Hello everyone!!!

This week has been crazy! First I wanna thank you for all you do!!! Mom, thanks for sending my electric toothbrush!!!!!!!!!!! I about died without it. The normal ones just don't cut it. About the packages...when you send them to the mission home they forward them to me, so either way I'll get them, but they prefer you send them to the mission home so that's the address you have.What happened with Michele????? I didn't hear anything about it. I didn't even know she had any problems and needed surgery. Someone please write me a letter and explain cuz Mark's only had like 6 lines and stopped (I know it didn't end cuz it wasn't a full sentence...but then again it is Mark writing =]...jk), so lemme know what happened.Ok, so I had dinner with a member family and they asked where I was from, so I told them "a small town in Arizona called Saint David, not many people know where it is." and she just looked at her husband and said "See honey! I told you I would meet someone else from Saint David!!!!" I was surprised but not shocked. I already know I can never escape the town and will always be "guilty by association" =]. I guess she had three roommates in college from SD, but could only remember one of their names and guess who it is....you never will so I'll tell you. Gean Gregory! (Or Jean...not sure how she spells her name). She wants her address so she can write her. If you could send it to me that would be fantastic!We taught this man this week.......so weird. I'm pretty sure I'll see lots of people like him, but he was the first so everyone else will be compared to him for the rest of my mission. He loved Joseph Smith's experience and talked about how God appears to people all the time these days, but (his favorite line!!!) "it doesn't matter what religion you are as long as you believe!""Well, the Bible says there is one faith, one Lord, one baptism....that means ONE right answer.""Oh I believe it one hundred percent! It doesn't matter what religion you are as long as you believe."
Lame.\u003cbr /\>I wouldn\'t be surprised if we saw him at some street corner next week preaching from the BofM.\u003cbr /\>I just don\'t get people who love to contradict themselves several times in one sentence \u003d]. It really cracks me up.\u003cbr /\>I met this woman yesterday at the VC and she talked to me for over an hour! Her husband is deaf. They\'ve been married 19 years and she didn\'t know any ASL when they got married! How crazy is that!!! I can\'t imagine not being able to communicate with your spouse. Crazy. Just crazy.\u003cbr /\>Anywho, everything else here is going great! We tracted in the rain (I think I told you that last week, but apparently I liked it \u003d]), have met and talked to lots of people, but not very many people are willing to commit themselves. We did teach this guy the first lesson yesterday and we asked him if he would be baptized when he found for himself that the church is true, and he said yes! He\'s so ready....hopefully he doesn\'t give in to Satan but sticks with what he knows. I think he will though, he\'s soooo humble.\u003cbr /\>I love and miss you all!!! Hope you\'re having a wonderful time without me. I wouldn\'t have it any other way \u003d]. Again, MUCHOS GRACIAS for all you do!!!!!!! You\'re all amazing \u003d]\u003cbr /\>LOVE YOU!!!!\u003cbr /\>~Sister Witbeck~\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003c/div\>",0]
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We tried explaining the apostasy and authority about a hundred different ways but nothing would get through his head, so we ended the lesson and my companion gave him a BofM and told him to read it and pray about it. Once again "I know this book is the word of God and I thank you for teaching me more, I can always learn more, but it doesn't matter what religion you are as long as you believe"Lame.I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him at some street corner next week preaching from the BofM.I just don't get people who love to contradict themselves several times in one sentence =]. It really cracks me up.I met this woman yesterday at the VC and she talked to me for over an hour! Her husband is deaf. They've been married 19 years and she didn't know any ASL when they got married! How crazy is that!!! I can't imagine not being able to communicate with your spouse. Crazy. Just crazy.Anywho, everything else here is going great! We tracted in the rain (I think I told you that last week, but apparently I liked it =]), have met and talked to lots of people, but not very many people are willing to commit themselves. We did teach this guy the first lesson yesterday and we asked him if he would be baptized when he found for himself that the church is true, and he said yes! He's so ready....hopefully he doesn't give in to Satan but sticks with what he knows. I think he will though, he's soooo humble.I love and miss you all!!! Hope you're having a wonderful time without me. I wouldn't have it any other way =]. Again, MUCHOS GRACIAS for all you do!!!!!!! You're all amazing =]LOVE YOU!!!!

