April 28, 2014

Hello everyone!

This week has been pretty crazy. A lot has gone on! Some good and some not as good, but all are part of our Heavenly Fathers plan!

We had to push back Octavio Sr.'s date because he still hasn't been able to come to church. ): but we do, however, have a church tour planned for him and his son, Octavio Jr. tomorrow! I just know they are going to feel the spirit so strong there! I think that's really what Octavio Sr. has been lacking. A big spiritual experience that will make the Spirit he feels impossible to deny. We are hoping that he and his son will be able to both be ready to be baptized by May 17!

Also there is a family that was referred to us by the Portuguese St Cloud missionaries (outside of our ward boundaries) from a few weeks back. What happened was these elders taught this family, but the family got offended and didn't want them coming back. So then our Kissimmee South elders (in our ward) got permission to teach them because one of them was a Spanish missionary and we have a Spanish sacrament now. But then the Spanish elder in that companionship got transferred and so they were referred to us. We had tried a few times to set up appointments with them but it was almost impossible! Then sister Brooks and I stopped by their house on Tuesday, and after chasing down their dog for about 30 minutes, we were able to teach the mother a lesson! She absolutely loves us. Something about sister missionaries ;) but then we went back on Thursday and taught her and her daughters! What a blessing :) they all know the church is true and have been to church 4 times now and previously taught all the lessons. They just needed to feel a little more comfortable first I think...

But we did get a new investigator too! We taught her a lesson and when we invited her to be baptized she said no. Not even phased... I love when investigators say no, because immediately after, they will tell you all the reasons they won't get baptized. They literally lay out all their concerns in front of us, which really helps us out in knowing what to teach next. To you fellow missionaries out there never fear the baptismal invitation! Blessings come just by simply asking the questions :)

Oh, an nbd, but I'll be 21 next Monday (:

Thank you so much (:

Sister Halverson

April 21, 2014

Hello everyone!

This week has been pretty great! Seriously being a missionary is so much fun (:

Not much to report. We have been working with a lot of our members though which has seriously been such a blessing. Members are the best! We were also able to mow our member’s lawn! Haha, you would never guess two little girls could mow so much grass! But we were able to teach quite a few lessons and still contact a ton of people. My tan lines are really coming in ;) Easter was pretty great though. We didn't do anything too exciting. We did, however, get a lot of candy. Not something that we need right now.

But yes, everything is going good! Although, I advise you all to never get your hair done at a Puerto Rican salon. Both Sister Brooks and I have some major damage control. Haha, so yes.

But I hope you all had a great Easter! (: Keep sharing your testimonies!

Hermana Halverson

April 14, 2014 - New Companion

Oh my I love missionary life. I have the best new companion in the whole world and she is basically my other half. She completes me. God gave me her for the ups and downs. We've only been companions since Tuesday but I already know this will be my favorite transfer from my mission. We were both at BYU-I together and had a few mutual friends but never actually met. Heavenly Father saved her for my mission to be my saving grace. I just love her. Her name is Sister Brooks and she's from Las Vegas. We have been talking about how we need to tell our Mission President in our weekly emails that we hate each other so he will keep us together for two transfers. The best part about this transfer is in just our short time together we have been able to mend anything and everything that has gone wrong in the last 12 weeks. It's just so perfect. She was actually in the MTC the same time as Sister Fisi but her first two companions were the only two native Hermanas and her last companion has been out for about 9 months so her Spanish is killer. We have been speaking so much of it and I've already been able to see improvements. Like she's white and blonde with blue eyes but she's really actually probably Columbian. We haven't known each other long enough to have her open up about her heritage. If you read about Columbian refugees from Las Vegas, send me the link.

But for reals, this week has been perfect. We were able to meet with all of our major investigators, as well as a few less actives we've been trying to work with. Also because we are both tiny little white girls who make jokes in Spanish, all these Latinos want to shove our faces with food and it's the greatest blessing ever. Soy Hermana Halverson, soy una gorda, y soy Mormon. We have, however, been riding our bikes like 4-10 miles every day so that definitely makes up for all of our dinners, second dinners, and suppers. And I'd like to share that I finally have the best missionary tan lines ever.

