet another cute couple in the ward with little ones, and we were also able to have some stellar cupcakes (banana bread with maple frosting. yum!). The Flanders family then fed us for dinner on Saturday night. And.. duh duh duhhh. They FINALLY made it to church on Sunday!!!!!! Although the husband had watch, he was able to get off for an hour to come to sacrament meeting! As they fed us Saturday night, the husband mentioned that he couldn't find any of his button-up shirts. Sister Croft and I looked at each other, grinned, and ran out to the trunk of our car where we just happened to have a white button-up shirt in Ian's size with a snazzy tie. Hahaha. They were like... whooaaa!! They were running a bit late to church because it took a while for the husband to get off watch. After Sacrament, I had the thought to just check in the foyer, and there they were peeking through the doors to try to find where we were. Haha. They're adorable! They both looked so darling and already mormon-like that people thought they were just a couple that had moved into the ward!! Wahoo!! They are reading the Book of Mormon and praying together. They have been practicing a lot with their prayers. Haha. It's adorable! We have a lesson with them this week at a member's house (who happens to be in his same squadron) and our mission president's wife is coming with us!

We saw SEVERAL people at church on Sunday. I loved it! We were running around like crazy. There were some part-member and less-active families that were like.. "We need help waking up!! Just come and bang on our door until we get up!" Well, little did they know that Sister Croft and I were totally serious about that. Haha. We knocked on one sister's door and then on her bedroom window (her idea). The window was partly open so I took a page from my mother's book and then started to sing a song I made up on the spot. Haha. Finally...she opened the door. Haha. We made her turn on the light and then we were off to the next family's house! We helped wake up some of our investigators that are teenage girls and helped them get ready. I donated a skirt to one of them and she looked so ADORABLE! She has never worn a skirt to church before. :) She wore it for the whole day!

We taught english classes on Sunday as well. Our schedules are getting super busy! We were able to go through a particular trailer park to invite all to the class we would be teaching in that area. Well, that idea proved to be inspiration. Instead of finding lots of only-Spanish speakers to come learn english, we found MANY new investigators. It was amazing how prepared they were for the message! We were able to go and sit down and share the first full lesson with many of these people. So many of them had talked to Elders before in Mexico, or in other states, and it is so amazing to see how the Lord is preparing so many people for his work!

We had lots of investigators at church on Sunday and it was so fulfilling to see the Ward Council finally see those people that we have been speaking of for so long!!

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 64: Tri-zone Activity in Visalia, Miracles, "Guera", Being Spiritually Edified!

Well this will be a bit short--but that's because we have a wonderful tri-zone activity in Visalia! It's going to be a BBQ and sports at a park. Sister Croft and I are borrowing some camping chairs from a family that have the TEXAS FLAG on them! Haha. Way to represent!!! We are bringing two of our investigating young men.. we are POSITIVE they will love the 60+ Elders, free food, and massive capture the flag game. Haha.

This week has been awesome. We have been seeing our people progress rapidly and commit more people to be baptized!

One family we have been working with Sister Lemalu and I found through a street contact. She turned out to be a member, but very less-active. Well, we have been working with them and have seen miracles as the husband has quit smoking and they have been receiving the lessons well! This week they have two dinners scheduled in member's homes. Haha. Yes! She is due in about a month with a little baby girl and it has been fun to watch her get all of her baby things ready! This little family is always on my mind, and has been since we met them. I feel so privileged to have seen their growth and understanding!

We saw another miracle this week. We were knocking doors and a lady let us into her home. Her name is Berta. Her 17-year-old daughter has leukemia, and it is taking a toll on this family. She has AMAZING faith though and you can really feel it as you speak with her! Well, we shared a brief Restoration lesson with her and as we got to the First Vision her eyes got WIDE and she was amazed! Her response? "How beautiful!" Well, not exaclty since this was all in Spanish. She began to cry as she explained to us that her daughter with leukemia had a dream two days before where she was in the presence of God, but then a "guera" (a white girl who speaks spanish) came and helped her. Berta told us that she thought we were that girl. She told us she wasn't planning on being home at that time. Incredible!!!!! She is amazing! :)

I had leadership training this week so Sister Croft got to go to Visaila for two days. It was interesting to get to know President Gelwix more as all the Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and Trainers in the mission got together at the mission office. I feel so spiritually edified and feel that I have the direction that I need for the rest of my mission!