~Sister Witbeck~

Hey!!!!!!

Oh my goodness!!!! This week has been sooooo good. We haven't really taught very much, and people like to invite us and then not answer their phones so we can't set an appointment, but I know the Lord is helping us to find those who are truly interested, and no matter how many doors are shut on us (which has happened a LOT this last week cuz we're working on finding people), or how many people actually run away (hahaha cracks me up!) it's SO worth it when we meet someone who really wants to know and is hungry to learn more. Really, I think I'm gonna make a list of all the excuses people say and find ways around it. We were trackting and we told this woman the message (she was just taking her dog outside for a walk...a pug of some sorts, not much bigger than Witte) and she said "oh no, I can't listen, don't come any closer! the dog is dangerous, and she's with me always!!!! We invited her to the visitor's Center and went on our merry way suppressing laughter till she was out of hearing. If I were going to make up an excuse I'd at least try and think of something reasonable =].I am doing really well right now! I couldn't ask for more. Our apartment was just sprayed a few days ago (there were bed bugs when I got there...whole new meaning to the "goodnight don't let the bed bugs bite" saying), so everything is wonderful. If you want to send me anything you can send me food that I can microwave or canned stuff. Something that would be quick. I find that a can of chili mixed with mac n cheese is really good, or lately I've mixed it with the noodles from ramen packets. It lasts longer =].Last Sunday a hugh group of deaf people came into the VC. I was so excited to sign again!!! I really miss it. That night was a "why I believe" that they have every month where someone talks about their testimony and why they believe. This month I got to interpret for the deaf elders, and a few members of the deaf ward (one of them was my teacher at the MTC so it was nice to see him).Now that I've been here for 2 weeks I am allowed to give tours by myself at the VC. It'll be really nice =]. I love meeting all the different kinds of people there!We have two investigators that we are going to have set a baptismal date, one is thinking about it, and we haven't told the other one yet, but she is so prepared. She told us last week "I know God sent you sisters to me for a reason, and every time I go to church I feel so good...I don't know why, but I'm gonna find out." Of course we told her that we are here to help her find her purpose and that she is on the right path. We're gonna teach her the 2nd lesson Friday and ask her about a baptismal date. I'm so excited =D.Anyways, tell the Sitts sisters thank you for the mail they send. They're so sweet =]. Well, I'm out of things to say. Time goes so fast here, and I barely remember what happens from day to day. I hope you are all having a wonderful time! I love and miss you!!!!!

~Sister Witbeck~

Holla from DC!!!

Ok, so I realized that last week I was really tired and failed to mention some pretty important stuff =], so now I have to answer the gazillion questions mother asked me. Wish me luck, and here I go. I am doing wonderful!! I love it here. The humidity is great! I didn't think I would like it, but I really do. It doesn't feel too different, but we are in a drought right now, so it may change later this year or next year.I am at the Visitor's Center (VC) 4 days a week for about 6 hours. The rest of the time I am assigned to an area called Derwood which is just north of DC. My apt. isn't even in my area (believe it or not) so we have to drive (yes I have a car) to our area and to the VC which makes it tricky sometimes with our limited mileage. If we have to drive really far we usually just park and walk, which means we have to be really good in how we plan where we go and who we see. It's a trick business, but so far things have gone smoothly =]. You can mail me at the mission home address and they'll forward it to me. I got your package by the way, thank you so much! The vest fit fine, but the other one (that you--mother--refers to as a vest =]...with the buttons) doesn't fit. It's too small. so I'm going to send it home when I can. You can do whatever you want with the pictures I sent home, I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna send the chip home when it's full from now on. I can only take pictures on P-day here so it might be a while before I fill it. The little tape I sent is for you to listen to, I have three other ones so don't worry about sending more or sending it back. You can if you want to, but no need. It would be nice to have the cd's from the shed, but if you can't find them don't stress about it. My roommates (Spanish sisters) have those ones and they listen to them a lot, so I might want them next transfer, but for now it's ok.Ok, so here's some other stuff for your curiosity. I was really bumbed about being put in the English program last week, but I've been told that I'll use ASL a lot at the VC. It just so happened that last week (total blessing from the Lord) 3 deaf non-members came into the VC with a million and one questions! It was right when it was my turn to give a tour, so the Lord knew they were going to be there. They were WELL versed in the scriptures (which is not usual for deaf people). They would give me a specific verse and ask a question or a specific story and the reference of where it was. So I gave them lots of scriptures in return, and testified a lot cuz sometimes that's all I could do with the things they were asking. It was really good though, and I called the ASL Elders afterwards and gave them their information so the Elders can contact them and teach them more. Other than that I haven't used my ASL, but I have had a lot of fun teaching! I have met so many people from different places. A lot of the people here are from Africa, and even more from South America. The ward mission leader in my ward is amazing! and so is my Bishop. Very involved in what goes on with our investigators and with the less-actives. I'm out of time, but I'll try to write a letter later to mom that she can possibly scan it to Mark or something...Gotta go. I love you all!!!!! Be happy and stay strong =]

