This week was great! It's been rainy and cold, but we're staying warm, so no worries. I love love love it here still and it's so gorgeous. 

 As for Taylor....please pray for her. She needs the spirit in her life and she wants it. She knows she feels it with us, but she won't make those changes on her own. She won't read or come to church and I know she wants it. That darned agency! So yeah, just pray for her!

But this week, I got to go on exchanges with Sister Belliston, and it was way cool because she is soooo good at testifying about Christ every chance she gets. I noticed that she always testified about Christ, even in little ways. I commented on it and was talking to her about how that's something I've been working on and she told me that the reason why she had gotten good at it was that she hadn't felt like she was getting changed by her mission as much as she wanted to, so she decided to focus on Christ and testify of Him to everyone! And I thought that was really cool. Christ is really what's going to change us. We have incredible experiences as missionaries, but they will pass us by if our we aren't focused on Christ. We can go through the motions and we will see success, but if we focus on Christ then we will be changed. As we focus on Christ, we will realize the true reason we are out here- to invite and help others to come unto Christ- and we will get closer to Him as well. We will have personal experiences with the Atonement, and that is why we will be changed. Christ changes us and makes us better. And that is what we are doing as missionaries...sharing that with everyone! It was really cool to be able to learn from Sister Belliston, as Sister Gunnell and I have really been focusing on teaching and testifying more on doorsteps and changing up door approaches. It was definitely inspired.

Also, on exchanges we listened to the talk "The Missionary Next Door" about member missionary work, and I LOVED IT! Oh my goodness, it is incredible, and I've used it in every single member inspire since. It talks about how we as missionaries are in charge of the spiritual conversion, we just need members to be in charge of the social conversion. Their job is just to invite to come meet us, to come to activities, to be a friend, and we will do the hard part! It made it so simple and easy and I think it's really helped get the work moving a little bit more with the members. The Seabeck ward is really on fire with missionary work. They want so badly to have baptisms and see success, and we've been trying to do member inspires and get them all involved and invite them to just invite people. They are some really fun activities coming up and we've been pushing them to invite people, so we are excited to get the work moving and get it going!

Anyway, love you so much. Hope you have an awesome week!

love, Sister Kramer

Port Angeles, Paul's baptism and "nosey rose"

 This week, we got to see Paul baptized! And he has so many wonderful friends in the Kitsap Lake ward. He really belongs there, and it's so wonderful to see how excited they all are to have him join them. 

We tried again to get no zeroes ("nosey rose"), and we got everything except a progressing investigator, because everyone we've been teaching decided to go ghost on us (or, in Paul's case, get baptized!) so unfortunately Taylor and Girina we haven't seen all week :( But Taylor definitely knows she feels happy when she's with us, so please pray that she will recognize that as her answer that she needs to come to church and not be scared! 

BUT on the bright side, our members have decided to go crazy with missionary work and invited so many people to church!!! So that was amazing. It's so wonderful to see how the Lord works and I just hope you all know how loved you are and how Heavenly Father truly wants you back in his presence again. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love, Sister Kramer

 

Labor Day Picnic and MLC. okay that's it for today I LOVE YOU ALL

This week was really good! We had 2 baptisms, which were really tender mercies, because they were two 9 year old girls. Literally, Sister Johansen and I both had barely met them once or twice before they were baptized with the child of record baptisms, so we literally did nothing! But we set the goal of having no zero's to report this week, and we knew it was going to be hard to someone on date for baptism. We tried really hard but none of our investigators were ready to commit. We really tried and were praying really hard to find someone who was ready to be put on date, and Sister Johansen felt like we needed to go back to these apartments we'd knocked a few days ago, and we met this guy named Alex. He's an ex drug addict and he is really searching to change his life and to strengthen his faith. We invited him to be baptized and he said he would pray and prepare for baptism on the 30th! It was definitely a miracle and tender mercy. 

I also had my first exchange! We went with Silverdale 3rd, Sisters Peters and Larsen and they are amazing. I learned so much from Sister Larsen. I love this work and it's amazing how the Lord works. Keep up the good work and just know I love you all!!!!

Love you! Sister Kramer

13 months? Transfers? STL? This week was crazy!

