Till Death Do Us Part!!! 02/27/12

Hello family and friends,


How are you all doing?  Today I am doing great... Still having a little bit of neck issues but sooooo much better this week!  I even ate a piece of pizza about an hour ago and it was awesome! haha its so funny how much the little tender mercies mean to you when you haven't been able to do something for awhile.  But Mom I promise that today I am doing a lot better.  Every day I get a little better so no need to worry... I think a lot of it is stress and all those years of playing bball is catching up to me... last night I told Sis. Chronister that my body was just falling apart. So anyway... this week has been pretty good.  We taught Allison last night and it was probably the most chaotic thing of my life.  The whole family was going crazy about her ex husband and what not haha it was one of those moments where the cute little missionaries just sit there and smile and nod while the family is feuding haha.  Oh well. Allison likes us and likes learning but is freaked out about baptism right now... so hopefully we will get to change that.  Also I will tell you the story about my title.  So as all of you know this past week we received our transfer call.  It was pretty interesting because I felt pretty calm about this one.  On Tuesday I had a leadership meeting that I had to go to and so Sister Chronister went on splits with some other sisters. While I was at the meeting Pres. Weaver said "so this is your second transfer with Sister Chronister right?" and I said "yes" and he said "hmm... is three to many?"  And I said "no! not at all" haha so then he said "well, we will see" and walked away... so the whole week I was feeling like we would stay... Sister Chronister didn't think that but I had faith haha.  So on Saturday night Pres. Weaver finally called us at like 10:20, and gave us our call.  He said "well Sis. Balmforth I don't know if this is a surprise to you but we would like you to stay in Silverdale, then he said and Sister Chronister... (I thought her butt was outta here... )we would like you to stay too!  So pres is still on the phone and guess who starts screaming?  Yeah that would be me haha Pres. Weaver obviously didn't know what to do so he said "well congratulations" haha it was way funny and we couldn't sleep that night because we were so happy.  Sister Chronister has seriously changed my life.  She is so amazing, and it is so amazing how the lord can work.  We have only known each other for 12 weeks and we love each other so much.  And I know that it is because we feel the spirit constantly.  So I am hoping to be with her til my mission is over but that's not likely haha but we will see.  Also last night there was a youth fireside and it was amazing!  The spirit was so strong as these youth sang and spoke.  It made me think of all my young women who I love and miss so much.  I love the youth so much!  Sister Leach was in charge of the music and it was soooo amazing!  I hope that I can end my mission in Silverdale because if I do then I will get to meet Matt Leach.  He will get home four days before I leave!  Yesterday I also talked in sacrament meeting.  On Thursday the bishop called us and he had someone bail so he asked us and it was good.  I winged it hard core haha its nice being a missionary... the lord blesses you haha.  So really I wrote my talk while sitting on the stand.  But people liked it so I guess it was okay.  This week I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.  I am thankful for good parents who taught me at a young age what a testimony was, and how to strive to have the holy ghost in my life.  I am thankful for the Savior.  I know that he lives and loves me and I know that he has been where I have. I  love it so much!  I love my mission... it is something that is so close to my heart!  And I love all of you!  Have a great week!

Love always,
Katee
ps... sorry I suck at letters!  I will try harder!  Love you!

At the Naval Base in Silverdale on P-Day

Sister Finnegan, Sister Balmforth and Sister Holman

In memory of Grandpa Harward, his favorite candy.

Sister Balmforth and Sister Holman

Not even a year old.

Sister Holman and Balmforth's christmas tree

Sushi?

Sister Balmforth and Sister Craig

Elder and Sister Finnegan, Sister Balmforth and Holman

The Finnegan's got her a basketball birthday cake, they are awesome!

Birthday packages.

Half way mark

Sister Balmforth and Sister Chronister, they are both ballers.

The Finnegan's and Sister Chronister and Balmforth

Her Smurf pajamas.  I think she was excited.

Spoon Fed! 02/20/12

Hello family and friends!


Well what a..... hmm.... whats the word for this past week... not good... haha.  Okay well it started out good. On Tuesday we had a zone conference and its always fun seeing other missionaries and being with President and Sister Weaver.  So that was good.  I just wasn't feelin that great. Then Tuesday night a few awesome people from the ward planned a suprise party for the Finnegans for their 45th anniversary... So that was way fun and we were all in on that.  But I still wasn't feeling that great... And I didn't eat much. Then Wednesday morning I woke up and walked in to our study area and then turned around and walked back to bed.  I have NEVER gone back to bed on my mission before!  I stayed in bed for most of the day... It was horrible.  I couldn't eat or anything... I wasn't nauseous or anything I just had no appetite, and my neck hurt.  Then Thursday I slept for a bit and then decided I needed to get out... So we went on base with the Finnegans but after about an hour I was done, and spent the rest of the day on their couch.  Sister Chronister was able to get a split and go teach Allison.  I was going crazy and I felt terrible because by this time I haven't eaten in like three days.  And you know me... drinking water when I am sick is always what I want to do... So then Elder Finnegan and Brother Jansson gave me a blessing and I knew that I would be okay because it said that my body would be healed.  BUT... It never said when... haha.  So Thursday night I was gettin scared cuz I felt so bad and I never get sick.  And I have had this really weird pain shooting through my neck... like under my glands.  So we go to bed that night and I just prayed and knew I would be better by the next morning. And I had to be because we had a full day with lots of lessons.  So Friday morning comes and I still don't feel that great really weak because I haven't eaten... And I sat on the couch and cried... Sister Chronister is amazing and just sat there and scratched my back and told me it was going to be okay... Then I decided that I needed to call Sister Weaver... yes it took three days for my stubborn butt to call her haha.  So she made me a doctors appointment and you all know how much I love going to the doctor.  I NEVER go to the doctor!  But all our appointments called and canceled so I knew it was the Lords way of telling me that I needed too... So the finnegans took us and I went to the doctor and he checked me out and couldn't find anything wrong (like always when I go to doctors) So he said I probably had some virus and then he said that there is a main muscle in your neck right there where mine hurts and I probably hurt it.  Its just weird because it only hurts to eat and open my mouth wide and stuff.  But it is getting better everyday... So then he told me to drink lots even if I couldn't eat.  So I have been working on that.  Then Saturday came around and I had to eat so I could takek some Aleve.  It was nine in the morning and ramen kind of sounded good. So I seriously sat on the couch and cried because I had to eat and Sister Chronister is the best and she seriously sat on the couch next to me spoon feeding me and making everything better haha.  She is awesome... and I'm way embarresed haha.  I had to do what I had to do.  So I still don't feel much like eating but I have been.  So I am slowly but surely getting better... and I had another blessing that said this will all depart from my body... so I will be 100 percent soon.!  Yesterday I went to church and it was good. Allison didn't show. And after that I was even able to work a little.  So Mom stop panicking haha I am doing fine. But pretty much my week was sitting on a couch... so it was way boring.  And I might have a cough or something now because it feels like something is stuck in my throat and i just cough.  Oh well.  I am so grateful to be serving the Lord at this time though.  I know that my Savior has felt what I am feeling and that he can and WILL take it away... I know that because he already has.  He has healed me MANY times.  I love my mission.  Last week I was writing my mom and I asked her about coming home soon and I told her how I am excited but it is so hard because I love Washington so much because this is where my life has changed.  And I know it has because of the healing power of the Atonement.  I will be forever grateful for my Savior, and for my mission.  I am also grateful this week to an amazing companion who was a great mom haha. Well everyone I love you all so much!  I hope you are doing great!  Sorry I stink at writing... I will try to be better!  You are all amazing!  I love you!

Love,
Katee

Candy Please!!!! 02/13/2012

Hello family and friends!


So honestly I don't even know what to write about this week.  It has been stressful... sometimes I feel like its a job to try and stay busy and find things to do and then other times I am stressed when we have things to do... So its been a week where I am trying to figure out what to do... how to use our time better, and how to FIND PEOPLE TO TEACH!  So we will start with a story... last week for some odd reason I was bound and determined to lose weight ha. Funny right?  So I told Sister Chronister that she needed to drag my sorry butt out of bed in the morning to exercise... she said okay... so that lasted a couple days.  Then we were both so exhausted that we couldn't move.  So then I decide I'm gonna give up junk food... haha.... well that lasted all of a day and by the second day I was having a melt down in the car screaming "I NEED M&M'S!" Hahaha Sister Chronister just laughed at me.  And then she felt bad because I was seriously going through with drawls haha.  How sad is that...?  Its so gross that I'm such a stress eater... any how... I'm back on candy haha.  I'll quit when I get home. This past week we also did some service for a family.  He can't move... he is bed ridden and I'm not sure if he has MS or what it is.... so Sister Chronister took the kitchen and I took the bathroom... Mom thank you so much for always cleaning... oh my gosh this was nasty and I promise to do any chores you ever ask me too when I come home haha.  This past week Sister Graves also made me WHITE CHILLI BURRITO'S!  I about died!  They weren't like dad's but they were close and I was so grateful!  The Graves goats also had babies and they are so cute!  I will send pics soon.  Yesterday was a hard day at church... Allison didn't show so who knows if she will get baptized on the 19th. I guess we will see.  It is hard to teach her because her attention span is that of a two year old... but its okay... everything in the lords time right?  But Zebadiah came to church!  And he loved Testimony meeting!  So that's good.  Hopefully he will get baptized soon!  Yesterday I bore my testimony in the family ward and I was really glad that I did.  My heart was pounding and the spirit pretty much kicked me out of my chair.  I shared my love of the savior and my heavenly father. Then in the ysa ward Elder Finnegan got up and bore the most powerful testimony of the Savior.  Sister Finnegan always says that Elder Finnegan will be the one to introduce her to the savior because he knows who he is... I believe that so much.  Elder Finnegan bore powerful testimony of the Savior and it made me so happy.  Then Sister Finnegan followed him and I thought I was going to lose it.  These amazing people have changed my life in so many ways, and I will be eternally grateful for them.  I am so glad that they live in Utah!  Tomorrow is their 45th wedding anniversary! Tomorrow we also have zone conference so that should be good. This week I have learned that missionary work is hard and it is exhausting... but the Lord needs us to pretty much suck it up and work.  And I am so grateful for that.  I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his gospel... where would we be without it? I see people every day who need it so bad but won't do anything to get it... It breaks my heart... but I know that in due time every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ... I know that with all of my heart!  Happy Valentines Day everyone!  I love you so much!  I am working on letters! You are amazing!  Love you!
Love always,
Kate... Sister Balmforth

So do you kinda.....sorta...maybe...wanna get baptized? 02/06/2012

Hello family and friends!!


Well this week has been AMAZING!  Like seriously I am exhausted!  And I love it!  I have so much to tell you and like Colton I wrote it all in my planner haha but... I didn't forget mine... haha just kiddin brother!  So anyway... the past week was full of... MIRACLES!  Yes!  It was great!  And I love it because Sister Chronister and I have been working sooooo hard and on Saturday it all payed off!  On Saturday we had two church tours, we found two new investigators by a fluke accident... or the power of heaven haha, and we now have one person on date to be baptized!  AH!  Yeah!  Sorry if you can't tell but I'm a little excited haha. So here is how it all happened.  So for about the past six months Sister Finnegan has been knocking on this door on base trying to get the girl to come on a church tour with her non member husband.  Her name is or we thought was Sara cuz that's what it said on the ward list haha.  So finally these people commit to come on a church tour. Now on Saturday I was dog tired and we were waiting at the church for these people and the Finnegan's... and I won't lie, I was terrible and didn't have much faith that they would show.  So I rest my head against the car window and doze off... (and it scared Sister Chronister half to death when my elbow hit the window thing and the window opened haha) so then the phone rings and Sis. Finnegan says that they are on their way... I was shocked but excited.  So they get there and we start the tour and I ask the girl how long she has been a member... and she says I'm not a member.... wait what?!  I said your name is Sara right?  She said no its Maria.... what is going on haha so anyway... we go on the tour and they like it and they said they would be baptized!  They didn't commit to a date but they will soon... I hope.  Next we gave Allison our investigator a church tour, and we had a goal to put her on date for baptism... and I told Sister Chronister that she should commit her because she never has before.  So she said okay.... Hahaha it was awesome... she did so good I was so proud of my baby haha but she was like stuttering a little bit, and she said So..... how..... will..... is it important to you to follow Jesus Christs example?... How would.... or will you be baptized? haha Luckily, Allison said yes... it was great and Sister Chronister just laughs about it now and so do I haha.  Allison said she would be baptized on the 19th!  So keep your fingers crossed!  So on the first church tour the people asked what the difference was between us and Christians, and I explained that we are christian and then I gave like a two minute restoration lesson.  Later that night I asked Sister Chronister what her favorite part of the day was and she said... putting Allison on date... and then she said... wait.... no... it was when you gave a two minute resto... and I said, :why was that your favorite" and she said, "because I felt the spirit so strong and I just remember thinking I hope they are feeling this"!  So that made me feel good... We have had a great fun week and we have laughed a lot.  On Sunday I was way tired again and I asked Sister Chronister if i had bags under my eyes... she smiled and said no... then I said you're lying... and she said no I'm not that's how you always look! haha it was funny.... but anyway... I am loving life even though it is tiring and stressful... I love being a missionary.  This morning I studied about the Atonement, and I am so grateful for my Savior.  He is the way and because of him we have so much.  I am honored to represent him, and to teach people about him and his life and his gospel.  I am so grateful to him... There is a quote by Elder Holland that I liked.. it says " in short, the atonement has universal, infinite, and unconditional consequences for all mankind throughout the duration of all eternity!" I love that!  I know it is true!  I have seen lives change because of the atonement but mostly I have just seen mine change.  I love you all so much!  Have a great week!

Love,
Kate