April 4th Email

What a week!

It was a pretty rough one actually. We had lots of people drop us. LOTS. One of them was actually a less-active named Jinx. I've worked with jinx for the past 7 months. She's come SO close to coming back, and I've seen such a change in her. Everything has worked against her though and it's just been hard for her to come back even though she knows that's the right thing. She called us, after an incredibly long day of walking around, and told me that it hurt her to make this call, but she had agonized over what to do for too long, and she decided to just stay where she was at. I could hear the pain in her voice, and the hesitation. I had found a talk a few days before that I thought was for me, but I knew it was something she needed too, so i told her that, and she let us go over the next day. We went and gave her the talk and chatted with her for a few minutes. But it was kind of the same as the phone call. I love her so much, and it just broke my heart. We had a shift at the trail center right after, and we got in the car, and I think I cried the whole way there. The tough part of a mission is the love you feel for the people and the devistation that happens when you have to give them up.... I'd say that's my only complaint.

On the upside! Tom is doing great! That same day, Tom met us at the TC, and we walked over and had a lesson outside the temple. We invited to come watch conference at the TC the next day and he agreed. He came to conference and LOVED it. He said he wanted to watch more, and he said that he would go to the church! He has been super hesitant about going to the church, so that's awesome! He went to a session at church, and loved it again! He also said he'd pray about 4/23 for baptism! He said he would ditch his finals to get baptized if that's what god wants! he's awesome!

We had 2 little miracles yesterday. 2 former investigators called us and told us they wanted to meet with us! So, even though the week was a little rough, it got better, so we were excited =)

I love you all! have a fabulous week! keep writing me letters.... or well... start up again (cough, cough) love you!

Sister Bonelli

March 29th Email

It's been a fabulous week!

Our investigator Layla has a baptismal date! That's exciting!

Tom came to the trail center and loves it! Also, we had a lesson and sister Kunz came. She kind of took over the lesson and invited him to pray about it right there... in the lesson! So, he did! He waited for Heavenly Father to answer for a realllllllly long time... and it was a little awkward, but then he jumped up and said, "I think I got an answer!"... he said he still doesn't know, but the thought "by their fruits you shall know them" came to mind... SO COOL. He's just awesome... he's very motivated. He doesn't want to make the wrong choice but he believes everything he's learned, and he's really studied it out... so we're excited about him!

I got to go on exchanges to Bellevue Nebraska yesterday! That was lots of fun! I usually hate exchanges. Either you're in your area and you are without your companion, or you're in another area and you miss your area and it's just frustrating. But I was in Bellevue yesterday and I loved it. I really connected with the people there and I just really enjoyed it. We'll see what happens next transfer! There's a recent convert in Bellevue named Matt who is awesome. I actually met him MONTHS ago. He was accidentally called in the call center at the TC by sister Brady, and he accepted the invite to meet with missionaries. He came to the trail center and I got to take him on tour. He investigated for MONTHS, and I'm not sure why, but he always would talk to the sisters in bellevue about the tour I took him on. Anyway, I got to talk to him just before they set him for baptism and he even requested me to go to his baptism, but it was out of my zone so I couldn't. Anyway, we got to make a special stop and visit him while I was there yesterday. He's all GLOWY. So awesome. It's funny being on a mission, just the different people you meet and connect with.

I can't remember if anything else has happened this week! But, it's been a fabulous one! I love you all! write me soon!

Sister B

March 21st Pictures

Ely and Candace on Ely's Baptism Day!

Sister B's Trio!

March 21st Email

I just love life. Ely Roach was baptized and confirmed this past weekend, and It was amazing. He's a changed person, and I'm so glad I got to see it happen. His baptism was the most tender one I have been to. Beforehand, Candice asked us if we would sit next to her while he was being baptized, so when he got up, we moved up to her row and sat by her. When he was baptized Candice and I both sat there and cried. I know that now they are just a year away from going to the temple! I felt so blessed to see that happen. I have been to several baptisms, and seen some amazing things, but the thing about this one is that its something that Candice has been waiting for and finally has hope that they will be sealed. After Ely came out from changing clothes, he ended up sitting behind candice, instead of making us move, and Candice reached back and grabbed his hand. They looked at each other for a few seconds and just smiled. I could tell how much they loved each other and how happy they were. It wasn't cheesy I promise! Although, I felt like I was watching a really moving chick flick.(I guess it's been a while)... But it was so sweet, and I am just lucky to have been there to see it. There are so many things about my mission that have changed me. That evening, my companions and I were laying in bed chatting, and I just felt so overwhelmed with happiness. I can't begin to describe the way that this mission has changed me. We even talked about how we can't even describe it to each other. It's just this common thing that we all individually understand, but don't know how to express. I don't know... it's just amazing.

