9/29/14 - Hamilton the Kangaroo

Hi Family!

It's been another great week. I can't believe it's almost October though. So crazy. Happy birthday to Lexi this week!

This week was full of a lot of new experiences. Here goes the list again:

Monday: Nothing too exciting except teaching a lesson in a house that was full of guys and kind of scary. Just a bad feeling in there. Pretty sure they were all doing drugs in the back. Luckily we had 2 members with us so it wasn't quite as scary. We won't be going back to that house.

Tuesday: Taught the Shauster family. I love them!! When we started to teach the Plan of Salvation Joie's mom and dad came in. They are non members, but the dad has started reading the Book of Mormon. Hooray!

Wednesday: We saw Tina the llama and then started quoting Napoleon Dynamite. We also had exchanges. I was with Sister Rodriguez. We taught Janet's little boy the Plan of Salvation. That was fun. I love teaching kids. We also had a miracle. Sister Willes and Beteta were able to set another baptismal date. Yay!

Thursday: We had an awesome lesson with Paulino about the Holy Ghost and how we can understand the promptings we receive. He understands so much more and I think it really helped him.

Friday: This day was really interesting. We raked a whole bunch of leaves. Then, we were supposed to have another lesson with the Shauster's, but they told us to come to Broulims (the grocery store). We went and ended up holding a kangaroo. A kangaroo in Driggs, Idaho...what? We then went to help the Elders bail hay. Holy cow it was hard! Later that night, we toured the place where they clean all the sewage. I wanted to puke. Fun day.

Saturday: Had an FHE with the Shauster's. That was so much fun! We also taught Paulino again and taught the Word of Wisdom. It was rough but I am hoping he takes on our challenge to help him. It was also Womens Conference! I loved it! It was all focused on the temple and how we need to prepare for it. So many good things were shared. I really loved how President Utchdorf emphasized that we have Heavenly Parents not just a Heavenly Father.

Sunday: Taught Young Womens. We based our lesson off of Womens Conference. I thought it went well and it was fun being with the Young Women. We taught some lessons and I got dog slobber all over my skirt.

That's it for this week! I am looking forward to this week, especially General Conference! Everybody better watch it! Remember the promise that if we take a question to conference it will be answered.

Love you all lots!

Hermana Clay

9/22/14 - Holy Cows

Hi family,

This week has been an interesting one.

On Monday, we hiked the wind caves. I about died. But it was super cool and pretty. We probably won't be getting very many hikes in since it's starting to get cold. We also had a really good lesson with Paulino outside. We were able to use the Book of Mormon to answer some of his concerns. Basically, it's the best book ever. He's struggling coming to church though. Why is it always church that holds people back? Hopefully we can help resolve his concern again. 

Last week we ran out of gas and this week we got a flat tire. Goodness gracious. Luckily our WML helped us out again and we were able to fix it the next day. 

We are teaching a woman out in Tetonia because she doesn't like Elders (or because Sisters are the best). She used to be anti-Mormon. Little bit by little bit she has opened her mind and heart. We had a great lesson with her about the Restoration and how God loves each of us. We asked her if she would be baptized if she were to know that these things were true. She told us that she would live everything that "the book" taught, but she wouldn't be baptized because her family would freak (they're all anti-Mormons). Dang it. But she's a pretty cool lady and it has been neat to see her change.

We saw the Shausters a few times this week. They are my favorite! They are so excited about the gospel and are just awesome people. We helped paint their house this week and we're going to help them finish it up this week. Mac said in his prayer, "Please help us to get along even though it will be really hard because of Boo." 

Sister Willes and I live on a farm. This week, they separated the cows from the calves. Oh my word. They are SO loud!! It was pretty funny though. I wish I could send you the video I took. They would not shut up for like 3 days straight. Oh yeah, and we have 11 new baby pigs. It's fun living on a farm. I think we're going to go help milk the cows one of these days.

Hope you all are doing well! Miss and love you lots!

Hermana Clay

Picture 1: Just a horse foot that dogs had been chewing on. That's a normal thing.

Picture 2: Kind of a nasty picture, but these are some of our new pigs!

9/15/14 - All out of gas

Hi Family,

Sorry for the blank email. I accidentally hit send.