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 63: Awesome Fourth of July Breakfast, Meeting President and Sister Gelwix, Personal Revelation, Translating, Testimony!

Aloha from Lemoore!

This week has been crazy--as most usually are.

We really enjoyed the Fourth of July breakfast our ward put on! Last year I convinced my companions (I was in a trio) to dress in red, white, and blue. This year, Sister Croft and I matched as well! We wore grey skirts, red shirts, blue cardigans, and black shoes. We even both wore our pearl earrings! It was quite a show. We arrived early to help cook the pancakes! There were TONS of food. This ward even had special dishes to keep the food warm until we started. That's right! Lemoore is classy. There was an awesome fruit salad. It was delectable. I don't think I have had that good of a breakfast for quite a long time! I guess the most happening thing in the area was the firework show put on by the local casino. Haha. On Sunday we were trying to find a less-active family and happened to be around the area where the casino was. They had TONS of road blocking signs ready for the huge flow of traffic they were expecting for the 4th! Our mission rules were that we could not walk, ride bikes, or drive a mission vehicle after 7PM. We could be out if we were with a member if we had scheduled lessons, however. Well, we had quite a bit of things to do so we decided to just come inside at 7. We heard a lot of the fireworks!

Today we had our first official meeting with President Gelwix. We unofficially met him Sunday night. We had been asked to be the "half-time show" for the Zone Leader's baptism--we talk while the baptizer and baptizee are getting dressed. Well, thankfully, our District Leader informed us that President Gelwix was going to be at the baptism! We hadn't met him yet-but thankfully we made sure that this was a stellar presentation. It was miraculous to see as I prayed for Sister Croft as she spoke, and she prayed for me likewise, how we were able to teach with the Spirit in unity. President Gelwix is A LOT shorter than you would think. He's only 5'9". That was my first thought when I met him. Haha. He's just my height--but I have my hair that kind of puts me a bit taller. Lol. He is a lot more loving than I imagined as well.

Today we had a Zone Meeting and President Gelwix and Sister Gelwix attended. They instructed us for a bit, but President took a few minutes with each missionary to interview them and ask a few brief questions. He asked if there was anything that he and Sister Gelwix could do for me, and I (half) jokingly said to pronounce my name right! Hahah. Why do people always put that "n" in? Lol. It took poor President Gonzalez quite some time to get it right.

At the baptism last week President Gelwix gave the closing prayer. As he spoke I felt an overwhelming confirmation that indeed, Presideng Gelwix was called by prophet of God to be our mission president here in the California Fresno mission, and my mission president for the last few months of my mission. I had been praying for that witness, and was so glad to receive it!

It has been curious how I have learned more and more about personal revelation. I have come to the conclusion that it's more complicated than I ever initially thought. It is so critical and vital for our salvation. Sister Gelwix today shared a personal experience and how she received an assurance of a previous desicion as she read Doctrine and Covenants Section 6, verse 23. It states: "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" I am learning that frequently I allow my anxiety or other emotions to make me question previous answers to prayers. We sometimes do not hear the "answer" to our prayers because we have already been given them! It has been interesting as I have been examining the personal growth I have had on the mission. I know I have grown in my ability to recognize the whisperings of the Spirit. I must admit I am slightly terrified to go back to "normalcy" because I have been able to listen to that Spirit in this missionary environment. A change of scenery, responsibilities, living situation, and life in general will cause me to continue to examine and apply the lessons that I have learned.

I translated my first full meeting this last Sunday! It was quite a challenge. I have semi-translated. But this was word-for-word time! Haha. Thankfully the teacher spoke slowly and the topic we were discussing had words that I was familiar with. I translated for Celia as they really wanted to have all of the Sisters in this particular lesson. Ahhh I was so nervous but I was amazingly blessed as I was able to express myself and the concepts from the lesson. I was also able to translate one of her comments to share with the other sisters in the ward. Talk about a gift of tongues moment!

