Sisters, Sisters, There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters!

Monday, November 26, 2018

Oakton, Virginia

Splendid week. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with the Bishop's family with a few other stragglers.  The food was delicious (lots of dishes featuring various cheeses), and the company was delightful.  Differing topics for dinner conversation consisted of the annoying last drop always left at the bottom of a can of soda, what restaurant we think matches our personality, and how crossing your eyes is bad for your health (which then resulted in everyone crossing their eyes).  It was thrilling.  We shared a message about the season and about thanking God everyday for the things that we have been blessed with. 

Thanksgiving with the Bishop & his family

Thanksgiving Dinner #1

We had another Thanksgiving dinner last night with the H* family (in the Oakton stake - their kids are in the YSA ward here), and it was so much fun.  It was nice to be in a family ward type of environment again.  I missed it a little bit.

Thanksgiving Dinner #2

We went on exchanges,  and I was able to be companions with Sister Mazaffari for the day! She is the happiest person ever. 

Exchanges with Sister Mazaffari

A fun activity with Sister Mzaffari and a ward member

S'cute!

I talked with an angel this week.  We were walking down the street, and we saw a man, so I said, "Hello, sir!" and he immediately said, "I hate you. You're a missionary.  I hate the missionaries."  Hm.  He was not the angel.  After being rejected by this man, we walked away, and the first person we saw after that was the angel.  He said that people may reject us and people may be rude and spit on us, but we are doing incredible work.  He said that we have the Spirit of the Lord with us and that Heavenly Father is going to shower blessings upon us.  He just had such a bright light around him.  He wasn't interested in hearing more about the Book of Mormon, but he sure made us feel better! 

Also, we were driving down the street, and it was pouring rain, and everyone was driving 15 MPH under the speed limit. We were driving on a winding country road, and we saw some cones that were tipped over on the side of the road.  We just thought it was construction, but they were actually supposed to be blocking the road - somebody had moved them.  We found out why the road was blocked: There were two HUGE streams that were coming off the mountain and had pushed cars over and into trees and were carrying branches of death.  We turned the corner and immediately found ourselves in one.  It was kinda scary. Adrenaline rush!  We ended up making it through and thought it was the end before driving along and finding the next one.  We had a decision to make.  We could either turn back and try getting back through that scary river or try the one in front of us. We pushed forward!  And we made it, too. When we left the area we weren't supposed to be in, a cop was on the outside of the area on the other side and asked what we were doing in there. When we told him, he left to go fix the cones. Ladies and gentlemen, there are so many parallels for our lives! There are things in our life that have cones around it (maybe the commandments are the cones) to keep us safe and away from danger.  Do not move the cones! Because if you do, people after you might not see the cones or think it's okay to disregard the cones because they aren't exactly where they should be.  Always heed the cones. There is danger behind them! Let this message sink in.  

Lesson with J*

I've been studying a lot about hope recently (as that is something that Elder Bennett talked a lot about),and in Preach My Gospel, it says that, "[Hope] is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance." We need to have all of those attributes to truly have and exemplify hope in our loves. When I think about having all of those things at the same time, it exhausts me! But hope is energizing. And hope is light. And hope brings wonderful blessings. And I am so grateful that we get to have hope in this life.

Well, I gotta go. We have a lesson in a few minutes (yes, we scheduled a lesson for our P-day. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven) with a nice kid.  

Love you all!
Me

Here Comes Suzy Snowflake

Monday, November 19, 2018

Oakton, Virginia

First off, it snowed. A lot. And I loved it!! We had to be at a meeting all day that day, so I wasn't able to fully enjoy the precious flakes falling from the sky, but I did get to sit by a window in our meeting, so that was pleasant. There is no snow left (though it's cold enough to snow in my opinion), so I'm eagerly awaiting the next snow fall. Pray for that. 