I think the biggest miracle we had this week was on Wednesday. I had this day all planned out from earlier with like 3 backups for each lesson and literally EVERYTHING fell through. We were in this area near our house but it was only 7:00 and we had absolutely nothing to do. It's hard to go contacting during this time because the sun is almost down and it's not a good area to be walking around at night. So I was racking my brain for people in the area and the only person who I knew where they lived was an old former. He actually is Octavio Sr's son, Octavio Jr., and he was taught for 2 years and had multiple baptismal dates and kept talking all about he was just searching for a religion. Well, he hasn't been taught for about a year and a half and literally I knocked on his door at least once a week since I've been here. There were always cars in front of the house and we knew people were home but no one would ever answer the door. So we pulled up in front of the house and said a prayer and I was just begging The Lord for an opportunity to finally talk to this man and to give us courage that we could be bold with him because he's a former. So we walk up the door and we hear the sound of a lawn mower and - knowing the Lord works in mysterious way - we waltzed into his back yard and ended up mowing his lawn for him! Haha, it was the best!  But we were able to really talk to him and he says he is still searching for a church and so we got his phone number and set up an appointment with him! 

Seriously, every day we saw milagros as incredible as this one. I could share for days all about how great this week has been! I’m so excited for this transfer and all the success that Kissimmee is going to see (:

Also, on Friday we had a women's conference for all the Sisters in our mission. It was so incredibly helpful. We learned a ton of ways to make super easy and cheap food, as well as ways to easily do our hair/makeup in the summer, and also how to wash our clothes? Haha, idk. But it was helpful. The best part was though, there was this missionary mall with clothes and accessories and toiletries and basically everything a person needs and all of it was donated by members. So we each were given a bag and told to fill it with anything. So... Yes. We got a ton of free stuff. It was the best! The only thing better than stuff, is free stuff. And the only thing better than free stuff, is the gospel. (:

But I love you all!! I’m sorry this week’s letter was so long!  I'll keep you in my prayers and hope you have the best week ever (:

Love, 

Hermana Halverson (:

April 7, 2014 - Transfers, New Investigators, and a Sloth!

Training is over, and I'm starting the next chapter of this mission. Hermana Fisi is leaving. ): So I will get a new companion. It’s such a bitter sweet moment. Hermana was like the best. She will be training again next transfer, so that means I'll have a new baby sister!! But I will be staying in Kissimmee/St Cloud for another 6 weeks! Which is perfect. Before we got the call, I knew I wasn’t ready to leave. I'm not done with this area yet. There is still so much that the Lord needs me to do here! 

But this past week has been so incredible! The English Elders gave us a referral and we went to go visit this family on Thursday. So there is a grandmother, named Maria, her daughter Paola, and Paola has 2 kids. Her daughter is 11 (and totally interested) and her son is 16. Her son has severe disabilities though. When we went to visit them, right off the bat, Paola had a lot of questions about baptism and about how her son will be baptized. We were able to read with her part of Moroni 8, explaining how baptism is a saving ordinance and one needs to know the difference between good and bad in order to need to be baptized. We explained to her that in the eyes of our Father, her son is innocent, like a child, and therefore doesn’t need to be baptized. We were able to talk about Resurrection as well and share with her that her son will be in his perfect form after this life, without any form of disabilities. She was so happy when we shared with her the privilege she has to be the mother of such a perfect spirit (: They really are so perfect. And this family is so ready! We saw them again on Saturday and set up a baptism date for April 26th (: AND all three of the girls came to the evening session of conference last week! When they met other members of the ward they told them all that they would see them again next Sunday at church!! One of the pictures I've added is with that family (:

ALSO. Yes. General Conference was so perfect. I could go on and on for hours. I got so much out of every single talk!! It’s just like dad said, its different to listen when you are living the law of consecration 100%. The best part was in the very last session, they talked a lot about ALL the things we talked to Paola and Maria about the night before. Like the Lord was totally on their side for that one.. (:

Lastly... No one will quite understand my excitement, besides my family… but we went to Wild Florida last Monday.. AND. I SAW A SLOTH!! OH MY GOSH!!! It was like, foreshadowing my miracle filled week. I got to start it out with a sloth. As I walked away from the cage, I told him I would come back for him. So there you go. I’m getting a sloth. 