We saw a wonderful miracle this week as one of the less-active sisters that we have been working with really has been progressing! She accepted a calling and is preparing to teach her first full primary lesson this week! Then, she bore her testimony FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER in Sacrament Meeting! She is very scared of public speaking and large groups of people. As I saw her walking up toward the front I was praying so hard that she would be able to do it! And she did! Everyone was shocked but it just proved to me that ANYONE can change. :)

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 62: Aloha!

This week was full of even more miracles!

It started off with some amazing lessons with Jaime, one of our new investigators. We met with him at the church with our ward mission leader and his entire family. The lesson was on the plan of salvation. And Jaime LOVED it. He lost six members of his family in a car accident in 1995 and when he heard about living with our families forever, he started to cry! Near the end of the lesson Jaime asked, "will you help me prepare to be baptized on july 17th?" Hahhaha. Sister Croft and I just looked at each other and were like..."Yeah, I think we can help you out with that!!"

We then had another lesson with him on Thursday at a member's house. We had a scrumptious dinner (seriously it was amazing) and then taught Jaime about the word of wisdom. When we asked Jaime why he should keep commandments, he replied, "Because I want to go to the Celestial kingdom!" Again, we were shocked. :) Jaime's amazing! He readily accepted living the word of wisdom and commented how when he drank alcohol, or did drugs, he was just creating more problems in his life. :)

We were able to go on a church tour this week with some friends of one of our stellar ward missionaries! They had gone to youth conference and were amazed by how they felt and how it inspired them to be better! So, we took them on a church tour. It was powerful! Sister Croft and I had prayed specifically before it began that we would be able to have the spirit with us. As we testified, we could just feel the Spirit also testify that this was the truth! The young man also came to church this Sunday. We are so excited! He is so prepared!

We received a referral on Friday for a man named Miguel. It took some hunting to find where he lived (since the street name was incorrect) but we found a street that rhymed with it and found Miguel! Another bilingual, humble, amazingly prepared man! We talked with him about the Book of Mormon and he has committed to receiving the lessons. We already committed him to be baptized and we are having a lesson with him tomorrow!

Celia got confirmed yesterday. It was so cool to see it done in Spanish! She was so nervous but she did great! She now calls herself "Sister Celia". Adorable!

It has been such a blessing to see so many miracles. We had several people at Church this Sunday who hadn't come in quite some time! We had an amazing pocket of Spanish speakers. For which I was grateful!

I taught Relief Society in Spanish this last Sunday. It was another gift of tongues moment. I had to write down the words that I spoke that I didn't know what they meant and look them up later! Haha. Amazing! We talked about sacrifice. It was powerful to be with these ladies in the room and see how they were sacrificing so much for the gospel!

We had our last zone conference with President and Sister Gonzalez. It was so sad! I didn't even want to admit that it was the last time I'd be seeing them! They are so amazing and I am so struck at how much they have helped me change!!! It is scary getting a new mission president, but I was so impressed at how President and Sister Gonzalez graciously were preparing us for the change!

The work is moving forward! Keep up the faith!

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 61: MILAGROS!!

Well, this week has been fabulous. :) Things were a bit hectic getting Sister Pena all set to go to Visalia. I talked to our Zone Leaders before the transfer and was like, "Alright Zone Leaders. I challenge you to be logical and timely about how transfers will go this time." I then promised that I would not be frustrated or aggravated as well. Hahahha. Look at the things I am learning on the mission!! <3

Well.. they actually responded true to form! They were able to logically have me drive Sister Pena to Visalia and then spend the day with Sister Rojas (who is also training) on Wednesday! We were able to be in the Visalia 5th Spanish branch and I loved it! We went to a recent converts house who I knew from a full year before. She remembered me!!! Hahah. I had practiced spanish on her before, but this time was able to communicate. Sister Rojas and I then went to a Relief Society activity where they learned how to make bows. Perfect!! Now I am inspired to cute-ify my wardrobe in a frugal manner. Haha. It was great to spend the time with her and have In-N-Out before the training began again!