Second, Elder Bennett came to tour the mission! It was amazing, and he is amazing, and snow is amazing, and being a missionary is amazing. We had a leadership meeting at 7:30am twice this week, and at both of those meetings, I was elected to write on the whiteboard for them, so I didn't get to take as many notes as I would have liked. But that's okay - sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, eh? On Wednesday, we had a half-mission conference, and it lasted all day long. It was full of spiritual goodness! We talked a lot about how to effectively teach people and the best ways to help them keep their commitments. If only I had known these things before, I would have been an exceptional missionary. Elder Bennett asked to have a private meeting with each of the STL's, so I got to spend 5 whole minutes talking with him. It was thrilling. We talked about our mutual love for Christmas, and he said he keeps his Christmas tree up for 6 months out of the year. Why are we not all doing this?

Interviews with the Caplins

Third, I lost my tablet for a good chunk of the week. Turns out, it was just under the couch. 

Fourth, we celebrated the 1st birthday of the Wolf Trap Ward yesterday! They took a picture, and I am officially documented as a member of the ward now. It's going in the history books. Plus, we had pizza. 

Happy First Birthday, Wolf Trap Ward!

Fifth, J* (our friend who is supposed to be getting baptized in December) brought two of his friends to church yesterday! One of them said that he wants to start coming to church every week and then made us take a picture with him to post on Facebook because it was the first time he has been to church in 2018. That deserves to go on Facebook, friend. We also had someone that the missionaries in Louisiana are teaching come with her mom! It was... amazing. Sister Bagley and I asked if we could teach Gospel Principles, and we taught the Restoration. There were probably 30 people in class, and it was one of the most powerful lessons I've ever taught on my mission. The First Vision, no fail, always brings the Spirit. It's my favorite thing. 

The picture with J* & Bagley from Facebook

Sixth, we had a lesson with J* last night, and he is so prepared to be baptized, and he loves to learn. Since he's from Sierra Leone, we get to find creative ways to teach him new principles. We taught him tithing, and we were able to use some exciting resources that I have used to teach kids in the past and it worked! Also, it was fun. 

Seventh, I'm far too excited for Christmas. 

Delicious Cafe Rio.  Thank You, Ward Member!

Eighth, I was on a split with a member in the ward, and we went to check on someone labeled a "Do Not Contact." As we pulled up, we said a prayer to make sure that this is where the Lord wanted us to be.  We both got a confirmation, so we went to the door.  They were a "Do Not Contact" for a reason.  After being rejected, we traipsed back to our car and saw the reason that we needed to be at that address.  There was a woman walking down the street with her two children, so we went to talk with them.  After we introduced ourselves and told her we were from the local church, the first thing she said was "That's wonderful!  I've been looking for a church over the last few weeks because I want to get baptized."  Um.  We can help you with that.  She told us some things that fit perfectly with the Plan of Salvation.  I reached into my bag and pulled out the last pamphlet I had.  And guess what it was?  The Plan of Salvation.  The Lord works in mysterious ways.  Anyway, we had to pass her and her family to other missionaries who are going over tonight for a lesson.  Hopefully, it all works out!  

My emails are not normally this long.

Love you all!

Sister Kleven 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Monday, November 12, 2018

Oakton, Virginia

I only have 6 more P-days until Christmas. I figure I should probably start with the holiday-themed subject lines soon to bring tidings of joy and happiness into the lives of those who read these emails. You're welcome.

I went through and friended all the people in the Wolf Trap Ward on Facebook. Very few people have accepted my friend request yet. I'm sad. 

A sandwich the size of my head.

This week was crazy! We went on two exchanges with some sisters in the zone, and they were great! I was asked a bunch of questions because I'm in a position of authority, apparently, and every time they would ask, I would just think "....I should probably know the answer to this question." Everything has been sorted out. But, it's super fun to see the different styles of teaching and seeing the light of Christ in so many different people in different areas in the mission. I think I'm gonna like it here. Thank you, Annie, for the inspirational words. 

Exchange 1

Exchange 2

I had to speak in church yesterday. Again. And as I was sitting on the stand, I looked out at the congregation and realized just how few people were there. This ward is small enough to be a branch. But the members that do come are fabulous! I was expecting people to introduce themselves to me after Sacrament Meeting, but everyone just came up and said "YOU'RE the one who sent me a friend request!" Yes, that was, in fact, me. 

