May 29 - There is Power in our Testimony

This week we finally got our smartphones. Man does it feel weird to have a smartphone, but it is awesome. We have so many tools and resources on the phone that I'm really excited to apply into missionary work. The only problem is I have to figure out how to use this phone. I didn't think I would forget how to use a smartphone in only 9 months, but I have. So this week a lot of our time has been spent figuring out how to use the smartphones and adding teaching records into the phone. It is a big change, but I am grateful for the opportunity and blessing to use smartphones in missionary work.

So a funny story this week, we were walking around and we saw a couple families in their backyard cooking food. We decided to go and talk to them. We introduced ourselves and could tell they were pretty drunk so we tried to leave, but one of the guys asked us a question. He said, “Do you guys drink beer?” And we responded, “No we do not.” He then went over to the cooler and grabbed 3 beers. He tried to give them to us but again we said we were fine. He then said, “You guys believe in Jesus right?” And we responded “Yes.” He then explained to us how Jesus created everything. He created people, he created the animals, he created the plants, and he created the whole world and we agreed with him. He then said so that means that Jesus created beer and Jesus would want us to drink the beer because he created it.

Also this week the Milwaukee Elders got a referral for a lady who requested a Bible, but they don't have a car. They asked us if we could go drop off the Bible to her. We went over to her house, introduced ourselves and gave her the Bible. We then asked her if she had ever met missionaries before. She said no and was curious about what we believe. She started quizzing us on all these different things. After we had answered them all we asked her if she had ever heard of the Book of Mormon before. She said she hadn't so we explained what it is and how it came to be. We then tried to give it to her, but she hardcore rejected us. She said I need my Bible and my Bible only. I then bore my testimony on the Book of Mormon and the whole situation changed. You could tell her heart had softened and could feel the spirit testify that the Book of Mormon is true. As we were leaving she said, “Actually I will take one of those Mormon Books.” 

Our testimonies are our strength and our best tool in helping us share the gospel. I am grateful for these past 9 months on a mission and how much my testimony has grown and has been strengthened. When I first got out to the field I was a little hesitant and scared to share what I knew to be true, but now I don't care. I want to share the message with everybody and give everybody the opportunity to know about it. There really is power in our testimony. Especially when we take the time to strengthen and nourish our testimonies. M. Russell Ballard gave us a 30 day challenge to read the book of 3 Nephi - chapter 1 to the end - starting on May 28th (yesterday) and while we read, look for ways that the Savior ministered to others and look for how we can be better ministers to others. I want to leave this same challenge with all of you and I am excited to share what I learn with you guys and also hear from you guys what you learned. I promise as you take just a little time each day to do this, you will come even closer to your Savior, your testimony will be strengthened, and you will feel of the Savior's love for you in your life.

Love, 

Elder Rich

 I got to skype in and watch the bro open his mission call to Ecuador Quito mission.  I'm excited for him. 
It was really fun to watch him open his call

Zone conference

Home cooking

Golden Plates winner again!

Our new smartphones

May 21 - Miracle week

Nyob zoo,

This week we met a lot of awesome people.  On Tuesday, we had about 30 minutes before we had to go back to the apartment, so we wanted to find "the one person" who was interested.  So we started driving around for about 5 minutes just driving by random houses until we felt inspired to go to one.  After a while, we felt like we should go to a house, so we stopped the car and went to the door.  We knocked on the door and a lady named Leda answered.  It was really cool because it ended up being someone that Elder Fielding had met at a Hmong party a while back.  We ended up talking to her for a little while and she is super cool. It was a cool experience.

We also met a guy named Vaaj and he isn’t a member, but his daughter is a returned missionary and right now she is attending  BYU Hawaii.  He is semi-interested, but it would be cool if we could teach him because of his daughter.  We also met a young college student named, Elijah.  While we were talking to him on his doorstep, he brought up a concern that he had. He said that he hasn't been to church for a while because all the churches teach different things and he didn’t know how to know which one was the true church.  And as missionaries, that’s the question that you want all people to ask you because that’s exactly what the message of the restoration answers.