So yes, this week was perfect in so many ways. We saw so many miracles! Heavenly Father is truly blessing us. He wants more than anything for all of his children to return to him and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to help them find their way home. We are all riding a bike, but so many people don’t know where they're headed or even where their coming from. Some don’t have the proper tires or steering. But this Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us all that chance to know exactly where we left from, exactly where we are headed, and exactly the right tools to get us there. There is no plan near as perfect as His. 

Hermana Halverson

 Tara and her sloth!

Maria and Paolo, new investigators

March 31, 2014

Hello my loves. (:

SOOO this week has been just perfect. Unfortunately we've had to drop a lot of our investigators. Except Octavio.. who... drum roll... HAS A BAPTISMAL DATE! May 3 (: I’m so excited for him! He is the best. He totally knows this gospel is true. He just is still a little shy about admitting it ;) 

Also we had a huge nasty awesome rainstorm on Saturday that we named Hurricane Leslie (hermana's first name) and it lasted like 4 hours and just thundered and lighteninged all day. BUT it was able to go away just in time for us to go to the Stake Center and watch the Relief Society broadcast. Man. I have never felt so privileged to be a daughter of God as I do right now. (:

And a HUGE miracle. We found a less active family!! It was so crazy too. In ward council yesterday we were given their records and we stopped by after church. They are amazing. They said they were baptized about 4 years ago and a family who is still in our ward are like their best friends and were the ones who fellowshipped them into the church! We talked to the mom and she said that she has been trying to find a way to get back to church (it’s been about a year since they last went) but she hasn't had that push. But her mother is a member and lives in PR and right before we knocked on her door, her mom sent her a text with her testimony. Okay. The Savior really just has amazing timing (: 

But, my big news... TOMORROW: English classes at the church at 7pm. We will be doing these classes every week. It’s done by a program from the church specifically meant for missionaries, so that’s way cool!

And I’m so sorry my letter is so short today... We have super limited time because we are going to Wild Florida!! I really actually don’t know what it is. I think it’s like a zoo. But our stake president's family owns it so missionaries get to go whenever (:

Have a great week!!

Hermana Halverson

 Last District meeting before transfers

March 27, 2014 - Surprise text!

Note from Tara's mom:  


Today, I received this wonderful and surprising text from a sweet lady who is down in Kissimmee.  She also tried calling me, but unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me at the time.  Things like these totally make my day! So glad Tara is embracing the full meaning of being a servant for the Lord!

March 24, 2014

So I have really no time to write this week but I just wanted to share an awesome miracle I had on Saturday!

Recently I have been feeling like my Spanish has come to almost a halt. I just haven't been progressing the way I've wanted to. Hermana and I are speaking a TON more Spanish and even doing our PMG activities in only Spanish now. Also, we are trying to finish all my training from 100% Spanish so we have to translate the book pretty much. But it’s been a big help. Also, transfers are in 2 weeks and I've been super nervous about getting a new companion and being the only one who knows my area, so I’ve been praying for a lot of help and guidance.

So yes, Saturday. We were on exchanges and I was with Sister Collins again, but this time she came here and I was getting really nervous. Also because all our lessons that day were with people who don't know any English at all. So while Sister Collins and I were out seeing potentials we taught a lesson on the spot and it was so crazy. I was translating in both directions so the women could understand Sister Collins and so she could understand them as well. Right when we were invited in I asked the Lord to really help me out because I knew I wouldn't be able to do this one on my own. Well, we have 2 new investigators now so I think it went pretty well ;) What a blessing though. I know the Lord will help us out, but all we need to do is humble ourselves and let him know that we really do need his help; we just have to do our part.

I also am getting really into this whole "hastening of the work" thing. Elder Perry was in a conference with the leaders over our area and basically set our new standard of excellence, which is awesome that an apostle of the Lord is sitting here and telling us exactly what our potential is as missionaries in this area. He also told a story of a dream he had where he was standing in front of the temple and Joseph Smith Sr. was almost running inside and Elder Perry wasn't able to talk to him. Then Joseph Smith Jr. came by did the same thing. Elder Perry talked about his confusion and then he saw Joseph Smith Jr. walking back out of the temple really fast and Elder Perry finally was like, "What are you in such a hurry for?" and Joseph said, "Every dispensation has had enough time to do all the things that needed to be done. Ours is the only one that doesn't have the time."