Well, how do I start this? First, today is my 13 month mark, which is crazy! I can't believe I've been out this long! Also, I'm getting transferred to the Bremerton Zone as a Sister Training Leader! I will be over four sets of Sisters and go on exchanges with them! I really wanted to go to Port Angeles (so I can go to Forks, of course :P) and I also wanted to go back to Silverdale, and I will be over the Silverdale and Port Angeles Sisters so what an answer to prayer!!!! and I already know most of the sisters I'm over so YAYYYY! I am soooo excited. My new companion is Sister Johansen. I know a bit about her, but not much so I'm excited to work with her. I will really really miss sister Pluim, though. She is such a sweetheart and such a fun person and a great teacher. I love her lots. 

So...this week was crazy. We found three new investigators, but none of them were home for their appointments, so that was sad. Also, we saw our investigator Brian, who is homeless, and he was practically having a heart attack but wouldn't let us do anything to help, so we just made sure he got home safe and said a prayer. It was sad! but prayers work miracles, so hopefully he's okay! We also did 10 hours of service, so that was great! We unpacked boxes, organized papers, served food to seniors, and painted a closet. It was was fun. I love service. Anyway, that was really the week. It's been so fun in Oly, but I am definitely so excited to go to Bremerton! My new address is 

6665 NW Newberry Hill

Silverdale WA

98383.

love you all soooo much! Thank you for all your prayers, let me tell you....we need them. I love you. Have an awesome week!

Love, Sister Kramer

Zone activity. I love these sisters!

EVERYONE has bear statues, so I had to high five one, right? :)

Some deer skeleton in someone's back yard. Creepy much?

More Chickens....they're the best to chase :P

My District (Left-right: Elders Hovey, Bell, Zhou, and Woodbrey, me and Sister Pluim)

I love the little things

1. Fresh Blackberries. Holy smokes! They're EVERYWHERE and it just makes me so happy. We can be knocking and just pick some fresh berries :) I love it!

2. Members and non members who give us water and food and berries! We've gotten fresh produce from a bunch of people and it really makes lunch delicious! 

3. a lady the other day said she wasn't interested but said to take some fresh flowers and vegetables from her stand and so I took a Dahlia, which is one of my favorite flowers since being on a mission!

Even when people slam the door on us or tell us to "rethink our religion" or plans fall through, when we focus on those who are ready to hear the gospel and on all the tender mercies Christ gives us, our joy is "swallowed up in Christ" (Alma 31:38 page 287 in the Book of Mormon) and I love that. When we focus on the good, it makes the bad worth it! 

 

so this week, we were able to find a couple new investigators, which is exciting! We had a member come knocking with us and we found Christine . She met missionaries before and really wanted to come to church but "lost touch" with the missionaries and never was able to make it. So we gave her the church address and set up a return appointment, and the member who came with us that day wants to come to the return appointment with us! It's perfect. Then we also met this sweet lady with two Autistic kids named Stephen and Justin. They're way sweet and were very open and have friends in the ward, so we are hoping to go back and start teaching them! Then Mariah said she was interested in learning more and we could come back! She's taking lessons with Jehovah's Witnesses, too, so she's open and searching and hopefully we can help her feel the spirit!

I just love this work and I love you guys. Thank you soooo much for your prayers and your love and support. I couldn't do this without you and I find strength from you guys every day. I love you so much! have an amazing week!

Black berries EVERYWHERE! I love it!

Did you know donkeys are actually way sweet!? I really like them :)

Aparently, black birds aren't so sweet....they can be aggressive. Who'd a thought!? I

I also love horses :) This one really liked me too. He thought I had treats in my purse :P

My Dahlia and Pluim's Zuchinni that we took from the lady's free stand

Families are Forever

AH this week was so wonderful!

Dylan's still doing wonderfully and due to some church building conflicts, is on date for the 9th, but  is still on date and is way excited! Also, I loooove his little boy, Elijah. The kid has me wrapped around his little fingers! Ugh. SO cute!

Also, we have a wonderful family we are working with, the Felix Family. Victoria has been a member all her life, and Juan was baptized around last September, but Juan's sisters, Rosio and Alondra, are living with them now and aren't members! It was so cute, because Juan needed to get the priesthood, but he wanted to wait for a week later than anticipated so his sisters could be there! And a young women went up and introduced herself to them and made sure they came to Young Women's and they loved it! So we are working on teaching them and putting them on date :) And their mom will be coming to live with them soon, as well, and already is looking forward to coming to church! The girls love church and are so prepared :) we are so excited! I can't wait to be able to start teaching them even more. They're so prepared and so excited and cute. I love them so much!

Missionary work is amazing. I'm so grateful that I get to be a part of this work! miss you tons and love you all! Pictures next week :)

Love you!

Love,

Sister Kramer

Someone forgot to turn on the AC...