This week has been great! Lots of changes, but they've been good. I am actually serving in Victor, not Driggs. It's really close though. It is SO beautiful here. Just chilly. All you see is cows, mountains, and fields. Everything is very spread out so we drive a ton. And everyone wears cowboy boots. We cover Spanish and English work.

Monday: We had a sisters party at the Lusk's. It was a lot of fun! I love all those sisters and the Lusk's. Some of my favorite people!

Tuesday: Just lots of goodbyes. I was able to serve my last night in the VC, which I was really happy about. Sister Gee and I performed for the youth groups that came in. So much fun! I definitely miss that place!

Wednesday: Transfers! Sister Willes is my new companion. She's from California and has been out a couple months longer than me. We get a long great and have a lot of fun together. We spent all day in Rexburg. We got to do a session at the Rexburg temple and then go back and help our branch with baptisms. That temple is beautiful! I think I still might love the Idaho Falls temple more though.

Thursday through Saturday are a blur. We taught the Shausters, who just got baptized last week. They are so cool! Boo (her real name is Mary Rose) is hilarious. She's 8 and is probably going to be my favorite person ever. She is in 2nd grade so I told her that I wanted to be a 2nd grade teacher. She then quickly responded, "Why?! Then you have more problems!" She also was eating her chapstick. She's the best.

We were able to teach Paulino twice and set a baptismal date with him! We teach him English and then go into Spanish to teach the lessons. He's a really cool guy and it's fun teaching English.

Sunday: We went to our English ward for sacrament. It was the Primary Program and was the cutest thing in the world. Then we drove to our Spanish branch. Only 4 people were there. It was a lot different from Idaho Falls. I thought our branch was small there, but it turns out it's like the biggest in the mission. Those 4 people were super awesome though. Later that night, we were leaving the English class to go back to Victor and when I put the car in drive it started going backwards instead of forwards. Yeah, we ran out of gas. Embarrassing. Luckily, our ward mission leader came to help us.

That's it! It's been fun getting to know a new area and people. Love you all! Thank you for all your prayers!

Hermana Clay

Picture 2: The view from our window every morning. 

9/8/14 - A donde me mandes iré

Hi Family,

What a week. Here's a recap:

We finally set a baptismal date!! And guess who it was with? Rocio. Absolutely crazy. She texted us apologizing for the way she treated us and wanted us to come back. So we did and set a date with her. We have been working so hard these past 6 weeks to pick our area up. It definitely was a trail of our faith, but I'm glad that we didn't give up!

We taught a new investigator named Angelica. We took Hna. Sombrano with us. Holy cow. She pretty much told Angelica everything there is to know about this church. It was an interesting experience. But, she committed her to come to church (sadly, she didn't come).

We went to the temple this week and it was the greatest.

We ran into a less active who we didn't know existed, but had to leave because we were assigned to serve at the VC. Later that night, he showed up unexpectedly. That was awesome.

Yesterday, we were able to teach 3 lessons when we had hardly any time. Hooray! We saw my favorite De La Riva kids and taught the Word of Wisdom. We played "Don't Eat Pete" but replaced Pete for things like drugs, alcohol, etc. They loved it. And I love them.

We also had transfer calls this week. I knew forsure that I was going to stay and finish the training for Sister Pulido. Well, I was wrong. This Wednesday, I will leave Idaho Falls and go to Driggs. Which means I am leaving the VC and going into full proselyting. This makes me a little sad to leave the VC, but I am excited for the adventures ahead. I just hope I come back to the VC. I have heard that Driggs is an awesome area, just freezing cold. Hopefully I survive!

I didn't realize how much I had grown to love these people here until I had to say goodbye. The members in our branch are amazing. I have been so blessed to have started my mission and been here for almost 6 months.

Hope you all are doing well! I love you so much and am grateful for all that you do for me! Don't sent anything to Lomax St. anymore! Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Clay

Picture 1: My favorites.

Picture 2: Sister McLaughlin. She is amazing! She is always willing to come with us and has taken such good care of us. I'll definitely miss her! 

Zone Conference September 1, 2014

Hi Family,

I can't believe that's it's already Monday again. Time is going so fast.

This week was great, minus being sick. We were able to find some new people and finally get a few member present lessons. Hallelujah.

Monday: Nada.

