We're Short but Standing Tall - No Fear!

Monday, July 16, 2018

Burke & Fairfax, Virginia

Last week, we were walkin' and talkin', and we saw this old woman who was unloading groceries from her trunk. We traipsed on over to offer assistance, and she recognized us as the "Mormon people." After helping for a few minutes, she invited us inside to show us something, so we went inside and played with her dog (who has the most amount of energy I have ever seen bottled up inside one creature. Seriously. Just watching this dog exhausted me). We ended up sitting outside with this woman and looking through her family history with her. She has ancestors who were pioneers, and she has the patriarchal blessing given to her great grandmother by Hyrum Smith. She also loves Las Vegas, so this was a pretty cool woman! Anyway, I looked at the clock and realized we were late to FHE at Bishop's house and we had an investigator going, so we said "See ya!" And as soon as the door closed behind us, we booked it up the street. Man - it made me appreciate people who run for fun, and I realized that I need to do more cardio. We ran to our car (which was parked super duper far away), and we drove to FHE, and I was still very out of breath when we got there. 

Service!

We had a few lessons with A* this week (because he is STILL in Missouri), and during one of them, he was rifling through his suitcase and gave a little shriek of delight. Now, not being able to see his face or what he was making noise about, I figured he had seen a spider or something.  Alas, no. He had found his Book of Mormon! We have been sending him scriptures throughout the week because he had forgot it, but now that he has it, he reads a chapter everyday and then reads it again because he doesn't understand it. But, he's reading, and he says he enjoys it! Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Isn't technology great?! Teaching A* while he's in Missouri and we're in Virginia.

Yesterday, we went to a member's house, and when we walked inside, the kids pulled out a giant 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola for me, and it was all wrapped up like a birthday present.  They call it "Soda Sunday," and I've never liked any of the soda they have (all diet), so they got me a special one.  I love this ward. 

 

Cool drawing of the Washington, DC Temple.

 

Interviews with President Caplin was a lovely experience.  I was able to introduce myself and pretend to be normal, so hopefully that impression sticks for at least a little bit.  He did ask me what I would think if I stayed in Burke another transfer (I told him I think I could do it), so I guess we'll have to see what happens in a few weeks! 

Grandfather Willow

Last Monday, we got a call from the 2nd Counselor in the Fairfax bishopric, and he told us that the Elders before us had agreed to give talks in Sacrament Meeting the following week and asked if we would be opposed to giving talks "by proxy." Well, we needed the blessings, so we agreed. Then one of the YW in the ward asked if Sister Anderson would do a musical number with her that day, too. I just kept thinking to myself: "Dear Self, thank you for not being fabulously talented on the piano." They sat down and practiced for a few minutes and came up with a beautiful rendition of Come, Come Ye Saints and All Creatures of Our God and King (cello and piano). Look it up on Facebook! I'm sharing it today, so if you go stalk my profile, it should be there. Anyway, our talks were on sacrifice, and this last Friday, I was still thinking of ways I should present my talk or different things I could apply from my own life. We were fortunate enough to meet a less-active member from the Burke ward through a member in the Fairfax Ward and had set up a lunch with them on Friday so he could cook us Peruvian food! I was very excited. When we got there, the entire table was covered in seafood dishes. (Cue internal gasp of horror) As we were sitting there, munching down on our various crustaceans and scaled water animals, I kept a running mantra in my head of: "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." But don't worry! I survived. I decided to not use said experience in my talk. When Sunday came around, we were walking into church and bumped into the Nielsons. Unfortunately, they were extremely supportive and excited about us speaking, so they decided to stay an extra hour to go to the Fairfax Ward Sacrament Meeting. And then we found out that the Caplins were going to be speaking with us. My heart was palpitating to extreme levels. But, I got up there and didn't pass out, throw up, or explode. No fear! President Huntsman, before he left, said that you only think something is a sacrifice because you haven't seen the promised blessings yet. Too true. 

 

Seafood lunch with our new friends.

 

Well, love you all! 

Sister Kleven

PS: Here's a new way to send messages for those of you who may want to write on a chalkboard at church and then email a pic. It totally works. I love this girl - she makes me laugh! 

 

 

July 10 - 16, 2018

Monday, July 16, 2018

Cockburn, Western Australia

This week was all go.

We had exchanges with the Narrogin Elders; I was with Elder Mejia -- it was fun having them over.  We went to do service for an older lady with autism, and we had to edge her lawn with a pair of scissors.  I think I did a pretty fabulous job at that.  It took ages, though. 

