Hey Mom!

  It was so good to talk to you yesterday! All of you looked so good! I wasn't able to get onto USU's website but hopefully I can next time I'm on the computer. Mr. Weick's son came out the November before me. I have seen him before. We have 7 missionaries in the Methuen ward. There are 4 elders and 3 sisters. It is a lot of fun! We only have five stakes in our whole mission. Mom, Sister Allen appreciates so much you going to her Grandpa's viewing. She still tells people that you went to it. She thought you were so sweet to do that! Who are you thinking is ready for the missionaries?

  This week was great! I loved going to the temple so much! This week we taught our investigator, Ann. She is wanting to quit smoking but she is really struggling with it. We had a lesson to prepare her for the quit smoking program. This program is supposed to help her quit in 7 days. My companions and I are praying that she sticks to it. Ann is funny...she has dolls that are very lifelike. She dresses them and buys them clothes like they are real babies. She loves them like they are real kids. She is so awesome! 

   Yesterday, Vicki, a recent convert spoke for the first time. She got baptized in February and she really enjoyed being able to speak. Her sister joined the church in November and then she did. Their parents still haven't joined but they came to hear her speak. She did such a good job. She talked about how mothers fit into the plan of salvation. It was awesome! Our Bishop spoke and he talked about how God establishes His work through two -hoods...Motherhood and Priesthood. I thought that was awesome! God definitely works through those two hoods. I have seen it in my life. I am so blessed to have you as my family!! I love all of you so much!!!

  Check out this awesome motherhood video on mormon.org/motherhood. It is amazing!!! Thanks for all that you do for me Mom!!!!! We had zone meeting this week and I have been really pondering about something that President Stoker said about listening. He gave us ten things that will help us listen better to those we are teaching. I loved the last one. He said, "Listen for their ideas and not just their words." It is so important as missionaries to listen to what people are trying to say and not just what we want to hear. I have come to realize how important it is for people to be heard. People will tell us what is going on in their lives if we show them we care and just listen. The Spirit knows their concerns and so I have to do my part in listening to the Spirit. The questions that I ask as a missionary can be the key that helps them open up or the key that closes them. Questions are so critical. I know that people are searching for the truth and that the Lord is preparing their hearts. I love you!! Have a great week!!!

  Love,

   Sister Griffin

Hi Missy Callee,

 

Oh Callee, it was so good to talk to you.  You look good.  I hope you have had a good week.  

 

I was amazed that you teach so much during the week.  How many missionaries are in the Methuen Ward?  WE have one set of full-time missionaries in our whole stake.  The goal for the missionaries in our Stake  is 20 lessons per set of missionaries.  Our Wared has to find 3 people for the missionaries to teach every week.  I was supposed to find one lady for last week, but I forgot.  I have a name, but I just have to contact her.  The Bishop reminded me to call her on my way out of church today.

 

I talked to Aunt LaRae this morning.  They're doing okay.  They were having family over and grilling ribs.

 

The Ewing campout at Parker Park for Memorial Day weekend is coming up.  I can't believe it's that time of year again already.

 

The Barnes are reading random scriptures as a family right now while I am e-mailing.  I love to do this with them.  Even Hannah and Sam do it - repeating words after they're coached.  

 

Rachael just went to bed and she hugged everyone in the room.  She seems so old for her age.

 

Were you able to look at your registration of classes for USU?

 

We were talking about Mr. Weick's son that is in your same mission.  Didn't you say you had seen him before?  When does he come home?  We couldn't remember if he entered the mission field before you or after you.

 

Well, I will close for now.  Take care - I love you and miss you so much.

                                                                                      Love, Mom

Hi Mom!!

 The temple was amazing!!! I loved it so much!! The temple is about 30 minutes away from us. I was going to send pictures but we don't have a long time to write. As for Mother's Day. I was thinking we could skype around 7:00pm(my time) which would be 5:00pm your time. I hope that works for you. We are skyping from Sister Allen's house. If you have any questions about it you can give her a call at 801-781-0131. What username do I need to call? I'm excited to talk to you on Sunday. I was hoping to get you something sent off for Mother's Day but I wasn't able to get anything...sorry! Thanks for your letter! Thanks for getting me signed up for classes. It's official I'm coming home July 2. President Stoker has already made the changes. 

  This week has been awesome! I wish I could tell you all about it but I am don't have a lot of time. I loved being able to go to the temple. It was so peaceful! I just love the symbolism that is in the temple! Everything has a purpose and a meaning. Life seems so simple after being in the temple!! It was a wonderful experience. Sister Allen took us down there and the Aldrichs came too. The Aldrichs just got back from their mission in Fresno California. Sister Tarawhiti and I were the only ones that went. Sister Fratcher had already been so she stayed with another companionship of sisters while we went. The Spirit in the temple is amazing!! The Spirit there is so special. I have missed the temple and it was so nice to be able to go. I love you!!! I'm excited to talk to you on Sunday!

  Love,

    Sister Griffin

On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 10:29 PM, griffincru@juno.com <griffincru@juno.com> wrote:

Hi, Missy Callee, 

 

How was the temple?  How far is the Boston Temple from where you are?  Do you have to make appointments for that temple?

 

I am really excited about getting your e-mail tomorrow.  Remember to tell us about Mother's Day and your school stuff.

 

How are you doing?  Have you had a good week?  Did all three of you go to the temple?  

 

I am going to send a hand written letter, but it won't come until Saturday.

 

I had Family Home Evening last night.  It was good.  Today was game day.  It was fun, too.

 

Liz had a good time at the Prom on Saturday.

 

Sunday I went to Calvin's for dinner.  Mary had honey lime enchiladas.  Brayden and I played Yahtzee afterwards.  Then I had a little nap.

 

My birthday was good.  Lauren and Mary each made a cake and everyone came over for ice cream and cake.  Sam helped me blow out my candles.  Tricia gave me a small crockpot (at my request; Lauren and Eric gave me a book (Women and the Priesthood)' Mary gave me money' and Diane gave me the orgreenic fry pan' and Matt and Natausha gave me a cute card.  I appreciated your card, Missy.  Thank you so much for sending it along with the sweet note.

 

Ammon had a band concert tonight.  Shawn has one on Thursday.

 

Well, I'll close for now.  Take care.  I love you so much and miss you, too.