Tuesday: Saw Miriam. She is experiencing many trials. She still keeps a positive attitude and knows that Heavenly Father will help her out. She received a calling on Sunday and said it was an answer to her prayers. She said, "All I want to do is serve my Heavenly Father." She is the best.

Wednesday: Exchanges with Hna. Beteta. Love her. We were able to find some new people. She had served in our area before so we went to visit a lot of her former investigators. We also met probably THE cutest/biggest black kid named Kye Kye. I made us turn around and take a picture with him. He was stubborn and wouldn't cooperate, but I'll attach the picture we did get of him.

Thursday: Zone Conference. It was really great. I love President and Sister Brinkerhoff. These next 2 transfers we will be focusing on D&C 11:20-21. Obedience and study. We also taught a woman and tried to commit her to read the Book of Mormon. No matter what we said she wouldn't do it. When we asked her if she wanted to more about Christ or about her ancestors she said no. Interesting.

Friday: Sick day.

Saturday: Another sick day. Plus, Sister Pulido got a little sick, too. We slept pretty much all day. Then, at 7, we decided we would suck it up and go out in our area. I'm glad we did because we were able to teach 2 really great lessons even though I sounded terrible.

Sunday: Church was amazing. The branch presidency spoke during the 2nd hour and then also during sacrament. Our new branch president is super awesome. He speaks with such power. He challenged the branch to reach out to the less actives (we have a lot) and to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I think our branch is in for some awesome changes.

I love missionary work. I love teaching people about the gospel. I love serving at the VC. I am so grateful that I am here in Idaho!

Have an awesome week and find people for the missionaries to teach! Love you all!

Hermana Clay

PS:  Happy Birthday Marci!


Kye Kye. Zoom in. Notice the similarity between the dog's face and his.

Zone Conference.

Bad luck and a bunch of LARCS - August 25, 2014

Hi family,

This week was interesting. It has been raining like crazy here which has made it pretty cold. Here's a recap on this week:

Monday: Had an FHE with the De La Riva family. I love those kids! We played "little man" again. Of course, it was a big hit. Especially with Hermano De La Riva.

Tuesday: We had an awesome experience at the VC. A man and his wife (nonmembers) came in looking for help with family history. We have a little section in the VC that lets us do familysearch. We got an account all set up for them and after a little bit of searching, we were able to find a bunch of his family members. He was blown away. This led into a great discussion about the temple. We were able to teach them about how they could be with their family forever. The man started crying. They were both touched and were eager to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. We were even able to invite them to be baptized (which they said yes!). Playing the Christus at the end was just the icing on the cake. I am so grateful to serve at the VC! This experience definitely strengthened my testimony on family history. I am excited to keep in contact with this couple over the phone and hopefully we can help them accept this gospel into their lives!

Wednesday: Taught a few lessons but nothing too exciting to report.

Thursday: Absolutely NO one opened their doors for us. Sweet.

Friday: Nothing except normal stuff.

Saturday: Went with the Huerta's to a doctors appointment to help translate. Those doctors sucked. It's a good thing we were there because another Hispanic woman came in who needed us to translate for her. We also went to the Elders baptism. It was a miracle baptism. The woman is the aunt of a lady in our branch. She wanted to get baptized before she left for Mexico. She's a really sweet and awesome. We also got to teach Graciela. She let us in and then said, "Want to go talk with my brother and sister in-law too?" Um, heck yeah. So that was good. We have a return appointment with them on Saturday. Hope it goes through!

Sunday: Normal church stuff. We taught Relief Society. I know I say this every week, but the Huerta's are amazing. Their house got flooded twice this week from all the rain. Their carpet is ruined. Then, their daughter got sick. Satan has just been attacking them. But, they have the best attitudes. Miriam told us on Sunday that she was reading from the Book of Mormon and felt so much peace and happiness. This family is so faithful and trusting in the Lord. Love them!

And that's it. We're hoping that things will start picking up in our area this week. We are trying to look for the little miracles and they are everywhere! Even though we don't have a ton of progressing investigators, Heavenly Father is still blessing us a ton!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hermana Clay


The woman that got baptized. Also, I am a giant next to Hispanics.

Celebrating Sister Caballero's birthday with the Lusks!

Have a good day parents! Love you!