Hey'all-
I am doing great this week! What a crazy week it has been. We have been working hard and learning so much. This week was transfers and Karen drove us there and she loved seeing a lot of elders and sisters gather together. I am still in a threesome which is okay. I am not a big fan of being in a threesome but I am obedient and I do what the Lord and my mission president says. I know it will be a great learning experience for me. Sister Johnson is my new companion and she had been serving in Sumter before. She is a convert of 2 years and is from Wyoming. She wasn't there at transfers as her companion was in the hospital. So for like a day and a half it was Sister Namutebi and me and we had a great time. Sister Johnson is the senior comapnion so she is technically the driver but since I know the area so well we got permission from the assistants for me to be the driver. I have definitely missed driving and I am enjoying being able to do it. I think it is helping with my confidence so it is great. I have to say teaching in a threesome can be difficult at times but we are making it work. Yesterday we went out to a city in our area called Batesburg-Leesville which is the ghetto of our area. We went to go see some leads that Sister Wright and I had found awhile ago and we actually had some success with that. We talked with this wonderful lady and her husand and shared a first lesson with them. The spirit was there and they enjoyed our message and accepted a baptismial date for September 17. They have three kids that are baptismal age so we look forward to meeting with them also. We also had another great lesson with a mom and her 2 daughters and set them on date for September 17. It was amazing that our lesson just flowed so nicely and no one had to worry about when to say something. I think when I was with Sister Wright she talked a lot sometimes and I struggled joining in. I am making it work in a threesome. I do have to be more assertive and step up to the plate more but I think that is something the Lord wanted me to learn. I am so glad you had a wonderful time in Las Vegas and California. I am a little jealous. I love southern California. I want to go there when I come home. I am proud of you for being brave and doing something that scared you. I have to admidt I don't know if I would have had the courage to do something like that but who knows maybe this mission will change me. Ths mission has been requiring me to do so many hard things that I would have never had to do. I am so grateful that I made the choice to come on a mission and I know the Lord is blessing me for it. The bike situation is all figured out. I talked to the people that I bought the bike from and I explained the situation to them. He said that he would take it back and sell it for me and then mail me a check. He comes to all of the transfers to deliever the new bikes to the incoming missionaries. I was going to take mine to last transfers but Karen did not have a place in her car for it so I will wait until next transfers. I am sad that I didn't get to ride my bike. I really like it and I think it is very cute. Maybe if I had gone someplace first that didn't have dirt roads I would have ridden it more. I am glad you enjoyed talking to her I know she really enjoyed it as well. She is a wonderful lady and is always doing nice things for us. I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and I appreciate everthing that you do for me. Thank you for believing in me and that I could serve a mission. I wouldn't change this experience for anything in the world. Being a missioanry is hard and I know you have prepared me well to endure each day. I am grateful for the missionaries that brought Dad into this church. I know that through his decison to join, we as the Serafine family have been able to change the lives of so many people. Again I love you all so much and thank you for your continued love and support. I know that this church is true and that Joseph Smith did see that miraclous vision. Through him the church was restored though the gift and power of God. Love, Katelyn
Monday, August 22, 2011
Baptism and a Chocolate Fountain!
