So Cal Likes to Party!

Hey kids! Sister Sommers here!

The last few days on the road have been CRAZY!!! Coachella Music and Art Fest happened over the weekend, and it's happening next weekend too. So many artists and bands go, so anybody who's anybody is there. I guess we're a buncha nobody's cuz we're missionaries, and we don't party like dat. Each weekend, they have over 150 thousand people there. Some of the few celebs that performed were ACDC, Katy Perry, Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and a ton of others. I guess Justin Bieber was just hanging out in the crowd as well. The worst part is Coachella Fest is right around the corner from where we live! It is so loud, we can hear all the music playing. CRAZY. Since it's next weekend too, all the celebs rent homes over here. People keep telling me to watch out for them. I can just totally see myself talking with someone random at the grocery store, and not even realize their famous.

Good news! I got my voice back! I no longer sound like a zombie from Warm Bodies. I can speak, but my singing still doesn't sound so hot.

The elders who are serving in our ward, Elder Taylor and Elder Villegas, had a baptism over the weekend! Her name is Melissa and she's 18 years old. She is the cutest thing, and was SO prepared! She was taught and baptized within three weeks. That same day, Sister Wagner went to a baptism in her last area, so cute Sister Hampton was my companion for the day. It was weird not being with another missionary, but we had fun!

Speaking of baptisms, Pauline gets baptized this coming weekend! HOLLA! 

Last week, Sister Wagner was trying to back out of our teeny tiny garage, and accidentally hit it. It left a few scrapes, so we called in about it. She was afraid she would be hit by lightning, but they were totally cool about it. While our car was getting all fixed up, they surprised us with an SUV! It was super nice, but we only got to drive it for a day.

Over the course of Sister Wagner's mission, she's had some pretty tough companions, and just didn't feel the love she deserves. And that is SO dumb because Sister Wagner is awesome! She's funny, very hard-working, and just an overall good missionary. This week, she surprised me and almost made me cry when she told me I was the biggest blessing on her mission. I didn't do anything super amazing to have her like me as a companion; I was just being myself. I feel like missionaries are so caught up in trying to be the "perfect missionary," they often forget how to love, and how to just be themselves! As long as we are working hard, being obedient, and remembering to love EVERYONE, we can still have fun! Simple as that.

Okey dokey, that's about all I have to report for this week!

Remember to love and have fun this week...but not too much fun!

Sister EmiKae Sommers :)     

Bro. Walker and his new bees

Melissa's baptism

The Missionary Superbowl

Hey there, folks!

Thumpin'

Happy Belated Easter, and today is the day our Savior was born, so...Merry Christmas...?

So this week was pretty adventurous!

First of all, General Conference was amazing as always! We could all tell they wanted us to use the atonement and also get married. The missionaries who are going home next transfer were freaking about all the marriage talks. My personal favorites were by Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Holland, Elder Eyring, Elder Brent H. Nielson, and Elder Wilford W. Anderson. Sorry, it's hard to pick just one! Poor President Monson; I was a little disappointed when I found out he wasn't going to end the conference. He could really use our prayers. Also, during the beginning of the second session, I could seriously feel the whole world tense up while we were sustaining. All of them could use our prayers. I am so grateful for a prophet who leads and guides us in these modern days. Otherwise, I would be so lost in this crazy world.

I finished the Book of Mormon on Friday! Woohoo! That always feels good to say. :)

A couple days ago, I WAS STRUCK DUMB! Ok, not really, I just totally lost my voice. It's day three, and I still can't speak! It's a good thing those gorillas at the zoo, a few years ago, taught me a few tricks with their signing skills!

Last week, after the Women's Conference, a lady came up to us and said, "You know, my husband is a chiropractor. I can get him to adjust your backs for FREE because you're missionaries!"

YAY MISSIONARIES!!!

And so that's what we did. But don't worry, we also shared a lesson with them. 

