Kirtland brings the world together.

Hello!

Another tough week, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. Despite being on my death bed, not being able to keep morning schedule EVER, Sister Carter and I were able to do some tracting this week and find two new investigators!! Heavenly Father really blesses His children. Especially when we're putting forth our best effort. Sister Carter and I may have the worst numbers in the mission, but we feel really blessed. I know this is where I'm supposed to be. Even if I'm in bed and/or on the toilet most of the day. So many of the sisters here have struggled, like Sister Talbot said, and they have been an enormous strength to me. I really have been so blessed.

Sister Nicole and Sister Talbot - one of Nicole's angels and a great source of strength.  Her mom Stephanie is one of my angels :)

One of the investigators we found this week was a former [member]. When we knocked on her door she was so excited. She said that the sisters just stopped showing up one day. And then Sister Carter invited her to church and she almost cried! She said that the missionaries had never invited her to church so she thought she wasn't good enough. Holy cow. ALWAYS INVITE.

Nicole with Millie and her son Billie - Millie was one of Nicole's much loved investigator's

So I feel like every day I tell SOMEONE that Heavenly Father is very aware of His children. But listen to this story. I was having a ROUGH, ROUGH week last week. I thought my companion hated me, I thought I was ruining everyone's lives. Then I get talked to about hindering my companion and our area. It was totally out of control. Anyways, I just wanted my momma. Well, I was sitting in the phone room when they asked for two sisters to take a tour. My companion was gone on a tour and all the sisters were on the phone except for me and another sister, Sister Wirig (probably one of the best friends I've ever had). So Sister Wirig and I take the tour together. We're in the Revelation Room in the Whitney Store with this tour when a woman, her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law walk in. They join us on the tour and turns out they had just finished being in the Hill Cumorah pageant and were headed home to WA. The woman asked where I was from, I told her, she said she grew up in the bay area, I asked where, she said Sunnyvale, I told her that my mom grew up in Sunnyvale. "What's your mom's name?" "Well, it was Debbie Mendenhall." "You're kidding me." Turns out this woman grew up just around the corner from you, mom! Michelle Thompson? I think that’s her first name. But she said that her mom Betty and Nana still write each other! So she can tell I'm a mess and asks me what's wrong. So I spill my heart and soul to her about the events that unfolded that day. She just hugs me and says all the things that my very own momma would have said. Heavenly Father knew how much I need my mum that day. Tender mercy from the Lord, I'd say. Anyways, Michelle wanted me to know she remembered my mom being so beautiful and Nana, too. She said Nana was always so put together. Yep, that's my mom and my Nana!

Michelle was in a hurry to get out because our tour went WAY late. But I know she lives in Tacoma, WA. At least I think it's Tacoma. She lives in the same city as her mom, Betty. And she said that Nana and Betty still write so I'm sure Nana would have a way of getting Michelle's address. She's such a dream. She has two kids on missions right now and one is really, really sick. Her husband's a cancer doctor. Her oldest son is married to a girl from England and they just returned from living in Rwanda where Michelle's daughter-in-law was the first ever YW's president. Dreamy family. You should write her.

Nicole's 1st Baptism - 16 year old Christy, her friend Val (who introduced her to the church) along with Sister Carter and Sister Hill [Nicole talks about Christy in an earlier post]

Well, friends, the church is still true. Even when you struggle. Learn to rely on the Lord. He has so many blessings waiting to pour down upon us. All we have to do is ask. And be a good girl or a good boy. Elder Bednar said that. Not me.

Sister Golightly (I want that name!!) and Sister Hill.  Can't you just feel the love?

Carry on. Talk to you next week!!! Remember to get to the temple!! Love you forever and ever and ever and ever.

Love,
Sister Nicole

Side Notes:
Glad you made it home safely! Looks like everyone had a grand ol' time. Hippie night?? THAT'S BRILLIANT!!!! I'm jealous. Thanks for the pics, daddio!!!!! I'm glad everyone could be there. Looks like a blast. The pictures made me laugh.

"Hippie Night" at our small family reunion - Nicole was really missed!

