. . . I know you're probably embarrassed to have given birth to a hipster!

Alright so this weeeeeekkk..,

Monday we did sports and we actually didn't do sports.  We cleaned.  Then we had dinner.  Tuesday i got sick :( and then i was still sick Wednesday, so we couldn't go out much.  Thursday we had a really good zone training.  It was amazing.  Sister Garner and I went to Chipotle for lunch after, and President and Sister Killpack and the AP's were there, too!  We all sat together and talked.  It was really fun.  During the zone training we talked about getting members excited to go out with us for lessons, and how to get referrals, and we talked about being Facebook missionaries. . . SO THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING SOON. . . which is weird cause we will likely be using our own personal Facebook so I'll just be sharing the gospel with 2,200 of my closest friends and trying to not care about what they think but then I get really excited because I totally should have been a better missionary all throughout high school and this is like another chance to do that.  Also, every single one of us will have both an iPad and an iPhone.  Crazy crazy. 

Friday we went on exchanges with the sister training leaders.  I was with Sister Fullmer, and I love her.  She is absolutely incredible.  We knocked about 20 houses at least . . .  and only had two lessons total.  It was a total bummer, but there was a reason for it  I'm sure.  I just wanted to cry because I felt like I should be able to do more, but we just couldn't find anyone to teach so I came up with a plan thanks to an impression I had . . .  We are in an area where we aren't allowed to knock -- legally it is just not okay -- so I've decided that Sister Garner and I are going to visit EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of our ward to get referrals.  I know the Lord has prepared some member's friends, so that should work!  I'm really excited about it!!

Saturday, "G" got baptized!  He is eight, so it didn't count as a convert baptism but Sister Bishop and I started teaching their family and then they started coming back to church, so it was really awesome to see him dressed in white!  Such a precious child.  I love their family.  We had some work we needed to do on the computer so we didn't get many lessons that day either.  We also got to go to a dinner/fireside before the Relief Society broadcast.  During the broadcast I learned a lot about the importance of covenants which is really useful as a missionary because that is what we are trying to invite others to do, to make covenants and come closer to Christ.  I also learned that i can write in ancient Egyptian when i'm not looking.  Seriously, a Urim and Thummim is necessary to translate the notes i took . . . Yikes! (hahaha!)  On the bright side, I've finally come up with a signature . . . 

Sunday we had ward council.  Everyone is so involved in the missionary efforts and I love it!!  Also, Sunday I realized how weird the "Law of Attraction" thing is.  It was Fast Sunday and during third hour I told Sister Garner that I just really wanted chocolate cake.  After church we realized our bananas went bad, and I told Sister Garner that if we left them out we could make banana bread.  We go to dinner and for dessert we had . . . chocolate cake!  We get home and are planning/organizing and we get a text from Brother ********** (add him on Facebook, btw.  He messaged my FB so you would) and he told us that he had just made some fresh banana bread for us!!  It works!  Think about things.  They happen.  It's crazy.

Annnyyyways, this week was not productive (number wise) but i still felt like I was doing everything I could be to help invite others to come unto Christ.  I've been really happy, and I'm glad to be here.  Today we cleaned the kitchen.  It looks like new (thank you so much for making me do chores every week!)

I looove you!

I ate this.  It was really good!!!

Me, Sister Garner and "G"!!!  Awesome day!

My outfit is on point today, and I know you're probably embarrassed to have given birth to a hipster!

Promptings or Me?... (or the week I "defaced" property!)

