Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Nov 16th Letter

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE MY MISSION! I LOVE SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA MISSION!!! My mission president is AWESOME! I love him! He's sooooo crazy intelligent and gave a ROCKIN Zone Conference and I just totally got new meaning to the gospel and just HOW ESSENTIAL it is in our lives! I'm so blessed and thankful that I'm here in San Diego otherwise I wouldn't have met these people! and definitely wouldn't have had the privilege of meeting President Donaldson! God works in mysterious ways that's for sure! He taught us a ton of Hebrew though and all that jazz and now I want to take Hebrew Old Testament and New Testament classes when I get home!
Mi corazon es con los mexicanos ahora! Yup....I love Mexico and the people and the food and the culture and the music....when I hear it in the streets that is.....and everything! I'm getting to love the spicy food too! Even though I really am still a wimp when it comes to spicy spicy food. The other night at the Alberto's house (they feed us every Sunday, the place where I've also tried pigs feet) we had some yummy dinner and there were jalapeno peppers that they were biting into and eating. So I decided to try it! I took a tiny bite and my mouth was ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My face turned red and I started to cry it was so hot!!!!! and Hermana Alberto leans over and tastes it and she was like...this isn't that hot Hermana! hahahha. I LOVE Huevos Rancheros now! It's eggs with beans and salsa and tortillas! SO GOOD! oh one downside the other night hahah .....we were eating at someones house and there was a dead cockroach in my companions drink!!!!! EWWW! I had to really try hard not to puke! and looked carefully through my food.....no worries though I didn't have any in my food. Just a fun lil surprise in the food though hahaha....as Rod would say, "it's extra protein!

The work has been extremely slow for us sad to say but we just have been having a hard time finding people. But don't worry things are starting to pick up. We found an investigator the other day that was flirting with me and kept telling me that he just couldn't believe how beautiful my eyes were and that my boyfriend just couldn't say no to those! hahaha I told him I didn't have one...lol But then in the end he HUGGED me!!! I was soooo shocked and just didn't know what to do so I gave him two pats on the back and said thanks haha! Yeah....gotta watch that closer next time. Luckily it wasn't a kiss!

Anyways I gotta go. We are finally going to the Zoo today!!!!
Love you all! ....will write more next time.
Love tawny!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Nov 9th 2010