We ventured to the mission office thursday morning and met our trainees! My new companion is Hermana Croft from Cedar City, Utah. She's stupendous and willing to get out and work! I am so excited for this transfer!

Her second day here we went with a team-up to visit a man named Jaime, who Sister Pena and I had found the previous week when we were knocking. Well, we had a little lesson with him and Sister Croft committed him to be baptized on July 17th! And he accepted! Well, we set up a church tour for the next day at 3PM. We were all ready with a new fellowshipper, but sadly he didn't show. We were a little disappointed but were able to help out the Relief Society sisters who were setting up for the Father's Day brunch and prepare for our Missionary Correlation Meeting we had at 4PM at the chapel. Well, at 3:45PM Jaime showed up! He had walked six miles to the church for the tour and had left later than he wanted as he was waiting for someone to bring him his clothes from his old house. We were able to take Jaime on the Church Tour and wonderfully our ward mission leader showed up and was able to go on the last part of the tour with us! We gave Jaime a Book of Momron and committed him to reading a chapter before the next day--Sunday. Well, Sunday rolls around and we were disappointed to see that Jaime didn't make it to Sacrament. AGAIN Jaime pulled through. He showed up at 10:15AM as he had again walked the long walk. He was able to go to the Father's day brunch the third hour and we had a little lesson with him after church. He informed us that he had not been able to put the Book of Mormon down last night. He had read for 4-5 hours! He is in the Book of Mosiah because he said he keeps going back and cross-referencing to make sure he understands when he is reading. Sister Croft and I (as well as the members who have got to know him) are amazed at his preparedness for the gospel! This Thursday we're taking him with us to a member's house for dinner and a lesson. We're so excited!!!

Today we get a special treat. We are going to be able to watch "Forever Strong" in preparation for President Gelwix to come at the end of the month! We are getting together as a zone and we have already informed the Elders they must bring in the couches for us as we watch the movie. Haha. I don't know what to do with myself!

We have also seen an amazing miracle with one of the less-active sisters in the ward we have been working with. After we taught her the doctrine of receiving revelation through church attendance, she has come every sunday for all three hours! Well, she just accepted a calling!!!!! She'll be a primary teacher and is doing SO SO SO WELL! She is reading several chapters a day in the Book of Mormon. It's astounding to see the changes in her! You can just feel the Spirit radiating from her! We did an activity with her yesterday where we put a huge picture of the Salt Lake Temple above her couch and wrote tons of reasons why she wanted to keep being obedient, serve the Lord, go to the temple, and then blessings from the temple. It's all colorful! In addition we surrounded the picture with quotes about how we can continue to endure to the end! Hopefully this will be a great visual reminder for her of why she's making all of this fabulous choices!!

I am doing great. I can't believe how fast my mission is going by! But, in talking with Sister Croft and doing a lot of personal examination, I have been amazed at how I have personally grown as I have helped others accept the gospel! It's miraculous!

Hermana Bolliger

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 60: Staying in Leemore, Wonderful Baptism, "Esta casada?"

Well everyone.. this week has been another FULL one!!!

This was the last full week of the transfer, so it just makes sense that it would be crazy! :) The week was spent preparing Celia for her baptism this Saturday! We went over baptismal interview questions with her, filled out her baptismal record, and did all of the other things such as making the programs and making sure we had all of the people we needed there! She had her interview with our District Leader and he was super nervous since it was his first one in Spanish! He marveled that we had known Celia for less than 3 weeks and that she was already so so prepared!

Her baptism was absolutely beautiful! She showed up an hour early. We had everything all set up and the font was just about full. She looked in the water and informed us that she was afraid of water!! Haha. Celia is about 4'10" and was commenting in a hilarious manner how she didn't want us to fill the font too much because she didn't want to drown! :)

She cried through the whole baptism and her whole family was able to be there. We are so excited for her family to come unto the gospel as well! Our ward mission leader was able to baptize her and it was cool to hear his Argentine accent as he baptized her. The WHOLE program was in Spanish which I thought was awesome. We had several members from our ward there who were only English-speaking, and it was interesting to see the tables turned. We had many of our Spanish members show and it was splendid to see them all come and support Celia as she made this huge step!

