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Wishing she could swim :)
Monday, July 28, 2014
July 28, 2014 Spiders, bedbugs and fireflies
This week has been a good one.
Every week is good.
I'm alive, I have a bed to sleep in (even if it may have bed bugs),
and the I have the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
I'm just going to be honest, the work is hard here in Riverhead.
Our branch is extremely small, and they're all recent converts. Right
now they are really leaning on the missionaries, but we are trying to
build up the branch and teach them how to be self-dependent.
We can't go out and baptize Long Island if we don't have a strong
branch to fellowship them and keep them active. So as missionaries in
Riverhead, our goal this quarter is to reactivate the members.
The members really are the key to missionary work.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “So many of us look upon
missionary work as simply tracting. Everyone who is familiar with this
work knows there is a better way. That way is through the members of
the Church. Whenever there is a member who introduces an investigator,
there is an immediate support system. The member bears testimony of
the truth of the work. He is anxious for the happiness of his
investigator friend. He becomes excited as that friend makes progress
in learning the gospel.
“The full-time missionaries may do the actual teaching, but the
member, wherever possible, will back up that teaching with the
offering of his home to carry on this missionary service. He will bear
sincere testimony of the divinity of the work. He will be there to
answer questions when the missionaries are not around. He will be a
friend to the convert who is making a big and often difficult change.
… The process of bringing new people into the Church is not the
responsibility alone of the missionaries. They succeed best when
members become the source from which new investigators are found."
🔷Something pretty funny happened on Saturday.
Sister Snow and I were driving, but because I had a headache I laid my
seat down.
Meanwhile the Elders saw Sister Snow driving but didn't see me in the
car.. So they followed us around for thirty minutes until we got to an
investigator's house. They were freaking out because they thought
Sister Snow snapped and ditched me somewhere. Hahah
🔷Yesterday morning, right before church I found out that I was
speaking. Even though the Elders were supposed to tell me a week ago..
So that was annoying, but I guess that's part of being a missionary
eh? ;)
🔷Have I told you about the fireflies here? Because it's probably my
most favorite thing about Long Island.
🔷My house is still infested with spiders.. The spray was unsuccessful.
🔷I really love you all.
🔷The Hispanics love me. Which is a serious problem because they try
to feed you everything they have. Which is beans... I hate beans so
bad.
🔷Yesterday after church they had a little munch and mingle thing for
a family who is moving out of the branch. All of the little kids there
kept calling me " sister tennis ball", trying to take my tag, jump on
my back, and kidnap me... Haha one little Hispanic three year old girl
named Megan told her parents "I'm taking her home and I'm going to
cook her"....."in a pie" and even "like a chicken".. ... .. .. Uhh
hahaha ok.
🔷Also, does anybody know how to check if you have bedbugs? And what
to do if you have them? They are a serious problem here in New York
and my la campanera has bites all on her ankles and we heard that's
where you get them if you have bed bugs.. . . Gross. Luckily I don't
have any bites.. But I'm paranoid.
🔷 I love being a missionary. I'm having the time of my life.
🔷You can all be missionaries too.
🔷In Preach my Gospel it gives you 5 great steps to missionary work
you can use every day
🔸Pray and follow the Spirit
🔸Give service
🔸Develop friendships
🔸Open your mouths to share the restored gospel and
🔸Invite others to do things to increase their faith in Christ.
Here's some pictures from this week.
That cheese-ball case was holding up a window of a house we were
knocking. I don't know why I thought it was so funny... But I got a
picture. We knock some pretty sketchy areas, but this was one of the
nicer homes we have seen.. :)
The spider is from some investigators house (she actually lives in the
trailer park, so it's a trailer), I was sneaky and took one.
Absolutely disgusting.
And that little girl invited me to her birthday party. Her name is
Clair and were are BFFs. I don't know why I was making that face
either.
Love you all.
#writeme
-Sister Samantha Tennis Ball
Every week is good.
I'm alive, I have a bed to sleep in (even if it may have bed bugs),
and the I have the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
I'm just going to be honest, the work is hard here in Riverhead.