We visited Downtown Herndon, and it was a lot less thrilling than I had originally thought it to be. You see, everything is apparently closed on Monday.  Don't they know that this is the only time that missionaries can be a tourist?  *sigh* Life is hard.  Sister Bagley got a flamingo sweater.  I'm happy for her.  It was nice to just be able to walk around and look at murals and be Anne of Green Gables for a second (pictures below).  

Herndon Murals

The Original AOGG

Me as Anne

The Best AOGG

"Serving Northern Virginia"

As we were walking upstairs to our apartment, I was carrying a few bags of groceries, and one of them had a jar of salsa in it. We live on the third floor of our building, and as soon as I stepped on the landing to the third floor, the plastic grocery bag ripped and our salsa went crashing to the floor. And then smashed into little pieces.  And then dripped down all of the steps.  I spent a good portion of this morning cleaning up broken glass and salsa from the stairs in our apartment. It was thrilling.  I was sad.  

We met a super nice guy who we've been trying to have a lesson with over the last two weeks. Yesterday, we were finally able to have one before church, and it was the best lesson I've had in a long time. He said that he had a desire to grow closer to Heavenly Father and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. We taught him the Restoration on his doorstep and the Spirit simply flowed through us. He said a prayer with us, and it was beautiful. I realized (again) just how simple and sweet a prayer is when it's offered with a sincere heart. I also realized that we are in the frigid North and that we must be in the depths of winter because I'm pretty sure that I almost lost my pinky toes to frost bite. Not to worry. They were saved. I just love being a missionary, frozen toes and all! 

TTFN!

Love, 

Me

Nov 20 - 26, 2018

Monday, November 26, 2018

Merriwa, Western Australia

This was a good week. 

We had Thanksgiving. It was good... Jokes! It was actually kind of sad. We didn't have any good meals for it. We tried to make something ourselves with a turkey leg we found at the shops. Do you know the scene from Christmas Vacation when they cut into the perfect-looking turkey and it turns out to be dead and gross and dry inside?  That is exactly what happened with this dinner.  It was sad as... BUT at least we had some good ice cream afterwards...

This week, we also played a game of foosball and I lost, so I had to wax my legs... again... Now, I don't have pictures, because my phone is getting fixed at the moment. I didn't drop it, it had some other maintenance issues that needed to be addressed, so we had to go fix it... Hopefully, I'll have it back next week.  BUT, my legs do feel quite smooth right now... so that's a plus.

OH! News for Christmas! We will be Skyping on our phones at the chapel, probably on Christmas morning here, which would be Christmas Eve for yous... so, that's coming up. 

Probably the most important promise from the Book of Mormon is that as we follow the commandments of the Lord we will prosper. I was reading Alma 36 and found that Alma starts the chapter by telling Helaman this and ending with this same promise as well.  Not only that, but it's the first thing he says to his other son Shiblon, and it's the most important thing that Lehi thought to tell his family before he died. Just a cool thought while I was studying.

Elder Kleven

Nov 13 - 19, 2018

Monday, November 19, 2018

Merriwa, Western Australia

This was a pretty good week.

Nothing really exciting or new to report, I'm staying here with Elder Mortenson for another transfer...

This week, while tracting, we saw this dog fighting a flock of magpies. It was AWESOME! There were about 7 magpies, and they were all swooping this dog, but the dog was having the time of his life and was snapping them out of the air. He actually got one or two of them... then the owner came and took the dog away. It was cool to watch.

This week, we also got sprayed by some lady with a hose, and this one guy tried to rebuke us for not picking up some rubbish from off the road... but we didn't even see the rubbish, so that was fun. 

Otherwise, it was just another ordinary week.

No new pics, just a pile of rubbish on someones verge...

Elder Kleven

Nov 6 - 12, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018

Merriwa, Western Australia

Incredible sunset off the coast of Western Australia

This week was really good! It went by fast AS! 