~Sister Witbeck~

Te iubesc (I love you!)

Hey! So I'm here in Maryland. I love it. The humidity shocked me when I first got out of the airport. I felt like I was swimming everywhere I went, but I love it. It's good. Instead of being dry all the time, I get to breathe water =]. The mission president took us (3 elders and 2 sisters) to IHOP for breakfast since we arrived at 8:30 am. After an all night flight I was super tired, but tried my best to stay awake during training meetings. They let us take a nap that afternoon for 2 hours before continuing on with the days activities. It was really good to talk to some of you!!! I really wish I could've called all of you, but I ran out of time, so I apologize for those I couldn't call, but those who write me get to talk to me =D jk, I still love you all ;-). I talked to the man sitting next to me on the plane (for the second flight from Gorgia to DC) almost the whole time about religion. It was a really good conversation and I basically taught him the first lesson. I just happened to have a Book of Mormon in my bag (ok, so that's not really just a coincidence, in fact nothing is, so I was just prepared in case the Lord happened to drop someone in my path on the way....and He did), so I explained a little about it, testified, told him to read it, gave him Moroni's promise and told him to pray about it after he read, by this time we were landing so not a whole lotta time left, so I also gave him a Finding Faith in Christ pass-along card and told him to call the number to get more information. He seemed really curious and treated the book with respect when he put it into his backpack, but I guess it's in the Lord's hands now, I should've asked him to put his information down so the missionaries could come (he's from Virginia by the way), but I forgot, so I have no idea what will come of that. Ok, so my new companion is Sister Senkoh. She's originally from Africa (Sierra Lione--sp?) but came on her mission from Greece. She's an amazing sister and I'm gonna learn a lot from her! The first day was spent at the temple, in a session (which I tried not to fall asleep in) and then on to the visitor's Center. Sister Senkoh showed me around and kind of explained what happens there, then I gave a few tours even though I really had no idea where things were, but everything worked out. It's amazing how much I learned in the MTC and now that I'm here I feel like it taught me nothing. Really, I learned a LOT, but nothing about actually being in the field. interesting. Anywho, my mission President told me that since we have 6 elders working with the deaf program and no other sisters that know sign language I am in the english program. Sad, and I almost cried cuz I have been looking forward to working with deaf people SO MUCH! But, obviously the Lord needs me elsewhere and I just hope and pray everyday that He will send deaf people to the Visitor's Center for me to teach cuz that is the only place where I can teach them. If we run into deaf people in our area, we have to just get their information and give it to the elders. I get about 30 min almost everyday for language study so I don't loose my ability, but that's it. So, for now English it is, and sign language is just hoped to be.I'm still trying to settle in for the most part, I haven't even unpacked my bags yet. Since today is our p-day we are going to do that later this afternoon. First we need to shop for some food so I have something to eat. I'm excited about teaching someone tonight (nervous as well), so I guess next week I'll have to let you all know how that goes...As long as the spirit is there, then I have nothing to worry about, right? heh heh heh, oh the glories of the mission =]I hope you are all doing well!!! I love and miss all of you. Stay strong and be happy =D