H'yall-
Sorry, I had to go so I wasn't able to type to you back and forth. That would have been though! All is well here in South Carolina! The zoo was a lot of fun and we stayed there for a few hours. I love the zoo and I especially love the giraffes. It was pretty hot but we couldn't leave any earlier than 10 am so we had to do our best. It is still very hot and humid here and will be until the end of September. The other day we got back into the car and it said it was 116 degrees which was really hot. Yesterday was realivly cool and we took advantage of that. At one point it was 72 degrees. We love it when it stays under 90 degrees but it being the middle of August that is impossible. I am kind of getting sick of sweating. Before I forget can I get Derek and Ryan's addresses I would love to write them but I have no way of doing so. So, transfers are this week and we are looking froward to that. Sister Wright is being transferred and Sister Namutebi and I are staying in the area. I am excited for the opportunity I get to work more in this area. This area is so great and has a lot of potential for us to find new people. This also means that I will probably get to drive the car and I will be honest with you I am a little nervous. I haven't driven a car since March but I am confident that all will go well. Our baptism went over well and we had a lot of support from the young women and some young men! I gave a talk on baptism. Apparently I am good at those so they keep asking me and being the obedient person that I am I accept. I rather talk than have to sing so I do my part. Afterwards there was a chocolate fountain with everything to dip in it. I am sure you all would have enjoyed it. The young women leaders were so nice to put that all together. She was confirmed yesterday so now she is officially a member of the church. We met with Trey who is the member's boyfriend after church yesterday. He came on his own to church and set up the appointment all by himself. This shows us that he is doing this for him and not just for her. He never has any questions and just accepts everything we say. He should be baptized this month. How was the wedding? How was Southern California and the angels game? I am sure you all had a fun time! I love those last little trips before school starts again. I am glad Bauer is finally learning how to behave. I am sure when he sees children accross the street he runs. When does Riley move into his dorm? Matt and Stacy- Thank you for the birthday card you sent me it was great. I especially enjoyed the picture of Graham he is so cute! I compared his picture to the last one I had of him and he has changed so much. I showed his picture to my companions and they loved it. I can't tell you all how much I enjoy being an aunt. Well, I have got to be going. Thank you for all of your continued love and support. I appreciate everything that you do for me. Have a great week. Love, Katelyn
Sorry, I had to go so I wasn't able to type to you back and forth. That would have been though! All is well here in South Carolina! The zoo was a lot of fun and we stayed there for a few hours. I love the zoo and I especially love the giraffes. It was pretty hot but we couldn't leave any earlier than 10 am so we had to do our best. It is still very hot and humid here and will be until the end of September. The other day we got back into the car and it said it was 116 degrees which was really hot. Yesterday was realivly cool and we took advantage of that. At one point it was 72 degrees. We love it when it stays under 90 degrees but it being the middle of August that is impossible. I am kind of getting sick of sweating. Before I forget can I get Derek and Ryan's addresses I would love to write them but I have no way of doing so. So, transfers are this week and we are looking froward to that. Sister Wright is being transferred and Sister Namutebi and I are staying in the area. I am excited for the opportunity I get to work more in this area. This area is so great and has a lot of potential for us to find new people. This also means that I will probably get to drive the car and I will be honest with you I am a little nervous. I haven't driven a car since March but I am confident that all will go well. Our baptism went over well and we had a lot of support from the young women and some young men! I gave a talk on baptism. Apparently I am good at those so they keep asking me and being the obedient person that I am I accept. I rather talk than have to sing so I do my part. Afterwards there was a chocolate fountain with everything to dip in it. I am sure you all would have enjoyed it. The young women leaders were so nice to put that all together. She was confirmed yesterday so now she is officially a member of the church. We met with Trey who is the member's boyfriend after church yesterday. He came on his own to church and set up the appointment all by himself. This shows us that he is doing this for him and not just for her. He never has any questions and just accepts everything we say. He should be baptized this month. How was the wedding? How was Southern California and the angels game? I am sure you all had a fun time! I love those last little trips before school starts again. I am glad Bauer is finally learning how to behave. I am sure when he sees children accross the street he runs. When does Riley move into his dorm? Matt and Stacy- Thank you for the birthday card you sent me it was great. I especially enjoyed the picture of Graham he is so cute! I compared his picture to the last one I had of him and he has changed so much. I showed his picture to my companions and they loved it. I can't tell you all how much I enjoy being an aunt. Well, I have got to be going. Thank you for all of your continued love and support. I appreciate everything that you do for me. Have a great week. Love, Katelyn
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Humid weather and the local zoo!