This week we also were able to find several new investigators that show amazing promise and find another family that is ready to accept the message of the gospel! We were able to go on splits this week and Sister Pena went with Bishop and his wife and I went with a wonderful ward missionary. We were both able to see SO many miracles and help others progress in the gospel!

The anxiety of the week was added to with this Saturday being transfer calls. I received three extra phone calls during the week questioning me on my Spanish ability and how comfortable I would feel leading in a Spanish ward. Duh duh duhhhhh.

Well, promptly at 9:30PM Saturday night we found out the big news! I am staying in Lemoore... AGAIN... and TRAINING... AGAIN. Haha. Ahhhhhhh. Sister Pena is going to Visalia 3rd! My old haunt! Sooo lucky! I am so excited for her to partake of the wonderfulness of Visalia 3. :)

I am excited to stay in Lemoore. We are seeing so many of our investigators progress and I am so thrilled to stay here with the wonderful people of Lemoore! There are lots of baptisms on the way and lots of learning to be had!

President Gonzalez leaves at the end of this month so this next transfer is going to be an interesting one! I am excited to meet President Gelwix but at the same time not ready for President and Sister Gonzalez to leave. :(

A funny spanish glitch on Sister Bolliger's part:

As we were waiting for our District Leader to come to the church building to interview Celia, she asked me, "Esta casada?" (Which means.. are you married?) I promptly responded "Si!" (or yes). Hahah. I thought that she had said, "Esta cansada?" (Which means.. are you tired?"). Hahahhaha. The look on Sister Pena's face was priceless. As soon I realized my error Celia, Sister Pena and I proceeded to laugh hysterically!!!! Hahah. That's my favorite thing about Celia. She loves to laugh! She is so naturally happy it's the best!

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 59: Sisters' Meeting, Awesome Mission President & Sister Gonzalez, More Spanish Adventures :)

This week was another crazy one!

We had a Sisters' Meeting at the Mission Home and it was such a wonderful opportunity to talk about things relating to sisters and to see all 18 of us gather together! Cute Sister Bayasal's english is AMAZING and Sister Clark (another I trained) is now step-training! It's awesome to see them all grow up. :) Sister Gonzalez is hilarious and had me help her with the food while the other sisters learned about bike stuff. I am going to be so sad to see President and Sister Gonzalez leave!! We had a splendid time learning about our purpose as women in the gospel and it was a great time to bond together!

While we were there, I snuck away to ask President permission for me to attend a baptism that weekend. A family I taught with Sister To'a in Fresno 5th was getting baptized that weekend, and I so desperately wanted to go! She had called President a few months earlier to ask permission for me to attend--but the baptism didn't end up working out that weekend. I reminded President of some of the crazy things he had put me through before asking (haha) and I got the go ahead! So, that Saturday I went to Fresno (and had a dear sister in the ward drive us) and got to witness the baptism of Amanda and Madison Corpuz! I didn't know that Brother Corpuz was able to baptize them, so that was a wonderful treat to see them all unite together as a family! I was so touched to see the journey of this family and it was extra-special to be back in an area I had served in before. :) We ended the time in Fresno with a stop at In-N-Out. What could have been better? ;)

Celia--an investigator we found three weeks ago--will be baptized this weekend! She is absolutely amazingly prepared and is so excited to show her love to her Heavenly Father by being baptized. She is about 50 years old, and is my first all-Spanish investigator that I have found, taught, and then baptized! She loves Church and her little granddaughter Jackie calls me her "Hermana con lentes" -- her Sister with glasses. I seem to always wear my glasses there because since they're so close to the lecheria that the dirt just does not jive with the contacts. Little Jackie is only 3 and can speak circles around me in Spanish...but I still practice with her nonetheless. :)

This Sunday at Fast and Testimony meeting, one of our investigators bore his testimony! I was talking with him about what a testimony was and he replied that he didn't have one. Well, I then began to ask him questions about how he felt at this Church and about God. Then, he came to the conclusion that he DOES have a testimony! I joked around with him that he should go and share it with the ward. Well...he was like, only if you do first! I then looked and him and felt a bit sorry for the kid, because he did not realize which Sister Missionary he was dealing with! I love speaking in public! So then I immediately stood up and walked to the front. Hahahha. I think I might have had a smirk on my face as I walked back down to the bench. But he did it!! He was SO nervous but was able to share that although it is hard for him to pray sometimes, that as he has been praying he has been feeling the calm and peace that he needs. And, that as he attends this Church he feels something different. Taadaa!

