Thursday, September 8, 2011

Kate is excited for fall!

Hey'all,
It sure sounds like you have all had a productive week. I also had a very productive week. First of all the Hurricane did not even hit South Carolina like it had originally planned to. We did hear some news about it, just bits and pieces from ward members. It sounds like it didn't do as much damage as they thought it would but it still did some. I would really like it if we could check the weather so we know what kinds of things to bring with us. Instead we just go out every day regardless of the weather. People think we are crazy sometimes for going out in the really hot weather but that is okay. I am getting a little tired of the heat and I hear we still have one more month of it. I really can't wait until October when it will be nice and cool outside. We are working with some really great little families far out in our area. It takes a lot of our miles to get out there so sometimes we have a member come out with us. There is this family of 7 children plus the mother and the grandmother. They all live in one small house and don't have access to a car. The 16 year old son was living with relatives in another city this summer and had been meeting with the elders out there. He was supposed to be baptized but then he moved back home so now we are trying to get him baptized as soon as possible. It may be really hard to find rides for 9 people, so we are praying for them to get a car or something. There are a few more other families out there that actually do have access to a car, now we just need to get them to church. I really enjoy being able to meet so many diverse people. The city of Batesburg-Leesville which is in our area is the only ghetto place so it is fun. My area is very diverse. We can go to rich people up by the lake to the ghetto of Batesburg-Leesville and everything in between. I really love this area a lot and will be hard to leave all of it behind when I leave. This area will be the first area I come back to visit after my mission. Karen Lanz one of our recent converts went out of town this weekend to Atlana but she said she was planning on going to church down there and planned to also visit the temple. She is such a wonderful lady and is doing so well in the gospel. I am glad things are finally getting settled with everyone moving off and starting school. Good luck to those who are starting new jobs and/or a new semester at school. At times I kind of miss school but am grateful I am on a mission. We get to see all of the elders in our district every Monday when we are emailing as we all use the same library. We haven't ever done any sort of sporting actvity yet but maybe I will suggest something. They are all very nice young men as far as I can tell. I know they work hard and serve the Lord which is the most important thing to be doing. We also have district development every Tuesday and those are always really good. Our zone leaders are really great and we occasionaly see them when they come to one of our district development meetings. Otherwise we don't see them much execpt for any trainings or zone conference. Driving is going well. I really enjoy it. I am being the best driver that I can be. If anything bad happens while I am driving I would not be able to drive for the remainder of my mission. I don't want that to happen so I am careful. It is helpful that I pretty much know where I am going since I have been here since mid April. I can just picture everyone fighting over the washer and dryer. Who won? I bet I would have won if I had been there. I am sure it is quite lonely there at the house just you, dad and Bauer. I am glad you guys finally get some time to yourselves to do whaterver you want. I am sure you will always have visitors! I hope everything continues to go well with Grandpa's recovery. Tell them hello from me! Anything new with Brad, Mandy and the girls? Matt,Stacy and Graham? (look Matt you got mentioned in the email). I hope all continues to go well there at home. I am so grateful for your continued love and support, it brings me strength. I love you all so much! Love, Katelyn