Cutting the grass!

Then on Friday, we had exchanges with the Kelmscott elders; I was with Elder Boaza -- it was fun.  We joined them on Friday night at their ward's Elders Quorum activity, and none of the Elders quorum showed up, so the EQP rebuked the rest of the quorum on Sunday; apparently, it was really dramatic.  

Then on Saturday, we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders; I was with Elder Mafi, who was also trained by Elder Codina. It was a really good exchange.  Sad to say, I didn't take any pictures of the exchanges --  my camera died, and I couldn't be bothered to charge it in time... I know I'm sad...  

But, I did grab a picture of me cutting Elder Brown's hair today before we came to email.

We can't believe someone else is trusting this boy to cut their hair.  Impressive!

 
Elder Kleven

There's No Blue Monday in Your Sunday Clothes

Monday, June 9, 2018

Burke & Fairfax, Virginia

This subject line is funny because I'm always in my Sunday clothes.  I'm hilarious.

 

Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt

 

Happy 1 year mark to me! We went to do service that morning for a lady who was referred to us over Facebook. She was nice, but her yard was very run over with weeds and leaves. And underneath those weeds and leaves were massive amounts of creepy crawlies. It was like I was Simba from The Lion King when Timon and Pumbaa are like, "This looks like a good spot to wrestle up some grub." And Simba's all like "Ew. What's that?" And they're like, "A grub. What's it look like?" And then they eat it and Simba's all grossed out and then he eats it and it tastes like chicken. Now, I am here to tell you that I did not actually eat the grub (because I'm fairly certain that it does NOT taste like chicken and that Simba is mistaken), but that I wrestled with the grub. Quick literally. Anyway, we were able to weed her front yard and rake it and I tangled up her hose beyond repair and then we left to get Cafe Rio and to celebrate. Then that night, we came home and I blew out a candle that we stuck in my ice cream. It was thrilling. 

 

Happy Birthday to me!

Today, we went to Chick-Fil-A (because why not?), and the lady who took our order looked at my name tag for the name on the order.  I didn't realize it until I was sitting there, talking with a member we ran into, and heard someone yelling "Jesus! Order for Jesus!"  Hm.  I assumed it was us.  I thought it was hilarious and it was probably the best thing that I have ever heard.  I'm not even mad!

 

It's delicious!

 

On the 4th, we visited with this really old couple that couldn't hear anything and were from England so they weren't celebrating anyway.  Every time the fireworks would make a really loud BOOM (they could hear that, I guess), they would shout "That's just a huge waste of money!  Americans need to budget better!"  It was hilarious. And then they were talking about how fit the old woman was (she's in her 80's) and she asked if I wanted to race with her.  I know she was joking but for a second I was pretty scared that I was going to lose to an 80-year-old.  Because I probably would have. 

 

Lehi's Dream

 

We're sitting in the library, and the lights keep flickering (like in one of those sketchy horror movies with the one rickety chair and flashing lights. Or like in Home Alone when Kevin is scared of his basement. Either way, the only reason I feel safe is because I'm a missionary and if I die now in some horrible accident, I'm going to heaven). Anyway, I'm either going to have a seizure or curl up under this desk and close my eyes.  I have yet to decide which.

 

Virginia mushrooms

 

We went to visit someone that was just kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing, and we were able to talk to him while we sat on his front porch (getting many a bug bite in the process).  Before we left, I felt like we should share a scripture with him, so I pulled out Mosiah 3:4 for him (my all time favorite).  It says:  "For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy."  He said that the scripture was exactly what he needed to hear right then and that he has had a few deaths in the family recently.  He said he wanted to feel that joy.  I don't know if that scripture will make him come to church, but I do know that the spirit was present and that we were there to help him - even if it was just by sharing a little scripture about joy with him.  It was a good day. 

Love,

Me

July 6 - 9, 2018

Monday, July 9, 2018

Cockburn, Western Australia

This was a good week, or half of a week.

Kleven, Hampel, and a former APM missionary

We had interviews with President Bennallack on Friday.  It was good to talk with him and Sister Bennallack and get to know them.  They are pretty cool.  It'll be good getting to know them better.

This week we invited a couple of drunk guys playing in shopping carts to be baptised... just for fun.  They said no, but we gave them our number, and they started texting us and trying to get us to drink with them... Those guys are a crack up.

Today we have to meet with a couple of Tongan guys we ran into.  We gave them a Book of Mormon, and they said to come back on Monday at 2, right in the middle of P-day... The sacrifice will bring blessings.