Later that day, We went to follow up with a lady we met while checking on some potential investigators. Her name is Christina. When we met her, she said that she and her husband had recently been talking about how they wanted to go back to church, but they didn't know where because they hadn't found the right fit yet. She could tell that our meeting her wasn't coincidental. We went back to teach her, and she was just amazing! She's been through a lot, but now has a wonderful husband and 2 adorable little kids. Anyway, after we taught her, she said to us that she felt like we all looked so familiar and that she felt like we'd sat at that table and had that conversation before. Whoa...

Another little miracle... We've been teaching this less-active lady named Jinx since I've been here. She is just awesome. She used to kind of try and intellectualize the gospel, but it turns out that she never really doubted... she just struggled with some other things. Anyway, now it's come down to her just deciding what to do. She's scared, and I can feel that she is, but I know that she will do whatever the lord tells her at this point. We had an awesome lesson with her yesterday. Bishop Burton came with us. He's just an incredible person, and I have loved working with him. Anyway, he pretty much taught... actually, I felt like a fly on the wall during an interview the bishop, so it was kind of funny. But jinx has always been very open with me and whoever my companions have been. Anyway, It was awesome, and I learned a lot from him. He gave her a blessing, and I think she is getting there! We are excited.

Those are just a few of the miracles I've been able to witness this week. I have truly seen the Lord carry me to wherever I've needed to be. I am so grateful to know that I can't get by without him. I love him. I have a favor to ask of all of you.... Will you mail me your conversion stories? I just want to know at what point you knew that this was right... I have a new fascination, so just run with it! k? love you!

Sister Bonelli

March 15th Email

We've had a fabulous week. Ely is getting more and more excited to be baptized on Saturday. He's just really jumped in and changed so much. I never saw this coming. i knew someday he'd be baptized, but I didn't think it would be while I was here, and I didn't expect his whole personality to change! He's really quite remarkable! He and Candice came to church on Sunday, and she had to leave early. BUT, he stayed, even without her. We were so proud of him. He answered questions in Gospel Principles class, which he NEVER would have done before. He's extremely shy. Yesterday, our most devoted dinner-givers invited them over with us to have dinner, and Ely was throwing out cooking tips and starting all kinds of conversations. The whole time I was like "Who ARE you?"

We've had lots of amazing things happen. We had an opportunity to go on splits the other day. Sister Vander Does and Sister Kunz went to an appointment, and Sister Warner and I went and knocked on some doors. We knocked on a door, and it was amazing! first of all, his apartment looked and smelled like a starbucks... so that was fun. And then he turned out to be completely searching for truth! Just the day before he was reading about Joseph Smith, and he said he's completely fascinated by him, and he just wants to head in the right direction. He even prayed that he would know, and that he would do anything for it! AMAZING. We also met a woman who wants her family to start going back to church, but they haven't found one that fits yet. She said she and her husband were just barely talking about it. So cool.

I have a habit of saying really awkward things. I think it's mainly my companion's faults. For instance, I ment to ask our High Priest group leader how he was, but I accidently said, "Brother Johnson! how OLD are you?"... It's embarrassing, but I figure I've been in Ralston long enough that my flaws are unnoticed at this point.

Well, I love you all, and I'm thankful for your support! HOWEVER, I think it's about time my friends started writing me again... I have no idea how you are, and I have no idea who's engaged at this point! keep me posted! love you!

Sister B

March 7th Email

Oh boy, oh boy! This week has been grand! First things first. I didn't get transferred! I'm staying in ralston for another transfer, so I'll be here for 7 1/2 months! So excited! I get to be there for Ely's baptism. This is so great! He's progressing so well, and he just glows! he's going out of town on business this week, so pray that he will be able to stay strong! =)

I'm now in a TRIO. Sister Vander Does and I stayed here, and Sister Warner came to us! She was also trained by Sister Brady! She's awesome! We are excited to be serving together.