It was waaaaaay hot this week! Especially yesterday. And they don't believe in AC here, so it was hard to sleep some nights. I can't really complain cause I know there are people in Brazil or Arizona or North Carolina who probably have it a LOT worse, but it was still hot okay? Especially when we were knocking doors. We were dying for water. Luckily, this guy have us each a cold bottle. I definitely thanks Heavenly Father for him! haha.

We also had a chicken run up to us and let us hold it, so that was fun!

Um....other than that. Let's see....we saw some really cute elderly ladies in the ward. One was like: "come back any time. I was wondering when you were going to stop by!" we were like...AW! Okay. We'll definitely come back. We got to set up some appointments with less actives that we will be seeing this week. We weren't able to see Lynn (she got a job! Yay! but not yay cause then we couldn't help her!) we went to the senior center and served the people there are soooo cute and funny! We love them. Met a couple of nice people while knocking, and a few not so nice people. This one guy was like: You believe in Mythology? and we were like....Um....no? We also got peed on by a dog! yucj. But that was pretty much our week. Still working hard ot find people and teach them! Still loving it here :) I love you all! Y'all are the best., Have a GREAT week!

Love,

Sister Kramer

the Memorial day Picnic

1) my birthday 2) eating tai food! 3) BUTTERFLY! 4) someone wrote a note and put it on our car while we were knocking. People get so mad about where we park....we weren't even on anyone's property! 5) our area is beautiful! 

Sister Kramer had a farm...

I've never seen so many farm animals in my life! IT's sooooo funny! I loe it. There are just random chickens on the side of the road and sheep and cows and goats and horses EVERYWHERE! 

Well this week has been fun! I love it here in OLY 4th and it's been so cool to see so many member willing to do missionary work! They're doing so many amazing things, bringing friends to church and giving out Copies of the Book of Mormon and being an example. My challenge to all of you is to share the gospel in little ways that you can, wheter that's just being an example, or having the missionaries over with your friends! there will be so many amazing blessings that come! 

I love you all! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you mother's and all you wonderful women who've been an example and "mother" to me. I LOVE YOU!

Love,

Sister Kramer

Chickens...chickens everywhere

So this past week we went to the Walden's (a less active and part member family) and they have chickens all over. So of course, their 9 year old was chasing them and made us hold a bunch of them. one was HUGE! It was, like, 20 pounds! It was fun. It's so great having all these silly animal encounters :P

SO this week has been amazing! the clear impression I had from Conference was to just think of Christ and focus on Him and that's been so helpful this past week. As I've focused on Christ, I've trusted and loved more and I've been so so much happier. It seems so simple, but it was something that's really helped me! I'm so grateful as I've done that. We also have worked a lot harder on focusing on WHY we do things. Not what we do, but why we do the things we do. Why are we obedient? Why do we tract? Why do we teach people. Because we want to get higher numbers than the elders? Because we want to say we did everything? because we have to? NO! Because we want to show the Lord I love Him and because I love these people. And as I've focused on that, it's been such a change for me. I've been happier and loving the work more and more and the weeks have just FLOWN by. It's amazing. I love this work so so much. Hope you all have a fantastic week and know how much I love you guys! Can't believe I'm half way done :/ Where did the time go!? OH! This saturday we get transfer calls. I think I'm leaving. ALSO, that same day we get to go to the temple with Shelby! She's amazing. I love her so much! She bore her testimony yesterday and it was so simple and sweet and I was so proud. It was such an amazing moment! I cried of happiness :)

It's awesome! Okay love you guys!

Love, Sister Kramer

My amazing district, whom we all love so much! We're so tight! Elders Lee, Ivie, Martin, and Benge and Sister Redenbaugh and I :) Love them!

 

Kelly, our crazy less active who wanted to lock us in her bathroom because she loved us so much. She's hilarious! :)

The 20 Lb Chicken. :)

Sunshine and Boots

 This is Boots, the cute goat we met while knocking. This lady showed us around her house with turkeys, chickens, and goats and had us hold and feed boots. She's cute :)

Anyway...it's been sunny lately!!! YAY! It's been so great. :) I also feel great. Conference was just perfect and I love our prophets and apostles. we truly can get revelation and it's been such a testimony to me of how much God loves us. Did you notice that theme?? I love you guys. This week was slow, but still awesome and I look forward to another one. Stay great!