I'm wearing the white skirt with black stripes right now. So cute. Thanks for having such great taste. And honestly, I wear my MeToo shoes with the bow everyday and they now have holes in them. But I could probably last a little while unless you REALLY want to buy me new shoes. Size 5-5 1/2.

That's SO crazy that David Dransfield (the son of some dear friends of ours) got his call here!!! Tell him how incredible it is. Even the full proselyting missionaries get to go to the Kirtland Temple there first day here/kneel in prayer in the School of the Prophets and covenant with Heavenly Father. Best thing ever. There are quite a few elders out here from the Sacramento area.

Kirtland must put something special in the water!!

I love that the man I took on tour called you!! Haha. He was taking his daughter on a church history tour because she's going to be a seminary teacher next year.

So went to the doc last week. Wants me to try a lactose free diet for three weeks. Really hard at member dinners. But hopefully it will help and I'll be healed!!!! Thanks for the prayers!! They provide me with strength.

I'm glad you told me that Ryan moved in because I'm writing him a letter and now I know where to send it! Perfect-o. Also, thanks for making that CD for Sister Carter. Means a lot! We got ten new sisters last Wednesday! They're all so amazing. I can't even believe it. Such hard workers. We lost eight of the greatest sisters ever, though. One's that really kept me going. But this is good.

I must be off to Target now. I'm sending you and dad a special present for your anniversary in the mail. I hope you love it.

Thanks for everything you do for me!!!!!!!!!! Gives me hope and pushes me to keep trying. I love you!

Mommy lesson:
When we arrived home from our reunion there was a message on my answering machine from a Brother Bruce Woolsly.  He and his daughter had taken a history tour of Kirtland to help prepare her for her new calling as a seminary teacher.  Nicole and Sister Wirig were their tour guides.  He called to tell me how much he and his daughter enjoyed the tour with Nicole and spoke of her "sparkle", her "enthusiasm" and how well she had communicated her testimony and her love for Kirtland.  He let me know that she looked good (he didn't even know she had been struggling with illness) and that her spirits were high.  He also told of the good relationship he experienced between Sister Hill and Sister Wirig (another of Nicole's angels).  What a beautiful message to come home to!  I returned his call today and the beautiful words a mother loves to hear were spoken once more from both he and his daughter.  People will wonder where I got that spring-in-my-step as I go through my week.  My "take-away" from this is that from this day forward when I have a special experience with one of our area missionaries I will call and share with their parents.  Brother Woolsly has no idea how much I clung to every wonderful thing he shared - THANK YOU Bruce Woolsly for taking time out of your busy day to bring a missionary mom such a beautiful gift!!

Working hard in the call center and loving the work!

The Word of the Lord is Coming to Kirtland!

Now this is companion unity!

Howdy there.


It was a rough week for Sister Hill. I promised Heavenly Father and Sister Carter that I would make big changes, though and I have a doctor's appointment today at 4 p.m. so I'm excited to see what the future brings. My first transfer ends on Wednesday and I must say, it hasn't been my finest transfer. But I'm learning lots and meeting the most amazing people. Sister Carter and I have spent much time in our house due to me being sickly, so I've been decorating everything I own with scrapbook paper.

Most of our appointments cancelled on us this week (which makes me grateful that I grew up in a home where nothing goes as planned, knowing how to be flexible.), but we did get to meet with our investigator with the 5 year old daughter that I so greatly adore. Angellyna and I usually just play Barbie while Sister Carter and the mom resolve concerns. I get frustrated when people know with all their heart that this Gospel is true, but won't make the necessary changes to be baptized. C'moooon. Great blessings await you! Seriously, people want to know how to be happy, but they don't want to do what it takes to have that happiness. Salvation isn't easy.

We do service every other week at the American Cancer Society Thrift Store and I met this 19 year old girl who was searching for friendship. We talked about her growing up years and I shared with her how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has really provided me with a sense of belonging and peace. She agreed to let us meet with her so hopefully we'll be in contact with her shortly. Summers at Kirtland are just so busy that we have no time in our area and then I have to go and get sick. Blegh.