Kate tells about investigators

Hey y'all-
I am here bright and early as usual! We have permission to use member's computers as the library was going to be closed for the holiday today. We wanted to get to it as early as we could. I am always pretty excited to read your emails each week. Before I forget can you send me my next journal I think I have one more. My week has been great, nothing too exciting happened to us. We have been working with a member's boyfriend and progressing him towards baptism. He is going to be baptized on the 17th so we are pretty excited. He technically lives out of our area but soon after he is baptized they plan to move both of their records to the single's ward. He is a great guy and I know he will be a great member of the church and a worthy priesthood holder. We are also working with this guy and his name is Diego Saurez and he is originally from the country of Columbia. He has lived and worked here for the past 3 years. I met him while I was with Sister Wright and we technically had dropped him as an investigator but we picked him up again. We taught him a 1st lesson and it went very well and we invited him to come to church and he said he would try. He ended up coming to church and he seemed to like it a lot. He usually has a lot of questions and doesn't want us to leave. Yesterday he offered to buy us dinner at Taco Bell so we had to have a lesson on the Sabbath day and he seemed to understand that. It was so nice of him to offer and we assured him that any other day we could. He is progressing slowly in the gospel but I know someday soon he will join the church. We are also working with this nice lady named Cheryl Bieir whom we met awhile ago. She has had a kind of rough past and has worked hard to overcome that. We taught her a 1st and a 2nd lesson this last week. She wants to continue to learn about Jesus so we know she is in the right place. There is this other lady named Franny Peters that I think have mentioned before that we are kind of working with. She has had a rough couple of years and is trying to overcome what has happened. She has been having a lot of health and financial problems that she has been worrying about. We taught her about the priesthood and how she could receive a blessing and she said she would like that. We took the bishop and his dad over and they gave her a wonderful blessing. We talked with her yesterday and she said she has already seen a difference in her life. On Saturday night we knocked on the Harbor's door to talk to them . They were watching the South Carolina game and had previously watched the BYU game. They told me the score and I was happy to hear that it was a victory. Keep me updated on the games I enjoy hearing about them. We have been doing member dinners again because they asked us to. If I had it my way I would just skip those all together but I can't. We have enjoyed them and the member's are wonderful to feed us. I am glad all is going well with everyone in work and school. Thank you for the pictures of Graham they were so cute I can't believe how big he is now! Also thanks for the Jane and Annie pictures, they are also so cute. Thank you for all that you do for me. Thank you for your continued love and support. I really have the best family ever. Have a great week! Love, Katelyn

Monday, August 22, 2011

Kate gets a new companion....and then another. Three's a crowd!

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

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

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

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

Monday, July 25, 2011

Kate's back with Sister Wright and new companion Sister Namutebi!

Hey'all-
How are you all this week? I think I have a lot to catch you up on. The companion I got last week Sister Jakob had been having some health problems for over a year and went home to get them taken care of. They had to emergency transfer some sisters in with me until the end of this transfer. I got to spend the day with Sister Holm (the new mission president's wife) after my companion left for the airport and it was great. We ran a few errands and then she took me out to lunch. What they did is take Sister Wright and her companion Sister Namutebi from Augusta to come to Gilbert. So I am with Sister Wright again which is great! Sister Namutebi is from Uganda in Africa. She is a wonderful person and I hope to get to know her better. She is great and is very spiritual. She talks to everyone regardless if they can understand her or not. She speaks english great but just has a quiet voice. It is interesting working in a threesome I definitely have to speak up more but I am working on that. I promise to send pictures soon so you can see my hair better, My hair is definitely easier to fix and I am grateful for it in this weather. It takes a lot for me to go up and approach people and just start talking to them. It is something I am working on. We role play everyday to get practice in. Sister Wright had asked Sister McConkie when she was here and she said it was okay to wear sandals from April to October. I am not sure if that still applies but I stick to the shoes that I have. Sandals are uncomfortable if you are going to be doing a lot of walking. I do enjoy it when you send parts of blog posts. I am sure it is okay that I look at them. It helps me to stay up to date with the family. The pictures you sent with this email didn't come so if you could try and send them again I would appreciate that. We have been working hard this week in our new companionship. It is a bit more crowded in the trailer but we have a lot of fun together. It was really hot this past week and people thought we were crazy for being out in the weather. It reached 103 degrees but we had plenty of water and gatorade with us. Our recent convert Karen Lanz is planning a birthday party for me on Saturday and has invited the whole ward. It should be a great day! Her daughter went to youth conference this past week and had a wonderful experience. She is going to girl's camp this week and we know she will have a great time there. She was going to be baptized on my birthday but she arrives home from camp that day so we are pushing off until the 6th. She is doing well in the church already and has made some wonderful friends. She got a personal progress book yesterday and is excited to get started. Two of my recent converts got temple recommends yesterday so they are making progress towards the temple. That make me happy! Thanks for the package this week you know me well. Thank you so much. I feel so lucky to have a wonderful supportive family. Everytime I receive mail it is from a loving family member. I enjoy hearing all about what is happening in your life. I hope it is alright that I gave the newlywed converts your number. They could tell you all about me. We are going to be emailing earlier now at about 10:30am EST so you should see an email at around 8:30 or 9 your time. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Tell Tim and Nickie congratulations on their wedding and they chose a good day to married (my birthday!!!!). Next time I write to you I will be 24 years old which sounds so old. Anyways I have got to be going! I love you all so much!
Love, Katelyn