Sister Kramer

How does one 'tism?

so this week was incredible!!! Shelby was baptized and let me tell you, prayer is SO REAL!!! Thank you guys so much for praying fo rher and for me. I definitely know that it really helped. Satan tried so hard to stop her, but she is so incredible! She's got such faith and strength and it's amazing. As we recite every week....no unhallowed hand can stop the work! It's amazing. I love her and hope she goes on a mission!!! 

Awe also got our first media referral today, so that was great! :)

And the women's conference was just great! I loved how we are to just serve and trust the Lord! We have the opportunity to serve, and we should rejoice in that and know we do not serve alone! 

This week as we prepare for conference, I'm going to challenge you all to read a conference talk a day and think of a question that you'd like answered. I love conference, because a lot of my answers and guidance are from the latter day prophets! I love you all! Here are some pictures :)

Love you guys!

Love,

Sister Kramer :)

We go on a nature walk...every day!

Guys....I can't even begin to say how gorgeous it is here! Seriously...pictures don't even describe it. I love it so so much! When we go knocking, we literally are, like, hiking through the wood. We've got giant trees, fresh air, chirping birds. It's amazing here! It's like the hike at girls camp...in a skirt. ;) We're always exhausted by the time we get home!

anyway....Shelby is amazing!!! She wants to be baptized and has been reading the Book of Mormon and is loving the lessons. Everything we teach her, she's just like: "it makes sense!" I'm so happy to get to teach her! She's golden, we just got to get her mom on board so she can be baptized! Please keep her and her mom in your prayers! :)

The work continues slowly but surely. We are still working hard and enjoying the rain. Washingotn is really bi polar! It'll rain one minute and be sun shiney the next....luckily it hasn't been TOO cold when it's rained! 

I love you all. Keep on being amazing! Thanks for you love, support, and prayers. They are greatly appreciated :)

Love,

Sister Kramer

I almost steal a cat...

Hey guys!!!

So....exciting news....GEORGE WANTS TO MEET WITH US AGAIN! I'm so excited :) I can't wait to see him. thanks so much for your prayers and keep praying for him!

We also got to see Gloria this week, and she is stuck in a Catholic rut (we love Catholics, but I want her to accept the Gospel!) BUT she accepted the invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, so please pray that she will do that and will recognize that answer!

Kolton finally got back to us....but he's out of town. So hopefully when he gets back we can set up a time to see him!

OH! And we also met a woman, Kelly, who wears and eye patch, has forgotten a lot of her old memories because of an aneurysm she had a number of years ago, and she loved us so much she wanted to "lock us in her bathroom". Naturally, we went back the next day! ;) we gave her a Book of Mormon and taught her the restoration and she said that SHE would pray and read as well. She had a really cute cat that liked me and she laughed cause she saw me holding it and it apparently looked like I was going to steal it :P She's funny! 

SO the Lord is opening up the way for us. I am so happy to be serving Him and am so excited to see what this coming week will bring! I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's day and know how much I love you all! And how much Heavenly Father loves you all! You are awesome. Have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Kramer

I almost hit a peacock...

Seriously, I was driving down the road this morning and a peacock just CAME OUT OF NOWHERE! Like, a live peacock! Luckily, I slammed on the breaks and he ran out of my way. I was glad I didn't hit him.

there's so much wild life and animals here. Goats, horses, sheep, cows....peacocks, apparently, ducks, seagulls and EAGLES! I've seen so many eagles and it's SO PRETTY!!!!

Okay, but now onto the serious part....

This week was really good and bad.

First, we went street contacting and found this girl named Courtney. She was standing with another guy by a tuck with a whole bunch of stuff in the trunk, so we told her who we were and asked if she needed help. She said no, that she had just got out of rehab and that she was just moving back. She told us her story and told us how she was trying to change her life. She was so positive, though, and kept saying how God had helped her and supported her through everything she was going through. We asked if she wanted to learn more about the church and she said yes! so we exchanged numbers and set up a time to give her a tour of the church and walked away wide eyed and so happy!

Then two days later, street contacting in the same spot, we met a homeless guy named Walter who accepted a Book of Mormon and also set up a time for a church tour and said that eh felt that maybe this was the chance he'd been looking for to change his life. Once again, we were extatic!

We also got a referral for this guy named Mike and when we went to his house to check on him, his 13 year old son, Kolton, answered the door and said he also wanted to learn more!!! AND we taught him the restoration and he said that it "made sense"! 

Then things started going downhill.

George, our other investigator, called us and said that he felt we were being pushy and that we were young and inexperienced and didn't understand that the "spirit works in it's own way and time" and that he wanted to cancel our appointment that day and that he wanted to call us in two weeks after studying and praying and reading. Luckily, he didn't drop completely, so keep praying that he will recognize the answer that the Book of Mormon is true!