On Thursday, we were doing weekly planning and all of a sudden we had the impression to call a potential investigator that we met about a week ago.  We called her and we talked to her for a little bit and then all the sudden she said her grandson wanted to talk to us.  So we talked to him and his name is Yungti Thao. He is from Laos and just barely returned back from his mission to Australia about 2 months ago.  He was really awesome and still had the missionary spirit with him.  He really wanted us to come over and share the message with his grandparents.  We went over there and we met with them and they were super awesome and it was really cool because the grandson was able to share his testimony of the Book of Mormon with his grandparents. It was really cool to see his love for his grandparents and how much he wanted them to know that our message was true.

On Sunday we had a family home evening with all the Hmong members.  We ate some bomb Pho and then after, President and Sister Williams came and they shared a brief message with us all.  Everyone really enjoyed it and it was good to be able to gather with everybody and have a good time together.  We are wanting to set another one up so we can continue to invite some more less actives and investigators to come and continue to fellowship more people.

During this past week in studies, we talked a lot on faith and having more faith. We wanted to do our best to eliminate our smallest thoughts of doubts and have 100% trust and faith in God.  And throughout this week we were able to see lots of awesome things.  For example, one day this week we set a goal to find 10 potentials for that day, which is a lot.  We went out and were able to find 5 very promising families and I know that is because of us finding with faith.

Have a great week.

Love, 

Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

Takraw ball.   It is a sport like volleyball but you use only your feet.
People do backflips and crazy stuff to spike it over the net

Another chicken foot

Making a wish

Yungti Thao

May 14 - Mother's Day in Milwaukee

Nyob zoo,

This was my first week in Milwaukee and it’s a pretty awesome city! Milwaukee is the biggest city in Wisconsin. Our apartment is in Northern Milwaukee and, to be honest, it is right in the ghetto -  but I love it.  It is so much fun. The area has so many Hmong people and lots of work to do.   This area was closed back in 2016 and they just opened it back up about 6 months ago so there’s a lot of good things going on.  

My companions are Elder Fielding and Elder Vang.  Elder Fielding has been out for 20 months and he’s really good at Hmong and Elder Vang is native, so of course, he’s really good as well.  This past week has been so much fun and I have learned so much from them. They are both fantastic missionaries and I have had a blast serving with them this past week.   This past week was honestly one of the favorites weeks of my mission so far.  Trios!

And of course, yesterday was Mother's Day.  I am so very grateful for my awesome mother and all the many things she has done for me in my life.  She honestly has done so much for me and I can't express how grateful I am.  She is the greatest example to me and is the reason I am the person I am today. I truly have been blessed with the greatest mom. Thanks to all the wonderful women in my life. Thank you to my mom, my 3 awesome sisters, my grandmas, my aunts, and so many others.  I love you all and I know I would be nothing if it wasn't for the awesome women in my life.

Love,


Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

Mother's Day call

 

Last picture with Elder Tarone

The new Trio

May 7 Another baptism and another transfer

Nyob zoo,

This week we found out that Elder Tarone and I are both being transferred.  They are closing down the area so there will be no more Hmong elders In Wausau for probably 6 months to a year.  I’m a little sad because I only got to serve here for one transfer and there are some super awesome Hmong people, but I know it will be a good thing for the area.   The work here in Wausau is pretty slow and there honestly aren't any Hmong members who come.  It is sad, but it will be a good change.  I am pretty pumped for this new transfer.   I am going down to Milwaukee with my one of my old companions Elder Vang (Elder Vang #2 who I was just with in Sheboygan) and also Elder Fielding who has been out 18 months.  I am really excited for all the things I can learn from them and also to serve with Elder Vang again. 