Speaking of Kirtland, I took a tour by myself the other day. I was scared out of my wits. ? It was a YSA tour, too. Later that day, Sister Carter and I took another YSA tour from Washington D.C. We had a grand ol' time. One of the girls, Melissa Pickett, heard I was from Roseville, CA and asked if I knew any Pickett's. I became very excited and explained to her how Melinda Pickett was such a lifesaver to my family after dad's accident and how they would come caroling, bringing joy to our family. Turns out, Scott Pickett is Melissa Pickett's dad's brother!! In other words, Scott and Melinda Pickett are the Uncle and Aunt to this girl I met on tour. We took pictures together to document the occasion so you can check those out.

Waiting to get everyone in the picture after the Emma Festival

MIRACLE MOMENT:

There are three sisters in our district. One of them goes home in two days. Anyways, the missionaries have been working with this man, Brother Andrus, for years now. His wife and daughters are all members. Brother Andrus got roped in to being "This is Kirtland" and played one of the original twelve apostles. The missionaries have been committing this man to baptism for YEARS, right? But he just never feels like he's ready. He goes to church every Sunday, helps out in the Primary, people think he's a member of the church, but he's not (sound familiar?). So this sister that's going home on Wed., Sister Wirig, she served in the Andrus' ward a few transfers ago, got transferred out, and now for her very last transfer, was put back into their ward. The three sisters had a powerful lesson with Brother Andrus, Sister Wirig asked him to be baptized on Saturday, and he stared at her. He finally said no, but that his testimony WAS growing. Well, something got to him, and he couldn't sleep at night. He knew what he needed to do. So his wife called the sisters a few days later to tell them that Brother Andrus would be baptized on Saturday. Why Saturday, you may ask? Saturday was the last night of the play "This is Kirtland". The cast pulled together money to fly all of Brother Andrus' daughters, son-in-laws, and grandkids out for the baptism. And that night, at the play, Joseph Smith says, "Congratulations to the Snow family on the baptism of Brother Lorenzo!" And then he adds, "And congratulations to the Andrus family on the baptism of Brother Laurence!" The crowd went crazy and everyone was standing, clapping, just being all around joyful. It was a powerful experience. Had to be there. Seriously, the church is true.

Other incredible things are taking place around these parts, giving us all that boost of testimony that we sometimes desperately need.

Keep up the good work! Don't get discouraged. Sister Carter always says, "Discouragement is the death sentence."

The Sisters that live in the Boynton home - Gorgeous Girls!

Love you!,

Sister Nicole Hill

"Enjoy your modern conveniences..."

Nicole had the opportunity to go to an Amish Community on her P-Day this past Monday.  She had a wonderful time & FINALLY sent me some pictures :)  YEA!!

Sisters Hill, Carter, Stewart and Houston preparing for an exciting day!

So this is how the Amish use a car.

Is this the equivalent of a Costco?

The goat whisperer?

"Umm...Sister Carter is this our ride home?"  Apparently there isn't trunk space in a buggy (note the baby stroller on top).

It wouldn't have taken Nicole so long to get her driver's license if this had been her vehicle of choice :)

Stop signs that cater to horses - I love it!!

I'll bet those smiles are in response to the heavenly aroma's coming from this business!

Life in the slow lane - what a concept :)

"This is Kirtland"

(pictures will be forthcoming - I hope)

THIS IS KIRTLAND!!!!! Best play ever. Maybe not. But it's pretty awesome. The Sisters get to go and pass out comment/referral cards and talk with people. We were assigned to go on Friday and Saturday night, but Friday I was nearly on my death bed, but I did get to Saturday! "The word of the Lord is coming to Kirtland." Great music. Let me tell you. But really, I'm being serious. It made me even more grateful to be serving where I am.