Then Courtney cancelled on us twice, Walter never showed up and he has no phone for us to contact him, and Kolton never set an actual day for us to come back over and teach him, also Gloria (our other investigator from a week or two ago) cancelled on us as well.

BUT the cool thing is that Heavenly Father has been so good in comforting me and reminding me about agency. I've been doing my best and working hard, and that is all I can do! If I never see a baptism, if I am my only convert....then that's okay. I know I did my best. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to trust me and to love me. I am so grateful for that love and I'm so excited to see what this week will bring! I love you all!!! Please keep praying for them! They need this gospel and what it can do for them!!!

love you all!

Sister Kramer

We are "female Elders"

Hey there you guys!!!

SO this week has been full of laughs! Like....my companion is so funny! haha. We passed a sign that said "Joemma Beach" and sister Redenbaugh (my new companion) thought it said "Yo Momma Beach"! Then we knocked on this door and the lady came to the door and was like: "OH! I've never met female elders before!" It was so hard not to laugh!

This week, not many of our new or potential investigators were home....agency stinks sometimes! BUT it's still fine. I am so happy to be serving here in this ward. The members are seriously incredible! And George is still doing awesome. We're seeing him tomorrow. He still loves seeing and meeting with us, so that's awesome!

Sister Redenbaugh is my first companion NOT from Utah! She's from Kentucky, so that's fun! ANd we laugh a lot together, so it makes me happy :) I'm just so excited to serve and be here. I lov eyou all. Hope you guys have an awesome week. As always thanks for all the prayers and love and support!!! 

Love,

Sister Kramer

Love you all!

Soooo this week has been great. We got to see our investigators (the family) and they are still on date for Dec. 12. PLEASE pray for them! They need the gospel so much. It's seriously the best thing ever. I never realized how grateful I am for it, or how much I love the gospel until I came on a mission. Seriously, it's the best!

Also, We had an amazing miracle! The missionaries around the area I serve in decided to have a movie night and invite people to come watch Meet the Mormons (I highly recommend it! It's awesome) and we didn't think we'd have anyone show up. Because NOONE could come. BUT THEN we prayed really hard and right as we pulled up, a sister in our ward (Sister Pfeil) and her non mormon friend, Shirley, showed up!!! And they loved it. It was such a tender mercy and a miracle. We were so happy!

Anyway, the work rolls on slowly but surely! Love you all! 

Also...we had 3 thanksgiving dinners (plus two thanksgiving lunches!) we were so stuffed, and let me just tell you I am SO grateful for stretchy skirts :P

BUT..I am so grateful for those who fed us. It was such an uplifting day and full of fun memories and people!

Sister Kramer

LAST WEEK...

Hey there lovely family and friends,

Boy this week has been a roller coaster and a huge mess of emotion! I seriously am so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it's gonna be SO weird not being home with everyone. THEN I also have transfers coming up super soon, and I have NO CLUE what's happening. AND I have such huge mixed emotions about leaving. Cause I totally love this area. Like, so much. Silverdale is so gorgeous and amazing. I love the members and our investigators (no matter how flaky they may be...but I digress) with all my heart and soul and it would kill me to say goodbye. However....getting to see more of the mission would be so awesome and I know that I would have an amazing time wherever I go. So, I have no idea how to feel!

BUT as I have been focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I realized how fitting it is to be able to focus on gratitude right before focusing on the Savior and what He did for us. And I have truly come to be so incredibly grateful for my Savior. Think about it....the most powerful, perfect human being to walk this planet died for US, imperfect as we are. He loved us so much, so perfectly that He suffered for our sins so that we would have a chance to live with our Father and have happiness again. ALSO, He died knowing full well that some would completely reject Him and that not everyone would be saved. How selfless, and how perfect He is. I am so grateful that I know my Savior lives, and that He walks beside us everyday, to wipe our tears, silence our fears, and rejoice when we feel joy and happiness. 

I am also so grateful for my mom, and for all the women who have been an influence in my life. I know I am who I am because of my mother's gentle, guiding hand, and for all she did for me. Both my mom, and all of you wonderful amazing women in my life who have helped me grow and progress and learn. Truly, as Elder Holland (one of the leaders of the church) said in a talk he gave this past October: "No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child." 

