Just Keep Swimming. 9/7/15

Hey everybody! So this week went by so fast, but a lot has happened. 

On Tuesday we had transfer meeting and I got transferred to Staten Island, NY. I love it here! Haha, at the beginning of my mission this is the one area I did not want to serve in. But it's great! It is kind of a mixture of city&island life. We have a car and we live in an old hotel building that has been converted into apartments. Haha, it's a little weird. But the week before I got here they got rid of the bedbugs in the apartment! Wahoo! I'm praying I won't have to deal with that during my time here. 

My companion's name is Sister Ashlyn Lybbert. She's such a sweetheart! She came on her mission from Colorado, but is really from Georgia. She's been out for about 8ish months I think. We get along pretty great. It's only been a week but we are doing super well and there hasn't been a day that I haven't felt the spirit testify through me. 

We taught a lot of lessons this week, which is a change from the past weeks here. So that's been a miracle! We also were led to a few different people who God prepared for us to find! So amazing!

It's kind of weird how happy I am. I'm grateful to be here. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve in Staten Island! 

When people ask me how long I've been out, and when I'm going home, they always ask if I'm excited to go home. I am excited to hug my mom, but I'm also sad knowing my time here is short. So, I'm just making the most of it. 

Love always, 

Sister Samantha Tenney ️

Oh yeah, my new home address is: 

80 Richmond Hill Road Apt 1K

Staten Island, NY 10314 

-I wouldn't send anything but letters to that address though.

Love ya! 

Oh yeah, This morning we worked out and then walked along the beach so here are a bunch of pictures. My companion was really freaked/grossed out that I picked the sea creature up. But hey, I'm at one with the ocean. :) 

The other pictures are as follows: 

-me and some new elder from WHS that knows Megan and the Jennings, Devon I think

- a little boy who was left outside of the deli while his mom was buying stuff. Haha I couldn't believe it

- Manhattan from the Staten Island ferry 

-a selfie with sister Lybbert in our CAR 

-my first Sunday in SI 

Goodbye Richmond Hill. 8/31/15

Hello everybody. 

Well I'm officially leaving Richmond Hill, NY. Transfer calls were this morning; I am leaving and Sister Shiobara will be staying here for the next six weeks before she flys out to Bermuda next transfer. 

I don't know where I will be going, or who my companion is. But I'll pack up my stuff and go to transfer meeting tomorrow-and then they'll let me know. So, that's pretty exciting! 

I'm sad to say goodbye to all of the great people in Richmond Hill. But I can honestly say I left this area better than I found it and I'm happy with the work I've put into the area for the past seven and half months. 

This past week was kind of a series of strange events.. But it worked itself out. 

-We braided Sister Springer's hair, she's 91 years old.

-Cleaned out a woman's home. She's in our branch and she struggles with hoarding. 

-Attended/ushered a funeral at our church building. 

-Denise White was baptized yesterday and I wasn't too impressed with how the meeting was conducted. 

 -Saw some famous people. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. 

-Watched a Casino tour bus run into an apartment building. 

Everything's great. I'll probably have a lot more to report on next week. But thanks for all of your love and support. 

-Sister Samantha Tenney ️

Tongue is my least favorite food. 8/24/15

Hey everybody! 

This week started out pretty good.. on Tuesday/Wednesday I was on exchanges in Rego Park with Hermana Van Valkenburg! We had so much fun! I had a blast. We came out together but she was in the Mexico MTC because she's a Spanish missionary. We will be flying home together and it's comforting to know that I'm actually doing pretty good compared to a lot of other missionaries that go home with me. I feel like I'm staying focused and still working hard.. So, all is well. 

During our exchange I spoke major Spanglish to all the people in Corona. It's like little South America. Everyone there is Hispanic. I love it! Haha I just love walking down the streets being  like 5 inches taller than the average male. I feel so safe. It's not like East New York where I'm the littlest/weakest. 

We taught quite a few lessons and it definitely made me miss my amigos in Riverhead! Everyone was mostly humble, but even the prideful will let you into their house. After a lesson with a woman from Honduras a member bought us tacos con la lingua. (You can see the tastebuds by the way). I was having a super hard time swallowing it. Haha I do not like cow tongue and I don't miss that part of Spanish life. But I had to eat it, the member that bought it is super super poor-so I did what I had to do. 

Being away was fun while it lasted but Richmond Hill is where I belong. At least for the next week.. Transfers are next week and honestly I will be a little shocked if I'm here for a sixth transfer. But whatever the Lord sees fit eh? 