Because of "This is Kirtland", training meetings, and transfers happening next week, we've had way more time at Sites this past week than usual. On Wednesday, Sister Carter took our visa waiting sister, Sister Reed (going to Barcelona on her mission), out into our area while I stayed at sites with her companion, Sister Frisch. Sister Reed and Sister Frisch are "full site" sisters. So they ONLY serve at Historic Kirtland Visitor's Center. Sister Frisch had never gone tracting or taught a lesson to an investigator, so I thought it would be good for us to go on exchanges. Sister Frisch goes home next week due to her 18 months being up. We had a grand ol' time together. Basically, we're the same person. We have the same sense of humor so every tour we took was a...riot. There was a family from AZ on tour with us. They had just picked up their grandparents from their mission in PA. 3 daughters, their husbands, and children. There were three 16 year old boys who were also a hoot. Afterwards we said goodbye and then they called us down to take a picture with us. We were laughing hysterically with them. Then Sister Frisch made the observation that we have the sense of humor of a 16 year old boy. Awesome, I know. We took another tour with a family from Las Vegas. The daughter had just arrived home from serving her mission in Palmyra. She trained Katelyn Stone! Crazy. So on the tour was just the daughter and her parents. Probably the most powerhouse missionary family I have ever met. Both the parents run and they always carry pass-along cards when they go. They were teaching Sister Frisch how to be a member missionary when she gets home. It made me so happy. And the daughter was everything I hope to be when I get home from my mission. Both Sister Frisch and I just wanted to be around her the whole time. It's amazing how many truly wonderful people I get to come into contact with every day. And not just from OH; from all around!

Today Sister Carter, Sister Houston, Sister Stewart, and I went to Middlefield, OH! AMISH COUNTRY! We took really great pictures so I'll be sending them your way tomorrow morn. Tonight we have the Emma Festival at the Kirtland Temple. It's a celebration of the hymnal and Emma Smith. The Kirtland Sisters were invited by the Community of Christ to sing a few hymns. I just feel really blessed.

Things have been tough with the ol' tummy of mine. I have a dr.'s appt. for next week, though. Poor Sister Sorensen (the Mission President's wife) has been hearing from me every day. I asked her if she would be excited the day I go home. Haha? Anyways, we'll get everything sorted out. Thank goodness for the knowledge that the Lord is completely in control of everything is happening in our lives. I have a really comforting feeling that I won't have these issues my whole mission. I keep reading 2 Nephi 4. There are so many sisters here who have truly blessed my life and who have made this journey a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, most of them are going home next week. But I know that I was sent to Kirtland this transfer for a very good reason. There are some days that I am in so much pain that I can't even take tours. But we have a Call Center at the sites so I can just sit down and make calls, or take inbound calls. In fact, the Apostle Paul called me the other day (I'm guessing a prank call -haha). I felt so honored. :|

The Church is True. There's no way it couldn't be. I see so much light coming to people's lives as they accept this message. Read "None Were With Him" by Jeffrey R. Holland [if you're interested this is the talk Nicole is referring to]. I've been thinking about that talk a lot lately. The Atonement is so real. We all have been given that chance to start anew. How beautiful is that!

Love!
Sister Hill

P.S. I just really need skirts. (I asked her what else she needed - crazy mom!) The clothes you sent are BEAUTIFUL. Everyone said, "Your mom must know you really well." I'm so glad you got to go out with Kristen, too!! I'm jealous. The red skirt might be a little short but I'm going to try it and see if someone says something. Haha. Yikes. I really just want a skirt to go with that cute black shirt you got me from Anthro. I wear the same dark denim skirt every day, basically. It's wearing out already.

Took really awesome pictures at Amish country today! Sending them your way!! With descriptions!! Get excited. "When they get here darling daughter...when they get here!"

I'm eating super healthy now. Gluten free! I didn't even buy homemade Amish bread today. Or Amish Peach Pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm desperate for good health. Nicole must be desperate because she's  made pie a food group!

I love you forever and ever. So glad you and pops are going to the temple together. Many, many blessings there. Did you hear that newfamilysearch just added like 300 million new names to peoples records? You should check it out. Do some work for our long gone ancestors. Dang, I miss the temple. Also, I can't wait to show you around Ohio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sis Carter and I serve in Chardon, right? Right in the middle of this beautiful town is Chardon Square. There's a knitting store AND a bike shop RIGHT next to eachother. It reminds me of my parents every time we drive through. Which is every other day basically. It's called Chardon Square. It's cute. We'll go there.

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response to her dad's email:

First of all, how did you hear about "This is Kirtland"? Haha. That's so funny. I saw it Saturday night. If you guys come out here with me July 2012, we can see "This is Kirtland" and then go up to the Hill Cumorah pageant! Sweeet.

