Soy Gringa 11/17/14

This week has been one of the most tiring, but most rewarding weeks of my mission. 

Tuesday I drove into Rego Park Queens, dropped off my beloved Sister Snow, picked up my cute companion from Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico, and grabbed my Spanish name tags. And that's where the adventure begins. Haha you can just call me the first Spanglish missionary. Called English, but now learning Spanish for the people of Riverhead. 

It's hard, but there is a promise made in Preach my Gospel; "In time you will acquire the language skills necessary to fulfill your purpose as a missionary." Of course this promise is only fulfilled if I do my part. It's not easy but I am learning a lot. 

"Whenever the Lord gives a commandment, He provides a way to accomplish it (see 1 Nephi 3:7)." PMG 

I know I wouldn't be asked to learn Spanish unless God would provide a way for me to do so. 

It's such an amazing experience to be sitting in a house and not know the language of the people speaking, but at the same time being able to understand and respond in a language I never have spoken. The gifts of tongues is real. But it's not something that just comes because I am set apart as a missionary. It takes a lot of work.

"You will not obtain this gift without effort on your part; you need to actively seek it. Part of seeking the gift of tongues is to labor and struggle and to do all you can to learn the language." PMG 

Anyway, besides learning Spanish... This week has been incredible. 

Hermana Acosta and I went through our entire area book and wrote down all of the potential investigators we felt prompted to contact. Then the next day we fasted and prayed for 24 hours. Two of those names we contacted became investigators, both with baptismal dates in December. The Lord also gave us SEVEN more new people to teach. (That's 10 new investigators, 4 with baptismal dates, in 3 DAYS!) the Lord, my God, is good. 

The 'Standard of Excellence' in our mission for new investigators is 20 per transfer (a period of 6 weeks). God gave us half of that in only 2 1/2 days. 🙏👍🇺🇸 How amazing is that?! Fasting does work, and it does bring down blessings from heaven. I, Hermana Tenney, am a testament of that. I don't say that to brag, or boast of a number we got, but to glorify my God, and the miracles He is sending me. 

I love the work of salvation. 

Anyway, I am teaching a lot, praying a lot, fasting a lot, and trying really hard to not get overwhelmed haha. 

I am teaching Sister Acosta English and she is teaching me Espanol. #itainteasy

She's really cute though and she thinks it's hilarious that I tell her that her horse is pretty every day.. Haha for some reason I can't differentiate hair and horse in Spanish. But esta bien. I'll get it. 

Soy Mexicana. (Simon) Jajaja Hermana Acosta is teaching me to be Mexicana.(if you know what I'm talking about, Simon) 

Hermana Acosta doesn't have a drivers license, so I drive everywhere now. I don't hate it, I don't love it.. 

Anyway, it's been a really... Refining week. 😊 

Oh yeah, on Saturday afternoon we had the opportunity to go back into the city to hear Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy speak to us and have a question/answer meeting. They were late coming in, #newyorktraffic, so we only got a short amount of time to ask him questions. The first two questions were in regards to polygamy, (Joseph Smith is on all the news papers in New York #famous #frontcover) and the new video put out by the church about temple garments. 

Then a Sister got up and asked a question, (the 1st two questions were from elders). She asked "How do you continue to trust in the Lord when everything is crumbling around you? As missionaries we tell everyone 'trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord' but, how do we as missionaries really trust in the Lord? We were human before we were missionaries (haha) and it's easy to say but not always easy to do when life seems to be crumbling." 

This Sister's question was really one of the most sincere, honest questions I've heard in a long while. She was really seeking guidance from a true disciple of Christ, a man that meets with the Prophet and his Apostles at least twice a week, and knows them at an intimate level, travels, talks, laughs, and eats with them on a frequent basis. 

 What I received during his response was that; to trust in the Lord, you first need to find out who you truly are. Once you know who you are. WHO YOU REALLY ARE, you will trust God. Because He is your Father. Deity is your actual father. He loves you, He cares about you, and He Knows you. You've lived with Him before, and you can live with Him again. Once you gain this knowledge, it won't matter your circumstance in life, you will be able to trust in him.

