Pikchas

First, everybody needs to check out christmas.mormon.org ! :) There is a super cute 2 minute video for Christmas that you need to watch, and then share it with everybody to share the Christmas spirit! I'm super pumped for Christmas, guys. I love Jesus.

Thanksgiving was great up here. We went to play soccer with an annual group and the grass was crunchy-frozen walking onto the field, it was SO cold. We got hot chocolate from Starbucks afterwards. Then we made cookies which is always fun, and went to the church where several families got together to have dinner and play games. It was super yummy, and we rocked Bingo afterwards. Then we went to the Uhl's and hung out the rest of the night. I got to jam on the piano while Patrick jammed guitar and Madi sang. I really miss being able to do that, it was super fun and I could've played all night. It was a good day! 

We went on a couple more exchanges this week which are always fun. I got to spend a day with Sis Thurber, a past companion which was SO fun and just what I needed that day. 

We got a few referrals this week which was AWESOME. We've been trying really hard to find people to teach and this week a member told us that one of his patients, Jim, wanted a Book of Mormon, so we brought it to him in a rehab center and he wants to learn more! We'll be calling him tomorrow. :) We also left a Book of Mormon with a super sweet lady Julie that we helped move her table for Thanksgiving and she called us a couple days later to come have pumpkin pie with her. Small and simple things are happening, and that means great things are in the works. 

I heard a quote this week that I loved:

"Just because you're struggling doesn't mean you're failing"

I love that. It's not about falling, because we can get back up again and that is the most important part. Christ is the reason we can get back up and keep moving forward.

In this (my most favorite) time of the year, I hope that we all remember that the most important thing is coming closer to and remembering Jesus Christ. It's through Him that I have found real and lasting happiness and hope for the future. I know He lives and that because He lives we will also live again and that we can find and feel peace and joy again in our lives, despite the hard times that will definitely come.

Love you all so much!!

Sister Wilson

 Grandma Vail used to feed raccoons (at one point had like 15-20 that would come every day) and every once in a while they come around and hang around at her door. They will just sit there and stare at you so we go up and play with them sometimes. There's a group of 5 that have come around almost every day this week. fearless little guys.

 On exchanges in Silverdale there was some amazing views! Suuper windy day made for big waves!

 The Uhl's are the best and bought me my own big bag of pretzel rolls <3 may be addicted...

 Raking Grandma's leaves after the huge wind storm

 Making chocolate chip cookies on Thanksgiving!

 

 got to go on exchange with Sis Thurber!! <3

 Thanksgiving fun and exchanges!

 Hot chocolate!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This was probably one of the busiest and most exhausting weeks ever, haha. We went on 3 exchanges and had a music fireside last night! The fireside was all the way down in Elma (2 hour drive) but it was the last one before me or Jones goes home. So we asked President and the AP's really nice and they said they needed someone to play piano anyway, so we went! It was SO FUN. There were tons of members from Shelton that I love and miss so much and it was the best seeing them all again. Ernie even bore his testimony and told his story! It was so awesome. Going to things like that feels like coming home, I love it so much.

We also found several potentials this week! It's been kind of sparse finding people on the island but this week we got a call from a lady concerned for her nephew who was recently divorced and has lymphoma and he was really interested in learning about the gospel and receiving a Priesthood blessing. We had an appt with him Saturday, but we have to be super healthy to go see him with his illness, and we both woke up not feeling well (and have been super exposed to sick people this week) so we had to reschedule. But there's good potential there! We have been praying for a solid referral all transfer - God answers prayers, guys.

Things are going good, we're keeping busy and having fun. I absolutely love being a missionary and I love the people here with all my heart. 

In the theme of thanksgiving, one of my favorite scriptures describes what I am thankful for:

Alma 26:35-37
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people... yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I am thankful beyond words for my mission and for the people I love so much here and for the experiences I've had. I know that God knows us and the people around us, and He uses us to help Him reach out to them. I have seen miracles happen and I have seen the hand of the Lord so present in my life and many others. I love the Lord. I love His gospel and I love His church. I am so grateful to have the world's greatest family to help me along in life and be there to support me. I am so grateful for the many people who help to build me up and strengthen me and for your examples. I love you all SO much and wish you the happiest of thanksgivings!! 

Sister Wilson 

Sorry I haven't been very good with pictures lately, BUT

we went on lots of exchanges 

and everything has started freezing again!

 Fireside in Elma last night!

