July 29, 2013-E-mail

Dear Family and Friends,

The highlights from this last week-summarized version!

 

Last Tuesday, July 23rd, I went on exchanges with Sister Packard. I love her! She is sweet and fun and bubbly and full of love! We had an amazing day. I taught the 2nd half of the Restoration with Sister Packard to Kris. Kris is amazing. He got in a accident a while ago and he loved hearing about the rest of the Restoration (they had taught him the first half earlier in the month). We challenged him to keep praying and his answer will come.

 

Later that day we taught "A" and "S" (a couple). Our Bishop says "They are golden".  "A" wants to raise his baby in the gospel and so does "S". I was s excited to teach them. We taught the Restoration. I felt the need to bear my testimony on Joseph Smith, that he really is a true prophet and the restored gospel is on the earth. I also said that Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.  We invited them to find out for themselves if this was the true church. I felt during the invitation, I should invite them to pray to see if they should be baptized as well. I was scared, but I opened my mouth and found the courage to invite them to pray to know if the church was true and to pray about being baptized on August 6th. They said YES! I couldn't believe it! They were happy and glad we came. I couldn't stop smiling for a long time. I knew Sister Packard felt the spirit so strong! It was an awesome lesson and an awesome day with Sister Packard! I learned so much in the 24 hours with her!

 

Last Thursday was Park day! Everyone in the mission who has a car doesn't use them. We walked around University Place seeing people we were planing to see. I tried to stay upbeat and focus on the good things.  By the end of the day when I got in the car, I was and am SO grateful we have a car!

 

Those were some highlights of this week! I love you all! Hope you have a great week! Didn't have a lot of time this week! love you lots!

 

Love,

Sister Fabis

July 22nd E-mail

HI!!!

I want to share a few things about my wonderful investigators!

“D” is 13 her half sister is 12 and just got baptized before I got here. “D” knows the gospel is true. Their mom is interested in learning about what the girls know so, we are teaching her the plan of salvation.

“K” is in her 40's she is so sweet! She has been coming to church for a LONG time!  My companion/ trainer has taught her all the lessons multiple times. The good thing is she is coming to church feeling the spirit. Something is holding her back. I don't know. We'll figure it out.

“J” is in her 40's I LOVE her!!!  “J” is so sweet she knows the gospel is true. She told us yesterday she would go on a church tour with us but she fell through. It's about planting seeds.

“K” is So awesome! I'm saying about everyone but its true!  “K” is in his 30's I think.  He got into an accident and the right side of his body doesn't work. He is so cool! Sister Logan and I taught him part of the Restoration. I taught faith and the Holy Ghost. I think I did OK for being brand new. We are teaching him tomorrow finishing the restoration.

“A” and “A” are twins. Their Mom and Dad are divorced but are members.  The boys want to be baptized, but the Father doesn’t want someone else to baptize them and right now he can’t.  I have been thinking of them so much.  It would be wonderful if the Father became worthy and was able to baptize them, but if not, I hope his heart will be softened and let his boys become members like they want.  Can you keep this family in your prayers?

I miss you guys so much! But, I'm bringing you along on my journey:D Thank you for supporting me! I love you and keep reading scriptures everyday and pray! I love you! I want to testify to you that if you read your scriptures and try to understand what you’re reading; Heavenly Father will help you with things in your life. I have felt and witnessed it for myself! This week in family scripture study to read the introduction of the Book of Mormon and name 10 things that stick out to you:D  

Have a great week!

Love,
Sister Fabis

July 22, 2013 Some Random Pics

Last Temple walk with my District in the MTC

Sister Miller & I in our classroom for the last time
 




Yum! Chocolate Brownie on the Plane!





Eating my snacks and responding to Mandi's Letter!




My Car! So BLESSED! I've driven twice!



The Greenie Box, still lots of yummy stuff left.  I am sharing with Sister Logan!

I was in a threesome on Friday



Burger King last week!

July 19th Letter Home

I am sitting at Chamber's Creek Park, we are at a Zone Activity on my first P-day in Washington.  It is a park on the beach-breathtaking!