Our branch is extremely small, and they're all recent converts. Right
now they are really leaning on the missionaries, but we are trying to
build up the branch and teach them how to be self-dependent.
We can't go out and baptize Long Island if we don't have a strong
branch to fellowship them and keep them active. So as missionaries in
Riverhead, our goal this quarter is to reactivate the members.
The members really are the key to missionary work.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “So many of us look upon
missionary work as simply tracting. Everyone who is familiar with this
work knows there is a better way. That way is through the members of
the Church. Whenever there is a member who introduces an investigator,
there is an immediate support system. The member bears testimony of
the truth of the work. He is anxious for the happiness of his
investigator friend. He becomes excited as that friend makes progress
in learning the gospel.
“The full-time missionaries may do the actual teaching, but the
member, wherever possible, will back up that teaching with the
offering of his home to carry on this missionary service. He will bear
sincere testimony of the divinity of the work. He will be there to
answer questions when the missionaries are not around. He will be a
friend to the convert who is making a big and often difficult change.
… The process of bringing new people into the Church is not the
responsibility alone of the missionaries. They succeed best when
members become the source from which new investigators are found."
🔷Something pretty funny happened on Saturday.
Sister Snow and I were driving, but because I had a headache I laid my
seat down.
Meanwhile the Elders saw Sister Snow driving but didn't see me in the
car.. So they followed us around for thirty minutes until we got to an
investigator's house. They were freaking out because they thought
Sister Snow snapped and ditched me somewhere. Hahah
🔷Yesterday morning, right before church I found out that I was
speaking. Even though the Elders were supposed to tell me a week ago..
So that was annoying, but I guess that's part of being a missionary
eh? ;)
🔷Have I told you about the fireflies here? Because it's probably my
most favorite thing about Long Island.
🔷My house is still infested with spiders.. The spray was unsuccessful.
🔷I really love you all.
🔷The Hispanics love me. Which is a serious problem because they try
to feed you everything they have. Which is beans... I hate beans so
bad.
🔷Yesterday after church they had a little munch and mingle thing for
a family who is moving out of the branch. All of the little kids there
kept calling me " sister tennis ball", trying to take my tag, jump on
my back, and kidnap me... Haha one little Hispanic three year old girl
named Megan told her parents "I'm taking her home and I'm going to
cook her"....."in a pie" and even "like a chicken".. ... .. .. Uhh
hahaha ok.
🔷Also, does anybody know how to check if you have bedbugs? And what
to do if you have them? They are a serious problem here in New York
and my la campanera has bites all on her ankles and we heard that's
where you get them if you have bed bugs.. . . Gross. Luckily I don't
have any bites.. But I'm paranoid.
🔷 I love being a missionary. I'm having the time of my life.
🔷You can all be missionaries too.
🔷In Preach my Gospel it gives you 5 great steps to missionary work
you can use every day
🔸Pray and follow the Spirit
🔸Give service
🔸Develop friendships
🔸Open your mouths to share the restored gospel and
🔸Invite others to do things to increase their faith in Christ.
Here's some pictures from this week.
That cheese-ball case was holding up a window of a house we were
knocking. I don't know why I thought it was so funny... But I got a
picture. We knock some pretty sketchy areas, but this was one of the
nicer homes we have seen.. :)
The spider is from some investigators house (she actually lives in the
trailer park, so it's a trailer), I was sneaky and took one.
Absolutely disgusting.
And that little girl invited me to her birthday party. Her name is
Clair and were are BFFs. I don't know why I was making that face
either.
Love you all.
#writeme
-Sister Samantha Tennis Ball
Monday, July 21, 2014
July 21, 2014
Week two in Riverhead flew by.
Sister Snow and I have been trying to find some new investigators and hard work seems to be paying off. We have four new investigators that we hope will progress in the next couple of weeks.
There's this guy named "K".. He only has one leg, but he probably could out run you. In 2006 he had just finished his prison time. Soon after he got out he was involved in a really bad motorcycle crash and lost his left leg. When Sister Snow was in the library he came up behind her and said "I'm a missionary too".... Haha.
So we set up a time to meet with him again. When we met up with him on Friday he told us he stopped smoking
marijuana since he met with us, so that is promising.