I got to play the piano for the last one before I go home :'(

The active nonmember club

Bainbridge is kind of funny in that there is an "active nonmember club." There's a few people who come to church regularly but don't want to get baptized. It used to be a much bigger group but it's slowly getting smaller as they're all finally deciding to get baptized (woo!) but we're trying to start getting with them to find out why :) There are some really amazing members here and I love the island.

Sister Jones and I are going to start up a Preach My Gospel class for the members this week! There's been a big push to work closer with members, and a lot of members want to help but don't know how, so we're going to help :) It's only 30 minutes during mutual time, so parents are waiting around anyway! I'm excited for it, hopefully there's a good turn out. 

We fasted yesterday to find the elect people here on the island waiting for the gospel. We're working hard to find them! 

I'm so grateful for the gospel. God has such a perfect plan - I studied this morning Alma 19-22 and it hit me how perfect His plan really is. In the story of Ammon teaching King Lamoni and all the events that follow (go read it) they are not easy in the slightest, and it would have been easy to give up and go home and forget about it, but they "bear with patience their afflictions" and because of it many many people come to know Jesus Christ and are converted and find true happiness. God has a plan for everyone and I think it's so awesome how we are all intertwined and helping each other get to where we need to be. 

In each of our plans, God is working to build us and shape us into who we are meant to be. That is never easy and it means heavy burdens are put upon us. I love this video that helps us to see how those burdens we have build us and help us return home:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-04-001-bearing-our-burdens-with-hope?category=mormon-messages-2015&lang=eng

Also, this is another great video of keeping the commandments God has given us and the blessings and happiness that come from it:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-03-002-obedience-to-the-ten-commandments?category=mormon-messages-2015&lang=eng

God is all loving and unchanging.

 

I know that God hears our prayers and will always be there to help us as we seek His help. I know that Jesus Christ loves us and has suffered every pain and burden and trial we will ever face and He will help us carry them. I love you all so much and I am grateful for you! Have the best week!

Sister Wilson

 

 the Uhl's threw me another bday party - they're my favorite

 Sunrises from our backyard are my new fav thing.

 more exchanges! I got to spend the day in Silverdale with Sister Kama! (I was in a trio with her for a week back in Olympia :) so fun!

 

 

"her spirit animal is an enchilada"

First off, thank you to everybody for the birthday wishes :) It was a good day! We had dinner with  the Ramirez family who invited the Uhl's and Joe Hildebrant's family (he grew up in AZ PV and dated Megan Ogden who is now in our ward and we made some really funny connections there) and it was super fun. They're so great - they made me a cake and everything. I also had deep fried halibut (battered in tequila, it's ok, I'm legal now) (jk it cooked out) which is on my top 10 favorite foods now.

Bainbridge is it's own place, but I love it. We were knocking this lady was nice to us but was veryvery worried about the caterpillars all over her floor and her neighbors throwing them all over her car at night and told us to watch out.. (they were pine needles) Never know what you'll find.

We went to MLC (mission leadership council) this Friday (STL's and zone leaders and President go counsel about what the mission needs once a month) in Tacoma which was way good. We talked a lot of how we can work with members better to get the work going a little faster. It's crazy how much the mission is changing but I'm really excited for it! We also had interviews this week so seeing President and Sister Blatter is always fun :)

If you're wondering about the title of this email, that came from Brother Uhl in reference to his wife who also loves Mexican food a whole lot. It was super funny. The Uhl's are the BEST. I love them. We're teaching their daughter, Madi, the missionary discussions to help us keep the teaching spirit and also so she can know what it's like. She wants to serve a mission, woo! 

Bainbridge Island is super beautiful, and I love it. There's always challenges in life, but I've really come to appreciate the things that I've learned on my mission so far. The past 16 months have changed my outlook on the gospel completely. It's changed me and made me a better and stronger person, and it fills me with so much gratitude to think that God has given me such an amazing opportunity to serve Him here. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I have really come to know Him here. It's the greatest thing I have ever experienced, and I know that some people probably read this and think yeah sure, but I really have so much love and gratitude in thinking back on my mission that I'll never be able to put into words. I love serving and learning and growing. I'm so grateful for the Atonement and all it encompasses so that we can find peace and joy despite the hardships of life. I love the gospel and I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth today. I'm so grateful for living prophets and apostles and all they sacrifice for us and the Lord. Life is good when you have the gospel!

I love you all so much!! Thanks for all you do and have the best week!