I can't believe it's p-day all over again! It's going by sooo fast! Yup it's hot! It's been like in the high 80s/90s for us down here next to the mexican border! Feels nice! My watch tan line is getting a lil more defined haha. That's not very cool at all though haha. Just kidding. Well some exciting news! For me and for all!....Last night we were eating at a members house and she asked us if we felt the tremor last thursday! I was like...."what?!!??" Apparently there was an earthquake 5.1 on the scale over outside of El Centro, out in the desert about 2 or 2 1/2 hours east of here. And she said that she felt some of it ....but I definitely didn't feel anything! I've never been in an earthquake but heck I might have felt a tiny tremor and not known it. haha.
So my spanish is getting better I've noticed but is FAR FROM perfect! But it's amazing to me how I've been getting way more insight/revelation through my spanish scripture and preach my gospel study! It's so crazy!!!! Because I'm still learning the language and I've been understanding gospel stuff way more and way better! It's so cool! It makes me just want to only study in spanish....but I like to study in english so I can understand everything better. Just a fun lil note!
Oh I forgot to mention that for Halloween we all had to come in before dark and just chill/work in the apartment. Just as a safety precaution for all the weirdos runnin' around on halloween night. It was fun though! Me and the roomies all made a huge breakfast to eat for dinner! It was so good! and pumpkin and peach pie! hahah. And we played uno. This of course after we were done working and planning and all..don't worry we still worked haha.
Hey can somebody send me some pretty pics of CDA lake and downtown and just of CDA. por favor?! no one believes me when I say it's gorgeous unless they've been there haha. Also some pics of winter time up there too? some people haven't even seen snow! oh and mom could you maybe print out the latest family portrait as a wallet size photo for me? por favor? gracias!
oh and we went and visited the Ruthefords the other day again and I asked him how he got the Ruebens and the Picasso pic. Turns out he REALLY DID meet Picasso! He was going to art school in Nice, France and he met 4 of Picassos apprentices and so they rode over on their bikes one day to his studio and he met Picasso and he gave him this drawing!!!! HOW CRAZY COOL IS THAT!!!!
So the work is going kinda slow here actually. We're having a hard time finding people to teach. and we both are terrible at contacting in the street. I never know how to start or what to say and it just becomes awkward. I feel a little embarrassed but we're trying to just take courage and go talk to them! When we do it's totally worth it.....or totally not hahaha. You either get shot down or they end up talking and it's awesome meeting new people! But does anyone have any advice for me for contacting? It would be much appreciated. Brenna just sent me some music in english and Spanish and I got the idea one day when we were praying for weekly planning that we (the missionaries in my district) should put on a little missionary musical/ fireside thing. We all are good singers and I thought it would be fun to have us all sing different songs / play piano / violin and have little spiritual thoughts in between and invite our investigators and members to bring friends. So everyone likes the idea now I just gotta put some stuff together. We don't know yet for sure when it will be, but I'll keep ya posted. We always do have firesides for the whole mission once a month some in Spanish some in English....but i thought it would be nice to have a small lil private one.
This week is gonna be great! Tomorrow we have Zone Conference again!!! Woo hoo! President Donaldson is AMAZING!!! He knows all! haha he is omniscient! haha so that will be awesome! from 8AM to 4pm!!!! then on Friday I'm going on exchanges with sister Voyles...meaning she will be with me all day while my companion is with another sister in her area. Sister Voyles is an amazing missionary and she's one of the ones that was filmed in the Preach My Gospel DVD's. She was called to that of course and she really gets missionary work and I'm way lucky to have been reassigned here to this mission to work with these people and this mission president! I'm gonna take tons of notes from her. Hey! All of you people go out and buy the Preach My Gospel DVD's and watch them! They are awesome!
Shout out to Brett Calkins!!!! someone please ask him....if your not reading this Brett,.....where he is going on his mission and if he's gone to the tempel yet? all i heard was the Netherlands but I'm excited to find out where exactly!!! Woo hoo! Congrats!
Well I love you all! Hope all of you are taking my invites to read the scriptures and Preach my gospel everyday! The restored gospel really is everything. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of god! That's why we're out here teaching the restored gospel. Teaching to peoples needs and teaching by the spirit. Bwcause that's how it's done!
love you!
Hermana Dunn

Monday, November 8, 2010

Nov 2nd Letter

Yeah yeah! All you lucky north Idahoans and Utah people are all freezing huh! hahah Just kidding, that's mean... It's so nice down here! It's been sunny and high 70s and BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS California sunsets! The past couple days have been sooooo clear and cloud free I could even see out on the ocean!!! Beautiful SD and Tijuana and Coronado island are all visible! If only I wasn't driving then I would take more pictures in the car.
Well I met someone famous! He's a member in the English ward and we went over to his house to ask about an investigator that was seen in the past, who is his neighbor. I don’t know his first name but his last is Ruthaford....or Rutheford or Rutherford.....I don't know how to spell it but he's a famous sculptor! He has two of his pieces in the Smithsonian and one 8ft angel with stained glass wings somewhere in Minnesota or Michigan or somewhere. Look up on google "The Ruthebird" sculpture. It's one of his most famous signature pieces that I saw. His house was AMAZING!!! Mom you would've been in heaven. Me personally I died and went to heaven cause he HAS AN ORIGINAL PICASSO!!!! He also has an ORIGINAL RUEBENS painting! I don't know how he got the Ruebens, but he said that Picasso personally gave him that original drawing, I think when he was going to art school in Europe! I don't know if that's true or not because I forget what years Picasso was or still is alive. Someone please look that up for me? His house was covered with art work and sculptures and these model Mast Ships in glass cases all over! I loved it! Such an awesome house! Such an awesome Guy! He's super nice and super strong in the church.
So a shout out....Aaron Peet! If he doesn't read this, can someone who does, like Shaunna or Erica please get hold of him and ask for me: What was the name of the island in Panama that he served on? There's a family in my ward from Panama who I LOVE and we were talking about that.... But I can't remember the name of the island.
For those of you that wanna write me here's my address! ALL are welcome to write me, so do it haha.
Hermana Tawny Dunn
7404 Armstrong Pl
San Diego, CA 92111

Funny story.....We have an investigator who is the Mexican version of Rod! haha His eyes are what got me because they look exactly like Rod’s and his little side smile ....just his smile kinda looks like Rod too! I was about to hug him! haha ok not really....but here's an air hug for you Rod! And here's an air hug to everyone!
Heres some funny quotes that I’ve seen on peoples doors...and or signs:
"No Solicitors”, “No Salespersons”, “No Surveys”, “No Nobody”, “No Jehovah's Wittness’s" hahah funny for us Mormon missionaries.. haha. and the other is just for you mom... “I cleaned my house last week, sorry you missed it!'' haha funny huh!