(Okay, I think it's time I add some commentary and the best place to do it seems to be at the top of her blog post this week.  If you know Paige at all then you know that her relationships with people are very important to her.  Friends, boyfriends, family, etc.  She struggles when she feels out of balance with someone close to her.  If you've read anything on her blog over the past few weeks then you know that there is a young man she is very close to, who is also currently serving a mission, who wrote her and told her that he thinks it best for them to not plan on a future together.  I understand it was not an unkind letter or anything like that but it has hit her hard.  I think it's always difficult when we feel as if we have been prayerful and feel as if we have gotten an answer or some sense of direction of what God would have us do with our lives and then things don't work as we thought they might at the time we received the answer.  Is this because we mis-interpreted?  Is it because other's have their agency and can make different choices?  Are we out of tune? My point it this, it's been a very tough couple of weeks for Paige as she struggles to make sure that she can receive the counsel and direction that Heavenly Father has for her.  It's been a few weeks of doubts and wondering what is wrong with her.  I only share this because I know we each have had situations happen to us in our lives that have caused us to question our standing before God and our ability to ascertain His direction and counsel.  I hope each of you reading this won't think it's too personal that I've shared this much but her letters will make more sense to you if you know the background.  Also, I ask you to keep her and all the other missionaries out there in your prayers.  Satan works so hard to keep them from succeeding in bringing Heavenly Father's children to Him and "he" uses any tool possible -- "his" favorite seems to be self-doubt and discouragement.  I KNOW that they will each be protected as we call the angels from Heaven down to bless them and their efforts and all those who they will come into contact with.  I love each of you for your support of Paige and am thankful for your relationships with her.  Please, if you get a chance, look back over this blog and find her address (or message me and I'll get it for you) and let her know how much you love her and are there for her so she truly realizes that she is not alone, physically or spiritually.)

 This week we almost hit standards.  The work is going a lot more smoothly with Sister Garner, not because Sister Bishop was lazy or anything, just because she and I got along way too well.  Distractions were easy to come by.  I've been almost exactly obedient this week, I believe!  I would say I have been exactly, but I'm sure I messed up somewhere.  Monday we said goodbye to everyone for Sister Bishop.  To be honest, I wanted to be the one leaving the ward.  I hate it when people leave me.  Tuesday were transfers, and I had the most insane experience ever.

You know I've been struggling with understanding my thoughts/impressions.  Well. . . after emailing, I got home and there was a package waiting for me on the table, from someone named Jessica who lives in Springville, UT.  I do not know who she is.  I want to, because she is an angel and I love her, but I don't know.  I opened it, and inside was the book "Promptings or Me?" by Kevin Hinckley.  I started crying and I just am very emotional about it because it could not have come on a better day. Jessica obviously follows promptings.  (Jessica was the young lady who mailed her the book I ordered for her on Amazon, but I'm sure she follows promptings since she read the book, right?)  I've already read the whole thing.  Kevin has once again counseled me through some very hard choices.  The spirit is a crazy thing.  I'm also learning how to pray.  It's really cool when you do it right! Wednesday we taught five lessons. I taught the shortest restoration lesson I've ever taught and we jokingly call it the drive-by lesson.  It took about three minutes.  I felt so bad, but the man invited us back!  Thursday we taught a few lessons.  I also prayed longer than I ever have before and I just really like praying now.  Friday I went and talked to President Killpack about everything.  His counsel to me was to take this slowly, and I should go in and talk to him frequently.  We had dinner with ***** (the one who drank again) and I just really super love her. Saturday we got yelled at for chalking a park.  We were accused of defacing private property.  Turns out, it's 100% legal, so we intend to do it all the time.  Sunday, we talked to "E" and "R".  "R" is hopefully getting baptized soon, but he is a little bit unsure at this point.  I gave him Kevin's book to read after inviting him to pray about whether or not it is all true, and told him my story.  It seemed to soften his heart.  I think they are some of my best friends.

We are still living with the members.  Today we super cleaned the bathroom, and it took FOREVER.  I drive every day.  We don't cook much.  I eat oatmeal every day, and fruit.  The members feed us dinner.  We go out to lunch a lot.  It's so expensive and I hate it.  The members take great care of us!  We have a few families that if our dinner cancels on us, we can go to them and they will always have food.  I love those people.  I love food!   p90x is KILLING me, but I'm liking the results.  Sunday I realized I really want to get married and I'm dying a little bit inside because I am almost 20 and nobody loves me.  My birthday is in six weeks!  I'm getting old.  I'm almost not a teenager.  I want to kill McKenna for almost being 16.  I did NOT say that was okay.  UUUUUUGH.  I think about Tyler a lot.  I have ever since I came out.  I really just love him and want him to be doing well.