I am also grateful for my dad, and for all the men in my life who have also helped me. I am a daddy's girl. My dad was always the one to kill the bugs, chase away the boys, and rescue me from all the scary monsters in my room. I never failed to feel loved and supported by all the men in the church, and I am so grateful for their example of righteous leadership and love. I have seen their example in supporting and honoring their wives and helping provide a safe environment for their children. I know that through my father's example, I have come to know more about my Heavenly Father and His love for us and our relationship to Him.

I am also so grateful for the scriptures. I feel so blessed to have the words of the prophets and feel the peace that comes from studying the words of the Lord and His prophets. I know that the Lord is there for us, always, and that He hears and answers our prayers. Maybe not in the manner or time that we want or expect, but in the way we need. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share this amazing gospel with others! I love you all. Thank you for your love and support and prayers. I definitely feel and appreciate them! 

Love,

Sister Kramer

Sarah at the airport

Holy Smokes

Hey there lovely family and friends!

So, another cool story I forgot to tell you all about was that the other week, Sister Trost and I were knocking out by the shore and we saw a little group of Sea Lions, just splashing and playing around! It was the coolest thing ever, especially for this city girl and animal lover. I seriously thought it was the coolest thing ever. haha. I was pretty excited about it.

Anyway, this week was a little slower, but it's definitely been so amazing at the same time. The Lord seriously knows exactly what we need and when we need it, and there are so many blessings that come from being exactly obedient. For example: in our mission, we have 5 things we are supposed to do every day. 

1. get up on time (6:30)

2. get out on time (10:15) 

3. Be on time to our 5-7's (every day we knock from 5-7 PM) 

4. Talk to 20 people (not knocking on doors, just opening our mouths to those on the streets)

and 5. update our area book (the record of who and what we've been teaching) 

in my area, there are usually not 20 people milling around on the streets. We talk to everyone we see, but it's not 20. Also, it can be really hard to get to knocking on time, because members can be really chatty. We love them, but they can be chatty and that makes it a little harder. So our district leader looooves to say HOLY SMOKES if we don't do our 5 things, and asked us to try a little harder to reach those goals. So sister Trost and I have worked really hard this week to accomplish them, and although we haven't seen tremendous miracles, I can definitely say that those are the days when I'm happiest and come home and feel great. It's definitely been such a testimony builder. Because although I wasn't being disobedient, when I stretched myself a little further and tried a little harder, I was happier. I know the Lord provides everthing we need and in the time we need it. I'm grateful for His blessings, and for the commandments that He gives, because I KNOW that He gives them to us out of love and to help protect us!

Also: On Sunday, our investigators didn't come to church and the chapel was kinda empty, and so I was sad and kinda sat through the first meeting in self pity. BUT then in third hour, I was frustrated with myself for only thinking of me, and decided to try and talk to everyone in the class. I went to each of them and gave them hugs and asked how they were doing. Seriously, I've hear so many times "if you aren't happy, turn out. Serve others." but it's true. Even the simple act of talking with them was enough to lift my spirits and totally turn my day around! It was awesome. Serving others is the real medicine for the aches and pains of the soul!

Anyway. this is super long, so sorry about that! BUT I love you all. thank you all for your love and support. I am so grateful for all of you!

Love,

Sister Kramer

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER-this was last weeks email

Man...this week has been so crazy! 

Soooo...I forgot to tell you that last week (it was Halloween, actually), Sister Trost and I ended up walking in to a public restroom, and there were, like, three guys and a few girls in the GIRLS bathroom. It smelled like smoke, and they were all lined up. They were like: "Sorry, we're in a meeting." And, mind you, marijuana is legal here.....so....it was something worse than marijuana. Yep. We walked into a drug deal. 

Also, we heard a few gunshots last week. I'm very easily startled, so I literally RAN to Sister Trost and grabbed her arm. It wasn't close by or anything, but it startled me pretty bad and I got scared. So....yeah. I screamed. Sister Trost thinks its SO funny.

That same house we were walking up to when that happened, the guy ended up interrupting what I was saying and gave me the "Live long and prosper" hand sign from Star Trek. He asked if I knew what it was, and I said yes, and he goes: "Live long, and prosper." And shuts the door. I was like....ummm. Okay, then! It cracked us both up!

Okay, so the more spiritual side of things....