That's why our prophet and apostles are really pushing missionary work. With the lowering of the age, emphasis on every member a missionary, and senior couples as well. We are all missionaries. We are all doing the same work. And our loved ones who have passed are just as busy as we are. Both sides of the veil are being rushed to make sure all of our brothers and sisters can return back to our loving Heavenly Father. We are being told we don't have enough time, but I know we can make a difference and do all we can to help. We are kind of cramming for our final exam, but personally, that's when I get the best grades ;) You can all do it!

I hope you all have a great week and my love is with you! (:

Hermana Halverson

P.S. Speaking of last Monday's P-day:  And YES it POOUURREEEDDD on us! We play all 36 holes in the pouring rain and then went to Denny’s after. Haha, it was awful. We actually could wring out our clothes afterwards. But it was warm and we all paid for it so we stuck it out ;) Also, out of 3 companionships in the first round, (us, 2 sisters, 2 elders) I got first place! Then us sisters played with the other 2 sets of elders and I got third. So like I’m really good at putt putt. haha

Me trying to weekly plan while Hermana was taking pictures

After our rainstorm golf tourney

  The ship from the golf course

March 17, 2014

Espero que todos ustedes se acordo de vestir de verde!

This week has been pretty great! We don't have many people we are working with at the moment, but it has just opened us up for so much more finding time! We have been planning specifically our finding (a lot more so than before) and we have seen sooo many miracles! And just yesterday we received permission from the President to go finding in a new area outside of ours. It’s in the St Cloud area, but that ward doesn’t have any Spanish missionaries so we get to go find all those ready souls (:

Also we are teaching a man who took the lessons 1 year ago and was taught for quite a while. But he has a son who is serving a mission in NC and has only been out about 5 weeks. Well, he is definitely ready this time around. His son has been such a great example for him and I know has helped him be prepared to receive the gospel. We have only seen him twice but already he has been bringing up questions about things that wouldn’t matter until after he is baptized. I’m so happy for him though. His son has been sending him chapters in the BOM to read and then we go over them with him to help him really understand them. He is so sweet. I’m so excited for what his future in the Gospel holds! (:

Other than finding though, we haven’t done much this week. We've been spending a good amount of time working with our members as well. Missionary work is really starting to pick up in Kissimmee Ward. The members are really getting on board and we can see their excitement to share their testimonies, invite, and teach. This area is so perfect. I have a feeling I'll be here for at least one more transfer so that's great! 

I hope you all have a fantastic week and are doing all you can to help build the kingdom of Zion! 

I love you all (:

Hermana Halverson

This rain passed over Tara today.  She was going miniature golfing with her district.  I wonder how that went! Probably some new water hazards!

March 10, 3014 - Baptism of Carlos #2

Hello my Lovelies!

First of all, YES! Carlos #2 was baptized! And the coolest thing in the world happened. So his step dad, Lee, is a RC who is almost at his year mark but he doesn’t have the MP yet. So he got to baptize Carlos but wasn’t able to confirm him a member. He was... however... able to help be a part of setting Carlos apart as an Elder and receive the AP. But yesterday both Carlos' received the AP and Carlos #2 got it first, so he got to be a part of Carlos #1 receiving it. IDK if that makes sense. But it was so cool! Also we sat in Elders Quorum for the first time in our lives to be able to be there for them so that was neat too ;)

But it was such a great week! Full of many milagros! We have been asked by the ward council to really work more with the members, so we have been able to get a lot more members out with us to our lessons which is so great! Seriously, the testimony of the members is really that slap in the face followed by a tender hug from the spirit. (My zone leader's words.) It’s so true though. President Hinckley was spot on by saying that every investigator/new member needs a friend in the church. 