There are a lot of really "interesting" people here in Riverhead. Main Street is pretty ghetto. There are a lot of prostitutes, drug deals, and criminal acts going on.. So we try our best not to go into those areas. The transvestites are pretty funny to talk to sometimes though.
I think we had over 30 people at church yesterday! So that's really awesome. The Riverhead branch has had some major drama in the past ten years. They are finally moving past it and now we are trying to really build
up the branch.
It is definitely hard when we don't have many worthy, strong priesthood holders. Being in such a small branch I've realized how important the priesthood is in the church, and how grateful I am to have had a dad that cherishes his priesthood and uses it to lead his family. It makes such a difference in a home.
Anyway, thanks for all of you love and support. I hope you enjoy your last bit of summer. Go swimming for me. And happy Pioneer Day!
Baptism is the gate.
The temple is the goal.
The members are the key.
The doctrine of Christ is the path.
And the Atonement is the only way.
I love you all, a lot,
Sister Samantha Tenney
#writeme
Oh haha and if you're wondering why that's my subject line, it's
because a guy tried to kiss me at the library. .. Hahaha
Sister Snow and I have been trying to find some new investigators and hard work seems to be paying off. We have four new investigators that we hope will progress in the next couple of weeks.
There's this guy named "K".. He only has one leg, but he probably could out run you. In 2006 he had just finished his prison time. Soon after he got out he was involved in a really bad motorcycle crash and lost his left leg. When Sister Snow was in the library he came up behind her and said "I'm a missionary too".... Haha.
So we set up a time to meet with him again. When we met up with him on Friday he told us he stopped smoking
marijuana since he met with us, so that is promising.
There are a lot of really "interesting" people here in Riverhead. Main Street is pretty ghetto. There are a lot of prostitutes, drug deals, and criminal acts going on.. So we try our best not to go into those areas. The transvestites are pretty funny to talk to sometimes though.
I think we had over 30 people at church yesterday! So that's really awesome. The Riverhead branch has had some major drama in the past ten years. They are finally moving past it and now we are trying to really build
up the branch.
It is definitely hard when we don't have many worthy, strong priesthood holders. Being in such a small branch I've realized how important the priesthood is in the church, and how grateful I am to have had a dad that cherishes his priesthood and uses it to lead his family. It makes such a difference in a home.
Anyway, thanks for all of you love and support. I hope you enjoy your last bit of summer. Go swimming for me. And happy Pioneer Day!
Baptism is the gate.
The temple is the goal.
The members are the key.
The doctrine of Christ is the path.
And the Atonement is the only way.
I love you all, a lot,
Sister Samantha Tenney
#writeme
Oh haha and if you're wondering why that's my subject line, it's
because a guy tried to kiss me at the library. .. Hahaha
July 14, 2014
Hello Everyone!
This past week has been crazy!
Monday morning we flew out to New York.. I might not be coming home in 18 months because I never want to fly again after that horrible flight. I got so sick! So, I am sure Present and sister Calderwood thought I was super
beautiful after a five hour flight of throwing up. When we landed we got to go check out the Queen's museum, which was awesome! It is right by where they had the world fair. Then we went back up to the Calderwood's and ate dinner, had interviews and went to bed.
Tuesday was transfer meeting I I got my new compie, sister snow. You can hit her up on Facebook if you want. Shoot her out a little friend request, her first name is Becca. She's from Pason and knows pretty much exactly where grandma and grandpa Tenney live. She really is a sweet spirit and has a strong testimony of the restored gospel. I learn a lot from her in our companion studies.
We have met/taught some really interesting people this week.. Haha
On, I think Thursday night we went to go teach a recent Polish convert named Elizabeth. She lives with her very Muslim husband and his family and they have two kids. We started teaching her and her daughter Naaz, feel on her bike and cut her forehead open on the road. So that was a great first lesson in the mission field... Can you say awkward?
We were planning on knocking doors in her neighborhood after the lesson, but we felt so weird about it that we decided to go north a few blocks. .. Little did we know we ended up knocking in Polosh Town, USA. No joke..