I trust my Dad, Todd, with my life. He has loved, watched over, and prayed for me my entire life. He's watched me grow, and has watched me struggle throughout the past 20 years. 

In a very real and similar way, my Father in Heaven, Elohim, has been with me. 

I'll leave you with a great quote from Thomas S. Monson: “There is one language … that is common to each missionary--the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization. The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart” 

I really love you all so much, thanks for reading all of this.. If you made it this far.. Haha I know it's long. 😊💕😘

New York is the bomb! 

Con amor, 

Hermana Tenney

(Pictures: Barbara's cat and I, the ocean where I live, we wrapped Books of Mormon with our testimonies like presents, Sister Seely and I. Hermana Acosta and I) 

Sister Snow's out. 11/10/14

*Sammy has been sick with bronchitis this week. Illness plus sweet Sister Snow leaving makes for a sad week!

Well it's been a good five months spending 24/7 with Sister Becca Snow. But, our time together is now complete. Tomorrow we drive into Queens to go to the transfer meeting, where we will get our new companions and she will find out where her new area is.

I'm pretty sad to lose such a solid comp. but, I am sure the next one will be good. The past couple of days we have been visiting a lot of people. So, that's good... Yesterday was the primary program, we invited EVERYONE. And none of our investigators showed up.. Except for this former investigator named Francine Hopson and her cute little niece! It was great to see someone Come to church!

Then last night there was a stake fireside in which President and Sister Calderwood spoke about how families can be together forever.

Anyway..

The church is true,

Sister Samantha Tenney

One more week of the transfer! 11/3/14

Well familia, we have one more week of the transfer and miracles are in the horizon!

This week we set a baptismal date with Barbara! She committed to be baptized on November 30th. I am so excited for her. She's the woman who let us in and gave us water when we were knocking a couple of months back.  We've been meeting with her at least once week and we are actually going over to her house tonight. She's so SWEET.🍬 But she is still a little hesitant, so please pray for her.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween! We were in by 6:00 pm. It wasn't too eventful, but there has been some pretty weird/scary things that have happened on Long Island for the last little while. -oh, we did have interviews and they went well.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Sister Kapisi was here in Riverhead and Sister Snow was in Plainview on exchanges.  While Sister Snow was in Plainview a lady was found on the sidewalk that had been decapitated!
Everyone thought it was a Halloween prank/prop. Crazy eh?! But don't worry, I am super safe. 🙏👼

Last night a huge tree in our yard, I mean HUGE, snapped in half and fell down. So, hopefully we figure out what to do about that. Our landlord doesn't really respond to our messages.. Hah ha. But who knows, maybe I'll be in Riverhead next week, maybe I won't.

I'm doing good, staying warm, working hard, and having fun!

Love you all! 💕😘

Sister Samantha Mona Tenney

I have been gone forever! hahahah jk I'm never coming home! 10/27/14

"Monday night we visited our investigator Barbara and taught the Plan of Salvation and had a heart to heart about the importance of the Book of Mormon. She committed to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is the word of God and to have the faith to act if it is. She said the closing prayer and she me and Sister Tenney we're stoked because she said, "Help me to be able to change my faith and know for myself because obviously the Book of Mormon is your word." It was really cool. Two weeks ago she had never prayed out loud before. Now she's
reading the Book of Mormon and doing awesome! Hopefully we'll have a baptismal date set with her soon to help her strengthen her faith.

Tuesday we had district meeting and the Jorgensen's said their goodbyes. We all bought them our favorite snacks for the drive home. The new senior couple are coming tomorrow and we're really excited to meet them. They're from Salt Lake and I'm sure they're great! That night we visited a less active and set up an appointment with her and her mother (who hasn't been to church in over a year) which will happen this week. We also went to Josephine's (the chorister) house to help her get ready to move. She's leaving soon to go to Florida. We showed up and she asked us to take her old stuff. "Anything you want you can have it." Haha we didn't take anything. We helped organize her CD's and she tried giving those to us too. She has probably 200+ CD's and she's not
taking them with her. There's some good 60's 70's and 80's music if you're interested. ;)

Wednesday we found ourselves at the Senior Center doing service. We repotted some plants that were getting too big for their pots and that was good. Made a mess, had some fun, and we're going back this week. I'll let you know how it goes. We had FHE with my fav Spanish family the Leon's. Sister Leon had never carved a pumpkin before so Sister Tenney carved it and I scooped out the guts. It was good to have a little lesson with them and invite the Spirit into their home.