Elder Kleven

June 25 - July 5, 2018

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Cockburn, Western Australia

I have a new mission president.  President Bennallack is here, and it's so much harder to type his name than the Fifes'.

President & Sister Bennallack

Last Thursday we had follow-up training, and we got to see President Fife's last training he would give... so sad.  

Anyway, we officially got to meet President Bennallack on the 4th of July, and he gave the Americans a shout out.. Yeah!  Speaking of which, shout out to Rocky and Tally 22nd!

This morning we got to go to the temple.

This week we've been doing heaps of finding and meeting with heaps of members and such...  Yeah, we've been trying to meet with an investigator, B*, but he's cancelled on us for the last three times we've tried to meet him.  What a sad guy.  Hopefully he won't cancel this Friday; if he does, we'll probably just head over anyway.

Fourth of July Pics with the Kelmscott elders and us:

Love, 

Elder Kleven

PS:  Also, this is what happened when I was brushing me teeth the other night:

Dancing Around on My Loud, Squeaky Carpet; Spending My Money at the Supermarket; Hot, Muggy Summers; Mosquito Biting - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Monday, July 2, 2018

Burke & Fairfax, Virginia

I spent about 20 minutes writing that subject line, so hopefully someone actually appreciates it.  (It's better if you sing it.  Preferably to the tune of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. Thank you.)

There has been an official switcheroo in authority in this mission. President and Sister Huntsman are home and President and Sister Caplin are now calling northern Virginia home. Isn't that exciting?

 

President & Sister Caplin

Alrighty! To conclude the Tale of The Cranky Downstairs Neighbor, I would like to tell you all that we annoyed our little buddy downstairs so much that he moved out on Friday! It's been absolutely wondrous to be able to walk freely. To run! Skip! Dance! Exercise! Just kidding. I can't dance. But it's nice to know that I have the option if I so desire to. 

Sister Anderson and I spent 20 minutes today sitting on opposite sides of the room while I threw popcorn at her and she tried to catch it in her mouth. Now, popcorn is very light and and has many ridges, so the aerodynamics were not in my favor. But she managed to catch a few thanks to my and natural popcorn throwing abilities. 

Yesterday was our first day in the Fairfax Ward and I'm so excited to get to know every one better! It was Fast and Testimony meeting, so I got up to bear my testimony to help the ward get to know us faster. You're welcome, Fairfax Ward. It's been an adventure trying to figure out all the schedules and the two different areas, but we've only gotten lost once or twice and we have yet to get fired or make anyone cry. I call that a success! 

The Rolling Valley elders were pulled out of their area and replaced with sisters. They were having a missionary activity this last Wednesday for all the youth in their ward, and the day before, we were told that the activity was now ours and that we were in charge. My head kind of exploded a little bit, but everything seemed to turn out okay. We made the other missionaries help us out. At the end of the night, no one threw tomatoes at us or lit us on fire, and we didn't make anyone cry then, too! Another successful adventure! 

A little boy tripped on the leg of my chair a few minutes ago while he was running around.  He was running and then- BOOM.  Hit the ground.  I didn't even laugh. 

Virginia is trying to run us out of town, apparently. It's very hot and humid, and the mosquitoes are everywhere. I'm three mosquito bites away from beating the mission record of mosquito bites on one person. I will amount to something yet, family. Just you wait. 

A member ordered us some food for dinner, and we went to pick it up a few nights ago. We went inside and asked if they had our order ready. The look of panic on this poor lady's face was almost comical as she told us they had lost our order. I felt bad for her, so I told her not to worry about it, and they whipped up our meal right away. After leaving, we got a call from our member asking if we got the food and we told him that we had picked it up but that they had somehow lost his order. We eventually realized that I had taken us to the wrong place, freaked this nice lady out behind the counter, and stolen their food. We went back and paid for it and then went to pick up the food that had actually been ordered by the member. Now we have lots of Chinese food sitting in our refrigerator, and every time I look at it, I start to laugh. I think I'm hilarious. 

There were other things that happened this week that made me really turn to the scriptures. Normally, The Book of Mormon is the one that brings me a lot of comfort, but this week, I read a lot from Doctrine & Covenants. In section 122, verses 7 - 9, when Joseph Smith is praying in Liberty Jail and Heavenly Father answers his prayer, it says: ....if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? ....Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

Love, 
Sister Kleven

PS:  Pics from Transfer Day

PPS:  Pics of Zone Kick-Off