Somedays I am 5 (years old)

I got to touch the "butte"

A "REAL" cactus!

"Defacing" Property

Note to her dad:

Taking over an area is the most stressful thing that has ever happened to me, but it is going really well.  I just feel a lot of pressure.  We are as exactly obedient as possible.  There are always things to improve on though.  I took your advice and talked to the President.  It was really good.  We are going to figure all of this out.  It has started to get cooler, but also I've gotten used to the heat.  I find myself saying, "oh! it's only 102 degrees!"... never thought i'd say that...!

I'm actually really uncomfortable talking to people one on one. I can handle crowds like a boss, but when it comes to interpersonal conversations and small talk, I draw a blank.  It's hard on a mission, because I will always just say, "Do you want to hear a brief message on how to increase your family happiness?" or something like that, never "How long have you lived here in Tucson" or "how many kids do you have?" or anything like that.  I can't do it.  I think it's unnecessary most of the time.  It is a downfall.

I love you!

Sister Chatterton

p.s.  My birthday is in six weeks.  Hug mom lots.  She will be a wreck, I'm sure.

Empty Sea . . .

Hi! It's transfer week so . . .  I email today!  My new companion is Sister Garner.  She was in the empty sea with me.  An AP told me that and I laughed literally forever.  MTC.  Empty Sea . . . HAHAHHA.  Okay so anyway that was a lame joke, but this week has been really good.  I'll write longer but I want you to know I'm on.

This week, i got to go on an exchange with Sister Eyre.  I missed her a lot a lot.  We listened to Veggie Tales all day and it was the best.  It was a pretty rough week work-wise. a lot of things happened that I wasn't too thrilled with, but everything in the Lord's time, right?

Sister Garner is just as fresh and i am, so we're going to rock this area!  I still don't know it very well.  I'm rambling today, cause I'm scatterbrained.  Rough email week.  Can't think straight.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to this next transfer.  Sister Bishop is still in my zone, but she's serving in YSA which is something I don't think i could do because it would kill me to see everyone getting married all around me.

This week it's become very clear to me that each missionary has at least one person who they were sent to find.  I haven't seen it directly from my own efforts but with Sister Bishop saying bye to certain people, it was very obvious that she was sent here for them.  I hope to find my one.

There was a man we took out to teach with us and he was telling us a story that I love.  His daughter cannot keep her room clean for the life of her and for her karate class she was told to clean her room for homework.  One day, he got home from work and she came up to him and said, "Daddy! I cleaned my room!" and he walked in expecting that she had picked up one or two things and thought it was clean.  When he walked in, it was spotless.  He held her in his arms and said, "I am so proud of you.  I know this was hard for you.  I love you" and hugged her forever.  He explained that he knew the next day that it would be a mess, but that for the time being, she had tried. and that was enough.  God isn't asking for perfection.  He knows we will make mistakes, but we have to keep trying to be better.  It's hard but it's worth feeling His love.

The District

Sweet Sister Bishop 

The Zone

... Cause I'm Just a Hipster

Monday was crazy.  We went to the biosphere, and i already told you about that, but then we were at sports and Sister Bishop killed her back trying to high kick a soccer ball (it was hilarious to watch) and then she couldn't walk, which wasn't as hilarious but still a little bit funny because she looked like such an old woman (like at least 50 ) and i couldn't help but laugh.  (Mom's Notes:  She thinks she's soooo funny!)

Tuesday was emailing day  and then we couldn't go out much because of her back  but we still got three lessons in!  One was with a part member family and it was really good.  I think the man will get baptized someday.  I have hope.