We also were able to talk to sooo many people! Our miles have been constantly getting cut, which at first I thought this was kind of annoying, until I realized how huge of a blessing it was! We are literally out on our bikes every day now and it’s so great. There are just so many people we pass by without realizing it. Also we've been praying to be able to teach a family and we totally met one!! We have a return apt with them later this week! (:

Really, this week was so great. I feel like I've not worked this hard my whole mission. I love it. Also, dad, you're going to be very proud. Today we helped a friend of a member move into her home and she needed her table and kids beds built. Guess who got to do that?? Im like laying on the ground with mah lil screwdriver underneath the bed and I’m just like, if only my dad could see me right meow. Haha. 

But yes, this week was great. The cool thing about talking to more people means getting to bare your testimony more times a day. I've found that the more I share my testimony, the stronger it gets. It's so incredible.

I love you all and hope you have a great week! (:

Hermana Halverson 

Baptism of Carlos #2

March 3, 2014

This week, once again, went so fast!! Really not a whole lot has happened. Carlos still has his date set for this Thursday! But his sister, Ingrid, told us that as she was reading and praying, she received an answer that she needs to wait until she goes back to Columbia this weekend and get baptized with her husband. That was so perfect. Definitely an answer from the Lord. She keeps talking about how they are going to take the lessons together. But she also said that she knows this is what she needs to do so if her husband doesn't want to get baptized, she's still going to. I think it’s so great though. The biggest reason they were interested in the first place was because their mom and step-dad talked to them about eternal families. AND the best part is...we finalized the program last night and Carlos wants his step-dad to baptize him!! This is so cool because Brother Bradley is a recent convert of less than a year!!! HOW GREAT!! I just love it.

So we were able to finally see one of our potentials and he's like this famous Bachatan musician.. haha It’s the best. And he is now a new investigator!! But also, he was wearing this really sweet leather bracelet and it had a metal piece at the top and it was the head of some weird dog/dear/ram type of animal and when I complimented it he just took it off and gave it to me and told me it was a gift! Umm... It was the greatest present ever. Members give us things all the time, but this was like super special. It was so cool!

But we are doing so well with working more with our members. EVER MEMBER A MISSIONARY! It’s so incredibly true. Almost all of our investigators right now are member finds or member referrals! I love being able to work with everyone in our ward. We even are having less-actives feeding us which is so great to be able to go over and get to know them and commit them to come to church! 

But idk if I mentioned this earlier, but our ward is one that a Spanish branch has been dissolved into. This happened last March I think and it actually caused (or gave an excuse) for a lot of Latino members to go inactive. So yesterday was our first Sunday with a Spanish sacrament! We now have two sacraments and all the Latinos meet in the relief society room. They all seem to be so happy. There are definitely a lot of different opinions but you will never make everyone happy. I think it’s better this way. Our area is 60% Spanish people so I think this will really help getting more of our investigators to church.

Other than that, everything is great! I’m loving it here in FL. It’s started to get little warmer. Winter here lasts for about 2 months.. haha. But it’s great. Today is Hermana Fisi's birthday so we are meeting with the other sisters in our district and going out for Chic'filet and frozen yogurt! 

I love you all so much and hope you are all having a great week!!! (:

CON MUCHO MUCHO MUCHO AMOR!

Hermana Halverson

Zone conference 2-19-14 (Tara is fourth from left)

February 24, 2014 -- first Baptism!

Hola Mis Amores!!

This week has been so incredibly fantastic! So many blessing and milagros and just.. it’s been great. 

First of all, we got to go to the temple! Totally don’t want to rub it in anyone’s face, but that makes 8 now ;) It was so amazing. So beautiful. The Spirit was so strong. As always (: The Celestial room was pretty huge.. And so stinking beautiful. I just look forward to July when I get to go back! 