We had two exchanges this week. We were with the Balcotta Elders and the Joondalup Elders (I didn't get pics), and we had a good time. I went down to the Balcotta area with Elder Tebwarra (from Kiribati), and I was with Elder Boaza, again, here in Merriwa. Turns out that Boaza has some family here, so we went to see them, and they had a good time catching up.  Then on Sunday night, we went back to share some of the missionary lessons with them.  They are breeding American Staffies (pit bulls), and they have some puppies there. 

In other news, we have been visiting heaps of members still. We met with the C* family; they are AWESOME! They are crack up!  Looking forward to meeting with them again. 

This Saturday, the sisters in our ward also had a baptism. It was good to be there and feel the Spirit. The Spirit is always strong at a baptism; it just reaffirms to me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed true and that as we are baptized and make these promises with our Father in Heaven, that He is very proud of us and is eager for us to continue on our journey. The Lord really does want to bless us with His Spirit so that we can not only be guided through this life, but more importantly (I think), so that we can better feel His Love.  

Elder Kleven

Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2018

Monday, November 5, 2018

Merriwa, Western Australia

For P-day, we went to Lancelin, about an hour or so north of us, and we went sand boarding. I didn't take any pics but others did, so I'll have to see if they can get the pics to me.  

Australia, Perth Temple at night

 

Then, on Wednesday, we had a Trunk-or-Treat. It was AWESOME! There were so many people there, a good 1000 people (give  or take), and most of them weren't members.  We didn't get any return appointments, but it was good to mingle...  

Then, on Saturday, we had exchanges. I went to Perth City, and I was with Elder Hansen from the MTC. It was good to go on exchanges.  It was fun.

Exchanges in Perth City with Elder Hansen (MTC companion)

Otherwise, nothing else really happened. We've just been going around and visiting all the members in our ward; it's been good as we've been teaching them the missionary lessons. 

That's about it.

Elder Kleven

Leader of the Pack

 Monday, November 5, 2018

Oakton, Virginia

Since I am in Wolf Trap YSA (Young Single Adult Ward), all the missionaries who serve here are part of the "Wolf Pack." It's weird. When I first learned that, my mind immediately went to "Leader of the Pack" and I have been singing it for a week. Is my companion getting tired of it? Probably. Am I getting tired of it? No. Am I going to stop anytime soon? No. You're welcome, world. 

Sister Young and me - One last picture in our empty apartment

Our downstairs neighbor texts us an inspirational quote every morning at 6:30 to help us have a good day. Thank you, neighbor. 

I love my new area, and I love my new companion! Her name is Sister Bagley, and she is from Arizona. We laugh a lot together, and I'm super grateful that we get to be companions! She's going home in December, so this is her last transfer *sheds a tear*. 

Sister Bagley & Sister Kleven

Leaving Burke was probably the saddest thing I've ever had to do. I'm not even being dramatic. Okay, so that might not be true as I'm very often dramatic. But I'm learning this area and I'm getting to know so many amazing people. Also, Chick-Fil-A is right across the street. Blessings. 

We have been teaching our friend, Jim. He's from Sierra Leone, so I finally have someone to sing "Happy New Year! Me no die-o! Tell God 'Thank You' for me life!" with. Since our area is so big, we aren't able to see him in person as often as we would like to, but we can have lessons over Facetime. We just went over the Plan of Salvation again and put him on date for baptism on December 8th. We're excited!  

Christmas has come to Wal-Mart!

I forgot it was Daylight Savings, so we woke up on Sunday, and it was brighter than usual. Didn't really think anything of it until we were getting ready and I looked at the clock on the microwave and thought we were going to be late for an appointment. I'm slightly bummed because I wasn't able to get myself mentally and physically prepared for the extra hour of sleep I got. Dang it. 

I have to give a talk in church next week.  And I had to give a talk last week in church.  I guess everyone wants to hear my testimony.  

Sister Bagley and I dressed up as Arthur and DW for Halloween.  It was adorable. 

DW & Arthur - Sister Missionary Style!