Hey'all-
How are you all doing in the wonderful dry state of Utah? You won't believe how hot and humid it has been here. When I first got to the area they warned us about August and how hot and humid it was and boy were they right. We take plenty of water with us to make sure we don't die. Sometimes nice people give us bottles of water because they can see how hot and sweaty we are. I definitely sweat way too much. The humidity loves me! I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures and videos from the party. She really is the most generous person in the world. Although she doesn't have much money she serves us in other ways. I am also glad you enjoyed the pictures that I sent to you. That is Sister Riley in that picture with me. She alsways takes us out to lunch on p-days. I love the shirt you sent me it fits perfectly. I wore it to church the next day. I love, love, love the watch you sent me. It is the most beautiful watch ever. I took my companions out to lunch last p-day and we went to this place called Panera which is a soup, sandwich and salad place. It was like going out for a girls night except during the day. Thanks for the money. Karen's daughter Deanna is getting baptized on Saturday!! She is already like a member as she has been coming to church for weeks. She bore her testimony yesterday and it was such a wonderful thing. I feel so grateful to be a part of these people's lives. I wouldn't change this experience for anything in the world. We met this lady named Franny this week who is like a member waiting to happen. She has been through so much in her life already this year. Her husband was killed in January and her mother died a month ago. We read her a scripture in the Book of Mormon and she asked if that scripture was only in that book and we said yes. She then said "I need one of those" we gave her one right away. We look forward to teaching her more. Today we were able to do something fun for p-day. The Harbors gave us Zoo passes for our birthdays so we went to the Zoo. We went with Karen and Deanna as we had a couple extra tickets. We had so much fun at the Zoo!! We are very easily recognized and had several members from other wards come up and talk with us. I guess when you are wearing a skirt at the Zoo along with a nametag you are bound to be recognized. We got to feed the giraffes which was so cool. I actually did it, you would all be so proud of me. We go out tracting all day every day! The other day we walked so much our feet were aching and our bodies were exhausted. It was a lot of fun though! I will never get to do anything like this ever again in my life. I am just taking in the experience as it comes. We have this member who has a nonmember boyfriend who has been coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. We met with him yesterday and it was such a wonderful experience, as he was so ready and didn't really have any questions for us. We set him on date for August 27th and we are sure he will be baptized on that date. Missionary work is the best! Tomorrow is Sister Wright's birthday so I am trying to come up with something special to do. There are no secrets when you have a companion all the time. Anyways I am sure I will some up with something. Thanks for all that you do for me. Thanks for the continued love and support you give to me! I love you all so much! Enjoy these last few weeks of summer! Love, Katelyn
How are you all doing in the wonderful dry state of Utah? You won't believe how hot and humid it has been here. When I first got to the area they warned us about August and how hot and humid it was and boy were they right. We take plenty of water with us to make sure we don't die. Sometimes nice people give us bottles of water because they can see how hot and sweaty we are. I definitely sweat way too much. The humidity loves me! I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures and videos from the party. She really is the most generous person in the world. Although she doesn't have much money she serves us in other ways. I am also glad you enjoyed the pictures that I sent to you. That is Sister Riley in that picture with me. She alsways takes us out to lunch on p-days. I love the shirt you sent me it fits perfectly. I wore it to church the next day. I love, love, love the watch you sent me. It is the most beautiful watch ever. I took my companions out to lunch last p-day and we went to this place called Panera which is a soup, sandwich and salad place. It was like going out for a girls night except during the day. Thanks for the money. Karen's daughter Deanna is getting baptized on Saturday!! She is already like a member as she has been coming to church for weeks. She bore her testimony yesterday and it was such a wonderful thing. I feel so grateful to be a part of these people's lives. I wouldn't change this experience for anything in the world. We met this lady named Franny this week who is like a member waiting to happen. She has been through so much in her life already this year. Her husband was killed in January and her mother died a month ago. We read her a scripture in the Book of Mormon and she asked if that scripture