But as we were tracting.. Getting doors slammed in our faces I decided I would just start talking about myself and my family to these random strangers we were meeting. So I just pulled up a pic of my boy Henry and telling people on their porches how I left my nephew, my family, friends, job, school, and everything so I could share a message about Jesus Christ with them. And we started getting into doors like crazy. I'm convinced it's because Henry is too cute to say no to.. And I'm not horrible looking either. ;) jk
Later that night we met with a less active named "S". She has 10 kids, still lives with her husband even though they are separated because her 10th child isn't his. She knows she can only be forgiven through repentance but is too ashamed to come back to church. I feel bad for her, and for her children.
This week I have been in some of the most "humble" homes I've seen in my life. People here have very humble circumstances.. It's sometimes scary to go up to these ghetto doors not knowing what/who is inside.. But I know that god does prepare his people.
On Saturday we went to go teach a recent convert named kimba who lives in a trailer park with a bunch of random strangers. - we ended up inviting her roommate **** (who is 4 ft 5), her neighbor (with no teeth),"D" his wife, and their other roommate "S" to come to church on Sunday.. Haha
There were more investigators, recent converts, and missionaries than the branch members attending church in Sunday. Which is pretty sweet.
Anyway, our house is cute. It's yellow and just Sister Snow and I live there. But bad news, it is infested with spiders.. My favorite! I had one with me in the shower.. We hung out for a while. :) today we bought some bug spray though, so hopefully that does the trick :)
Anyway here's my address you should send letters to:
435 Middle Road
Riverhead, NY 11771
And mom if you send a package send it to:
959 Middle Road
Riverhead, NY 11901
Anyway, shout out to the only Elder I like, Derek Ammon Jennings.
You all should shoot him an email at derek.jennings@myldsmail.net
Love you all, sister tenney.
Oh ya, I was knocking and a man in a speedo came and talked to me. So that was cool. Also, a lady told me she was about to release her attack dogs.. Haha people here are crazy.
One more thing, I can get/read your emails any day of the week because I have my iPad. I just can't respond.. So it's cool to get them.. Mom, dad.... . . :)
And Devon, congrats on going through the temple! Sick!
This past week has been crazy!
Monday morning we flew out to New York.. I might not be coming home in 18 months because I never want to fly again after that horrible flight. I got so sick! So, I am sure Present and sister Calderwood thought I was super
beautiful after a five hour flight of throwing up. When we landed we got to go check out the Queen's museum, which was awesome! It is right by where they had the world fair. Then we went back up to the Calderwood's and ate dinner, had interviews and went to bed.
Tuesday was transfer meeting I I got my new compie, sister snow. You can hit her up on Facebook if you want. Shoot her out a little friend request, her first name is Becca. She's from Pason and knows pretty much exactly where grandma and grandpa Tenney live. She really is a sweet spirit and has a strong testimony of the restored gospel. I learn a lot from her in our companion studies.
We have met/taught some really interesting people this week.. Haha
On, I think Thursday night we went to go teach a recent Polish convert named Elizabeth. She lives with her very Muslim husband and his family and they have two kids. We started teaching her and her daughter Naaz, feel on her bike and cut her forehead open on the road. So that was a great first lesson in the mission field... Can you say awkward?
We were planning on knocking doors in her neighborhood after the lesson, but we felt so weird about it that we decided to go north a few blocks. .. Little did we know we ended up knocking in Polosh Town, USA. No joke..
But as we were tracting.. Getting doors slammed in our faces I decided I would just start talking about myself and my family to these random strangers we were meeting. So I just pulled up a pic of my boy Henry and telling people on their porches how I left my nephew, my family, friends, job, school, and everything so I could share a message about Jesus Christ with them. And we started getting into doors like crazy. I'm convinced it's because Henry is too cute to say no to.. And I'm not horrible looking either. ;) jk
Later that night we met with a less active named "S". She has 10 kids, still lives with her husband even though they are separated because her 10th child isn't his. She knows she can only be forgiven through repentance but is too ashamed to come back to church. I feel bad for her, and for her children.
This week I have been in some of the most "humble" homes I've seen in my life. People here have very humble circumstances.. It's sometimes scary to go up to these ghetto doors not knowing what/who is inside.. But I know that god does prepare his people.