I'm so happy about Grandpa! I bought a Book of Mormon to write my testimony in and send to him but I just wasn't getting around to it. And then I saw on the records on the computer at sites of people who had accepted to have missionaries over, "Jettie Hill". My heart stopped. Sister Golightly is INCREDIBLE. I'll send a picture of her. Maggie Golightly is her name. She's the cutest. She even called Lyndie and was crying after she got off the phone with her. Lyndie was just talking about how amazing our family is. And she talked about your accident. Then Lynde asked Sister Golightly if she had ever met you. Sister Golightly said no so Lyndie said she was really missing out and it would be worth her while to give you a call. Hahaha. Lyndie's so cute.

That's so fun that Sadie gets to take swim lessons too! Those two are going to be pros when I get home.

Maybe I'll convert Lebron's family and the good news will spread to him? There's still hope. Unfortunately, sisters don't serve in Cleveland. But I'll talk to the Pres.

Love you lots!! Keep doing missionary work, Pops. We are so blessed when we do so! Preach My Gospel tells us that our love for the Gospel grows when we do missionary work. And D&C 18 teaches us about the worth of souls. Keep up the good work!!!!!!

I love love love you!
Love,
Sister Nicole

Rollercoaster Week and A Real Conversation

This week I not only have Nicole's email to post but thought I'd share some of the short "messaging conversation" she and I were able to have (my part will be the orange italicized text):

Hello from Kirtland, OH! It's been a crazy week. I've been feeling super sick again. Last night was ROUGH. One of the Sisters that we serve with found out six months into her mission that she had Celiac's. I was talking to her yesterday about what I was feeling and she started laughing because it was exactly what she experienced during her first transfer out in the mission field. She made me some meal plans so I'm going to try a gluten-free diet the next little while and see if that doesn't help. Something needs to happen or Sister Carter's going to punch me.


Not only have I been feeling like death this past week, but we had to stop teaching Millie yesterday. She's progressed as far as she possibly can right now. Cigarettes are just more important than eternal salvation. We left on a good note, though. She said the closing prayer after our lesson and just cried and cried. She said, "Dear Lord, thank you for bringing the Sisters into my life. Please keep them safe on their missions. In your name, Amen." It was so sweet and so heartbreaking. Then we took pictures in front of the trailer with her and her son, Billie. I'll make sure to send those. I love Millie with all my heart. Heavenly Father is definitely aware of her circumstances.

We went to meet with a less active woman in the Branch, Isabelle, who is 92 years-old and in a hospital. Sister Carter missed the turn so we pulled into a little apartment complex. Church insurance requires that the passenger must back the driver out always. So I got out of the car to back the car out and I noticed this older African American gentleman sitting out on the patio. I got a pass along card, walked up to him and began talking about how our families could be together forever. His seven year-old granddaughter came out and talked as well. Turns out, this man's wife passed away exactly one month ago while driving with this seven year-old granddaughter. He has friends that are LDS. He was really wonderful. Unfortunately, he doesn't live in our area, so we can't teach him, but we got a referral for the other sisters! Then we met with 92 year-old Isabelle Neill. She talked for two hours straight about her favorite son, Bobby. She also doesn't think she's a member of the Church.

On Thursday, we had a really great Zone Conference. It helped me get re-excited about being a missionary. We talked a ton about member involvement. It's the member’s responsibility to find and the missionary’s responsibility to teach. SO GET TO WORK. But seriously, people are much more likely to stay in the Church if they have a friend. We also really need members at our lessons. The Chardon Branch is pretty good about being willing to come teaching with us. Just offer to the missionaries in the ward that if they ever need someone to go teaching with them, you're more than willing. It's such a blessing. And sharing the Gospel just deepens our love for Heavenly Father so everyone wins. After Zone Conference, we met with a less active 14 year old who I just really love. She even came to Church on Sunday which, without going into a ton of detail, took a TON of courage. I was so proud of her. Sister Carter and I have big plans to help the Young Women's program in the Chardon Branch. Later Thursday evening, we met with a part-member, less-active family. The husband wanted nothing to do with any religion. The wife and two boys are members but the wife experienced some really tough things in her ward and stopped going. But we had a lesson on prayer with the whole family, INCLUDING the husband. Everyone got out their Book of Mormons. EVEN the husband. The lesson was powerful, the Spirit was strong and I received a prompting that Brother Siebold needed to be committed to baptism. Then, Sister Carter asked him to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized on September 25th. WHAT! WE WEREN'T EVEN PLANNING ON ASKING HIM TO BE BAPTIZED. He said it's been something that he's been thinking he needs to do. The family asked about being sealed together and doing the work for their deceased family members. It was awwwwesome. We told all the sister missionaries that know this man and none of them believed us. It's such a miracle and tender mercy from the Lord.