was only in that book and we said yes. She then said "I need one of those" we gave her one right away. We look forward to teaching her more. Today we were able to do something fun for p-day. The Harbors gave us Zoo passes for our birthdays so we went to the Zoo. We went with Karen and Deanna as we had a couple extra tickets. We had so much fun at the Zoo!! We are very easily recognized and had several members from other wards come up and talk with us. I guess when you are wearing a skirt at the Zoo along with a nametag you are bound to be recognized. We got to feed the giraffes which was so cool. I actually did it, you would all be so proud of me. We go out tracting all day every day! The other day we walked so much our feet were aching and our bodies were exhausted. It was a lot of fun though! I will never get to do anything like this ever again in my life. I am just taking in the experience as it comes. We have this member who has a nonmember boyfriend who has been coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. We met with him yesterday and it was such a wonderful experience, as he was so ready and didn't really have any questions for us. We set him on date for August 27th and we are sure he will be baptized on that date. Missionary work is the best! Tomorrow is Sister Wright's birthday so I am trying to come up with something special to do. There are no secrets when you have a companion all the time. Anyways I am sure I will some up with something. Thanks for all that you do for me. Thanks for the continued love and support you give to me! I love you all so much! Enjoy these last few weeks of summer! Love, Katelyn
Monday, August 1, 2011
Kate celebrate her first Birthday on the mission!
Hey'all-
How are y'all all doing this week? I sure missed celebrating my birthday with the fam but I did have a birthday I will never forget. I will give you a summary and you can all read about it in more detail in my journal later. First of all I got the package the Tuesday before and I wasn't sure if I should open it or not so I saved it until my birthday. It took a lot of patience to wait that long but I did. It was like any other day, we got up and we exercised, and then as I was getting ready for the day Sister Wright came running down the hallway and knocked on the door and wished me a happy birthday. For breakfast Sister Wright made German pancakes which were just delicious. She loves birthdays! We got out and then we went to work like we do every day. They surprised me and took me out to lunch at El Paso which is a Mexican restaurant. It is also the only restaurant close by in our area. We had been wanting to go there for months so we finally went. Sister Wright told them that it was my birthday and they came out and sang to me. They made me put on a huge sombreo and then they gave me fried ice cream. You would have been so proud of me! After that we had an appointment with a lead that we had, so we headed there. This lady is the most spiritual lady I have ever met. Her home is so full of the spirit and she pays attention to its promptings. We mentioned to her that it was my birthday and she said yesterday that she felt prompted to make a cake and she wasn't sure why. She shared it with me which was cool. She also had some other great things to say. We gave her and her husband a Book of Mormon and asked them to read and pray about it. I know they will and they will receive the answer they are looking for. We also went to go visit a less active in an asssisted living place and were able to give her a new Book of Mormon and a Bible as she had lost hers. She hadn't been to church in awhile and has been wanting to come back. Then we headed over to the party that Karen had planned. She decided to just celebrate Sister Wright's and my birthday on the same day. People kept thinking it was both of our birthdays. So, I had to share my party with her which was okay. Karen went all out and decorated the house and even made party favors. I am sure you got the vidieo and pictures she sent you. A lot of ward members came and brought gifts which was nice. She even made separate cakes for us and we got to blow out the candles. We opened the gifts in front of everyone and we got some great stuff. This is best ward ever, I love them so much. After that we headed home and I opened the package you had sent. I loved the You are Special plates and what was cool is that there were 3 plates and when you sent it you didn't know I was in a threesome. Since I opened it too late to have the breakfast and the cupcakes we had them the next day and took pictures. I appreciate all of the gifts that you sent. I absolutely love the watch thank you so much!!! We have already started listening to the cds that you sent and they are great. I wore the shirt yesterday to church and I think it is so cute. Thanks for making it a great birthday!! Since I am in the area for so long I am able to unpack all of my clothes and other things. I do keep a few things in my luggage and grab them when I need them. I don't particulary love living out of luggage but what choice do I have. I really have been working on my eye contact. It has improved