Thursday we did our usual weekly planning. Gotta plan if you want to be successful. Me and Sister Tenney were talking about how much more productive lives we'd live at home if we planned as much as we do on the mission. Haha we'll see if that happens. Thursday night our investigator Nancy took us out to eat with her best friend from
Manhattan. We got to answer some of her friends questions about Mormons and talk. They took us to a real fancy restaurant in downtown Riverhead, but the food wasn't very good. My chicken fried chicken cost 24 dollars but it looked like chicken fried octopus haha. Nancy's friend was not happy and kept complaining so both of our meals were free. We went out for ice cream afterward and everyone was happy.

Friday we were out and about seeing different people. We visited a part member family and they were doing pretty good. They had just gotten back from a vacation in Moab so Sister Jolliver showed us lots of pictures and told us all about how fun it was. We went and visited a former investigator family of four. They are so cute and nice and fun. They have two sons, one is 12 and one is 6. The only problem is they don't/won't read the Book of Mormon. But they do have "Family Night" and invited us to a haunted house with them. We declined haha. That
night there was a branch activity at the house next to the church and we invited a couple of people that ended up showing up! That's always exciting.

Saturday we went to stake conference which is about an hour away. 

Sunday we had more Stake Conference. Both me and Sister Tenney had some pretty cool connections made. She found a friend of a friend and I found out that my good friend Ryan Wilcox is training an Elder Gonzales. When I was in Terryville I served with an Elder Davis who's a recent convert and an awesome person. Long story short, Elder Gonzales baptized Elder Davis and they're real close. And now our BFF's are companions over in Oklahoma. Cool!

Sister Tenney says "What up?? See ya next Christmas."

I say love ya'll tons!! Hope you have a good week. Remember who you are. Don't forget to pray. Trust in the Lord. Be kind and patient. The scriptures have the answers you're looking for. Also God. Thanks for your prayers!

Love Sister Snow" 

Haha this is Sister Snow's email that explains how our week went. Sorry I got busy and couldn't write it all myself.. (Lazy, not busy..) I can't tell a lie..

But really, all is well in Riverhead. Sister Snow and I probably only have two more weeks together and I am not happy about it. 

It's getting cold so I'm really grateful I got a box of warm clothes this week from Todd and Nancy. Hallelujah! 

Well much love, 

Stay fresh, 

Sister Samantha Tenney

10/20/14

Well it has definitely been an interesting week. Sister Snow and I didn't do much missionary work this week do to an illness going around. 

-We've watched Johnny Lingo like 6 or 7 times.

-My sleeping schedule is jacked.

- Our investigator Nancy found General Conference on On-Demand and watched it. She told us she went to church on T.V. Haha.

-Medicine is way too expensive.

-We watched finding faith in Christ for Sunday school. 

-It is soo so cold.

-There are raccoons in our backyard. Here's a video of the raccoons in our trash bins. They're way creepy! And I am no fan of them.

 

So, yeah.. I don't have too much to say except that I really love being a missionary. I am part of one of God's greatest works and miracles here on the earth. And I have sooo much fun doing it! 

I can't lie, it's been some of the best days of my life. 

I know that joy, peace, love, and true happiness come from serving The Lord; whether that is as a full time missionary, or a member in Utah.. it is the same. I love serving a mission, but I don't plan on stopping serving when I am released and my name tag comes off. 

“I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, … they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.”

Keep it real everybody. 

Stay fresh, 

Adios, 

Hermana Tenney 

P.S if you are going to send anymore letters and things I would love that, but send them to this address until further notice. LOVE YOU! 

85-69 60th drive

Elmhurst, New York 11373 

Oh, these pictures... haha we did the mexican face mask remedy haha. the others.. I am unsure of. .