~Sister Witbeck~

Buna Ziua

Ok, so today I don't have a lot of time as it is, but first of all I want to tell you what happened 2 days ago...the reason why I couldn't write till today. Pres. Garrett (one of the district presidents)called me into his office Wednesday morning. I was really scared because if something has changed with your mission then you go to him, and he tells you. Of course it didn't help that Elder Cook just got his call changed. Oh yeah, he's not going to Tucson anymore. He got re-called to go to NY Rochester! That's quite the difference but he's excited. Anyways, so here I am about to pee my skirt cuz I don't want my call to change, and Pres Garrett asks "has anyone talked to you about your future?" "Which future?" I venture to ask with a chuckle. "Your mission future." My heart started beating really fast and I just looked at him with a blank face hoping the lump that had formed in my throat because of my heart somehow jumping into it was not too visible. He just blandly said, "well, you're supposed to be in visitor's Center training today and somehow we forgot to let you know." Is that all I thought?!?!? Then we went on: "You're set to leave Monday for DC." Yeah that's right Monday. I basically freaked out (not really, but it sounded cool). So my flight plans (according to Pres Garrett) are the craziest he's ever seen. We report to the travel office 8:30pm Monday night, and our flight leaves at midnight. We fly to Atlanta and change flights around 5:30 am Tuesday morning, and we should arrive at the Dulles airport around 8:30am. It's an all night flight. Crazy! I was
hoping to have one in the morning so I could study all the say there, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be sleeping through this one. That is the news of the week. Since I was switched to Visitor's Center training my schedule is totally different. My preparation day is today instead of yesterday, and I only seen my district during lunch and dinner. Really sad.
I wish I had some kind of warning, but I guess there's a reason. I have a new companion, Sister Hamblin. She's going to DC as well, but Mandarin speaking. She's a really good companion so I am grateful. Sister Myers is suffering greatly from the loss of my presence (really it's because she's stuck with the elders all day without me to protect her =]). I swear the elders are afraid of me. I love it =]. Makes me laugh. Really they're not, but they definitely know where I stand when it comes to being obedient and actually taking advantage of our time here at the MTC. It's been good. Right now we're down to 8, and after Wednesday they'll be down to 6 because I'm leaving Monday and Elder Carn is leaving Wednesday morning. Ok, so hopefully I'll get anything you send before I leave, but if not I don't know if they'll forward it to DC or just send it back. Anything you send from now on is probably gonna have to be sent to DC. I already have a whole bunch of stuff to send in a box before I leave. Also, that site
www.dearelder.com is only free while I'm here at the MTC, so you can send me mail through that only till Monday afternoon. Cuz it's same day
delievery...Beth that includes you, um.....beef jerky sounds good =D. Other than that things are going well! The Lord is obviously going to stretch me with this Visitor's Center stuff. It's so hard. There's no way you can do it without the spirit, absolutely no way! I have no problems teaching hearing people or deaf people in their homes where I can sit down and share scriptures and discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ, but there's something about the Visitor's center that's gonna take some time. If they only have 5 minutes to see what's there then you have to really rely on the spirit tohelp you know what's the most important thing to share with that person. Also, sometimes the only impression they might have about the church is you, so you've really gotta be obedient, ready and prepared or the spirit can't work through you. It's hard and I know it'll come when I get there, but I definately feel inadequate and not ready. However, I also know that the Lord has called me and He will make me equal to my call if I just put my trust in Him. So Washington DC here I come!!!
As far as everything else goes...the vests, I'll probably just get some in DC since I'll be there by Tuesday. Thank you so much for sending the speakers and cd player! I should get that soon. I'm finally done with that tape, so I'll send it with all the pictures I developed.
Oh, by the way, I think I'm only gonna do that for the MTC time cuz it was $41 (expensive!!!) and everyone's name throughout my mission will be in my journal since I write in it every night (and yes that will continue cuz it's a goal I made before I left....no worries about that one). I'm also learning a little Mandarin, it's such a musical language! So much fun. Anyways, I think that's it. I love and miss you all!!!! Te eu besk (I love you in Romanian). Stay strong and be happy. The Lord loves you. This I know.

~Sister Witbeck~