On Friday, we played some volleyball.  Usually, we have about 15-20 Hmong people that show up to play and it’s a lot of fun but this week it was only Elder Tarone, Kab Zuag, 3 of her friends and me.  They bet us that they could beat us 2 on 4 and we accepted of course. They said whoever wins the most games has to buy the other side dinner.  It was actually pretty close but we, of course, won.  But then after, they said if we could beat them in another challenge, then they would take us out to eat.  So on Sunday, we made some spicy Korean noodles and did the spicy Korean noodle challenge. They said whoever eats it the fastest, the other will buy dinner.  We did that and we wrecked them again - so last night, they took us out to eat.

And the best part of the week… was on Saturday.  In Sheboygan, there was a baptism for one of my old investigators named Nou Lee.  It is honestly quite a miracle that she was able to be baptized.  She has wanted to get baptized for around a year now, but her family wouldn't allow her.  Well once Elder Vang from Madison arrived in Sheboygan, he talked with the family and they still wouldn't let her.  After a lot of fasting and prayer, they finally agreed to let her be baptized.  She was so excited and it was awesome to be able to go and see.  There was so much support for her from the ward and also her friends and family.  We also had 5 out of the 6 Hmong areas (10 Hmong missionaries) that were able to go because at least one of the companions from each area had taught her before.  It shows the power of prayer and fasting and if we put our trust in Heavenly Father, miracles can happen. 

Thanks for all the love and support,

Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

Pictures from the baptism in Sheboygan.  Nou Lee with the Hmong elders

Hmong elders who were able to attend the baptism

Elder Tarone gave me a haircut and it was his first time cutting hair ever.
It saved me $20

April 30 - No longer a teenager!

Nyob zoo,

This past week the Wausau sisters had an investigator who got baptized named Marcus. Elder Tarone and I and the opportunity to help with his baptismal service. Elder Tarone baptized him and I was able to confirm him on Sunday. It was super awesome to be a part of it. One of my favorite things on my mission is to see people change by coming closer to their Savior.  I don't have a picture yet, but need to get a copy.

We also have had quite a bit of success with this new warm spring weather. This past week we were able to get 3 new investigators which is a lot for this area, one of which was a media referral from the online Elders in the MTC. His name is Chandler. He grew up in the church but was never baptized. We were able to talk with him for a little bit and he said he wants to come to church and wants to be really involved with the ward. We have our first appointment with him today. He is about the same age as Marcus so we plan to take Marcus out with us to some lessons. It will be good for him to be able to share his testimony. 

We went to Subway this past week and a less active member works there named Mai Lee. We were able to set up an appointment with her. She was baptized a few years back and she told us how much happier she was when she was active in the church. We shared the conference talk titled "Am I a child of God?" by Elder Taylor.  It has such a good message and it was my favorite talk from this past conference. It talks about how important it is for us to remember that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. It is such a simple knowledge and something we have heard ever since we were in primary. But it is so important that we remember this because it can help us in so many aspects of our lives. If you have time this week please read it. It is such a great talk. 

Also thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes today.  It is very crazy how fast time flies. I don't really like getting older anymore haha.  I had lots of emails and packages and I really appreciate it.

Love you all and thanks for all the support!

Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

 A member in our ward took my birthday picture yesterday at church
  to send to my mom.  I'm wearing my birthday tie.

I'm no longer a teenager

Here's to 20

I got a bahn mi for birthday lunch today.  It was good but nearly as good as the one by our house.  

Birthday dessert  Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. 
We don't have a restaurant but they serve it at Barnes and Noble

April 22 - Spring is here...I think

Finally, it is starting to get warm up here in Wausau! This past week was awesome. We had some nice 50 and 60 degree weather and no snow! It has made missionary work a lot more enjoyable because the people are much happier and more willing to talk to us now. Hopefully, spring decides to stay around. 

Every Wednesday we do service at a place called the "Neighbors Place."  Basically, it is a place for less wealthy people to come get free food. We go there every week and help with that. It is really fun because a lot of Hmong people come through and we get to translate for them. It is funny though because they play the system pretty well. They pretend they don't understand what we are saying and try to take extra food, but I know we are explaining things perfectly clear. It is super funny, but also frustrating.