I had some WONDERFUL tender mercies this week. On Saturday I was in the trail center. I took a wonderful lady on tour named Leslie, and we were walking through the Gallery. All of a sudden, David Reeves pops up out of nowhere! Well, there's more to the story, but I wasn't expecting him to show up then! Anyway, I was so excited and I ran up to him and said hi. I felt really bad because my tour was totally bombarded, but Leslie was so happy when I told her that he was the first person I ever invited to be baptized. She even took a picture and emailed it to mom right there from her phone! Anyway, David is doing so well. He's about to be ordained an elder, and he's working on getting to the temple as well! =)... He seems so happy. He was texting Sister Brady (stephanie)... and she told him to tell me that Geoff Woodhouse is getting married! In the Temple!!!!! It was the best day of my life. =)... It's a cool feeling to see these people come even closer to christ by getting to the most sacred place on Earth. So exciting!

I really don't have anything else to say. I'm just so thrilled with these miracles. I love being a missionary.

I love you all.

Sister Bonelli

March 1st Email

I've learned a very important lesson this week about patience. I've been in Ralston 6 months now, and I have waited and waited and worked the hardest I ever have, and seen no baptisms. I saw MANY miracles, and many blessings, but baptisms were non-existant. I've been fairly okay with that, because I know I was doing everything I could. Anyway, Yesterday was a crazy day. we had to take our car in, and the dealer told us that we needed a new water pump, so we couldn't drive it until the part came in. So, we raced to the mission office, and talked to our vehicle coordinator, Elder Herzoff. He agreed, and said that we would need to leave the car at the office until wednesday. We have a bagillion appointments, so we were a little worried. Anyway, he was trying to figure out a solution for us so we could still have a car. He handed me a key, and he said, "Sister Bonelli, who is getting baptized in Ralston-Lavista?"... I informed him that we currently have no sets. He said, "is there anyone promising?" I said, "well, Ely. He's progressing really well." He said, "Here are the keys to the new mission car. If you promise me you will set him, you can use it until transfers when we give it to the area it belongs to." We said, okay! So, I spent the rest of the day driving the BEAUTIFUL white Ford Fusion, with 11 miles on it. I was a nervous wreck. Not only was I responsible for this car, but I had to decide when and how I was going to Set Ely for baptism. He's clearly a tough case. He's really giving baptism a lot of consideration, but still very hesitant.

{Side note: When Ely came to church on Sunday, we had him come with any question he had for God, and to pray about it before and during church. He showed up and he had a tie on, and a GLOW about him. The Ward just really took care of him, and he stayed for ALL three hours!}

Anyway, we went to his appointment last night, and we had a GREAT lesson. All of a sudden, I felt like I should just bring up baptism. So, I asked him if he's been thinking of it. Now, mind you, Ely is a man of few words. However, lately he keeps voluntarily expounding on the things I ask him. So it's been weird. Anyway, he said he had been thinking about it, and he expounded, and said that on Sunday, he decided that he wants to get baptized!!!!!!! We of course were completely shocked. Well, not completely, but sort of. He was just so happy. He knew what was right for him. I have never had such wonderful news in my life. Candice of course was bawling. She was not aware of this decision. We set a date for march 12. As soon as we walked out of the appointment, we said a prayer of gratitude. I Immediately was in tears. I was so happy. I literally have seen a miracle in Ely from the time I met him 'til now. He has changed. I said to Sister Vander Does, "that is what this is all about. Seeing people like Ely come around. If I leave Ralston this week, I will know it was all worth it, because he finally agreed to be baptized."---or something like that. However, I then started crying, because I am pretty sure I am leaving Ralston, and I will be devistated if I can't go to his baptism. I've worked so hard to get to this point with him. But whatever happens will be right, and as long as he gets baptized it will all be okay.

We called Elder Herzoff and told him and he was so excited for us! We tried to get him to let us keep the car, but he didn't. Sad. It's a lucky vehicle that's for sure!

That's all I really want to say about this week. It's been one of much opposition, but in the end I am so happy. I am really hoping to stay another transfer in Ralston, but we'll see! I love you all! keep in touch!