Palmdale: a less than pleasant place

Nothing like being mocked by children, sworn and yelled at, doors slamming and dirty looks whenever we walk by. Too many times we walked away just shaking our heads and reminding ourselves how much we love Jesus Christ.

And that's how it goes here in Palmdale. We love Jesus Christ and we keep taking one step forward because the moments when you find someone who's heart is open and Jesus Christ becomes real to them make every rejection worth it. 

Talking to a dad in his yard he wasn't looking for religion, but as I talked about the firm foundation that the gospel has given me and my family, I pointed towards his little girl jumping and giggling on the trampoline. There was a still moment as we all watched her and then there was a shift and our conversation became real. "Maybe we should go back to church, I still have one of those books." More than telling us, he was telling himself. 

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is what makes a difference in our lives. I know that there are difficult times, but my heart pleads with you: through all the slams, swears and shakes of life, hold onto Jesus Christ.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

How this transfer felt 

Ah a palmtree in Palmdale!

•#allaboutthelighting

One day Nancy will make me a quilt

OUR INSPIRATION KIRIN

"I just took my hair off!"

*whips out fancy camera* oh we love the Carters 

The best door knocking contacters

That's one way to pop a back 

sPoOkY mOnTh

#engage

Our running joke is to "engage with as many people as possible" each day and boy oh boy has it given us some stories: 

Sister Hicks rolled my window down for me at a red light and said "engage with that man right now." Palmdale people normally ignore us but this man ripped off his headphones and yelled "my number is 661-501.... my treat my treat!" The light turned green and I was laughing so hard as he chased after us yelling his number hahhaha that's one way to engage while driving 

Walking through a park that's only safe during daylight hours a man hollered us over to his car "Mormons? I used to meet with you... I think you have what I want." He left and then came back completely dressed up in a nice sweater and chains, ready to learn

Daisy told her daughter "just one more lap." On that last lap she ran into us and as we talked, my heart was full because I knew I was looking into the eyes of someone who was prepared. "I look forward to what you have to share, maybe I can come to your church?"

As we've spent all our time outside #engaging with people we received a miracle phonecall. The Harper kids have permission to be baptized!!! 

Engaging = feeling God's love for people. The longer we talk with people, the more love we feel. "The first truth of the gospel is that God loves us with all His heart, might, mind and strength." It's true. I know it and I love Him for it.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

Always gotta end the night with some self love

Sweater Weather even tho it's still 90

Training up these sisters to be master "engagers" ;)) 

Celebrating 17 or 29 months?

If you knew where these carrots have been 

All day and all night out at the park 

Coming at you from all different angles hahaha "divide and conquer" 

"Engage with that man right now."

 

Accidentally hugged a man

I was sitting smack dab in the middle of the middle at zone conference when I looked up to see Elder Dunn coming down my row and maybe he was just reaching out for a handshake, but my immediate response was a little side hug, giving him a little pat on the back. We chatted about how much we love Gary and Debbie, then as I sat back down, all eyes were on me with raised eyebrows. And then I realized "I just hugged a man. In front of all these missionaries as a missionary." 

Whoopsies! 

This whole week had me in tears. My heart really is not prepared for crossing the finish line of serving as a full time missionary. Sports always get me emotional too so of course as Elder Dunn played a video of a man who was determined to finish his race, hobbling along with a torn hamstring and his dad breaking through all the barriers to lift and help carry his son to his finish I was a mess. Through this whole "race" of a mission, my dad has my support, but even more than Gary (who I love with my whole heart) my Heavenly Father has heard every prayer, prayed and unprayed. They are the two guys I always want to talk to.

I really hope that you've taken time to talk to your Heavenly Father this week. 

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

Grateful for Sister Hicks' closet 

Didn't see a blue sky for a few days 

THE SUN finally broke though all the smoke 

My lack of español really showed in our lessons

Almighty Tobler and Palmer, two sisters I will forever admire 

This palmtree = us after being in the AV

BALLING sisters 

An ~angelic~ crew

Leave it up to the Dunns to leave you feeling loved 

Dead Bunny = Open Heart

Animal deaths? Not phased. But the death of one little bunny led to a night I'll never forget.

When we first rang the doorbell we were skeptical but then a young lady came out and chatted with us from behind their fence, all we could see was her head. One thing led to another and she told us how she was struggling and her walls broke down when she told us her bunny had died that morning. 

Looking into her tear filled eyes you could see her longing for peace that she didn't know where to find. We parted ways but as we walked away I felt my heart tugging and I couldn't stop thinking about her. "HER HEART IS OPEN NOW GO BACK." 

10 minutes later we all sat in a circle on her back patio, the sky slowing darkening but we were full of light as we shared the message of the restoration. She was a different person when we left.

Sometimes it's good to go back.

Love big! Love hard! 

Sister Rex

#sleptlikethis

Just soaking in some UV rays

We had too many giggles finding @ this bus stop. "Mormons right?

Picnics all day everyday 

#wokeuplikethis 

Comp or Uber driver? #majorcompinventory

I've been waiting for this day all transfer. A lovely morning locked out of the apartment!!

#needy

Just 4 words: I LOVE THE TEMPLE 

We were like tourists ooh-ing and ah-ing but the biggest smiles and tears came while being inside. God's plan is so grand and while sitting inside I realized that these are covenants I have already made. These are things I can and need to stay true to. Life is daunting, but when we stay true to our covenants, we are "armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory" (1 Nephi 14:14).

The power of God is something I've become so dependent on and is a driving force for why I do what I do. Looking into the eyes of our friends who are learning, the people we come across on the streets, the ones who already know, I see their need for God. 

P5 is full of broken families and a lot of old people, our ward is few in numbers, but they keep on coming because they know that they need God. What need do you have for God in your life?

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

THE LA TEMPLE!!! Felt like home, the place I always want to be. We were all smiles all day!

Lovely Palmdale fires 

A trio for the evening!!! #normalandnatural #haveagoodsabbathday

Ever tried to play 4 v 4 tennis? 

Sister MaKIDNEY Hicks

 *casually comes back from bathroom*

Sister Hicks: what does a kidney stone look like?

We self diagnosed her but then the doctor confirmed: kidney stones!!! 

Me and everyone else that hears her story: did you save it??

Our schedule was thrown for a loop but it led to us finding THE CUTEST family. My eyes have been opened to a whole new world. Families!!! We're out here sharing the gospel even in urgent cares and pharmacies. We have something that brings us joy and we want everyone to experience it!

"When we come to a sense of what the Savior has done for us - what he suffered for us - our natural reaction is to want to show gratitude and love by giving our lives to Him, by obeying Him."

Obedience. That is what I can give my Savior Jesus Christ. How will you show your love to Him?

Love big! Love hard! 

Sister Rex

Sister MAKENA Hicks everybody 

DO YOU WANT A PANCAKE OR THE HEAT

Working urgently in the urgent care!!!

You'd think the sky was a nice sunset but really it's just poor AQ

A GOOD DAY WITH THESE TWO

One big team

#partypalmdalezone

Google helped with our diagnosis 

Sneak peak at for all the parties we'll be throwing come November. President didn't know what he signed up for when he put us together