So here's a quote that I read the other day and liked! President Hinckley loved this too. It is from the Deseret News by Jenkins Lloyd Jones June 12, 1973.
"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey- delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
I think this is true....i also think there can be more of those spurts of beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed with the restored gospel. It truly is the calm in the eye of a hurricane. In the storms in life and the world we often want to find peace....and that’s what the gospel does. Our lives aren't perfect, but through the restored gospel and through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can find light and peace and happiness and strength to get through the storms in life. With the atonement it can help us endure our trials well till they end. We can find strength in the Lord. As Nephi said in 2Nephi 4:33-35 pg 64...."O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way- but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."
Then he says in 1 Nephi 15:11 "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?-If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."

There ya have it! We need to always rely on the Lord in prayer and in being faithful to him and seeking to do good and keeping the commandments. When we ask in faith he will help us, comfort us and everything else.
I love you all! hope yall have a great week!

Love , Hermana Dunn

Oct 26th Letter

ahhh! I have no time! ok...I'm not getting transferred! So I'm staying in Chula Vista for at least another 6 weeks. That's cool! yay!

I biked all day Friday and that stunk! I've never been so tired and fatigued in my whole life! But never slept so good.... I literally could not walk at the end of the day after all those hills! oy!

Oh, the best Christmas present for you to do is send me a family pic! yay! I love you all and am doing great. Didn't end up going to the zoo last week cause it was POURING down rain!

but here are some AWESOME talks for you guys to read that I read last week and love.

Adversity -President Henry B. Eyring & The Power of God's Love-Elder John H. Groberg,

Love you all !

Hermana Dunn

Oct 19th Letter

hey I'm goin to the zoo today! haha if it doesn't rain on us which it looks like it! it's been chilly and cloudy and rainy lately and i still haven't gotten a chance to go shopping for some cute cardigan sweaters, but will next week....for now i borrow my roommates.
So lately it's been goin great! we're getting more brave at going up to people and just start talking....it's still hard though at times. man if you really wanna know what missionary life is like then read alma chapter 26....its sooo good. But one thing that i've noticed with our investigators is that lots of them aren't ready to get baptized cause they want to learn more and more and put it off. Which is understandable....i would too, but as the first presidancy has told us missionaries exactly what to teach, and teach it to them, they are then ready. it's just a matter of them feeling it and exercising their faith and read the BOM pray and attend church so that they can show heavenly father that they are willing to follow him and wanting answers. We teach them though ALL that anyone needs to know before baptism. Do you think 8 year olds know everything about the gospel when they are baptized...nope! do you think you know everything about the gospel even right now! nope! all of us are ALWAYS learning and growing stronger in knowledge and faith in the gospel throughout our whole lives. THEE most important thing you do need to know though is the basic principles of the gospel. They being; 1st faith in the lord jesus christ 2nd repentance 3rd baptism 4th the gift of the holy ghost 5th enduring to the end by living worthy of steps 1-4....and repeating with step 5. There is a promise from the lord and from prophets and leaders fo the church that when you use these basic principles of the doctrine and grown in more understanding of them you will not fall! Our investigators i have noticed are scared of falling after they get baptized....they agree to baptism, but are scared of this. We all are scared of this i think at some point in our lives or often. i have been scared of this in my life too! But if we do what the lord has taught us and commanded us, and focus on the good then we will not fall! Now life is hard and we are only human...there will be times where we will need to go through trials to learn...but that's why the gospel is there to pick you back up and bring you into the light again. nobody is perfect, we all have trials, but it's the promise of the lord that if we hold on and endure to the end and do the best we can, then we will have eternal life. basically this talk right here that i've pasted says it all and i LOVE it ! this is the prophet's daughter Ann Dibb. and she gave this amazing talk in october 2009 conference. PLEASE READ IT as it's part of my letter ...and enjoy! it rocks. i love you all and hope you have a great day!
oh ps. brenna or emily....could you guys please look adn see if you can find a good christmas duet piece for vocal and piano of What Child is This or some other good songs . we're gonna have a christmas talent show and i might wanna sing with someone. thanks. love you!
Love, Hermana Dunn