New Skirt and Chomping on Japanese Candy

Wednesday we had the best zone meeting ever.  We talked about how we aren't perfect but that is for a reason. We listened to this really good talk, and i wish i had a copy of it, but it was seriously amazing. We then went and had a lesson with a woman named **********.  She was less active but now she's coming back to church and i just love her a lot.  We also went to Mutual and taught the youth about missionary work and how to prepare to serve a mission.  I think youth are my favorite.  Seriously.  I want to apply to be an EFY counselor the summer i get back, so find out how/when i do that.  I might need you to do it for me.  THAT NIGHT I GOT YOUR PACKAGE AND SERIOUSLY I WAS SO HAPPY.  Looooove the skirts!  And also the Japanese candy is almost gone now...  oops...  and McKennas letters...  Tell her that I almost lost body function reading her love letter and Sister Bishop thought I was on drugs or something cause I was laughing so hard.

Thursday, Sister Killpack (the mission president's wife) came to our studies in the morning.  We got a lot of inspiration as to what we should be teaching and what not.  I really like her.  We had a lesson with this lady, Sister ********** about patriarchal blessings and it was really cool and you'll see why later but seriously it was awesome.  That night THE COOLEST THING OF MY WHOLE MISSION HAPPENED.  OH MY GOODNESS.  We tried like at least ten houses and none of them answered.  I felt like we needed to be back in our neighborhood and Sister Bishop felt like we should go see ******  in our neighborhood.  We get to her house and she answered the door.  Sister Bishop had to use the restroom so I was talking to her.  Then Sister Bishop came out and we talked about the atonement and how God still loves her, and He doesn't expect us to be perfect, He just expects us to try as hard as we can, and it was really really good.  I was able to relate to her about some things and I just knew that we needed to be there. 

On our way to the Temple!!!

Friday we went to the temple.  The new video is so cool.  I went with a strange question that I needed an answer to, and I got a prompting to read something and now I'm confused, but at peace.  On the way home we stopped at The Thing.  Its a gas station that sells things.  I can't explain it -- I give up -- but anyway, i totally bought two dream catchers and i keep one of them attached to my purse, cause i'm just a hipster.

Gila Valley Arizona Temple

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

"My Hair Looks Like Skrillex"

Cheese!

Saturday, we taught a few lessons, but the coolest thing of the day was when we had the ZL's come and give ****** a blessing.  It was the most beautiful blessing I have ever heard and I definitely cried during it and felt really weird, but that's okay.  I just love the priesthood power so much and I know that priesthood blessings really do come from God and are inspired.

Sunday, during Relief Society, we had a lesson on priesthood blessings and patriarchal blessings. WHAAAT?!  We didn't even know that we would be having that lesson when we were talking about it all week!  It was really cool.

I love all of you!

Sister Chatterton

"Big Chair, Small Sister Chatterton"

Birthday Drawing for Kirsten

"This Cat is SATAN"

MEEEERM! (That's Paige-speak for "Mom")

MEEEERM! (That's Paige-speak for "Mom")

Hi. So... you already know about Justin. BUT what you don't know yet.. I'm okay now.

I checked my mail on Tuesday and got a letter from McKenna and Justin and I was STOKED to hear from two of my most "favoritest" people ever. I opened Kenna's write away (pun intentional) and thought, "I'll read Justin's tonight, " and then I was like "No, that's a weird thought. I'll read it RIGHT NOW."  Fifteen minutes before dinner. GREAT IDEA, CHATTERTON. GREAT IDEA. So I read it in the car on the way to dinner. (For those of you who don't know already, he broke up with me). I cried for five minutes and then I was like, "alright. I'm over it."