On Saturday we went to go teach a recent convert named kimba who lives in a trailer park with a bunch of random strangers. - we ended up inviting her roommate **** (who is 4 ft 5), her neighbor (with no teeth),"D" his wife, and their other roommate "S" to come to church on Sunday.. Haha
There were more investigators, recent converts, and missionaries than the branch members attending church in Sunday. Which is pretty sweet.
Anyway, our house is cute. It's yellow and just Sister Snow and I live there. But bad news, it is infested with spiders.. My favorite! I had one with me in the shower.. We hung out for a while. :) today we bought some bug spray though, so hopefully that does the trick :)
Anyway here's my address you should send letters to:
435 Middle Road
Riverhead, NY 11771
And mom if you send a package send it to:
959 Middle Road
Riverhead, NY 11901
Anyway, shout out to the only Elder I like, Derek Ammon Jennings.
You all should shoot him an email at derek.jennings@myldsmail.net
Love you all, sister tenney.
Oh ya, I was knocking and a man in a speedo came and talked to me. So that was cool. Also, a lady told me she was about to release her attack dogs.. Haha people here are crazy.
One more thing, I can get/read your emails any day of the week because I have my iPad. I just can't respond.. So it's cool to get them.. Mom, dad.... . . :)
And Devon, congrats on going through the temple! Sick!
July 5, 2014
All week I've just been writing a list of what I wanted to tell you all about. So, sorry that this email is going to be all over the place.
- My branch President, President Mosher, reminds me of the butler off of Haunter Mansion. If you've never seen it or don't know what I am talking about do yourself a favor and google it asap.Much love,
June 28, 2014
HELLO EVERYONE.
I didn't die, just went to the MTC, so you actually can still write to me if you want.. ..
Well first off, HOW crazy is it I am on a mission right now?
When I walked into the MTC I got a envelope and saw that my companion was ANA COOK! !! My old USU roommate! WHAT?! #godlovesme
These few days here at the mtc have taught me a lot about myself, and my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
We basically study 24/7 and I'm not even mad about it. I LOVE IT!
------------------------------
Sister Cook and I pretty much are pro at the MTC. We've got everything figured out.
We always get the sack breakfast/lunches because the cafeteria food is garbage. And then for dinner we get like a wrap/salad or something you don't start to throw up while eating.
(no Laney, I haven't had any icecream..)
-My zone is alright, basically we have a lot of "SWEET Spirits" in our zone. But my district is sick, and the Elders are going to Provo, Ut on their missions... ahah aha.
--Next week we get 18 new missionaries in our zone! So, that's cool.
-We get to go to the temple twice because we have two pdays here, and then 2 more times on -Sundays for 'temple walks'.
-GYM TIME" Is the best time of the week. I feel like it's 'yard time' for prisoners.. Haha.
-Yesterday during gym time, I didn't want to run with Sister Cook because I have the WORST blisters on my heels ever. I'm an idiot for not breaking in my shoes..
So I ended up playing four square (gay I know) but I was the only sister, and there were like 12 Samoan and Tongan Elders playing with me. And they just kept yelling/laughing at me.
-So, now I am tight with all of the Poly Elders in the MTC and basically I was a Polynesian in the pre-existence and I was sent to the wrong family ;) hahaha
The best part of the MTC is hearing "Aloha Sister Tenney" from across the entire campus.
-The cream soda tree is 'real' but it smells like bark to me. And I don't understand the hype.
-Oh, we fly out of here on the 7th of July and we're getting picked up from the mtc at 3:30 am.. so I'm not sure what time I'll be calling.. but it'll be early.
I think something huge I've learned this week is that there is a big difference between obedience and righteousness.
I am happier than ever and I love being a missionary. I hope to hear form you all soon.
Dear Elder works really well.
OH DAD, read 2 NE 31:8--- remember that story in your mission journal about that white dove when you got off the bus in Brasil??
OKAY, PEACE OUT
- Sister Samantha Tenney
OH, I'm on like the one sucky computer that doesn't upload pics.. so sorry.
Mom, will you send me that stuff for blisters? love you.
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