4th of July really was like any other Sabbath Day here. Except we had dinner with two families from the Branch and it was the perfect 4th of July dinner! They bbq'ed steak, chicken, and pork. Delicious potato salad, jell-o, chips, watermelon, cherries, beans, and rootbeer. We had a lot of fun and then taught the families on the importance of member missionary work. We made the kids practice answering tough questions that their friends might ask them about the Church. We heard fireworks while laying in bed last night. That's cool, right? Proud to be an American. Also, I love Ohio.

So, that's what's been happening in the 440. Pretty sure Sister Carter and I will continue to be companions next transfer. Which is funny, because I think she might go crazy. We're COMPLETE opposites. COMPLETE. The Lord works in mysterious ways. It's good, though. We're learning a lot from each other. We just have to meet in the middle. One is very serious and the other doesn't know how to be serious. We just need balance.

I'll make sure to send pictures WITH descriptions soon. We're so busy right now. There's no time to breathe. The play "This Is Kirtland" is going on right now and I'm so excited to go see it! Love this place. Even if the humidity causes me to not be able to breathe. What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger, right?

I love you all. Read Mosiah 4:2 and keep up the good work.

Love,
Sister Nicole Hill

So glad you can email – we thought the library would be closed. As for you and Sister Carter being COMPLETE opposites - opposite can be a good thing but DON’T lose that wonderful sense of humor and playful personality! Uncle David believed that the Lord has a sense of humor!

The library is closed. I'm e-mailing at the sites. woohooo!

Those skirts are SO cute. I love them. I'm pretty sure they would be long enough for me. I'm in desperate need of skirts now. Ah, I'm so needy. I think a white skirt would be super cute with that black Anthropologie shirt you sent me. And I really like that necklace and the red scarf that you sent pictures of! You've got good taste, lady. We were going to go to Amish country today for P-day but I was really sick last night and this morning so we're just going to take it easy today. Also, thank you SO SO SO SO much for the cookies!!! I kid you not, they were gone in less than 20 hours. Everyone wants the recipe. SO good. And Sister Kingston devoured my Sweet, Salty, and Nutty Trek Mix. Haha. These sisters are like savages. It's really quite remarkable. Also, tell Stinka (her sister Christina was nicknamed "Auntie Stinka" by Madison, which in no way actually describes her) thanks for the Mrs. Fields box with cookies and brownies. The box is a sunshine and it's really cute. I love mi familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you doing, Momma? How's the temple? How's the exercising coming? Are you going to have the missionaries over for dinner with Scott and Amy?

I love you forever!!! Tell Trev I'm proud of him for being a college student. I'll write him a letter today. Did the little girls get my package?

Love,
Sister Your Daughter

Sorry about the tummy problems – you can thank me later. The girls got package late last night but haven’t opened it yet. Anything else you need?

Just some treats from Trader Joe's would be AWESOME. I'm going on a gluten free diet these next few weeks so maybe some gluten free things? I don't knooow. Will you answer my questions? Nobody ever tells me what's going on at home. C'moooon. Oh, can you tell Jaime McMurry to write me? I really want to talk to her but I don't have her address!

Everything is good here at home. Dieting is hard but exercise is getting easier. Dad’s my trainer but I have to remember not to show him my angry eyes when he pushes for one more sit-up. Had to have my temple dress repaired so we couldn’t go for a little while but we’re going Friday when Dad get’s back from Seattle. Trevor is doing soo much better and Brother Mahkorn is still working on him. I’ll get on the calendar for missionary dinners next week and then off to Nana’s before the reunion. She wants me to go through boxes! Uncle Mark and his family and Auntie Kim will be there so it’ll be fun - Uncle Mark and dad can go for bike rides. All is well – MISS you though, but I have such a beautiful, peaceful feeling about where you are and what you’re doing.