 So we go into dinner. We're talking to the lady and then I could feel a storm coming from my eyes so I went to the bathroom and cried for thirty seconds and then ate dinner (food always makes me feel better), so I get through ALL of dinner without crying at all and then we ask to share a message. We started talking about faith and how if you bend to God's will you will be okay. By "we" I mean the family and Sister Bishop because I was overcome with a sense of depression and helplessness and then realized that they were basically talking TO me and I sat there bawling for ten minutes while they talked. It was truly pathetic and I wish I could erase it from my memory; but alas, I cannot.  So THEN the man asks ME to say the closing prayer!?!?!  Okay. I was ticked.  Because OBVIOUSLY I was incapacitated.  So I obliged and said the prayer through my sobbing.  Seriously, it was pathetic. I'm a little ashamed. After dinner, we went to the Richardson's and we were going to go out on splits with Sister Richardson, but then she realized I had been crying, so we made cookies and I asked the APs (Assistants to the Mission President) and the ZLs (Zone Leaders for her area of the Mission) to come give me a blessing.  (We gave them the cookies.)  In the blessing, I was blessed with the desire to stay out here. And at the time, I was confused. I didn't have a desire to leave. Until after they left. THEN it hit me. I wanted to go home and I wanted my mom.  I went to bed after praying and thanking Heavenly Father for the time I got to spend with Justin, and asking to be okay with everything.

I woke up the next day and wrote a song about it.  (Yes, I am Taylor Swift.)  It's a pretty good song actually, and I quite like it.  But anyways, I didn't want to go out or teach or anything.  But I did.  I called President and asked to go to lunch with my old zone, and he let me.  We went to Chipotle!! Then after lunch we went and taught a couple of people but I couldn't handle being out so we went home.  The APs brought me Texas Roadhouse.  I like them.  They're way cool.  Then I prayed forever asking for some reassurance that Justin was right and that it wasn't in God's plans for us, and I did NOT get the answer I was looking for. I got really really angry and went to bed confused and frustrated.

The next morning I was NOT willing to get out of bed at all.  I was angry at Heavenly Father and I did NOT want to serve Him.  I called President and asked if I could come in and talk to him.  He said "yes". I went and talked to Sister Killpack instead, and she told me "let him go so he can grow."  Immediately, I was okay.  It was so weird.  But I really was fine.  I know that things will work out the way they're supposed to.  Maybe we will end up together, maybe not; but either way, I'm alright.  Justin is still my best friend, and there aren't any hard feelings.  This isn't what either of us wanted to happen, but it did.  And everything will work out.

Friday was a really good day. We got a lot of work done and I was really happy to be out.

Saturday we found two new investigators! They were out working in their yard and we stopped and shared the message of the restoration with them and they let us into their home and gave us water and we talked forever and they're from upstate New York and they've seen the Pageant and I knew that I was there to talk to them about all of it and it was seriously INSANE.

Sunday at church the Bishop asked me if I was okay and I hadn't told him about it so I was confused. But it was nice.  We found ANOTHER new investigator!  She's the wife of someone we were already teaching (he is a minister and he knows a lot but he likes talking to us and doesn't bible bash us so that's cool).

Yesterday, I went to the Biosphere! It's like this huge dome thing that has a bunch of different biomes in it and they used to have people live in it until one of them got pregnant. Bad idea, science.  It's really cool. I'm getting to be really close to everyone in my zone and I really like it!

This week has been really difficult for me for a plethora of different reasons, but I have been able to see that the Lord prepares us for the storms we will face if we are willing to do what he asks us to.  For the past month, I've studied faith, the atonement, and restarted reading the Book of Mormon.  I was reading in 1 Nephi 16 about when Nephi is out doing what he should be doing (trying to get food for his family) and his bow breaks.  I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been.  He had a righteous desire and was just doing what was expected of him, (much like what I'm doing and feeling, I'm sure) and instead of being angry/frustrated with God, he patiently makes a new bow out of wood and then prays and seeks direction as to where to find food.  When he relied on his own strength and knowledge, his bow broke.  When he diligently crafted a new bow and relied on God, he was able to find food to feed his family.  This story is something that I've seen in the missionary work this week.  We got dropped by an investigator after I was already having a really hard week.  I was so frustrated because she had a date and everything. But as Sister Bishop and I have searched diligently for direction from the Lord, we have been blessed exceedingly.

I LOVE YOU!

Sister Chatterton

P.S. ...I will marry someone who isn't allergic to dogs...

Rainforest at Biosphere

I found Nemo!!

Pictures of Sisters Chatterton and Bishop

I finally  found something green in this brown place!!!

Found a picture with Elder Tristan Wright!