Last Tuesday was pretty scary. Sister Wagner and I were at a gas station, near a pump, getting ready to fill up our car. Before we got out, I glanced over and saw a suspicious guy put something inside of a green backpack. He walked over to the pump in front of us, and placed the bag beside the pump, then walked away.

"Did you just see that, Hermana? It's probably a drug deal," I said shaking my head.

Sister Wagner got out of the car and brought the bag over. With the door opened wide, she set the backpack beside the car.

"Hermana! What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm not gonna let someone get away with a drug deal," she responded while dialing 911.

"Sister! Put the bag back!"

And then, the worst happened. The guy came back from around the corner to check on his bag. From his reaction and language, I could clearly tell he desperately needed whatever was in it. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest as he walked over to our car and spotted his green bag.

"Who do you think you are?" he shouted as he snatched it and walked away.

Poor Sister Wagner felt absolutely AWFUL afterwards. But we're safe, and that's all that matters. The Lord always protects His missionaries.

That's about it! Everyone tell me what your favorite talk from General Conference was! You can also send me favorite past General Conference talks if you'd like. Those are always fun to read during my personal study time. 

Be safe, and follow the prophet!

Redlands Temple

Sister Sommers           

Great and Spacious Building

La Quinta Sunset

Johnny Rockets

Hermana Yeager, Hermana Morey, Sis Sommers, Sis Wagner 

The Strawberry Shake

Sis Sommers and Hermana Yeager

Never a Dull Moment

Well hello there!

This week was very eventful. Let's start with Monday evening, when I was throwing up all night...yeah, that happened. YUCK! Sister Wagner and I just stayed in all day on Tuesday. I was exhausted, still nauseous, and I pulled a muscle in my neck that night, trying to get comfortable while I was trying to fall asleep. I literally woke up every half-hour. No bueno.

Sister W, Sister Sommers, Hermana Y, Hermana M

On Friday, we introduced the hermanas to the Giles Family, the cute family that lives in our apartment complex. The mom, Danielle gave us money so we could pick up some burgers from The Habit, and bring them over so we could have lunch with her. She is a hoot! We all just love her to death! She is always giving, and always trying to be Christlike. She's seriously a better missionary than all of us combined! We're trying to teach her, but it's hard because she LOVES to talk! One day, we'll get a lesson in. Danielle is blind and teaches a bible study at a blind school. One day, one of her students asked her how they were supposed to listen to the Bible.

"Oh, that's easy! Just go to mormon.org!"

Sister Peterson and I told her about it a couple weeks ago. :) What a great missionary!

While we were having lunch, I asked Danielle if she could sing Amazing Grace for us because she loves to sing. She was outstanding! Just the right amount of spirit and soul! It just made me cry!

Saturday, we had Mission Conference! Elder Nielson, a Quorum of the 70, came to speak to us. He talked about the atonement, and how the atonement isn't just for the sinners, it's for the righteous too. The atonement is for the bad to be good, and for the good to be better. It reminded me of the poem my English teacher, Mrs. Wooley always used to say to us:

Good, better best,

Never be at rest,

Until your good is better,

And your better is the best.

I am so grateful for the atonement. I'm grateful that I can use it everyday to help me repent of my mistakes, and help me become a better person each and every day. It's the only way we can become more like our Savior, and the only way we can return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again.

General Conference is next week!!! WOOHOO!!! :) I can't wait! GO WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE!! It will change your life. It's a time when you get to hear words that come straight from our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Also, watch out for Elder Nielson because he's giving a talk and I got to shake his hand! This link will take you to General Conference.

In Mission Conference, President Van Cott showed us the new video the church made for Easter, called Because He Lives. We're going to use that to help us find more people to teach. The church did such a fantastic job! I got chills! I invite all of you to watch it. It's a short but powerful message about how the Savior still lives. I know that He lives! HeLives.mormon.org 

Women's Conference was also great! Of course it had to be all about families. It made me miss my family a ton, but it also made me grateful that I have such awesome and loving parents and siblings. I know that families can be together forever! It doesn't have to be until death do you part. I love you mom, dad, Sarah, and Daniel!!! I think of and pray for you everyday! Oh yeah, and Kaya! Love and miss you too, Kaya!

