"There is a reason the Lord called me English-Speaking..."

Hola Amigos!! 

We went on two exchanges this week and with both of them I had to go to a Spanish area! I was definitely humbled by the Lord. There is a reason he called me English-Speaking. I realized that I can't understand Spanish unless I am talking to someone who speaks it the way I do - aka like a Gringa. haha. It was a learning experience though. I shared some scriptures in Spanish. A lot of people spoke Spanglish anyway. We helped this lady hang her wet clothes in her apple tree!

We had an awesome week teaching-wise! We started teaching 5 new people. The members here are on fire. We don't even have to ask for referrals, they just give them to us! We started teaching this couple that has had a rough life. Their neighbors are members and they were present at the lesson. It works so much better when a member friend can testify of what the restoration of the gospel has done for them. The spirit was so strong and when I recited the first vision (Joseph Smith's experience when he prayed to know which church was right) the wife got chills and I know she felt the spirit. I know I felt it too and I can never deny that. I know that this is Christ's church reestablished on the earth. I know that this family has been prepared by the Lord to receive the gospel. The Lord's timing is so perfect and he is aware of all of his children. As we turn to Him, he will put us where we need to be. 

I love you all!!! Only two months left to write me!! Hurry! ;) 

<3 Sister Bishaw

"Simplify and Intensify!"

Hello Everyone!! 

We got to have a zone conference with Elder Craig Zwick of the seventy. He is a powerful speaker and he taught us how to simplify and intensify and close with power in our teaching. He has so many stories and it was just really inspiring to hear from him and his wife. His mission president was Elder Richard G Scott! He spoke to the members here and they are all really excited about sharing the gospel now. We just need to earn their complete trust! 

We went on exchanges with Homedale and Caldwell sisters this week. I got to go to Homedale and we ate WAY too much! Sister Thomas and I had fun being reunited after a week apart though! haha. We got free ice cream from this lady who served her mission in Homedale and then moved back and married someone from there! We also got to help at the local senior center! Homedale is such a cute town. I stayed here and sister Hala'api'api came from Caldwell. We met 2 people here that she knows from Caldwell! It was inspired! We also got to talk to a recent convert about family history so that was fun! 

So it was a good week! 

Thanks for all the support!! 

Love, 

Sister Bishaw

"And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth."

Hello from the unpredictable land of Idaho!!

On Thursday there was a crazy hailstorm! It came out of nowhere! It didn't last very long but a lot of crops were ruined. Poor farmers! We were stuck on someone's doorstep. They weren't home but by the time we turned around to go back to the car, it was hailing! It was pretty funny. At least we weren't on bikes!

We also got to meet a hedgehog! This one brother paid 300 dollars for one! It was SO cute, but pretty pokey! We've been getting to know the members in this area and learning where everything is. There are a lot of number streets in this area and it's a little confusing, but we're learning. Everyone here is really missionary-minded and many of them share the gospel often. One Bishop stood us up twice by accident but he's really cool so we won't hold it against him! haha. We went to a baptism and a wedding this weekend! The Baptism was in Kuna (where Sister Armstrong used to serve) and the wedding was in our area. They are a Hispanic couple. He doesn't speak much English so the Bishop translated a lot of it. His wife is LDS and he is not but he's interested in learning! His wife was crying and shaking through the whole thing! So sweet!

The Elders were teaching this awesome lady. We feel blessed to be able to teach her now. She has so much faith even though she's been through so much. Her "grams" was LDS and she trusts her judgment. She said her grams told her if she ever needed help to go to the LDS church. When she was in an abusive relationship and feeling lower than low she walked by an LDS church and remembered the words of her grams. She walked in and talked to the Bishop. Now she is working hard to quit smoking because she really wants to be baptized and have a church family. It's amazing to see what the Savior can do for people when they turn to Him. He really can heal us. "Yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" (Alma 36:20). 

Love you all!! Prayers and letters are appreciated!! 

<3 Sister Bishaw

"You're going to Homedale? Don't drink the water."

Hello!!

Today is transfer day again! Sister Thomas will be going to Homedale, ID and training a new missionary! She's on fire! We're actually still together til Wednesday because she doesn't get her companion until then so that's fun. My new companion is Sister Armstrong! She's been out 1 transfer longer than me and this is her last transfer! We'll be Sister Training Leaders together so we'll go on exchanges with other sisters a lot. She will be my 3rd Californian companion! It will be fun! 

This week was awesome! Our talent show went pretty well. It could have had a better turn out but it wasn't bad for labor day weekend. We had about 100 people there and 2 investigators that we invited. We got to take one on a tour of the church building. At the show one little kid solved the Rubik's Cube in 1 minute and 38 seconds! 

We also found some new people to teach. Sister Thomas found a couple while I was in Kuna on exchanges. I rode a bike all day in Kuna! The sisters were low on miles for their car so we rode bikes. I respect the Elders so much because it was just so painful. And I felt like I looked ridiculous with a skirt on and my flats that did not have enough grip. And it was really hot! I feel so blessed to have a car. 

We bore our testimonies in all of our wards yesterday and in one of them I said what I have learned on my mission and I realized that my mission is almost over. I started crying. It's so bittersweet! But I really have seen for myself that God does truly love and know all of us personally. And it's our job to help others know that God loves them. And God wants us to be happy so he's given us the commandments and shown us the way through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Love you all! Thanks for the support!! Letters would be awesome! 

<3 Sister Bishaw

The Eubanks!! :)

Me with Sister Thomas! I did my hair like hers ;)

Bye Linda! 

Brother Cook's garden is doing so well!

After the Talent Show!

I conquered that chicken! I caught it!

"Can we mow your lawn? Please?!"

Hello!

We mowed 2 lawns this week! One of them we have to pick up at the dog poop first. It was quite the experience! But it's really cool because people are starting to let us help them! A lot of people don't like to ask for help...including myself. But we really love doing it. We just get to lighten their load a little! :) 

We've been working on finalizing everything for our talent show. We've had a lot of people volunteer to be in it so we definitely have enough. There will be a lot of good music and dancing and funny acts too! We really hope everyone invites their friends so we can meet new people! We've been trying to invite everyone we meet. 

We did exchanges and I got to be with Sister Turner again for the day! I can't believe it's been almost 5 months since we were companions! We had fun and got to get caught up on each others missions and families! 

On Saturday we went to 2 block parties! We ate a LOT of food! We thought about going to Jack in the Box earlier in the day but we were glad we didn't because we got so many burgers later on! One of the wards is doing block parties so we can meet their neighbors! It's been going well. 

I hope everyone is doing well! Letters are appreciated as always :)

Love you all!

Sister Bishaw

My September Planner! Lots of animals here!

Sister Turner and I back together again (just for the day)! :) I love her.