On Friday we had Sisters Conference with the entire mission. That was great! I don't know if other missions do that for their sisters but I'm glad ours does! We had a few different workshops and most of them focused on Christ and the enabling power of the Atonement. Haha and I need that a lot! I loved the conference. Usually I wouldn't be too keen on spending all day with 79 other Sister Missionaries-but I felt like the spirit was teaching me in every single workshop. And plus, I got to see my homies Sister Cox, Vandertoolen, Jones and Ewell. :) 

Saturday we met with Shabana Sahir. She's doing great! She's progressing and is still excited to be baptized on the 30th-next Sunday- so we're doing everything on our part to help her be ready when the day comes! There will be three baptisms (hopefully) on Sunday, so if it is my last one here in Richmond Hill, it'll be awesome! 

God is Good! He loves Richmond Hill a lot and I'm really grateful I've got to serve 5 transfers here. 

I feel like I'm continuing to grow and learn. I've been thinking a lot about what has changed me the most over the course of my mission -I'd say (besides the atonement or doctrine of Christ) it has been diligent and spiritual study of the scriptures assisted by sincere prayer. 

I've seen a lot of amazing changes happen here in New York- but the greatest change I've seen is in myself. 

Anyway, everyone read the scriptures because they're medicine for the soul. 

Love always, Sister Samantha Tenney 

To explain the pictures below: 

1. A selfie of the week

2. A Brasillian less active that believes in reincarnation and is straight up cray. 

3. My Brasillian Hermana's new cheetah.. Haha 

4&5. Sister Shiobara has acne problems and made me put on her face mask with her. It didn't do anything for me and I hated it. But comp unity eh? 

So much love coming your way. 8/17/15

Hey everybody! 

This week was good. Super hot, super long, and super refining. 

Sister Shiobara and I are doing great. We have spent a lot of time in the past couple of weeks trying to find people to teach. We got a couple new investigators not due to our finding efforts. But I'm really happy and grateful about that. I do not want to leave Richmond Hill with no people for the next missionaries to teach.

I'm not really sure what to write about.. But if you're wondering how I'm doing, I'm doing pretty good! People keep telling me to not get trunky, but I still feel like I have a long time left on my mission. We only have two more weeks left of this transfer so we aren't wasting any time. 

I've seen a lot of change happen in Richmond Hill over the past seven months. Change is hard, but I can see the Lord's hand in it all. 

I'm grateful for my testimony of the Savior. He is the one in charge of this work. I feel really blessed to be a small part in it. 

I love you all. Have a great week, 

Sister Samantha Tenney 

Whaddup homies. 8/10/15

Hello.

We are already half way through the transfer! That's crazy. I don't think my mission has ever gone by so fast. Sister Shiobara and I are doing well and still working hard. She's a very interesting person.

This last week we were able to attend a mega-zone conference in Rego Park. It was really good. We participated in a few workshops by the APs, and President & Sister Reynolds. I learned a lot- but something that stuck out to me was in Sister Reynolds workshop. She said how the gospel helps people fulfill their innermost desires. I spent a couple of days trying to think of what my innermost desires are haha. I think to raise a family that can last forever in God's presence. That'd be cool. And it's true, the gospel helps people do that!

At the end of all of the workshops they had the 'departing missionaries' share their testimonies. It was really weird that I was in that group! I was a little freaked out and I can't even remember what I said. But I'm sure it was good..

The Richmond Hill branch isn't thriving.. But it is surviving. The new branch president inherited a lot and is trying to wade his way through it. So, missionary work isn't high on the priority list of the Presidency or members.

As a district we are doing all we can to help the branch. I feel like there is a fine line between supporting members in their callings, and enabling them/doing their callings for them. Our district leader disagrees with me. But, I didn't come on a mission to be a visiting teacher- so I'm going to continue to focus on achieving our key indicators. That may be hard to understand in Utah, but in a branch where only 40ish people come to church on a weekly basis-it's a
problem.

Nevertheless, I do love the branch and members here and I'm willing to help them out. I know part of our responsibility is to help build and strengthen the church wherever we serve. But we can't just take over the members role and not find, teach, and baptize people.

Speaking of baptism, we haven't been able to visit with Shabana lately. She had a family member pass away- but we have an appointment set with her this week. So please keep her in your prayers. I'm excited to see her because we got a copy of The Book of Mormon in Urdu. :)

Everything is going great. I'm excited to see what's in store for the next three weeks.

Love, Sister Tenney

8/3/15

Hey everyone,  

I don't know if this is good or not, but I'm going to be completely honest with you. This week has been rough. I was having a hard time understanding why I was still in his area, and what God's purpose is for me to be serving here with Sister Shiobara. 

On Friday we met with Shabana Sahir again. She is amazing! We taught her about the plan of salvation. Shabana is literally one of the most humble people I have ever met. She is trying to follow Jesus Christ and do what Heavenly Father wants her to do. We invited her to be baptized on August 30th and she is now preparing herself for that. It's only 2 days before the next transfer starts, so we're working really closely with her to make sure that she's prepared.  I know if I weren't here, some other missionary would have called her, and taught her.. But I'm grateful that I got to be a part of bringing Shabana to the fold of God. 