This morning, our neighbor Maria came over to warn us about someone who broke into her apartment and stole her computer. This is the second time it's happened to her. So, we're always careful about locking our doors. But seriously, if someone ever came into the apartment, they would probably say, "Look at all of these copies of the Book of Mormon I could steal and hand out to everyone!" And then they would all want to be baptized. 

So, the moral of the story is: Don't get sick, serve someone, use the atonement, watch General Conference, watch Because He Lives, tell your family you love them, and lock your doors!

Sister Sommers

Ohhh Transfer Week...

Hello world!

Scripture Power

First of all, IT'S MY DADDY'S BIRTHDAY!!! Happy Birthday, Pops! You're so OLD! :)

Everybody better stop what they're doing on Wednesday because then it's my brother, Daniel's birthday! HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, DANIEL! You can finally go to dances and show off your fancy moves.

This week, was of course transfers. I really miss Sister Peterson, but my new companion, Sister Taryn Wagner, is super sweet, very hard-working, and just about laughs at everything. :) She's different than Sister Peterson, but I love them both! Watch out for this month's Ensign because not only is it super good, but it has Sister Wagner's cousin on the front cover! How cool is that!

New Companion

We also have roommates! I didn't have roommates my first couple of transfers, so I was lucky enough to have my own bathroom. I wasn't very excited at first, but now, I love it! We room with Hermana Morey and Hermana Yeager. They are so much fun, I just love them to death!

Since I've been here longer, I'm in charge of the area. I'm not gonna lie, it is stressful! But I also know it's only going to make me a more successful missionary.

A few weeks ago, we ordered Pauline the Book or Mormon on CD's because she's 70 years old and legally blind. It took a while for them to get here, but they finally arrived this week. We knocked on her door the next day, and she opened it, asking, "Was I expecting you today?"

"No, but you've been expecting these!" I said holding out her CD's.

I wish you all could have seen her face! It was priceless. :) She was like a little girl on her first trip to Disney Land! We helped her put in the first CD, and right after the introduction started playing, she put both hands over her mouth, and her eyes just lit up behind tears. She's never read the Book of Mormon, but she just knew there was something special contained in that book. Cute Pauline. :)

We finally have an official date on Pauline's baptism, April 18! Her family is going to travel from Nevada to come see her, and her nephew Leo is going to baptize and confirm her.

Before Sister Peterson left, we all (Me, Sister Peterson, Josie Pruette, Kim Walker, and Jessica & Savanna Hampton) went to the best burger place ever, The Habit! Afterwards, Sister Hampton took one last picture of me and Sister Peterson, and I guess she posted it on Instagram. Before long, there was a comment under the picture that said something along the lines of "Sister Sommers! That's our missionary!" It was my institute teachers, the Brown's! The Hampton's know the Browns! That's always exciting to find out! :)

Hope everyone's week was fantastic! Stay fresh.

Sister Sommers

Letters from La Quinta

Hey e'rbody!

[I guess she's still my girl :) ]

This week is transfers! I survived transfers, so I will be staying in La Quinta! Unfortunately, they're taking Sister Peterson away from me. NOOOO!!! :( I'm not ready to let go of her; she seriously is like my sister! Everyone saw it coming though, and I had a feeling she would go too. Probably because she's been here for eight months. She'll be going to Fontana; the Tongan ward! We thought the ZL's were just kidding when they gave us the news because she's always joking about president sending her there. That news was pretty devastating for her since she's one of the skinniest sisters in the mission, always does hardcore workouts, and watches everything she eats. Those Tongans are gonna think she's starving, and feed her 5000 calories every meal! AND they only speak Tongan in church. At least they're super friendly! I haven't met my new companion yet, but her name is Sister Wagner, and I hear she's super nice. So that's a relief.

