Hello all,

Another week in good ol' Mesa! On the food front, it's been interesting. We had everything from sushi to Frito Taco "Salad" (where you replace lettuce/vegetables with Fritoes chips).

Here's a fun lesson of the week: REAL PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS and THE GOSPEL CAN HELP THEM! Ha, let me explain.

I've heard a lot of stories about missionary work where people express that they "felt something" the first time they saw the missionaries. They talk about signs and clues that they knew it was the truth. While I believed it, I couldn't exactly picture how it works.

As far as I can tell, here's how it works. We talk to lots of people every day. A lot of people say, "Thanks, but no thanks." Some are interested, but not really ready to make a change in their lives. But there are some people that are at that POINT in their lives where something's got to give. They need answers. They need help. Their life is a mess and everything seems to be going wrong. Their life is perfect, but nothing seems to feel right. I thought these sounded cliche, until I started hearing actually people say these phrases and meaning them. Not only hearing them, but witnessing it as we meet with them often.

One investigator was preparing to be baptized and very excited. A few days before, he told his grown daughters his plans and invited them, and everything blew up. They not only insulted him, but threatened to cut off contact with him if he was baptized. He was devastated, worried that he was loosing his daughters. He wasn't sure how he could choose between a new faith and his old family of forever. We didn't have any answers. All we could tell him is that if he kept praying to God, he would receive an answer on what to do. We agreed to postpone his baptism until he talked to his daughters more. He kept praying, but felt that God has "his ears plugged," because he wasn't getting an answer.

In the past week or two, he's been talking with them. And then one day, out of the blue at a family party, his brother-in-law asked, "When are you getting baptized? I want to be there!" That led the rest of the family to show their support for him as well. Now he has a new date set and his whole family is planning on coming, including the daughters. Our investigator was overwhelmed and could only excuse himself, get on his knees and try to express his thanks to God for answering his prayers.

So that's what I mean. I get to see these snapshots of people changing their lives. I get to see it all day, every day, because the people we work with are the ones are are at that POINT where something's changing. The status quo has been disturbed in some way, and suddenly we're here. Jump back! It's great.

Well, I hope that made sense. It's still hard for me to explain and I only have a short time to write. But I love you all, and I think of ya lots.


much love,
Sister Fuller

Dear family and friends, 

 
Alright, I know my past letters have been more informational, but now that I'm settling into Arizona, I can get into the good stuff.
 
First of all, I'd like to apologize for ever thinking that state-side missions (a mission served in the U.S.) was not as cool as a foreign mission. For those who don't know, LDS missionaries don't get to choose where they go, but send in their application (known as "mission papers") and are assigned a mission somewhere in the world. So a missionary has no idea if she's giong to Signapore or to Cincinatti before she gets her call. I'd always known that the mission assignment came from a prophet of God, meaning that he had received revelation where the Lord wanted me to go. And I assumed if I ever went to a mission in the U.S., it wouldn't be "as cool," but it's where the Lord knew I could do the most good.
 
I'm here to say that I was dead wrong. The Lord does not call you to places, He calls you to people. It's not about WHERE you're serving at all, but WHO you're serving. I read in the scriptures this week, "Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this PEOPLE" (D&C 18:14). Being in Arizona has taught me that -- I've already fallen in love with all the people here. Those we are teaching (investigators), those who are work with us as church members, my companions.... Sometimes I forget my initial mission call is for Rome, because I'm so busy about thinking of the people here. But I know I was called here to serve these people.
 
One of our those people is an investigator originally from New York; he calls the Book of Mormon, "Da Book," and always regales us with stories of growing up with Italian heritage in da Bronx. Another is a member couple whose five-year-old nephew loves going to church more than anything else and teaches us more than we teach him. Another is a wheelchair-bound, former Lutheran who asks hard questions, but receives even more answers. Each one is very special and it's cool to see the gospel helping them with their individual challenges.
 
I also know that I was meant to know everyone who is reading this. I hope that means as much to you as it does to me.
 
Speaking of people I was supposed to meet, we were visiting a recent convert to the Church and his father happened to be there, both of Mexican heritage. After discussing the scriptures a little bit, I kept thinking that maybe this man knew my Grandpa, who did a lot of construction in souther Arizona/California and Mexico. "Don't be silly, just because your grandpa speaks Spanish doesn't mean he knows every Mexican in Arizona."
 
Turns out, the man DID know my grandfather; in fact, Grandpa Fuller had built his house! It was a small testimony to me that I'm here to meet certain people for certain reasons. I sure don't know everything, but God does and luckily he's in charge. Yay! 
 
So yes. We spend most of our time teaching and finding people to teach. Oh, and being under the gorgeous Arizona sky. I can't even describe how beautiful the Arizona sky is. There are very few hills, the the sky reaches all the way to the horizon. I don't know why, but you feel like the blue is bluer, the clouds are more intense, and heaven is just a little bit closer. It's AWESOME. Hopefully I can attach some pictures of it.
 
In closing, the promised haiku:
 
Flowing with milk, honey, and
Enchilada sauce
The promised land of Scottsdale.
 
Good job American-Mexican food! I know I'll miss you when I'm gone!
lovelove
sister fuller
 

Sister Fuller loves mail! To write to her while she's in Mesa, mail your letters to:

Sister Anne Fuller
Arizona Mesa Mission
6265 N 82nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Change of Plans

Hello all!

 

There's been a change of plans -- I'm going to Arizona for a transfer (six weeks), until my visa comes through. Or in the words of Elder JarJar Binks, "Meesa goin' to Mesa!" So to all you hundreds of relatives I have livin' out there, look out, because your favorite grandniece/second cousin is on her way!

 

The time here at the MTC does go really fast, which is nice. But I'll be sad to leave my district of Temple Square sister missionaries. My companion, who I've affectionately named Sister Trouble (and she calls me Sister Ba, which is Thai for crazy), is going to be the hardest to leave. In our room she has a little "kitchen," meaning a collection of half eaten candy bars and chip bags we either steal from meal time or buy at the "grocery store" (vending machine). That's how adorable she is.

 

Also, the teachers here have been great. One of them looks exactly like Peter Parker (from the "old" Spiderman. If the new one's come out yet, I have no knowledge of it...), which doesn't help with concentration. The other one served in the Netherlands and gives me great advice on serving in Europe ("Everyone tells you you won't be able to baptize in Europe. Just don't listen to them.") Positive thinking, people!

 

But I won't miss the extensive classroom time. From my desk, I can see one little sliver of the sky, which I stare at, hoping for the day I get to see more of it. I guess that's why I'm getting sent to Arizona in JULY. Be careful what you pray for. Haha, no but I'm really excited to go to Arizona. It means I get TWO missions for the price of one. Whooooo!

Much love to everyone! I'll have updates on my Arizona address soon.

 

Sister Fuller