I am serving in the Tacoma West Zone in the area of Soundview.  I think we are assigned to the Soundview Ward, maybe we serve other wards-but I'm not sure yet:0) I am being well-fed!

My trainer has been out 6 months, she's from Pleasant Grove!  We live 5 minutes from the mission office, so letters and packages can be sent there.  We go every Monday, and sometimes more often because we are so close.  I did get the cupcakes from Adina and Kira, a package from Auntie Lori and Uncle Sam, and I have also heard from Cassie and Sister Miller.  I got your package, I loved opening it up and seeing the greenie theme! 

President Weaver is Awesome, he is so much like Bishop Harris-so loving, caring, and understanding.  Sister Weaver is awesome too. 

This week while we were tracking we visited with a nice man who was Catholic.  He asked us about our beliefs, he really listened-it was very interesting.

We are teaching "J" she is 42 and she has been through SO much.  She has 8 kids, but only has custody of 3.  She knows the church is true and says she "just needs to get her life in order."  She has not even been taught the Word of Wisdom yet, but has thrown out her tea and other things. It's amazing.  Please keep her in your prayers.

We are teaching a few others and finding more to teach.  I have so much I wish I could tell you! I miss you and Love you more than you know!
Love,
Sister Fabis

The First Week!

Rachel and her Trainer Sister Logan

View from Rachel's apartment. That is the Puget Sound out there!

So! Rachel only had 30 minutes on the computer today so I got the two pictures above in my e-mail. Steve got a little letter in his e-mail.  She says the days are flying by in a blur and she will write a hand letter later during the day.  She did say she has had a couple of really bad headaches (she's never really had headaches before) and she feels alittle stressed trying to get up to speed so she can teach.  Oh, I remember that feeling...It can be a bit overwhelming when you first get to the field!

New Missionary Training Thursday, July 11th. Rachel is at the middle table on the right.

New Sisters on the left and their trainers on the right-I hope she ate those peas!:0)

And there she is again!  Wow! we sure miss her.

July 9th-The Greenie Box

We put together Greenie Box for Rachel after we talked to her on the phone.  We ran to the store and got anything we thought she would eat that was green or in a green package.  The luxury of having a child serving a state-side mission is the package gets to them in 2 days and doesn't cost an arm and leg to send!  We decorated the box flaps like you see on Pintrest.  I have the caption below if you can't read my writting...

Dear Sister Fabis



Kermit the Frog once said..."It's not easy being Green"

But, Lucky for you, you won't be green forever

So ROCK your green and enjoy the ride!

And here is the final product!

 

July 9th-Arriving in Washington

 

 

 

Here are the first pictures of Rachel so far.  The very lovely Sister Weaver (Mission President's Wife) posted these on Wednesday and it was so fun to see Rachel with her name tag on with all of these great missionaries!  Apparently, their flight was delayed an hour, but she said they all arrived in good spirits.  Rachel looks like she survived her first flight (that she can remember)  and I see she is in her FAVORITE skirt that she wore the day she went into the MTC (Thanks Auntie Lori and Uncle Sam!)  ALSO, some good Samaritan  must have helped her with her other giant suitcase and carry-on, Cuz she would not be doing that cute thumbs up if she had to carry all her stuff by herself:0)



 

 












We are so grateful that Rachel chose to serve a mission-We love this girl and miss her every day.  However, we know that she is where the Lord needs her to be at this time in her life.  She is the first Sister Fabis in our family line and we are thankful for her service!

July 9 The Airport Phone Call

Rachel called at 7am and we got to talk to her for about 25 minutes.  She said she loved her time at the MTC and learned so much there.  She said she missed her companion Sister Miller already and that it was hard to say good-bye to her (Sister Miller is going to Kansas along with half of Rachel's District)  Rachel is traveling with the other half of her district to her mission this morning.  It was fun to hear her voice again, we have missed her so much!  She said she is ready to get to work in Washington and excited to ride on a plane (she was on a plane at 6 months, but obviously doesn't remember it)

The First E-mail July 4

 

I have been counting down the days and hours to being able to write home to you! I have so much I want to say, but I don´t have a lot of time.