Sister Wilson

  our district at Interviews

 I went on my first exchange with Sister Trost this week which was super fun - we got Panera (closest I can get to Paradise Bakery and there's finally one in my zone!) YUM

 We went to a cute crepe shop downtown and they had 11 pound jars of nutella... they're real. They go through that stack in a week.

 

pictures will never do justice, but we see some pretty amazing sunrises from our backyard

  Also Jesse's baptism last week! Yay!! She's so amazing.

    This is Grandma Vail, who we live with :)

 

Exchanges with Sister Trost and Sister Kramer

New address

Sister Charity Wilson

12806 Sunrise Dr NE 

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Bainbridge Island

So transfer meeting was super great this week and I got my new companion Sister Jones! She came out with me and we're having a good time. Bainbridge Island is SUPER nice, lots of mansions and super modern fancy things. The relief society room has a baby grand and the foyers have original paintings of some popular artwork. But it's nice knowing your boundaries all the time and not having to worry about leaving your area, haha. We live with a member - the sweetest lady - Marla Vail, who we call Grandma. :) She lives on the water so all along the backside of the house you can see the Seattle skyline, which is always suuuper pretty. Plus! The Ogdens (my old stake president) are in my ward! Who knew?!

The sisters have been teaching a lady, Jesse, who is amazing. She got baptized on Saturday! We saw her several times this past week and she is SO prepared - she was so excited for her baptism. The most excited I've ever seen anyone. And she just glowed afterwards! It was so sweet. She has the cutest little boy, Dameon, too who is a firecracker. After the end of every prayer he will scream "AMEN!" and everybody always laughs. It's a good ward. The bishop is super awesome and his "motto" so to speak is "ministering outside the box" and so they have all sorts of awesome ideas of not-your-average-Mormon activites. It's fun! I like it.

On Halloween we got to go to Silverdale to be with our zone and have a little party. We played gadianton robbers (mafia missionary style) and the elders bought pizza with money from President and we watched "17 Miracles" It was super fun! I'm a pro at being a detective, btw. 

I'm happy to say that I have lived through my last daylight savings! I like the side of gaining an hour of sleep though, that's nice.

We're working on finding new people to teach and trying to think of new ways to do so. The people here are pretty satisfied with their million-dollar lifestyle, and it's very different than the humble boonies I've been serving in most of my mission. But I'm excited for what lays ahead!

Time is flying by. The biggest emotion I feel in contemplating the time I've been able to serve is just gratitude. I am so grateful for the experiences I've had and the amazing people I've met and the things I've learned. With daylight savings, it's super dark again all through our knocking 5-7s, and I'd forgotten what that really feels like. I know I'll be growing a lot more in the next couple months and I'm looking forward to learning and coming closer to my Savior. 

We'll be starting our exchanges this week and that will be interesting! I hear "exchange-overs" are a real thing (exchange hangovers) But to be honest I really don't think it's possible to be any more tired than we are, haha. But life is good and God leads the way, so it's ok.

I love you all so very much and I'm so grateful for the love and support!! :) 

Love, 
Sister Wilson

 therrrre is beautyyy all aroundddd

 saying goodbye to the little blue house in Shelton

 some of my favorite people I worked with in the ward in Shelton

 I don't remember if I told you I think I accidentally put a virus on the computer [it went blue and started yelling at me consistently for like 4 minutes] in Shelton and called some Indian man who couldn't help me. It was a very stressful situation and Stirling was just laughing at me forever.

 Vivian made us crepes every transfer tuesday with the elders. (Shelton)

 this is an aircraft carrier we drove past in Bremerton. I wish the pic was better, but... yeah. It was way cool

 There's always little boats or the ferry or whatnot out on the water. It's such a pretty view, I wish the camera did justice

 Me and my new companion Sister Jones!

 SO MANY LEAVES. Since it's been raining their not crunchy and fun anymore, but they're still fun to kick around if they're not soggy yet.

 I couldn't get a good quality cause of the dark and my old camera, but this is what it looks like at night. Over on the left side you can see the Seattle Space Needle!

 a girl here on bainbridge drew us this picture like it was nothing... WHAT. she's amazing.

 The view from our kitchen window: the Seattle skyline. It's pretty awesome.

 

 I left behind several of my shoes but I took pictures so you could see how wore out they got :)

 you could peel the sole almost completely off the top

 pictures dont ever really do justice.. maybe I shouldve kept them. but they were pretty good.