I don't think Shabana is necessarily the reason I am serving here in Richmond Hill. But I do know that God's plan for my mission (and life) is much greater than anything I could come up with on my own. So, I'm going to continue to trust in Him and go with it. 

This point in my mission feels similar to the third quarter in a water polo game. You know? When you're super tired but you can go from losing to winning in 7 minutes, and your adrenaline gets going. 

So yes, I'm super tired. But I am really excited to be here in NYC preaching the gospel to people. I love my mission and as much as I wouldn't want to live in NY.. I have grown to love this place. 

I love being a missionary. I love the Gospel. I love Popsicles. 

- Sammy 

Sister Samantha Tenney 

Week one in. Transfer Ten. 7/2715

Hey everyone! Well, all my favorite people are officially in Utah! Wahoo! Welcome home Sister Snow. I hope all of you had a great Pioneer Day.

Speaking of Pioneers- My love and appreciation for them grows stronger and stronger everyday that I tract in humid, hot weather. I'm grateful I was born when I was. 

My new companion's name is Sister Shiobara. She's only been out on her mission for two transfers- so she just got finished with training. She is Chinese, but raised in Japan, and came out on her mission from San Diego. She's super cute and loves to work hard and be obedient. We get along pretty good- so I can't complain. Haha she is super Asian, and I still stand by my statement that I would never want to serve a mission in Asia! 

We won't be together for too long though because on Friday President Reynolds called us and extended a call to her to serve in Bermuda. She flys out in October and isn't allowed to tell anyone- I'm not sure why, maybe to help her stay focused or something- but when missionaries get called to Bermuda it is this big secret from the rest of the mission. She's lucky though because she's going to completely avoid New York's winter. Bless the souls who will be here. P.S. Thanksgiving is in four months, see you then. 

The day Sister Shiobara and I became companions we received a referral from a woman named Shabana asking for a copy of the Book of Mormon. We called her and set up an appointment to meet her at the church on Friday. Shabana is from Pakistan and she's only been in the country for about a year- so there's a bit of a language barrier. Her native tongue is Urdu. But the lesson we had with her was so powerful! We testified of the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith, and I know she felt the spirit. She even came to church yesterday for the entire three hours and we are meeting with her again this Friday. Please keep her in your prayers, especially to understand what we say and teach. Her full name is Shabana Sahir. :) 

Yesterday morning I was reading in Alma Chapter 24 when the Anti-Nephi-Lehies are attacked by the Lamanites, Amulonites, and Amalekites. They came up against them but the Anti-Nephi-Lehies wouldn't take up arms to defend themselves nor run away. More than a thousand were slain- but because they wouldn't fight back, the Lamanites realized what they had done, killing innocent people, and started to worship God as well, being converted to the Lord. 

28 Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so many of their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites, the greatest number of whom were after the order of the Nehors.

29 Now, among those who joined the people of the Lord, there were none who were Amalekites or Amulonites, or who were of the order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and Lemuel.

30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.

The Amulonites and Amalekites were "less active" haha. (More like apostate.. But there's not much difference) I've seen members of the church who have gone on missions, been endowed, sealed in the temple, had callings such as a bishop, stake president, etc.. Fall away from the church and be more 'hard-hearted' than people that aren't members. I've seen it a lot in New York, but I know it happens in Utah as well. I just don't understand at what point you forget, or break the covenants you have made with God. 

I try to understand why/how this happens, honestly I don't really get it. But I do know that it's a gradual thing- once you stop doing the little things it's easier and easier to not do the bigger things in the gospel. So for myself, I'm going to continue to do the little things for the rest of my life- like reading my scriptures, praying, going to church, smiling.. And I know all the big things will take care of themselves. 

Time is flying by and I want to make the most of it. Seriously, I have a huge sense of urgency to bring forth the restored gospel to all of Richmond Hill. I probably only have five more weeks here- so I'm talking to everyone who will hear me. 

I love you all. Keep on keepin' on. Hym #152 

Love, Sister Samantha Tenney aka Sammy ️

Here's some quick pictures for you all: 

1. My Sister Missionary tan line. Haha, over the past few days it's gotten drastically worse. 

2-4. Sister Shiobara and I's selfies we took for you all yesterday. 

5. Hahahaha it explains itself. 

6-7. Sister Snow and I's farewell pictures. 

8. All my Sisters. 

9. OH ya! In the hood kids don't have anywhere to go to play in the sprinklers, or pool or whatever so they just crack open fire hydrants and play in them. Haha it's the craziest thing ever because the streets are so dirty- but the people love it when it's hot out.