For the Temple is a house of God a place of Love and Beauty 10/13/14

Monday: Pday was good, we drove to South Shore to meet up with all of the sister missionaries in our stake and have a little get to know you/ game day. Then that night we had an awesome lesson and dinner at our investigator Barbara's house. She's the lady who let us in and gave us water when I was about to die. She's one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and she wants to be at my wedding someday haha. 

Tuesday was good. We had a really awesome district meeting. We also got a media referral for the first time ever being in Riverhead! That's just when somebody requests a bible, Book of Mormon, or missionaries over mormon.org. We took a bible to this lady named Elizabeth and she said she would come to church on Sunday (she didn't..) then that night we went to a big Spanish party for dinner. I had beans.. Yep, still don't like them. 

Wednesday we helped set up a big party for people 90 years and older at the local senior center. The next day (Friday) we got to go and help serve food there. It was actually a lot of fun and everyone was really cute. There was a man there that was 104 years old! 

On Friday we did a bunch of service for Cathy, she's the lady who sends out boxes to less fortunate children all over the world. Then our investigator Nancy fed us dinner and we had a good lesson with her. She was really adamant about trying to call my family. I heard she succeeded. 

Saturday was awesome! We went to New York to witness a sealing in The Lord's holy temple. It was an amazing experience! The Kruegers then took us out to lunch to a famous restaurant named Carmines. It was the best Italian food I've ever had, and it was way expensive. But there was SO much food, it felt like thanksgiving!! On the way home, by the time we hit the Queens borough bridge I was out cold. #foodcoma 

Sunday was pitiful. There were literally 20 people at church 6 missionaries included. So, that's like 14 people from the Riverhead branch.. And 7 of those people that were there are assigned to our branch to help it function. It was really bad. 

It was fast and testimony meeting and Josephine Cassiopo (our branch chorister) got up and told everyone she has "seen JESUS the Christ!!!!!". . So it was a very interesting meeting. . 

In the closing of the meeting Brother Blom got up and told everyone for the third hour we need "to go out and find the families who were not here" haha so for third hour our branch dissolved meetings and had "operation Shepard". 

Sister Snow has caught a bug, so we are taking it easy today. 

Anyway, it's been a very interesting week in New York. Some times are great, some times are rough, but the gospel's always true, and the Lord is always there.  

🗽🌆🌉.    

Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Candian familia y amor Derek. 💕

Love, 

Sister Tenney

And Megan, this is Madison Ave. haha! 

Hola mi familia y amigos! 10/6/14

Hola mi familia! 

Another great week in The Lord's vineyard. 

Tuesday we went to transfer meeting and the two things I predicted would happen, happened. I'm not saying there will ever be a woman prophet.. But if there was one.. 😉 just kidding. So yeah, President Calderwood did speak to us about obedience. Honestly, I just find it sad that he has to do that. After the meeting was over he whipped out a pre-screen copy of Meet the Mormons. It was good, but I cannot tell a lie.. I do like Batman better. 

The way home from transfer meeting was pretty hellish. "It was the worst thing ever, I would not do that again" (Sister Snow) We drove home, unfortunately, with the Spanish elders in our district and it was no bueno! I had a really bad headache and a certain elder was BLASTING some weird country music, like boot scoot and boogie or something.. I was not impressed. The Elders in our district aren't very respectful. 

The next couple of days I was sick with a cold or something, maybe bronchitis, but who knows. My throat still kind of hurts, but I'm all good. There are a lot of missionaries who are getting sick lately, so I wouldn't be surprised if we had some type of "no shaking hands" regulation passed. 

Speaking of "colds" it is getting really cold outside and I have no clothes. ⬅️(Mom) This morning it was 40 degrees.. I am not excited for winter in New York. But, come what may and love it, eh? 

I watched General Conference in a church building for the first time ever. That was not as comfortable as a couch, but it was still really good. The only people who came to the sessions on Saturday were the missionaries. So we had fun and played some card games mid-session with a less active named Matt, who came for food and games.

I liked most of the talks given in Conference. One of my many favorites was Quentin L. Cook's. I thought the fact that he spoke about not postponing marriage to finish your education was great. Not because I am looking to get married the week I get home, but because on Long Island/ in New York in general, SO many "young" adults are not married. 