We've been teaching a recent convert's (Josie) daughter in-law, Sandra. This week, Sandra told us that she wants to be baptized! She hasn't committed to a date yet, but she knows this is something that she wants. She has realized how happy and patient it makes her as she reads the Book of Mormon. We are now teaching her and her husband, Oscar! They have two ADORABLE kids, Isaac (7) and Sophie (4). Isaac is always talking about how he wants to be baptized when he turns eight, and how he wants to go on a mission. :) Isaac just recently bought a suit, and told Josie, "Is everyone gonna think I'm a missionary?" :)

Cute Story Time: a little girl in the ward, named Pyper, just turned four years old. When her mom asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she thought Pyper would choose something like Disney Land.

"I want to have pizza with Jesus, at the temple!"

Every Friday, we do service for a couple hours at Martha's Thrift Store. Lots of people volunteer there, but this week, we found a volunteer, Bettye, who is turning 102 years old this year! And she's still totally active in everything she does. What a blessing!

Volunteering at 102!

Here are some interesting facts about the La Quinta ward: (1) There is a family with three Francisco's; the dad and their two sons. The sons go by Franky and Cisco, to obviously make it less confusing. (2) There is a couple in the ward named Ken and Barbie! I kid you not! (3) There are a lot of snowbirds in the ward because everyone is afraid of the snow, but there's a lady in the ward who is originally from Utah, and has some pretty big people in her ward; Mary Cook (General YW's Presidency), who, by the way, came to the La Qinta ward yesterday; Bill Mariott; Elizabeth Smart; AAAANNNNDDDD....drum roll please....Mitt Romney! I hear he's not planning on running again. Dangit!

Last month, we went to Panera Bread and met the cutest couple in the world, Yvette and Morteza! Yvette is from France and Morteza is from Iran. I was so sad when we had to leave because I just wanted to sit and talk with them forever! Well, just a couple days ago, we were walking from a member's home, and we saw that cute couple pull into their driveway exactly before we passed by their house! Hello, miracle! They invited us inside for a glass of water because it's getting pretty hot out; 95 degrees. Now we don't have to wonder where they live anymore. MUAHAHA! We already ambushed them with chocolate chip cookies.

That's about it for this week! Stay chill, everyone...even though the east coast is finally getting warmer.

Sister Sommers     

Opposition in All Things

Hey, all of my lovely people!

The beginning of this week was ehhh...no bueno. It all started on Tuesday morning when we went for our morning run. I discovered a huge blister on the bottom of my foot, but I kept running anyway. I know, I'm crazy. That was the first time, my whole mission, I thought I was gonna die from running. When we ran back to our apartment, we then discovered we locked ourselves out! We were locked out for an hour until we finally found someone with a key. Lesson learned; we now have a spare. When we came into the apartment, I started getting ready, and then realized my thumb ring was missing. I looked everywhere, and finally found it down the drain of my bathroom sink. Hopefully, we can find someone who can get it out soon. On Wednesday, we were on exchanges, and for the first time, I lost my planner! That was stressful since I was the one in charge of the area. Good thing Sister Lutu is so kind and patient. We said a prayer that I would find my planner, and I found it the next morning. Wheww...just in time!

Ok, enough with all of the shenanigans! Time for some wonderful news! Pauline is getting baptized!!! Yayy!! :) She is seriously the most golden investigator I've ever taught. Which is weird because I really don't feel like I've taught her anything. She was just so prepared! Her sister and her sister's family, from Nevada, are members. When they found out Pauline was taking the discussions, they were so dang excited. Her Nephew, Leo, called us up and was already making plans to come baptize and confirm her. And on March 28th, that's exactly what's happening. :)

I got my packages! Woohoo! Mom, how did you know I wanted new clothes? I love them! I also have as many pieces of candy as there are plastic bottles in the ocean. There are so many plastic bottles in the ocean, it can go around the whole earth eight times! So I don't need any more candy. Believe me, I appreciate it so much, but are you all trying to make me fat? I found out that the average weight a sister gains in this mission is 30 pounds! Believe me, it's a real thing. But that's only if she doesn't eat healthy and doesn't exercise. Good thing I'm doing both of those things; I've already lost five pounds. I didn't do any of that at home. Missions really do change people.

