7/12

Life in a trio is crazy. It's like a slumber party all the time, except that we're constantly on the go, going on splits with members, trying to cover as much ground as possible and we sag into bed every night. Sister Fonua would admit wholeheartedly that she is an absolute slave-driver, but I have never worked so hard nor felt so good in my life! She's teaching me the real meaning of hard work. If any of you thinks you know what hard work is, just ask Sister Fonua. She'll set you straight and rock your world. Sister Tolman is two months into her mission and reminds me every day of what it felt like to be a greenie. She has the biggest heart of anybody I know and is incredibly sensitive to the Spirit. Like every new missionary, she doesn't know a lot. But she has a huge testimony and a sincere desire for the welfare and salvation of others, and she doesn't give up. I love both my companions so much! We'll be together a minimum of three weeks, and I have a feeling it's going to go by way too fast. Chances that we'll stay together after that are pretty small.

Ray was not baptized yesterday. Sister Fonua says that she has never had a smooth baptism, so I'm trying not to get too hysterical about it. The adversary works the hardest on people immediately before and after baptism. Going through this experience with Ray has made me wonder what it was like for you and Dad? I know it can't have been easy, but perhaps looking back through years of experiece and increased understanding makes it seem so? Right now Ray feels like his whole world is being turned upside down and is having a hard time adjusting, even if it's true and even if it's a good thing. He still knows he wants to be baptized and is having another interview on Friday. In the mean time we're wracking our brains to figure out what we can do to help him feel more secure, especially about Joseph Smith. Book of Mormon? Best book in the world. Word of Wisdom? Check. Tithing? Piece of cake. Law of Chastity? No sweat. Joseph Smith?...Not so much. So that's the story right now.

BUT. We found bajillions of new people to teach this week. One of the coolest experiences was when I was on splits with our member Sister Sabo. While the other sisters were checking on less-actives, we went to contact media referrals. After several failed attempts, we caught one at home, Jose. He's only fifteen and is a member of a group started by and for teens called FIGHT (Faith In God Holds Truth). He and a handful of other youth in the area are striving to help their peers go to church and have more faith in their lives. They saw that they could get free Bibles from us, so they all ordered them. Jose called up his buddies and Sister Sabo and I were able to teach three young boys and schedule a return appointment, to which they will bring their twelve other group members! We gave them copies of the Book of Mormon, committed them to read, and will be meeting them at the West New York chapel today. Can't wait to see what happens!

Time to go. I love you!!!

Sister Black

7/6

Well the 4th is HUGE out here, and the library was still closed yesterday, so sorry for the delay. It was a fun day. We went to a barbecue at the Arguelles' and ate our weight in kabasi, sauerkraut, hot dogs, burgers, deviled eggs, potato salad, and many varieties of pies, cakes and jello. We didn't get to listen to them, but we heard that the Motab was in Manhattan performing during the fireworks, which were plentiful on both sides of the river. The show nearest us in Union City was spectacular--they were shooting them off from each port all up and down the Hudson, and they were timed perfectly to go off at the same time. We didn't get to see much of it, but enough that I say we've got to come back next year! President gave us permission to stay up a little later and go see fireworks last night, and we went as a zone to Summit to enjoy some Rita's gelati and see a pretty good show.

We got a call from the assistants Sunday night. Sister Bean is being transferred :( and...drumroll...the North Bergen and Hoboken areas are combining, and I am going to be in a trio with Sister Fonua and Sister Tolman! :D There are MANY changes coming with Cherry Hill joining us, not just transfers. We are getting new phones (yippee), and mail will be collected only twice a month. SO. Probably anybody who wants to send mail should send it to my new apartment:

170 Bowers St.
Jersey City, NJ
..........google the zip

There's another all-mission conference tomorrow, where we will finally meet the new missionaries and we will probably be learning about other changes as well. I can't even tell you how excited I am to meet the new sisters! I can't wait for tomorrow.

AND RAY IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!

'Nuff said.

So when you're a missionary, pretty much EVERYTHING has a gospel application. I've been really excited for the 4th of July. I think it would be almost an understatement to say that we are a patriotic family and that we recognize the blessing it is to live in the good ol' USA and to enjoy the freedoms that we do. We know that this country had its beginning in people's desire to have the freedom to worship as they saw fit. As I have pondered these things this week, I couldn't help but think about 1 Nephi 13, where Nephi sees Columbus and the colonies and the eventual emergence of the US in vision--and how instrumental and VITAL this country has been in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the carrying forth of that gospel--in the form of the Book of Mormon--to the world. This is the only place that it could have happened. I am so grateful to have that gospel and to have this precious freedom. I talk to many people from very many different countries on a daily basis, and despite all its flaws and imperfections as a nation ruled by humans, everyone seems to agree that it is the greatest nation on the earth. And THIS is why. NOT because we of ourselves merit anything more than others, but because God has blessed us so much and has chosen this land to bring forth His gospel.

I could go on forever. I'm so grateful for the blessings Heavenly Father has poured out on me, our family, and this nation. There really isn't room enough to receive it all. I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week!

<3 <3 <3
Sister Black

6/28

Good week behind us! Ray is still on target for July 11, we had an awesome lesson with him and Bro. Arguelles at church yesterday. We see him 3+ times a week now, and he continues to soak everything up. He insists that he's a "toughie", but he accepts commitments with very little, if any, resistance.

You don't know about the Arguelles family--I don't think. They are good friends with the Osmonds and are our adopted family out here in North Bergen. They live in Secaucus (pronouced SEE-kwah-kis or Suh-KWAH-kis, depending on what type of Jersey accent the person you're talking to happens to have) and have two awesome kids. Stephanie served a mission in good ol' Fort Worth, Spanish speaking, and AJ, 10, insists that he's going to serve in Haiti ever since the earthquake hit. Both Bro. and Sis. Arguelles were baptized as teenagers after being Osmond fans and wanting to know more about the church. They are some of the "oldest" members in this area, and still remember the days when sacrament meeting was held in a little rented room in Jersey City and the then ranch included members from all over northern NJ. Every time we come Sis. Arguelles herds us into the kitchen, opens the fridge and pantry, and says, "Sit, girls. EAT." I LOVE them to DEATH. The longer I am out the more I fall in love with the members here--both in this area and my last--especially ones who, like my own parents, are pioneer members, the first in their families. Their stories are inspiring. Their testimonies lift our hearts and give us the strength to go back out after a hard day. Seeing the sacrifices they make to build the kingdom out here makes me more and more grateful for all of you!

Another all-mission conference coming up next week, at which time we will finally meet the long-awaited-and-anticipated Cherry Hill missionaries. I am so torn! I love North Bergen, but I want really badly to go down to Cherry Hill, as well. We'll see what happens. In the mean time, we found several new amazing people to teach this week, Ray is doing well, INDEPENDENCE DAY IS COMING, and I get to play the organ that day because the organist is out of town!!!!!!! I am so excited. I really hope the music lady chooses The Star-Spangled Banner. How could she not? OH my goodness. Caroline, you have to find the recipe for cherry slab-pie and send it to me, I don't think the holiday will be right without it! I can't wait to see how they celebrate the 4th Jersey-style.