Our most progressing investigator right now is Kab Zuag. She is 22 and she is super fun. She has been learning for about a year or so now. She has a strong testimony but is super busy with school and her family is still all Shaman, so she is a little scared to be baptized because of her family and what her family might think. Once the school year is over we plan to talk to her and her family when she has more time. Anyway, this week we went out to eat with her at a Thai restaurant and got some ice cream after.  I wish I had a picture, but I left my camera at the apartment that day.  

This week I have been reflecting on a lot of things. I have been thinking about life and my mission because this next week is my birthday and I will also hit 9 months that I have been a missionary. Man, I am so grateful for the gospel I have in my life and the opportunity I get to have these 2 years to share that with others. Being a missionary isn't easy by no means and doesn't go how we want or plan it to go. We get rejected, the language is still super hard and frustrating and being away from friends and family is difficult, but man...  all the hard times are worth it!  There isn't a better place I could be right now. No matter how hard and frustrating sometimes it is, I know this is where I need to be and this is where I want to be. It is a true blessing!

Love, 

Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

Last P-day, Elder Tarone and I spent 3 hours building a snowman.
You can't judge what I look like though because I gave the snowman all my stuff.

Ice cream in winter??? From a softserve place called Briq's.

Wausau picture

Jumping for Spring.  This one is for you mom

April 16 - Blizzard and smartphones

Nyob zoo,

On Tuesday we had zone conference in Neenah. It was super fun because the Wausau zone was combined with the Appleton zone. We had 5 Hmong Elders there which was a blast to see them all and talk with everyone again. Basically the whole time though we were getting trained on smartphones. I was pretty excited when I heard that our mission was getting smartphones, but after all the training I was pumped. The phones will have so many extra tools that will be able to help us to be better missionaries. We will have the LDS app, Facebook, Skype, Google maps, language apps and so much more. Let's just say I am super excited.

This weekend also, it snowed a TON again. If I would guess, I’d say we got at least a good two feet of snow up here in Wausau area and maybe more. I am starting to doubt that summer actually exists in Wisconsin. On Saturday we still went out and did stuff which was a little scary because the roads were all super sketchy, but on Sunday it was a missionary snow day. Our church got canceled and we weren't allowed to go anywhere. At first, it was pretty fun to just relax and hang out. We jumped in the snow with our shirts and shorts only, we attempted to make some kua txob which is the spicy Hmong pepper sauce (It was actually not too bad), but around 3:00 we got pretty bored and started running out of things to do because you can only study and clean your apartment for so long. In the end, I really just wanted to go outside and do some missionary work.

Overall, this week Elder Tarone and I have been working on doing everything with more faith. For example finding, studies, speaking Hmong, etc. I feel like sometimes we just get in the routine of doing the same thing every day and are doing things just because we know that is what we are supposed to do.  "Faith starts with a desire to believe".   But when we start to believe and use our faith, that is when we will start to find people, learn Hmong, or accomplish whatever task we need to do and start to see the miracles and the success that we know this area is capable of producing.  

Love you all and thanks for all the support,

Tub Txib Tshwj Xeeb

Pictures: Playing in all the snow we got this weekend and out Hmong hot pepper sauce.

April 9 - There's so much snow here!!!

Lots and lots of snow here

Messing around with huge icicles at zone sports
and my companion Elder Tarone

Nyob zoo,

This week went by way too fast as every week does. On Tuesday we did exchanges with he Marshfield Elders. I went with Elder Gausse in the Marshfield area. It was a crazy time mostly because it has snowed so much this month. On the exchange, we had lots of opportunities to do service which I liked a lot. We helped some people shovel snow and also got a call from a member who said one of his neighbor's car got stuck in a ditch so we went and helped him dig it out. After we finally got it out we wanted to go see some potentials. So we typed in an address and went to a house and started to drive there. I jokingly said, "Watch us get stuck in a ditch" and guess what happened?!?  5 mins later we were stuck in a ditch. I blame it on the snow. We shouldn't have snow in April!!  Especially since it has snowed 20 inches this month so far here in Wausau. 