Also, CARLOS WAS BAPTIZED! Okay, this was actually super stressful because it was the first baptism for both Hermana and me. So a lot of things were done pretty last minute. But we were very blessed to have everything work out in the end. We had a great number of ward members who showed up and had 2 discursos about Baptism and the Holy Ghost. Oh my gosh. Carlos is so adorable. He is so sweet. He got up and bore his testimony to us afterwards and I was just in love. He was confirmed a member in sacrament meeting yesterday and his daughter came as well! It was so great. We got to share a little about the gospel with her and the purpose of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

But when we were calling people to see if they could give talks, we called a woman named Sister Bradley who is from Columbia but her husband speaks no English. They were just married a few years ago and she was baptized I think like 15 years ago. But he just got baptized a year ago. Anyway, Sister Bradley's son, Carlos, had just moved in with her from Columbia and her daughter, Ingrid, is visiting until March 8. So last Thursday as we were calling her, she told us she wouldn’t be able to make it but that she wanted us to come teach her children. She told us she wants them to get baptized together before Ingrid leaves and she says, "So how do we go about doing this?" haha We have taught them 3 times and they have both accepted our invitation to be baptized on March 5th!! They are both so ready. Before we even asked, they started talking about baptism. So far they understand the need for prophets and the Book of Mormon and are accepting everything super well. Carlos has a few really good questions but I can tell it’s because he’s interested. So we are way excited for them! 

Really this week was so great. The Lord is really helping us out. I have seen that the harder we strive to be the best examples for His church that we can, we will be blessed. I am so grateful for this incredible opportunity to share the truth and the way we can return to our Father in Heaven :)

I love you all so much! 

Hermana Halverson

P.S. As far as living conditions... My apartment is super nice. And the church takes care of us so well. BUT we had a huge water leak and didn't know about it til the bill came into the church and they had to come down and fix it because our bill was like 9Xs higher than it should have been... And the weather is crazy! Recently we've seen a lot more lightening. And it rains just about every 2 or 3 days here. But I love it. This is the place for me. At least until the rainy season is over.. haha During June/July/August every one talks about how hot it gets and how humid it is.. So things might get a little more difficult. But I'm still excited! What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right? (:

 At Carlos' baptism.  (Note the tall missionary on the far right.  He's the AP

 (Assistant to the President) and is 6'9"!!)

At the Orlando, Florida temple.

February 17, 2014

I’m so sorry, but there were a few e-mails I wasn't able to get to today. ):

So real quick let me just fill you in on the excitement that my little tiny 4'10” is trying to contain.

1. Carlos is getting baptized this Saturday! Oh my gosh I have never seen anyone so excited for anything in my life. He texts us every day to make sure we remember. He is so stinking adorable. And Native American so we told him about the Lamanites and that he’s their ancestor. He was so adorable. It’s hard to explain that to someone in Spanish so he was pretty confused.

2. I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE! I’m going there... ON FRIDAY!! Yay!!!! I can’t wait! So happy. It’s been so long.. I feel drained! IDK how I’m supposed to wait for 6 months to go again, but I’m grateful to be going at all! Just this year, they started the new rule that missionaries can go twice a year. It used to be they couldn’t go at all, so I got here just in time!!

3. Okay, like this is the craziest thing ever. Elder Nicholls is training Chase. I cannot even describe to you my feelings on this. I’m so happy. I’m so excited. I’m like hysterically laughing. It’s just all the above and more. Not even a coincidence. BUT, forewarning, you either LOVE or HATE your trainer. But I have faith that they will just fall in love!  (Note: Elder Nicholls is a friend of Tara's from Kennewick who is now Chase's first companion/trainer in Peru.)

Really this past week has been so great. Our lessons just keep piling up and it’s the best feeling in the world. We are seeing miracles every day and I wish I could sit here for hours and tell you all about them! Pero, tengo solo una hora. ):

Love you all!

Hermana Halverson

 The way missionaries in Florida park - ha ha

Box of chocolates we revcieved from a Brother in our ward for Valenitnes day

February 10, 2014

Hello my lovelies!

I hope you are all having a fantastic week! I don’t mean to brag but I think mine might have been a teansie bit better ;) "Why?" might you ask? Well, sit on down and put your reading glasses on because this is a good one.

Scene: CARLOS. He’s been taking the missionary discussions for the past couple of weeks. He has a good friend in our ward named Bro. Mathis. He has 3 daughters, but one passed a couple years ago. He’s probably like the sweetest little guy I’ve ever met. He accidentally gave me a hug at church 2 weeks ago... Ha, but yes. He is the best. He has all these different church books including Predicad me Evangelio, so when we go to teach him he ends up teaching us. It’s the best. Also when we asked him about baptism he set his own date! It wasn’t until April 8th though, but still, his enthusiasm is contagious.