We were FINALLY able to get our family on date. Sister Trost and I literally got into the car and screamed the whole way home! We were so excited. Of course, they've fallen off date, and we are hoping they don't fall off again, but we just really want this to happen! So here's the story: We have been going over there and leaving scriptures, trying to uplift them and help them progress, but still be sensitive to their situation and not overwhelm them with Gospel. We've been praying a lot for them and about them, trying to discern what to do. It's funny, cause the lessons that I really just don't know what to say, so I just tell Heavenly Father to take the lesson, are the most amazing lessons. Michelle, the mother, just out of the blue was like: "You guys should come do lessons when you come over. You haven't been. We want you to read the Book of Mormon with us!" (we were leaving scriptures and talking about gospel things, but trying to make sure they knew we loved them and not overwhelm them with Gospel lessons). So we told them we would be happy to do that. We explained that we wanted to help them toward baptism and to teach them, we had just wanted to be sensitive to them. So then I was just like...okay. Do you want to pick a date for baptism? Because that's obviously something you want. So then we talked about a date and, as a family, they chose December 12!! Please please pray for that day to happen! They need to get baptized! It's really amazing though. The Lord really, truly knows what we need, what our investigators need, and the times that we rely on Him are the times that He helps us. Even when we feel like we are alone or don't know what to do...if we trust Him, He will always have our back. 

Also, we knocked into an investigator, Kelly, a few weeks ago and she had met some other sisters but had moved. So we are starting to teach her, and she is really amazing! She's so prepared for the gospel. She just kept saying "It just makes sense! It all fits!" and I'm so excited to keep teaching her! 

AND...I don't know how this happened, but a brand new set of scriptures just showed up in the church last Sunday in a bad with my name on them. I have no clue how they got there or who bought them, but the other sister Kramer in the mission told me that they weren't hers, and there aren't any other sister Kramer's in the ward....So I don't know how, but I just got a new set of scriptures, which is funny cause I'd kinda been missing my old set. I left them at home, and was just using an extra set that we had because I wanted to be able to make fresh markings, but I really missed my old ones. BUT the Lord gave me a brand new set. I don't know how or why, but I'm grateful for them! so...yeah. I will always remember that! The Lord works in Mysterious ways!

Also...the primary program was this week and it was the CUTEST THING! Man I hated the primary program when I was younger BUT I love it now. The spirit was soooo strong and three people showed up at church with friends, so that was AMAZING! So yay for missionary work!

Okay, I love you all. I know the church is true and I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of the atonement and the peace and forgiveness that come when we trust the Lord!

Love, Sister Kramer

Pictures, love, and stories

OK...so this week!

This week was full of fallen through plans and member homes. We've been really working on trying to get to know all the members in our ward so we've just been going down the list. So that's been fun. I love it. We have just such a wonderful ward. Yesterday, we got to go into the Primary and help the kids practice inviting their friends to church, and when we walked in they were singing a song and oh my goodness. The spirit was sooooo strong! I couldn't believe it. It was incredible. 

We also had a zone conference, where all the missionaries in the Northern part of the mission get together and there are talks by the mission president and his wife. We also had one of the leaders of the Church, his name is Elder Gay, come and speak to us. That was really really cool. So this week was, as I mentioned, full of fallen through plans. We've been trying super hard to get stuff done and get in touch with our investigators but it's been a no go. So....the day before Zone Conference, I felt a little worried that I wasn't really trying hard enough. I wasn't too stressed, so don't worry, but I was just trying to make sure I was giving it my all. I just kept thinking about how the Lord chastises the people He loves (Lehi, the Brother of Jared, etc) so I was trying to figure out if the Lord was telling me I needed to do better, or if it was just my own silly thoughts. So I came to Zone Conference with that question in mind. BUT then Sister Blatter (the mission president's wife) spoke about fear, and I realized that I was afraid. I was afraid that I wasn't measuring up, and not doing enough. I know that fear is not from Heavenly Father, so that answered my prayers! I, of course, need to improve, but the Lord wasn't telling me that I wasn't doing enough. However, He did teach me. I got a lot of promptings on how to do better, but it was in a loving way. I know Heavenly Father hears us, and loves us, and that He will tell us that and guide us. I've seen so many time when He's guided me and helped me on my mission that I just can't deny that! I love this work and the opportunity to be a part of it! 

I also have a quick funny story. The other week while in the Post Office getting stamps, I saw this mom holding two packages and her little boy was trying to get in her arms but she was carrying something. Me, of course, being the baby person I am, crouched down and went to give him a high five....but he decided he wanted a hug! THen he thought it'd be a good idea to try and climb into my lap. I wanted to hold him soooo bad, but I figured I would be obedient. He was adorable, though! Well, family and friends, I love you lots. My prayers and thoughts are always with you. Keep on keeping on! 