Love you all! 

Me 

PS: Here are pictures of Sister Young and me saying goodbye to families we love:

I'll Never Lose Touch with You

Monday, October 29, 2018

Burke & Fairfax, Virginia

Most important news: I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!  President Caplin called me on Tuesday and told me that I was going to the Wolf Trap YSA (young single adult) ward in the Oakton Stake.  My new companion is Sister Bagley, and she goes home in December.  We're going to be Sister Training Leaders together. That means we get to present some trainings at conferences and we will be going on a bunch of exchanges!  It will be fun!  

 

Last District Meeting

I think I cried 3 gallons of water yesterday when I had to say goodbye to people at church. (And the woman teaching Relief Society asked me to bear my testimony during her lesson - so that was horrible!) It was so, so sad to be leaving these people.  But about five different families said that I could come live in their basement when I get off my mission and that they would visit me in my new area.  After saying goodbye to a bunch of people yesterday, we went to NARMF (new & returning member fireside), and it was delightful, as always.  Sister G* took us, and she thought it was the best thing since sliced bread (and she wasn't wrong).  Actually, sliced bread isn't all that great.  Anyway, we were able to see lots of people and feel the spirit and listen to the speakers bear their testimonies.  After the meeting was over, President Caplin came up to me and asked me if I was really okay with leaving Burke and that if I wasn't, he would make some last minute changes if he needed to.  That was nice to hear.  Nice guy.  

 

At NARMF with Sister G & Sister Johns (MTC companion).

 

 In other news, we heard last week that Sister Young was going to be moved to the Spanish program!!  She and President Caplin spent a lot of time talking about it last week which resulted in not a lot of emailing time, but it was something that she needed.  I would have needed time to talk about it, too.  I can't imagine what it would be like to change languages in the middle of your mission.  She will be a cute little Hermana, though. And guess what?  She's coming to the same zone that I am in, so I will be her STL and we will get to go on exchanges together.  And she thought she could get rid of me...

 

Oh! G* came to church yesterday! She was also privy to all my tears.  We're going over tomorrow to actually say bye to her, so that will be sad and nice and horrible.  She said she really liked it.  

 

At church with G.

 

This library is interesting. There are quite a few homeless people who frequent the restrooms here, so it's always an adventure to go in there. Today, I was privy to the sight on a woman washing her unmentionables in the sink and drying them with the hand dryers. That was fun. 

Last Saturday, we were checking on a less-active member (one of my buds), and he was doing a lot of yard work. Well, you would think that I might be more aware of my surroundings and notice the giant tree branch sticking straight out. You would think. I left that encounter with a bleeding face marred by a sizeable bruise. 

 

You can kind of see the bruise on my cheek.

The other day, I was distracted when I was getting in the car to leave our apartment building, and I saw our car, so I went to get in the driver's seat.  After opening the car, getting in, buckling myself in, I realized that the car wasn't turning on and that something must be wrong with the keys.  I looked down at the console and thought that someone had broken into Babe (our car) and stolen everything!  I then heard Sister Young yell from outside and my mind finally took in my surroundings, and I realized that I was, indeed, in the wrong car.  I never moved so fast in my life.  Now my fingerprints are all over that car, and if the cops were trying to take me in, they would have all the evidence they needed.  It was actually really funny.  We're okay now. 

 

Exchanges with the STLs.

The best part of the week was when Brother Le was baptized. He is the cutest man in the world.  We gave him the jumpsuit that he was supposed to wear, but I guess we gave him the wrong size because when he came out of the bathroom, it was very small and went pretty high up past his ankles.  But he didn't care.  Henry baptized him and it was the best feeling ever.  Le got up to bear his testimony afterwards, and he started to cry and said that he would go whenever and wherever the church wanted him to go.  I am so, so happy that I was able to help Le make such a wonderful step of baptism.

 

With Le & Henry at Le's baptism.

Oh, happy day!

 

Well, gotta go save the world! 

Love, 

Me

 

PS, Here are a few pics of me with families in Burke that I love and will miss terribly: