BLONDIE IN BRAZIL
LET'S DANCE IN THE RAIN
I’ll start off by rejoicing over the fact that I’m still alive and standing! I thought I had been through a lot. I thought I had trials in the past. I found that my trials were small when I received the news last week that my brother, Riley, has cancer.
I am going to be completely honest. I became convinced that my brother needed me. I knew that I needed to be there for him through the next year of rigorous chemo and surgeries. In my heart, I had convinced myself that my time would be better spent serving my family rather than the people on my mission.
As always, my Mom is much stronger than I. Her true faith showed itself as she lovingly told me that the blessings received by my family from my service were far more valuable than any service I could render at home.
Then came a promise to Riley, that I would fight the fight here, as long as he would promise to fight his hardest at home.
So here we stand. A family of missionaries turned completely to our Father in Heaven. This is part of our journey. Just like always, when something hard needed to be done, Riley stepped forward. I believe in the life before this, Riley assured Heavenly Father he could handle this trial and would see it through to the end, being an example to others in the process. With tears in his eyes, Father in Heaven gave Riley and our family this experience, knowing it would strengthen us. Along with it, He gave us a Savior. He gave us someone who knows EXACTLY how we feel, who knows how to succor us if we but come to Him in simple and humble prayer.
When we take His yoke upon us by following his example of love and service, He promises us that He will make our burdens light. This does not mean He will take them away, but He will carry them with us. He will make us stronger so that we can endure with happiness in our hearts. I plead with you to never forget your Savior.
Elder Uchtdorf said in conference something along the lines of “Why wait to rejoice in the rainbow when we can dance in the rain?”
Dearest family, we can do this and endure it well, with happiness and sunshine in our souls. I love each of you. I put my trust in the Lord. Let’s dance in the rain!
I love you,
Love,
Sister Culley
I am going to be completely honest. I became convinced that my brother needed me. I knew that I needed to be there for him through the next year of rigorous chemo and surgeries. In my heart, I had convinced myself that my time would be better spent serving my family rather than the people on my mission.
As always, my Mom is much stronger than I. Her true faith showed itself as she lovingly told me that the blessings received by my family from my service were far more valuable than any service I could render at home.
Then came a promise to Riley, that I would fight the fight here, as long as he would promise to fight his hardest at home.
So here we stand. A family of missionaries turned completely to our Father in Heaven. This is part of our journey. Just like always, when something hard needed to be done, Riley stepped forward. I believe in the life before this, Riley assured Heavenly Father he could handle this trial and would see it through to the end, being an example to others in the process. With tears in his eyes, Father in Heaven gave Riley and our family this experience, knowing it would strengthen us. Along with it, He gave us a Savior. He gave us someone who knows EXACTLY how we feel, who knows how to succor us if we but come to Him in simple and humble prayer.
When we take His yoke upon us by following his example of love and service, He promises us that He will make our burdens light. This does not mean He will take them away, but He will carry them with us. He will make us stronger so that we can endure with happiness in our hearts. I plead with you to never forget your Savior.
Elder Uchtdorf said in conference something along the lines of “Why wait to rejoice in the rainbow when we can dance in the rain?”
Dearest family, we can do this and endure it well, with happiness and sunshine in our souls. I love each of you. I put my trust in the Lord. Let’s dance in the rain!
I love you,
Love,
Sister Culley
Firemen, Stomach Flu and Baptisms
Hello Friends and Family! Oh what a week it has been. I have definitely learned the truth behind the statement, "we must walk through sorrow to know the good." This weekend we had everything thrown at us at once, but we are still standing!
I will begin on Friday. Friday night we received a text from Josian that he was in Phoenix and wouldn't be able to make it to his baptism the next day. After some frantic calls to President and the entire ward, we were able to reschedule it to Sunday night, which was awesome! So after we avoided one crisis... we were hit with another!
When we returned to our trailer for the night, or carbon monoxide alarm was going off. We knew it wasn't the battery because it plugs into the wall. So we left immediately and went to our neighbor's house. We were able to call the fire department from there. They came with SIX official vehicles, all with blinking blue and red lights! These lights could be seen from everywhere in Verde Lee! So everyone I'm sure now think the missionaries are causing trouble! ha ha
After standing around outside with the firemen for two hours, they came to the conclusion that there was a CO2 leak, and we needed to find another place to stay. Our neighbor's so graciously opened their parent's home to us. There parents own our house. They are serving a mission in Africa right now so their house is empty.
After a night of very little sleep, we were told that the gas leak was fixed and we could return home. We went out to work that day. I wasn't feeling very good all day and at around 2:00 pm I decided to ask for a blessing. As we walk into a member's home to give me the blessing... I just walked straight to their bathroom and threw up. I felt okay after that and thought I got it out of my system. The blessing really helped calm my nerves. So we thought it would be a good idea to attend the Elder's baptism in Duncan. It wasn't. I threw up there too. So we went home and stayed inside. It was a blessing that we had to reschedule Josian's baptism or I wouldn't had been able to attend!
After all the shenanigans were over, we were able to get back to work on Sunday. I do know that God gives us trials to strengthen us. I am so grateful for the trials that I've had before my mission and while on my mission. I am able to experience and enjoy the good that much more every single day because I have been shown the sorrow.
I was so grateful and humbled to see Josian enter the water's of baptism yesterday. He was confirmed a member of this church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have never seen him smile so much. I am so happy to have seen him from the beginning to his baptism. What a blessing it has been to associate with this elect man. His life has been a lot like my week. There have been so many trials, and hardships. The devil has tried his hardest to discourage Josian, but he just can't do it. Josian has followed God and wanted to follow Jesus Christ. No matter what he has kept his eyes fixed on the Lord. And look where he is now? I am so happy to be a missionary and help others like him come unto Christ.
Thank you for all your love and support.
Com muito amor,
Sister Culley
Walmart, Jello, and Baptisms
This week has been full of really great moments and some moments... lets just say I'll never forget!
To start out on a happy note, this week we had Josian's baptismal interview! It went really well. He is so excited to be baptized and keep learning. His family is coming for the baptism! Woo hoo! It has been a long road with lots of ups and downs with Josian, but it's all been worth it! I am so blessed to associate with this elect man.
On Friday after a long day of installing shelf liner in a member's home and three hours of weekly planning, we were rather hungry. We were excited to have dinner with the primary president. We figured that since she is a grandma she has to be a good cook, right? NOPE! She overlooked the fact that Sister Zealley and I are lactose intolerant. She made cheese and chicken. I say cheese and chicken because the chicken seemed to be a side dish. And she made "jello". You might think this blessed hospital food is a hard thing to ruin... well she did it! She put carrots and cellery and a bunch of other stuff that didn't belong in orange flavored jello. Along with half a carton of half and half. It looked like a big bowl of In and Out's animal style sauce. So here we are, two lactose intolerant girls choking down what she thinks is the best "salad" ever. Mean while she blabbered on about Kolob and her 70 grandchildren. We were so sick after that we had to cancel all our appointments that night.
President gave us the honor of attending Sister Larson's funeral about an hour away from Clifton. She was in the mission presidency. There were about thirty other missionaries there. We were all reminded about how fragile life is. Hug your loved ones, because you will never know when you have to say goodbye. I was reminded of Grandpa Jay's funeral and my own testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I am so grateful to be part of an eternal family. I can honestly say that there is nothing on this earth that can stop me from working my hardest to be with you all for eternity! NO EMPTY SPOTS UP THERE! OK? The funeral was absolutely packed. The stand, chapel, gym and stage were full to standing capacity. She was a truly influential woman. She died of stage four pancreatic cancer. It was an honor to be able to witness the result of her missionary work first hand.
After that on our way home we just couldn't help but stop at the walmart. It was the only walmart I've seen in months! We just stood there in shock and awe at all the... stuff!
The work is definitely moving quickly here in Clifton. I wish there was more time in the day! I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!
Love, Sister Culley
P.S. here are some pictures of me with our truck, Chewy! Short for Chewbaca
Miracles in Clifton...
Oi familia e amigos!
This week has been full of hard work and miracles. Yesterday we were driving to visit some less active families. We passed an old park and I saw a man kicking a soccer ball by himself. I thought to myself, "poor guy..." and before I knew it, I was turning around to go talk to him. It was incredibly obvious that we had stopped our truck for the soul purpose of talking to him. But, we talked to him anyway! His name is Carlos and he said he wanted to be closer to Jesus Christ for his kids back home in California. So we will be teaching him tonight at the church!
It is really special to be lead by the spirit to those who need your help. Even when you may be struggling yourself. We need to be praying to have our eyes open to those who need us. My challenge for each of you is to pray for opportunities of service and when God gives you those opportunities, take them! I promise that this will bring you great joy and satisfaction!
And you will be the answer to someone's prayers!
Forgetting yourself and getting lost in service to others is the greatest way to overcome our own trials. I love you all so much. you are all in my prayers!
Com muito amor,
Sister Culley
Transfers are ROUGH!
Well I'll start off with the good! My companion and I had the opportunity to witness the dedication of the Gilbert Arizona Temple. It was such a special experience. I love the idea that a temple is dedicated the Lord and to His Work. We are considered to be the Lords temples also! I am so excited to re-dedicate myself to the Lord and His Work. There is nothing that can bring more joy or happiness than dedicating ourselves to Christ's work.
As for the bad...Transfers came with a big surprise. My trainer, companion and best friend, Sister Clark has been transferred to Tuscon YSA. I have a new companion named Sister Zealley. I know everything will work out, I just really miss my sister from another mister, Sister Clark!!
More good news: Josiah, an investigator we have been working with since the beginning of last transfer, has finally received his answer that the Book of Mormon is true! He will be baptized soon! We could not be more excited for his decision to follow his Savior into the waters of baptism. I love him!
When he said, "I don't know everything, but this feels good, and I want to be baptized," I was amazed and filled with his love for Christ and his expression of faith. I hope that we can all have this kind of faith. When we don't know everything, or have doubts, we rely on the faith that we DO HAVE. Doubt your doubt before you doubt your faith!
I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support!
Com muito amor,
Sister Culley
As for the bad...Transfers came with a big surprise. My trainer, companion and best friend, Sister Clark has been transferred to Tuscon YSA. I have a new companion named Sister Zealley. I know everything will work out, I just really miss my sister from another mister, Sister Clark!!
More good news: Josiah, an investigator we have been working with since the beginning of last transfer, has finally received his answer that the Book of Mormon is true! He will be baptized soon! We could not be more excited for his decision to follow his Savior into the waters of baptism. I love him!
When he said, "I don't know everything, but this feels good, and I want to be baptized," I was amazed and filled with his love for Christ and his expression of faith. I hope that we can all have this kind of faith. When we don't know everything, or have doubts, we rely on the faith that we DO HAVE. Doubt your doubt before you doubt your faith!
I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support!
Com muito amor,
Sister Culley
Fight for your family
Our teaching pool exploded this week! Which is surprising because there are more cows here than people! No really though.. We live on ranch land... and it's terrifying... there are cows just roaming everywhere! They were in our front yard one morning! Sister Clark almost had to carry me to our truck. For those of you who don't know I have a completely rational fear of cows!
We are teaching 3 new families! Which is awesome! And we would never have found them if it weren't for the members! The members here are so missionary minded. I always say that we are the part time missionaries. and the members are the fulltime! They are incredible! Their soul concern is to share the happiness they've found and they invite in such a way that it's never intimidating or condescending! I wish I could bring these member missionaries with me to Brazil.
This week I was asked to speak in Sacrament... about family prayer... saturday night... our sacrament started at 9:00 the next morning! Next time you have to speak for 15 minutes, try writing your talk with out a computer! Oh my goodness, it's so much harder! But it worked out. but since I didn't have much time to get any sources, It was all Sister Culley! So a brother in our ward asked could I get that quote about the last days you used. I was like, "I didn't use any quotes about the last days." And he said, "oh! That was just you?!" He said that he thought that was a quote from a prophet or someone! ha ha too funny!
Here is the talk that I gave: (Levi don't me mad!)
I have been thinking a lot lately about the 2000 stripling warriors. Brother Redford explained to me what a stripling actually is. He said a stripling is a scrawny skinny, lurpy boy! Can you imagine an army of 2000 scrawny little tweens? Picture this! I like to think of my skinny, lurpy little 13 year old brother. I'm not even sure his twiggy arms could lift a sword! Let alone, swing one!
What was going through Helaman's mind as he looked at his army of 2000 twiggy, uncoordinated, skinny boys? He said that he thought of them as his sons. As your reading, he never actually plans to take them into battle. Helaman uses them as more of a decoy rather than an army.
But as the army of Antipus is being attacked by the Lamanites, Helaman asks his 2000 sons, "will ye go against them to battle?"
**Read from Alma 56
Their reply is incredible.
The faith of these 2000 boys is greater than the most vicious warriors in the Lamanite Army. Why? because THEY FOUGHT WITH THE STRENGTH OF GOD!
When we send our children into this wicked world, how can we make sure that they can FIGHT WITH THE STRENGTH OF GOD? will our Children answer the call and say "Behold, our God is with us, and He will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth!" Will our children answer "We do not doubt because our mother's knew it?"
Where did they draw this jaw dropping faith? There home's! I can guarantee you that the homes of these 2000 strippling warriors were not relaxed about being a Christ centered home. I can guarantee you that these parents were anxiously engaged in teaching their children through word and example. And I can guarantee you that these parents were having frequent and diligent family prayers.
Satan is making a concentrated attack on families. We see this everywhere we turn. Satan is literally waging a war directly on families. Because he knows the family is the only unit ordained of God.
We need to be safeguarding our families. This cannot be a time to be relaxed! Our time is now! Our children will be faced with trials greater than we can imagine. But this is the generation chosen to come forth in these last days. These are some of God's most valiant souls. They have been saved to wage this war that has been pitted against the family of God. These precious souls will be asked, "will ye go against them to battle?"
I know and testify that as we have diligent family prayers our children will be able to answer the call like these 2000 stripling warriors--"Behold our God is with us; and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth!" And they will have been taught by their mothers through family prayer, that if they do not doubt, God will deliver them!
And I know that the foundation of a Christ centered home, beginning with family prayers will allow them to FIGHT WITH THE STRENGTH OF GOD. And they will not fail!
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Sister Culley
El Diablo in MY CLOSET
Hello loved ones!
This week has been filled with blessings and miracles... And some laughs!
We had a scorpion in our CLOSET this week! And so the scorpion hunt began... we armed ourselves with nine irons and Samari swords and went to war. Our opponent was formiddable... but we waxed strong in the strength of our Lord. We cried unto the Lord in mighty prayer (one of us would pray while the other watched the closet to make sure he didn't leave). El Diablo, the scorpion, made it onto Sister Clark's bed. After many hours of searching we conquered in the land! He has now been hardened!
Our new investigator, Josian, wants to be BAPTIZED! And I could not be happier for him. This week in Clifton we have been praying and fasting for rain and water. And I believe our prayers have been answered. As I watch the people of Clifton come unto the Living Water that is Christ, I see a joy that could never come from something in this world. I am in awe and wonder at the miracles that the water of life (Jesus Christ) has given Josian. And soon he will enter that very water and begin again in Christ.
I challenge each of you to ask yourself, "How can I come unto the Living Water more in my life?" When we drink from that water we will not want or thirst anymore. We will be filled with a Spirit that will strengthen and protect us. Pray for water and you will be filled! Drink in the spirit that comes from reading our scriptures and serving others. I know these things bring REAL happiness.
I love you all so much and cherish your love and support. You bless my life with incredible strength and hope.
Love, Sister Culley
P.S. SHERWOOD: I went to your home state!!
Taco's, blonde moments and Juan
Hello Everyone!
I just love being a missionary. I get 24/7 to serve others. Clifton is beginning to feel like home. The people here treat me like they’ve known me their whole lives instead of two weeks. I am convinced that I will waddle out of Clifton - they feed me so well. These people have taught me what it means to be a true disciple of Christ, even when it is hard!
As a missionary I have learned how important it is to invite our friends! There was a talk given in Stake Conference by a kid, probably no older than 17, and he put it this way. “Imagine that you found the cure for cancer. Would you just write it in your journal and let that be the end of it? NO! You would share it with EVERYONE!.”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is that cure for all life’s sorrows, heartaches and trials. This gospel heals people and especially families. I know each of you have seen this in your own lives, so why keep it to yourself?! It is very simple to be a missionary. It all starts with an invitation. “Would you be willing to…. Have dinner with my family? We’re having the missionaries over”. “Would you be willing to go to church with me?” “Would you want to come to a fireside at my church?” Without member missionaries this work would come to a screeching halt. President Monson said, “This is the time for members and missionaries to work together.”
I challenge you at the beginning of February to do two things: 1. Pray for and seek out missionary experiences. 2. Invite someone to learn more about Christ.
It doesn’t have to be hard or scary, and it is so crucial. I love you all and I know you can do it.
So, I love my companion, Sister Clark. We are basically the same. We are going to start a comic called “Culley and Clark in Clifton.” We are two blondes against the world. Saving the world one dusty road at a time!
My biggest blonde moment of the week?.... Well, we were at ta taco place called Los Mendosas (because I have an incredible addiction to tacos.) and a man named RONALD approached us and asked about our church. When he introduced himself I could have sworn he said “Juan”. So, of course, after we’ve committed him to going to church and learning more I start to say, “Juan, I know this Book is true”…. When he stops me and says, “my name is RONALD!” and to make matters worse, he turns around and tells everyone in the room, “she called me Juan!”
So here I am…. My companion and I are the only white people in this place…. Everyone is laughing at us! At least I’ve made a name for myself here! Now I get to call “Juan” tomorrow to set up a time…. I’ll let you know how this goes! Ha ha!
I love you all so so much! Keep your heads up! OPEN YOUR MOUTHS! You carry a message of hope that is powerful beyond measure!
Love, Sister Culley
I just love being a missionary. I get 24/7 to serve others. Clifton is beginning to feel like home. The people here treat me like they’ve known me their whole lives instead of two weeks. I am convinced that I will waddle out of Clifton - they feed me so well. These people have taught me what it means to be a true disciple of Christ, even when it is hard!
As a missionary I have learned how important it is to invite our friends! There was a talk given in Stake Conference by a kid, probably no older than 17, and he put it this way. “Imagine that you found the cure for cancer. Would you just write it in your journal and let that be the end of it? NO! You would share it with EVERYONE!.”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is that cure for all life’s sorrows, heartaches and trials. This gospel heals people and especially families. I know each of you have seen this in your own lives, so why keep it to yourself?! It is very simple to be a missionary. It all starts with an invitation. “Would you be willing to…. Have dinner with my family? We’re having the missionaries over”. “Would you be willing to go to church with me?” “Would you want to come to a fireside at my church?” Without member missionaries this work would come to a screeching halt. President Monson said, “This is the time for members and missionaries to work together.”
I challenge you at the beginning of February to do two things: 1. Pray for and seek out missionary experiences. 2. Invite someone to learn more about Christ.
It doesn’t have to be hard or scary, and it is so crucial. I love you all and I know you can do it.
So, I love my companion, Sister Clark. We are basically the same. We are going to start a comic called “Culley and Clark in Clifton.” We are two blondes against the world. Saving the world one dusty road at a time!
My biggest blonde moment of the week?.... Well, we were at ta taco place called Los Mendosas (because I have an incredible addiction to tacos.) and a man named RONALD approached us and asked about our church. When he introduced himself I could have sworn he said “Juan”. So, of course, after we’ve committed him to going to church and learning more I start to say, “Juan, I know this Book is true”…. When he stops me and says, “my name is RONALD!” and to make matters worse, he turns around and tells everyone in the room, “she called me Juan!”
So here I am…. My companion and I are the only white people in this place…. Everyone is laughing at us! At least I’ve made a name for myself here! Now I get to call “Juan” tomorrow to set up a time…. I’ll let you know how this goes! Ha ha!
I love you all so so much! Keep your heads up! OPEN YOUR MOUTHS! You carry a message of hope that is powerful beyond measure!
Love, Sister Culley
Keepin it REAL in Clifton
I love this little town, Clifton. It is a quirky little place, and I'm a quirky little person! The members here are incredible. They are all very humble, but they are so excited to be missionaries. We have members coming out our ears that want to help us, or go with us to our investigators house. I know I am probably not supposed to pick favorites, but I love the Redfords! (They bought us tacos... so I love them!) They run a business called "Zombies Laundry," because the miners look like zombies when they get off work. Our little washing machine is a huge luxury, so a Laundry business in a town like this is booming!
It is sometimes really heartbreaking and humbling to see some of the living conditions of our investigators. They are such amazing people, living in conditions that I could never have imagined. When Sister Clark and I pulled up to a lot of about 5 (what looked to be abandoned) trailers with about 10 mangy dogs roving around I figured that we would be walking up the street to one of the houses. When she began walking toward the disfigured and dilapidated trailers I had to steal myself for what was to come next. It's hard to imagine that anyone could ever live in these conditions. These trailers seemed to have fallen to the ground, they had children's clothes scattered around the dusty yard, with other unidentifiable odds and ends. And there were our investigators, smiling brightly at the sight of us. I continue to tell them that their future is as bright as their faith. They are about my age, and my heart breaks that I can't do much to help them. But then I am reminded of what Christ did for us and my heart sings. Because of Christ these beautiful people will not always live this way. They have the opportunity to chose a life in Christ and move forward and upward. "I do not boast of myself, but I boast of my God, for in Him weak things are made strong unto me." (Alma 26:11) There is nothing that we cannot do without His help. We can endure and conquer all with Him as our Rock and our Redeemer. And this is why I am here. I am here to help the wounded, and the broken to heal in the warmth of Christ's redeeming love.
I continue to tell my companion that I am going to waddle out of this town! The members are so sweet and love to feed us! ha ha Every night we get to eat with a different family, and it is so encouraging to see such strong and faithful people, ready to be missionaries every day! I have come to realize that the success of missionary work is contingent upon the members! It is so crucial that people who are starting to come to church have someone to go to and to befriend. I urge each of you to be this person for the investigators at home! It will change their lives and they will thank you later, I promise!
On Saturday we went to a baptism in Duncan. It was an incredible experience. My companion and I were lucky enough to be asked to give a five minute teaching moment on the restoration. And guess who shows up last minute?? The mission president and his wife! ha ha I don't remember anything that I said, but I remember what I felt as I testified of the Book of Mormon. A new power and spirit surged through me. Suddenly I knew the importance of this book. I knew how crucial it is for the sons of man to know for themselves the truth of the Book of Mormon.
The blood of the Savior, of our prophet Joseph Smith, and many other saints cries out, testifying of it's utter truth. I stand today in a strange place, among new faces, away from my family for this very reason--to testify of the Book of Mormon. It is the crucial foundation that each of us need. Without it, life can be much harder than it has to be. The prophets saw our day, they told us exactly what we need to succeed. This book is for us specifically. I cannot convince you of it's truth and importance. If Joseph Smith himself stood before you he could not convince you of it's truth. This knowledge is based on you! In Moroni 10:3-5 we are given a promise that if we read prayerfully with a sincere heart, with faith in Jesus Christ, WE WILL KNOW.
I love all of you so much, and I hope you know that I am out here for you. I challenge you to read the Book of Mormon with a renewed urgency each day, and I promise that as you do so, you will receive unnumbered blessings. The windows of heaven will open and RAIN DOWN UPON YOU!
I love you! Keep strong and never give up! Never give in! You can overcome anything in Christ.
Love, Sister Culley
Into the REAL world. Hello Tucson
Hello Everyone!
Sunday was my last day in the MTC. It was a super spiritual and emotional day for everyone! Saying goodbye to my District was one of the hardest things I've done so far on my mission, just short of leaving my family!
That day in sacrament I was called up to give a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost IN PORTUGUESE! ha ha that was nerve wracking! Also in sacrament, our district sung Army of Helaman in Portuguese and the last chorus in English. It was an amazing moment.
After that we went on our last temple walk. Then we had a devotional given by Sheri Dew. It was an incredible devotional. I really learned a lot from her. She taught a lot about how to recognize the spirit and receive personal revelation.
After the devotional we went to our classroom and had a testimony meeting. It was so spiritual. It is a moment that I will treasure the rest of my life. After the testimony meeting we all received blessings. Elder Sherwood gave me mine. It is such a huge comfort to know that Heavenly Father is always aware of me and my struggles. I am so blessed to have been surrounded by so many wonderful people ready to give me blessings.
The people in District 54E will be some of my best friends forever. I am so blessed to have spent this time with them. It was difficult to say goodbye, but I know we will keep in touch!
Tuesday was another emotional roller coaster as I was flown out to Tuscon, Arizona. We left the MTC at 9:30 am on a bus that dropped us off at the front runner station in Provo. From there we took two different trains to the Airport. And let me tell you, trecking all that luggage through buses and trains is no fun! We finally arrived in the airport. Everything went really smoothly through security and all. I then was able to call my family. Oh my goodness! It was so good to hear from all of you! It was so hard to say goodbye! I am so glad that all of you are happy and healthy! The plain took off at 3:00 and we got here around 4:30.
After landing we met our Mission President, Pres Killpack and his wife, Sister Killpack. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet! Sister Killpack reminds me a lot of Becky Hill. A couple of the elders from our mission were there to help drive us back to the mission home with all our luggage.
Upon arriving at the mission home in Tuscon we had a delicious home cooked meal of Spagetti and brownies and Ice cream! They were all so friendly and kind. After a quick training meeting President Killpack took us outside on the back deck that overlooks the Tuscon Valley. The city lights lit up the desert sky beautifully! As he spoke he told us to look over the valley. That night as I stood there listening to the barks and howls of coyotes and the hoots of owls, I made a promise to God. I promised to give all my time to Him. That each day I would wake up with an urgency in what I was doing here. And that I would work as if this were my original mission call.
We slept that night at the mission home. The next morning we woke up at 5:30 for transfer meeting and met a lot of the other missionaries in my mission. I met my new companion and trainer, Sister Clark. She is fantastic! She is so hard working and caring about each and every person we teach.
I am serving in the Clifton area. It is literally a dot on the map! It's a tiny little mining town. Everyone we teach works at the mine. We live in a double wide trailer. You can always hear the coyotes at night. It's pretty cool to be out in the middle of a dessert. Clifton is two hours away from Tuscon, on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. Maybe you can see our trailer on Google maps! ha ha We get to drive a new truck everywhere because our area is so spread out.
When we got into Clifton around 5:00 that night, we drove straight to the Ward Mission Leader's house. His name is Brother Elms. We ate with his family and taught them about Faith in Jesus Christ and Missionary work. It was a great first lesson. Then we drove to the McCbride's house. They are another member family who are so excited about being member missionaries! I was inspired by there willingness to serve the gospel.
We then finally got to our home! We had a great planning session, then I unpacked and we went to bed! I slept like a log! The sleep you get on your mission is probably the deepest sleep you will ever get. It's like my head hits the pillow and then my alarm is going off to get ready for another day.
This morning we taught a woman named Julia. She is an incredible woman with a great desire to strengthen her faith.
After our lesson we booked it to our District meeting in Duncan. I met the rest of my district there. We are the only sisters in our district. There are two other companionships: Elder Craythorn and Elder Brumwell, Elder Chambers and Elder Meunch. They seem like a group of really solid missionaries. But I don't think I could ever get a district as fun as 54E!!
I love you all so much! Please never forget that I and so many others are praying for you. Stay strong and keep on keeping on!
Love, Sister Culley
My Name is Mallory Culley and I'm a Mormon. This blog is all about my decision to serve a full-time mission and my experiences (good and bad) before and during my mission.