My 1st day was crazy but good! I remember my brain turning to mush by the end of the day. Waking up was super hard! its way easier now. 

Let me answer your questions first. 

1. Sister Miller is from Fairbanks Alaska. I really like her we are getting along well.

2. I am staying on the MTC main campus.

3. In my district- Elder Pasquale, Elder Slavens, Elder Lott, Elder Bradshaw, and today, Elder Giles is in our district because he has medical stuff to take care of. He is really helpful to have around.  He helped me figure out the washing machine today. Sister Miller, Sister Smith, Sister Thompson, Sister Payton, and Sister Casaday. I love all the sisters!! I love all their personalities!

4. I have mainly two teachers- Bro. Durrant and Brother Mitsvotai. Elder Gonzalez, Bro. Roberts ( he has a cool accent!!), and Sister Murfy help supervise and do some teaching too.

5.  Like I said in my letter, I have seen SO many people I know! Elder Goronson and Elder Whitlock I have seen many times. Sister Kennedy ( FHE sister 1st semester BYU-I)  Sister Duffin ( Amanda´s roommate at BYU and we went to high school together.) Elder Clover ( High school) he left this week I think. Elder Badder ( High school Social Dance), and Sister Slater and her friend I can´t remember her name right now (they went to SHHS too).

 

My one and only P-day is today on the 4th of July! I seriously am loving it!  I am sad the temple is closed, its okay though, maybe we will get to clean the temple. Some missionaries are doing that, and that would be cool.

 

I can´t tell you how grateful I am getting letters from you! I love it! I have been making notes of what I want to tell you and what I've been learning and doing. Here´s a few things...  

 

Friday, June 28th-The fire alarm woke us up at 6:25 a.m. lost five minutes of precious sleep. Later that day Sister Miller and I studied in PMG The Gospel of Jesus Christ I´´m pretty sure we taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to Brad (Investigator) later that day

Saturday, June 29th-First day of Gym was on the 29th-really good. I love Volleyball, I play every chance I get.

Sunday, June 30th-We watched a video ¨ Character of Christ¨. I have been dying to tell you this so bad! I want you to look it up, its by Elder Bednar. Really good!  Watch it together as soon as you can.

On Sunday it was really different from regular Sundays at home, but still good. We all had to prepare a 2 minute talk on Repentance. This next week is on the Atonement. It was really really nice leaving the MTC and going on a walk to the TEMPLE!! It was so fun taking pics and talking and seeing others enjoying being on the temple grounds! I´m looking forward to this next Sunday's walk. 

Monday, July 1st-We did service!! was at building 19 at 6:05 a.m. It felt good to serve. Later that day I found out that I got a package I was looking forward to opening it later that day. Thank you so much my companion said thank you ;).  This also was the first day we taught Barbara (new investigator) got to know her. She is such a sweet older lady. She was all festive and ready for the 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 2nd-Talked to Elder Whitlock . When we taught Brad (investigator) about the pre-mortal life- we didn´t do very well. It was a learning experience. It´s hard to plan and prepare lessons to teach and apply and plan what your going to say to address investigator's needs! I thought this would be easier but, it's OK. Opposition in all things ( 2 Nephi 2). We had Devotional and I sang Faith of our Fathers- really a spiritual experience!

 

Well my time is up. I love you all so much! Miss my dog too. It´s been a great week I am working and studying so hard! I´m grateful when we can exercise so I can clear my head ;) I´m excited to get on a plane and to see beautiful Tacoma!! Last but not least, I want to tell you I have been taking a pic a day- its been great! I am Loving serving the Lord and being here. There is no other place I want to be! I love you !!!!!

 

Sister Fabis

More Packages

Rachel's 4th of July Box

We made a box of treats for Rachel's District for the 4th of July.  Only cost $2 to send from the Art City Pharmacy.  What a wonderful service they do for the families of Missionaries.  It makes it very cost effective to spoil our missionaries!