Love,

Sister Kramer

 This is her big sister, Emma Jean, who calls me "Mister Kramer". I love these little girls. So so sweet!!

 This is the cute hawaiian baby, Leila who I told you about (I think) last week! She's so cute. She was interested in my camera. I kept a good hold on it though!

 Not a very flattering angle of me, but whatever. I'm obviously not in practice in the art of taking selfies anymore :P That's me and sister Trost though! 

 Naval Museum

Hi Family!

Hey there you guys!

So this week was very sad. Our family we are teaching lost their baby girl, Bristol. She was very very fun and super active and smiley and sweet. Michelle, her mom, took her to the doctor because she was throwing up and fainting. But the Dr. said there was no infection and she was fine. But then she kept throwing up and got really lethargic so they took her to the ER. they put her on an IV and apparently, the fluid didn't pass the kidneys. So they transported her to Seatlle, and found that she had Viral Myocarditis (maybe ask sterling what exactly that means because I have no Idea) but anyway, she passed away Saturday Night. Michelle's family came up from California so they have family, and the ward is super aware and are arranging a meal plan and calendar so they are getting meals often. I will see if we can bring her a meal thought and maybe use that recipe for chicken pot pie myself :) 

But luckily, I have found such peace in the Gospel. I am so grateful that I know about the plan of salvation. I know that Bristol is in Heaven with Heavenly Father and as I've stressed and prayed for the family that they will be able to still want to meet with us and that we will know how to help them, I've just felt the Lord telling me that It's okay. He's got it. So I am just praying and trusting in Him. I know they will be okay, and I am grateful for the knowledge I have that families are forever and that when we die, it's not the end :)

Funny story: so everyone here in the stake is pretty much in the navy. A part of our area is a military base. We don't have military IDs, so we have to be escorted on and off by someone who does. WELL. the members we go see don't usually escort us off because they know we are just going home and won't go anywhere we aren't supposed to be. Sister Harbaugh always knew how to get off base, but I wasn't sure because it was always dark when we went home. I plugged the address we were trying to go to into my GPS (whom Sister Trost and I have named Helen) and off we went. Into a resticted area. Where we were told by an angry guard that whoever we were with was "in trouble" and so we had to wait for a half hour while the Gartungs (the family we were with) came and got us. We were interrogated by two more cops (who were nicer) and they were chewed out by the mean cop. Ugh. we felt so bad, and we were both shaking and almost crying. We kept apologizing to the Gartungs and Brother Gartung told us not to worry and that if the mean guard tried to make is a big deal at work, he had a trump card because his old boss was mean guards boss now, and to not worry. They were super nice about it, but it was so stressful and we both were terrified! Stupid HELEN! :P

But other than that, this week was actually alright. One our investigators dropped off the face of the planet (they seem to do that frequently -.-) , and we FINALLY got to see her! It was great and we had a good lesson and got her back on track for baptism. We also got to use the bathroom at a really sweet lady. We had tried going to some member's homes, but none of them were home. Then I remembered this sweet lady, Berti, who was a neighbor of a member. We knocked on her door and we were able to use the bathroom and even set up an appointment to go help her wash her floors. YES SERVICE! We also went to a former investigator's house (she's not interested) but she told us to go and see another lady who had moved in. We knocked on her door and she was super nice. She has a set of twins, another little kid, and a 14 year old. She'd had some contact with the Church and seemed really open. We set up a service appointment with her for tomorrow! So maybe we will be able to teach her! even if not, sowing seeds, right? Every good deed counts! Then we got to see Matt again! Sister Trost and I had about 15 minutes before we had to go back to our apartment and she suggested we do an "obedience walk" where we just walk around and talk to everyone so that we wouldn't be going back early to our apartment and who was the first person we see? Matt. AND he is still interested. He said he just got really busy, but said he would definitely be home on Friday. So YAYYYY! 

It truly has been one of the most stressful, exhausting weeks but I am still so grateful for it. There were so many miracles, among all the stress. Rainbows only come after the rain, right? :) 

Love you all! 

Love,

Sister Kramer

                       My new favorite flower, the Dahlia (i know i know....flowers. yes yes yes. But it's so pretty!!!)

                                    This is Daytona Marquez. She's 12 and so funny and sweet 

 Next week I will send you some pictures of Sister Trost! :) This is me and sister Harbaugh :)

 It's gorgeous here! 

 My ankle a couple of weeks ago.

this is sweet Bristol, who just passed away. She's giving them some fun fun times in heaven! She was a hoot and a half. I will miss her a lot. Thank you for the prayers in their direction