I so very much appreciate all of the letters and packages I get! I actually get more stuff than any other missionary in my whole zone! I feel kinda bad, but I feel so blessed to have such loving friends and family. :)

I graduated my 12 weeks of training! Woohoo! No longer a trainee! That's what's up. 

Coming back from exchanges, Sister Peterson and I started talking to these two guys in the gas station parking-lot, standing outside their truck. They were super friendly, and then one of them said, "Wanna see what I got for my mom's birthday?"

He opened the door on the passenger's side, and pointed towards the floor of the truck.

"Oh my gosh, those are live peacocks!"

They were so pretty! He had a male and female, and later gave each of us a feather.

I am REALLY loving the book Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard! I strongly encourage you all to read it, especially all of you non-members! I can't ever put it down.

General Conference is coming up! YEESSS! I am so excited! President has challenged us to read the whole Book of Mormon before General Conference. I'm in 3 Nephi, so I think I can do it.

Go read the Book of Mormon! It'll change your life!

That's all folks!

Sister Sommers 

I Don't Even Know Espanol!

Hola Amigos!

First off, OH MY GOSH, this week is my very last week of training! But how?! I just got here! It's so crazy how each week seriously only feels like three days! Guess I better start working faster, so we can help save these people.

The District

I forgot to mention in my last email, I got to train a sister on her first day! I was training while in training. Weird! Our companions had to go to an MLC meeting since they are both Sister Training Leaders, so that's how I ended up with Sister Gunn on her first day out in the field. Sister Peterson told me President Van Cott must really have a lot of faith in me. Aww, cute President :) ...just don't be too faithful. He might make me start training sooner. I'm not ready for that yet.

Sis Morey and Sis Sommers

This week, on exchanges, I got to go to Spanish Land with Sister Morey! Ohh Spanish Land...the place where I get to speak my useless high school espanol I haven't used in two years. But it was fun! We got to teach an English class to an investigator who doesn't speak a lick of English. I also got to meet the cutest Hispanic family! The two youngest boys were the only ones who spoke English. They've only taken two years of English, and they're already fluent! The youngest boy, Saul, said the opening prayer in Spanish, but later on, Sister Morey told me what he said, "Please help Sister Sommers to feel comfortable here because we like her. And please bless her that she will be able to learn a little Spanish before she has to leave for her area."

UGH! HE JUST MELTS MY HEART!!!

One of the daughters showed me some stories she's written. They were all in Spanish, so I couldn't read them. Sister Morey told me her stories were scarier than a normal nine-year-old should write. She then proceeded to tell me, that this little girl is schizophrenic. So yes, she sees things that normal people shouldn't see, and then writes stories about it. I can't even imagine how painful that must be.  

Sis Sommers and her Spanishfriends

I was so excited, but then realized our little amigo wasn't home. :( I just fear for the little lizards that run around over here. They're quick though, so I don't think they need to worry much. I have yet to catch a lizard. That's one of my goals before I go home. Oh yeah, and the people. I fear for the people as well. I'm watching out for black widows and scorpions.

I hear Ohio is like an arctic blast! It's insane what people are telling me! I can't even imagine since I'm always in short-sleeves and sweating...except for yesterday. It rained all day yesterday and didn't even stop once! The desert could use some of that, but us missionaries are thinking different. Luckily, we have a car.

We're teaching the cutest lady named Pauline! We found her husband, at first, working outside, so we started talking with him. We gave him to the Spanish Elders, but then found out his wife, Pauline, wanted English-speaking sisters! Hooray for us! She is so prepared, it's unreal! She'll be baptized before we know it!

Sooo, those were my adventures this week!



Hasta Lavista!

Hermana Sommers