more than I ever thought it could. You would be proud of me!! I feel like I am making good progress but I know it won't all come at once. I will keep pressing forward and striving for my goals. I am glad you had a good pioneer day and were able to make it to the parade. It was strange being out of state for the holiday as they really didn't celebrate that here. I am also glad the wedding went well. What is funny is that we have a bunch of wedding announcements on our fridge that we can't attend. They are reminding us of what we have to look forward to. I was wondering if you could check my checking account and find out how much money I have in it. I almost forgot thank you for the money, I am planning on taking my comps out soon. Thank you for all of your love and support. Have a wonderful week!! I love you all!! Love, Katelyn
How are y'all all doing this week? I sure missed celebrating my birthday with the fam but I did have a birthday I will never forget. I will give you a summary and you can all read about it in more detail in my journal later. First of all I got the package the Tuesday before and I wasn't sure if I should open it or not so I saved it until my birthday. It took a lot of patience to wait that long but I did. It was like any other day, we got up and we exercised, and then as I was getting ready for the day Sister Wright came running down the hallway and knocked on the door and wished me a happy birthday. For breakfast Sister Wright made German pancakes which were just delicious. She loves birthdays! We got out and then we went to work like we do every day. They surprised me and took me out to lunch at El Paso which is a Mexican restaurant. It is also the only restaurant close by in our area. We had been wanting to go there for months so we finally went. Sister Wright told them that it was my birthday and they came out and sang to me. They made me put on a huge sombreo and then they gave me fried ice cream. You would have been so proud of me! After that we had an appointment with a lead that we had, so we headed there. This lady is the most spiritual lady I have ever met. Her home is so full of the spirit and she pays attention to its promptings. We mentioned to her that it was my birthday and she said yesterday that she felt prompted to make a cake and she wasn't sure why. She shared it with me which was cool. She also had some other great things to say. We gave her and her husband a Book of Mormon and asked them to read and pray about it. I know they will and they will receive the answer they are looking for. We also went to go visit a less active in an asssisted living place and were able to give her a new Book of Mormon and a Bible as she had lost hers. She hadn't been to church in awhile and has been wanting to come back. Then we headed over to the party that Karen had planned. She decided to just celebrate Sister Wright's and my birthday on the same day. People kept thinking it was both of our birthdays. So, I had to share my party with her which was okay. Karen went all out and decorated the house and even made party favors. I am sure you got the vidieo and pictures she sent you. A lot of ward members came and brought gifts which was nice. She even made separate cakes for us and we got to blow out the candles. We opened the gifts in front of everyone and we got some great stuff. This is best ward ever, I love them so much. After that we headed home and I opened the package you had sent. I loved the You are Special plates and what was cool is that there were 3 plates and when you sent it you didn't know I was in a threesome. Since I opened it too late to have the breakfast and the cupcakes we had them the next day and took pictures. I appreciate all of the gifts that you sent. I absolutely love the watch thank you so much!!! We have already started listening to the cds that you sent and they are great. I wore the shirt yesterday to church and I think it is so cute. Thanks for making it a great birthday!! Since I am in the area for so long I am able to unpack all of my clothes and other things. I do keep a few things in my luggage and grab them when I need them. I don't particulary love living out of luggage but what choice do I have. I really have been working on my eye contact. It has improved more than I ever thought it could. You would be proud of me!! I feel like I am making good progress but I know it won't all come at once. I will keep pressing forward and striving for my goals. I am glad you had a good pioneer day and were able to make it to the parade. It was strange being out of state for the holiday as they really didn't celebrate that here. I am also glad the wedding went well. What is funny is that we have a bunch of wedding announcements on our fridge that we can't attend. They are reminding us of what we have to look forward to. I was wondering if you could check my checking account and find out how much money I have in it. I almost forgot thank you for the money, I am planning on taking my comps out soon. Thank you for all of your love and support. Have a wonderful week!! I love you all!! Love, Katelyn
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