That's so wonderful!! Brother Mahkorn is a gem.

Our training meeting for the Kirtland Sisters is in the Kirtland Temple tomorrow!

And we get to sing at the Emma Festival on July 12th. EMMA FESTIVAL!! I'm so excited. Emma Smith is my hero. I get to talk about her every single day. Love this place.

I used to portray her for seminary classes. It started with Bro. Kirkham and then went on to others. I love Emma too and feel she was one of the most misunderstood people in our Mormon history. That is sooo exciting. You’ll have to take pictures – AND then SEND them to me. Your blog needs pictures (or I’ll start using your “healthy” baby pictures!!) – Sister Talbot had a pic with you guys and bananas. It was cute, funny, silly – where are your pictures like that???
How’s the humidity – do you get used to it?

I know! I talked to Sister Twogood about that when she came out here and we were in Emma's kitchen in the Newel K. Whitney Store. Your love for Emma has carried on to me! I don't know how Sister Talbot got that picture! So just steal her pictures and we'll be okay. I'm sorrrryyyyy. There aren't enough hours in the day.

I h8 humidity.

I'm so jealous for your Idaho/Utah adventures!!! Write me lots of stories.

Just keep taking pictures and I’ll improvise on your blog until you can send me some :) Maybe I’ll use cave drawings or something :) No worries – I KNOW you are busy with the Lord’s work so I can wait for pics!
Love you bunches!!

And while we're waiting for pictures from Kirtland I'll skip the "healthy baby" pictures and share a couple of pictures that capture Nicole:

Nicole with Madison at their favorite restaurant "Spegie" Factory

Nicole as Titana in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer-Night's Dream"

Friends Having Fun in S.F.

Nicole and Madison After A Charity Run

Married?!

We got this letter in the mail from Nicole yesterday.  I had to share...too funny!

28 June 2010

Mother and Father,

First off, do my siblings have my address? Just curious. I’m glad I have parents that write me, so thank you for taking the time. It means the world to me. [Nicole put her address here…a reminder and a hint…funny girl]

I forgot to mention a few things in my email! The other day we were out tracting with a girl from our branch. It was my turn to do the approach. So a man answers the door, I tell him who we are & the message we would like to share. He then looks at us and says, “You’re Mormon sooo do you all have 1 husband?” Sister Carter quickly replies, “Yes!” and then I explain that we aren’t married, but he proceeds to ask again and Sister Carter sticks with her original answer of “Yes!” We’re all thoroughly confused and he says, “So you’re all married to the same man?” At that moment a huge storm came (with tornado warnings, mind you) and we want to explain to him, but he’s telling us that we need to quickly get back to our car (which we did). But I was so offended that he thought I looked like a polygamist! UGH, the nerve of some people. Somewhere out there, a man is telling his friends about the three polygamist girls that came to his door. That’s ME!

How’s everyone doing out there in the real world doing? I would love to hear stories, if you don’t mind.

I hope you two are still going to the Temple every week. It’s such a blessing that is easily taken for granted! I miss it but am excited to go with you guys someday soon! We took a man on our tour today whose wife died 1-1/2 years ago. He goes to the Temple every day, basically. But the Temple is closed on Monday’s so he came to Kirtland to stay busy. Some people are so strong. He’s only been a member 4 years, but has such a love for the Temple. It was incredible.

Momma, Sister Talbot has this cute, long necklace with a picture of the Kirtland Temple on one side and her first initial on the other. Her mom has one too but with the Kirtland temple and a picture of Sister Talbot. How cute is that? (I’m hinting right now.)

 Dad, keep sportin’ the Ohio gear. I’m so glad you emailed me those pictures! It brightened my week! [Read Moromi 7.]

"Sportin' the Ohio gear" Nicole sent for Father's Day

Thank you for all you do for me!! For always sending me exactly what I need & writing such beautiful letters!

I love you forever,
Sister Nicole