We have been finding MORE spanish investigators. And I have been sacrificing the English language and only talking in Spanish with Sister Pena. President and other of my priesthood leaders have been hinting that I might be taking over a Spanish Ward with a companion that doesn't know any Spanish. Heh heh. :) So I'm kicking the Spanish learning into high gear!!

There have been lots of things that I have been learning about myself and the gospel and I cannot believe I only have THREE TRANSFERS LEFT! Ahhhhhhhhhh. I am beginning to have pesadillas (can't remember the English word) at night about civilian life. Lol. But I know that change is part of life and am trying to start accepting that now!!

Sister Bolliger - Lemoore Week 58: "Aloha"

What's up!?

I am feeling insanely lazy today when writing this email. I think it's because my groove has been all messed up since it's Tuesday! Oh those national holidays. :)

Well our Memorial Day was quite swell. We had a tri-zone activity in Visalia. So, missionaries from the Visalia, Hanford, and Porterville stakes were all there! We had trouble finding a ride, so in desperation, we received permission to call someone from my old stomping grounds of Visalia to see if they'd be able to take us. :) So.. at 7:00AM I texted the veritable King of Hanford..haha..and his lovely musically talented wife came and picked us up in their fabulous hybrid!! Amazing!! What a sacrifice on a holiday. But we appreciated it greatly as it allowed us to go booowwwllliinnnggggg!!!! The first game I wasn't quite up to my best...but then I dominated the second game. Poor other sister missionaries. :) I only got 152...but hey for not bowling for over 1.5 years, I was pretty pleased! It was so weird to see everyone in civilian clothes. But it was insanely comfortable. And I have a battle wound to remember the day by! A beautiful blister on my thumb. But so be it!! The Elders were crazy and a group of them decided not to play for the score, but to try and see who could throw the bowling ball the fastest. This began to involve them running from the back of the facility to get enough speed to throw the ball quickly. One elder got it to 26.47 miles per hour! Hahah. Amazing how they amuse themselves. :)

When we arrived to Lemoore, it was run run run!! We had a little latina gathering where we learned how to make tres leches cake. Deliciosa!!!! It was so amazing. A recent convert taught us and it was absolutely inspired. Haha. We ate some of the cake for breakfast. There are so many benefits to serving a mission. :)

This week was full of MORE MEETINGS. We had Zone Conference on Thursday and then the Trainer and Trainee Meeting on Friday. I am officially exahusted. Sister Pena and I hobble around like abuelitas these days. Haha. Usually we loosen up by the end of the day, but then it's time to sleep on our beds that are like rocks. ;) What a cycle!!

This week I conquered some personal goals I had and have learned the importance of communicating! I definitely just let everything all out this week and we had some quite precious companionship inventories...but things are way better! I decided that I could either pout and be frustrated and not have the Spirit, or actually communicate and resolve things that were on my mind! Gasp! What a concept. :) Could I be emotionally maturing? Amazing. Lol.

We have some amazing new prospects. We sat down with our Bishop and he went through the ward list and we identified SEVENTY-EIGHT part-member families! 78!!!!! Can you believe that? Don't worry. We have detailed plans to contact them and help those who are ready to learn about the gospel!!

We found more investigators this week, all of them coincidentally spanish-speaking. I am having to work on my Spanish as I have been asked whether or not I'd be comfortable taking over a FULL spanish ward with a comapanion who knows no spanish. Oh boy. More growing experiences in the future!

We started teaching an English class this week using a program called "Daily Dose" that the Church distributes. It's amazing! And totally unorthodox. You all stand in a circle by a poster and in the "huddle" there is ONLY spanish. It was amazing to see our lovely spanish-speakers so quickly progress and master some basic phrases!

Things are going great!

Hermana Bolliger