So, Carlos. He lives outside of our ward boundaries, but we got permission to teach him because he’s moving at the first of March. The good news is he’s moving right down the street from us! The bad news is that we don’t live in our area either... So, we had to go through our Zone leaders, President Berry, and both Bishops of our ward and the ward that we will be moving into and the final decision was... Dun da da Dunnnnn! We get to keep teaching him! Why? Well, because we have given him a new baptism date of FEB 22!!!!! Like 2 weeks. I am so happy for him. President said that he can be baptized into our ward and hold callings but he needs to be transitioned to the Lake Nona ward by the end of this year. BUT, Bro. Mathis works with houses in some way and said that he’s going to try to find Carlos a house in our ward so he won’t need to worry about transitioning into a new ward! Oh boy. I’m just so excited for him. He started crying. And he is just so sweet. Both his daughters though are JW and so far they haven’t wanted to sit in on any of our lessons, but I have hope! Just a little bit of time (:

So yes. That was so wonderful. Also I went on my first exchange this week! It was the best. I love our STLs. And Sister Collins is just the funniest person ever. One of the pictures I’m sending is when we were departing. I had all my things and wore my helmet and they were all making fun of me at how silly I looked. So yes. That’s a thing... haha 

Also we had a ward fiesta the other day and some kids brought snakes. So I played with those. 

FINALLY. A less active owns a restaurant and always has us come there for dinner. It’s like the only Mexican food I will ever eat while here in FL. It’s just great. 

I seriously just love it here. The people are all so sweet. We've been turned down multiple times but I’ve never encountered a rude person. Granted, I’m still new. But they are all just so sweet. Even after people say they aren’t interested they tell us to be safe. I think even though they have their own religions, we all believe in one God. I think they can tell who we represent without even knowing it. People are awesome. Just in general. I feel so lucky to be here and having the opportunity to serve them all. 

I hope you all have a great week! I love you all! (:

Hermana Halverson

February 3, 2014

So this week was so crazy. The weather, first off all, was off the wall. At the beginning of the week it was freeezzinnggg! Then for 3 days straight it poured, and the last 2 days have been sunny, hot, and humid! So I just have to get used to never being used to it I suppose.

As far as Ruben, we weren’t able to visit him this week ): and his buddy from the nursing home was supposed to come to church with us yesterday but is in the process of moving. We do, however, have an appointment set with him later this week! Sabrina and her mother, Llaniri, unfortunately always seem to have something going on.

BUT, this week was still full of many milagros! It seemed that every time our appointments fell through, our back-up went perfectly! 

We were able to teach a Puerto Rican couple an on the spot Restoration and give them both Libro de Mormones. Also we met with a man named Julian who the hermanas before me contacted a couple months ago but had written down his info wrong. We ran into him in a parking lot and apparently he has been waiting for a call from the missionaries. His sister just passed away in the Dominican Republic so our first lesson, we taught him the Plan de Restauracion. Also he committed to baptism AND came to church with us yesterday. We have a baptismal date set for 15 de Febrero. After church yesterday he told us that he didn’t want to be separated from us because he could feel our spirits. It was so sweet! Also his wife’s son has been baptized in our church! It was such a strange conversation. And it came up so casually too. Like he asked us what church we were from and he was like, "Oh yea, I was baptized in that church in Puerto Rico in like '89". haha Sooo we will have to check up on him as well and see how he’s doing. But so many other milargros this week! Unfortunately, I have no time to share them all ):

Love you all!! 

Hermana Halverson

Hermana Sprite

Email sent from a senior missionary couple who served with Tara in the Mexico City MTC:

My husband and I are Senior Missionaries at the MTC in Mexico City.  I had the wonderful blessing of getting to know and love your sweet daughter.  I called her Hermana Sprite because she reminded me of a bottle of Sprite - when you shake it up, it's all bubbly.  I miss her!!!!

I took some pictures of her while she was here at the MTC.  I thought you would enjoy them.  I think I have some more on my other computer.  I will get them to you soon.  Please give her my love.

Sister Sue Jones