Marriage truly is more important than any other thing you could do in this life. Because, the family IS God's most important work. #promarriage #templemarriage 

Anyway, I love you all a lot and I hope to hear from you all soon. 

Stay fresh hommies, 

Hasta Luego! 

Hermana Tenney

                                                             Transfer Three Together!!!

1/6 of the way is already gone! 9/22/14

Hey family and friends!

First of all, you guys are the best!

This week has been pretty good! Just working hard, like usual.

Tuesday/Wednesday we had exchanges and Sister Seely came to Riverhead. That was interesting. I missed Sister Snow though, so I am hoping we will be together for a third transfer. We will find out if that's happening this Saturday.

While Sister Seely was here we helped Kathy dress tons of Barbies. Her house is packed of random collections. One of her collections is paper weights, so I will attach a picture.

On Thursday we did normal missionary stuff.. Nothing super interesting happened.

On Friday and Saturday our zone volunteered during a cycle for life-bike a thon for cystic fibrosis. Which was so much fun! It was cool to be outside doing stuff all day in pants. Haha.

Sunday our investigator Nancy was supposed to come to church with us, but it didn't turn out... So that was really annoying..

Today has been a ton of fun. I smell pretty gross right now because our entire zone has been playing soccer ALL day! I really relied on my 6th grade soccer skills. But I was the only sister to score a goal....
So.... I might come home and join a team or something... Haha just kidding, soccer is still GAY.


Anyway, sorry this is kind of short.. But missionary work is awesome and rewarding.

Read your scriptures, go to church, and pray tons.

Love, Sister Tenney

                         Stepped on hot tar and tried to get it off my shoe... and burnt my whole thumb

                                                     Turtle in our backyard (they're everywhere)

                                                                     Me and Nancy's dog

                                                      Me setting up the bike route for cystic fibrosis

Tired. September 15, 2014

Hola familia! Semana 11 en Riverhead y todavía estoy vivo!

This week has been pretty good. I'm just working hard to bring forth immortality and eternal life to the people of New York.

As for the 11 day Book of Mormon challenge, 👏👏👏 done and done. But it doesn't really matter how fast you read it, as long as you read it. Because it is true, and it is the word of God. So y'all needa read up.

My mom told me she would read it cover to cover by Christmas... So, don't think I've forgotten..

I see miracles happen every single day. Seriously, MIRACLES.

1. Ask and Ye shall receive. Something I've learned in the past while is that Heavenly Father is willing to give me A LOT more than what I ask for. So, I've been asking in faith, and things have definitely been given unto me. #likemannafromheaven

2. Revelation is REAL. I have been blessed to receive revelation through out my mission. Most related to missionary work, but some related to my life here on earth, and even eternally. My life really has never been so clear, and I'm pretty sure of what The Lord wants me to do with the rest of my life. (As for right now..) I am definitely growing spiritually, mentally, but hopefully not physically.

3. I am not too excited that it's already week 5 in the transfer! Honestly, I am pretty sure that I will be staying in Riverhead.. But I'm pretty nervous about getting a new companion. Sister Snow and I work really well together and we are basically a power team.. So if I do get a new companion, I just hope she's solid.

Anyway, I really love you all. So does your Father in Heaven, and our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Hasta luego!
Love, Sister Tenney

"after much thought i have decided to go in another direction and leave the church again. i have a hard time believing that the LDS church is "the one true church" when Christianity existed from the 1st Century, AD. Please don't call or text me anymore or come around.

please tell the other church members i won't be coming back. this is the last time you'll be hearing from me"


This is the Facebook message I received just barely from a woman we were going to take to the temple. She  was baptized in 2001 and I amfreaking annoyed. Haha anyway, just wanted to show you how not everything is perfect every single day.

I never get like home sick, or frustrated with myself, or discouraged, but this is definitely something that bugs me.

Anyway, I'm just keeping it real. Missionary work ain't easy.

Love you, Sammy.

Where the heck am I? And what are these miracles?? 9/8/14

Mi familia!

It's been a great week in Riverhead! The time is going by quickly and I can't believe it's already week 4 in the transfer!