Also this week we were doing some role plays in Companionship study. We were practicing doing some door approaches. Elder Tarone starts out saying "Wb yog cov seev cev rau Yexus Khetos." which means "We are dancers of Jesus Christ." Instead of saying "Wb yog cov sawv cev rau Yexus Khetos." Meaning "We are representatives of Jesus Christ." The funny thing though is he said this a few times at some doors this week, but we didn't realize it until then. None of the Hmong people said anything or gave us any weird looks when he said it though. 

This week we had a cool experience on exchanges. Elder Gausse and I were waiting in the car at the halfway point between Wausau and Marshfield. We were parked on a random road. A guy pulled up next to us in his truck. We were like "oh crap this guy is gonna come and chew us out and tell us to get off his property." but he didn't. He came and introduced himself and asked us how we are doing. We said we are good and told him that we are missionaries. Surprisingly he grew up in the church but hasn't gone for over 30 years. He told us a little of his story and asked for a BOM and said he wants to start coming to church again with his family. So we got his number and he said he would be interested in visits. It was really cool. I wish Elder Tarone and I could teach him because he is in our area, but we can't since he isn't Hmong. 

Talk you to you next week

Elder Tshwj Xeeb

April 2 - First few days in Wausau

Nyob zoo,

At the beginning of the week, Elder Vang and I said our goodbyes to all the people in Sheboygan.  On Wednesday we went to transfer point and I drove up to Wausau and got my new companion, Elder Tarone.  It’s kind of funny because at the MTC, when I was waiting in line to get my stuff, he was the very first person I met. Then we ended up being together in the MTC and now we are together in Wausau.  It’s been a long time since we’ve been together, so we are excited.  He is a fun and cool kid.  He’s way better at Hmong than me haha. He is literally a genius.  We are trying to do a lot of SYL together which is "Speak Your Language" so basically speaking in Hmong to each other rather than English because it is a lot easier to speak in English, but when we push ourselves we will see a lot of growth.  We have been doing a little bit of this over the last few days and it has been really fun.  It is like speaking in a secret language because no one can understand us except the Hmong people.  For example, we were eating at Mcdonalds after one of the sessions of conference, and Elder Tarone says to me in Hmong, "The Hmong girl behind the counter is pretty cute."  And all the people in Mcdonalds had no idea what we were talking about haha.  We are going to continue to work on doing SYL more and more.  Our goal is that by the end of this transfer, we will only speak in Hmong  So shout out to Elder Tarone!

So April 1st - on Easter we look out the window and guess what? It was snowing!!!  It is a lot colder here in Wausau since we are super far up North.  It is supposed to snow a couple more times this week too :( 

We also got our Easter baskets and it said, “Do not open until Easter” and… We opened it right when we got it.  We couldn't wait, We were too excited!! haha.

The Wausau ward only has one active Hmong member. The ward used to be pretty big a couple years ago, but members moved or passed away.  So we have a lot of work that can be done and we have high hopes. This area is the hardest area for Hmong work in Wisconsin because it has not had a Hmong baptism since 2016, but we are going to do our best to help the area out. We won't be having any baptisms any time soon unless some crazy miracles happen.  This area is more of a long-term area at the moment... So our Motto for the transfer is "We may not baptize this transfer, but we are going to learn Hmong."

These past few days have been really fun, but also super busy.  We didn't have a lot of time to do actual missionary work because we watched 10 hours of General Conference, but I loved General Conference. It was awesome. There were so many great talks.  My favorites were Brian K. Taylor's talk about how everyone is a child of God, Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk about Easter, and Russell M. Nelson's talk about personal revelation.  Also the opportunity to sustain a prophet  - that was such a cool experience and the spirit that I felt.  It was the first time that I can remember in my life doing that.  I thought that was super cool and also to see right away how he has received revelation on how Jesus Christ's church can be improved.  It was overall a super cool experience. 

Hope you all have a great week

Elder Tshwj Xeeb

Happy Christmas... I mean Easter!

Easter Basket

Saying goodbye to Sheboygan - Brother Klunk

The squad

Ariel