Monday we went into the city, and didn't get hit. So over all that experience was good. We got back too late for me to do any of my laundry, and then went on exchanges (I went to Plainview). The point is that by Wednesday morning I had 0 pairs of garments left, I had even used my thermal pair. So that was cool....

Monday night/Tuesday I was in Plainview with Sister Kapisi. She's pretty cool. We got to go running in the morning! So, I was really happy.  Her dad is actually from Samoa and was converted by his friend, who was converted by Tenneys! His name is Joe Kapisi.

It was fun, but I was glad to get back home.

Wednesday we had a Skype lesson with Sierra who was baptized last week!! Woo! For those who don't know her, she is a girl Laney and I played water polo with in high school - her family are devout
Catholics and she has a little girl named Lily.  It was really awesome seeing her and talking about the gospel!

Thursday-

Sister Snow and I received a call from our branch President asking us to go visit a woman named Ana Lee. He didn't know anything about her but was asked by her bishop to send Sisters to see her.

Which is what we did. When we got to her address we were stopped by a guard because she lives in a gated community for old people. But the guard called the home owner and we we're let in.

We met Ana Lee, from Lithuania, who was baptized in 2011. She was the sweetest person I have ever met! She is not an actual resident of the community, but she lives with a woman who is dying and takes care of her. She works 24-7 so her grandson in Lithuania can come to America and earn a degree in a University. We visited/prayed with her and the spirit was so strong!

Turns out we only were allowed in because another worker who answered the phone was expecting a delivery for a bed. #miracles


💕💕💕FRIDAY💕💕💕

Friday night sister Snow and I went knocking on a street called Rabbit Run. The first house we knocked on, the huge white man ran to the door and seemed super mad! We didn't even say anything before he started yelling at us! He went inside for half a second and then came back out and realized he didn't even know if we were Mormons or not because we hadn't said a word... So he asked/yelled what religion are we.. And this is how the conversation pretty much went:

Us: "We are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints"
Man: "you need to go watch the play!!!!!"
Us:":( :( :( :("
Man"blacks, polygamy, blah blah blah, play, blah blah!!!"
Us:"have a good day"

He was legitimately upset that we were Mormons. Because he was ignorant.

Maybe it's just because I am in New York, so I hear a lot about the Broadway Musical about Mormons. But, I know that those people who created it will be also accountable leading people away from the truth. It is so ridiculous that in this day in age a musical can be so faith destroying.

Anyway, we are probably going to send Elder Kelley that man's way. Because Elder Kelley is an awesome missionary! And, he's black.

   SATURDAY

Saturday! Saturday was awesome! We went knocking as a zone in Riverhead.

First of all, I am not usually a complainer... But it was SO hot on Saturday! I was dying. I hadn't eaten or drank anything all day and it was like 3:00 PM. We had knocked on the first 4 or 5 houses of the street and had no success. Not very many people were even home, let alone interested.

So, I was like "wo am I" and said this prayer in my heart and head;

"Heavenly Father, it is sooo hot out here. If my mom has ever in my life said a prayer for me, let me reap of those blessings now! Please let somebody give us some water. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

We walked across the street to the next house and knocked on the door. Nobody answered and I was pretty bummed.

But then this little old lady came to the door and said "it is so hot out here, come into my house!"

WHAT?!!! NOBODY DOES THAT. EVVVEEERRR.

We walk inside, (not even haven introduced ourselves) and she says, "come sit down, I will get you a glass of water".

To anyone who is reading this, prayer is real people! And special thanks to my mom for praying for me. Hahahah.


Sunday was good. I LOVE SUNDAYS. we had a mission-wide fast for our investigators. And people just started showing up! It was so cool! It was probably one of the first times in my life where I have seen so many blessings come from fasting, so quickly! 😄

So that's real as well. As is also, the Book of Mormon. I am almost done with it and am trying to keep the 11 day goal, to beat Derek. And it's even more important now, because last week he told me there was no way I could do it. But, Ye of little faith.


Anyway... I'm good! I'm alive and I work my butt of everyday to bring forth the everlasting gospel to the people of Riverhead. So, pray for them because they're a little crazy!

Love always,
Sister Tenney ❤️💕💕💕💕😘💌💅👍❤️💜💋👏