Great First Impressions...

Hola everyone!

I'm finally here in San Bernardino with my new companion! Her name is Sister Porter, and she is just the cutest thing! Our personalities are quite similar, so I'm pretty happy about that. I'm just the crazier one. :) She was roommates with Mary Jo Talley at BYU, and she also knows that one kid, Trevar Dahl! The Mormon world is so small. Sister Porter is from Houston, Texas, so whenever people ask both of us where we're from, they always respond, "Neither of you are from Utah?!?!"

Our area is huge! We cover about seven cities, so whitewashing has been quite interesting. The last Elders serving here didn't even bother making any whitewash notes, so that's a little frustrating. I guess they're both pretty lucky because one went home, and the other went to Brazil; they won't have to experience the wrath of Sister Sommers. It's fun serving here, though! San B has the very first original McDonalds, we live right next to Mt Arrowhead (the one on the water bottles), and Twin Peaks is in our area! Anyone ever see that show? Don't worry, I found out it's a different Twin Peaks. Also, Mormons founded San B, so GO US!

Our second day in the apartment, we could NOT figure out how to turn on the air conditioning. We spent that whole day unpacking, and tried our best to weekly plan. The heat was so nasty, I started feeling sick. I tried stepping out onto our balcony, but this is So Cal, you can't really escape the heat. Still not feeling too hot (not literally), we went to Bishop Rohm's house for dinner. I thought maybe I was just hungry, so I slowly sat there and ate Sister Rohm's spaghetti and asparagus. After declining chocolate cake, I soon found out that hunger was not the issue. I was probably making the ugliest faces, and all I could think was, "Oh no, Bishop hates me." Bishop loves to talk, so it felt like I was sitting there forever, hoping and praying I wouldn't throw up all over the dinner table. The good news is, I did not throw up on the dinner table. The bad news is...I did on the way out. Right in their front yard. We were real quick to fix that air conditioner.

The Northpark Ward is pretty small, but we're 'bout to change that real soon! It's weird serving with a bunch of kids; I'm so used to being with families. All of them are so dang nice, and some of them are just hilarious! Everyone said it was going to be a blast serving here, and I think they're right! They have activities planned for the ward every single day! How do they do it? I have no clue, but it sounds pretty awesome to me! Don't worry, if it all just sounds like fun and games, it really isn't. One of the best parts is we get to give tours at the temple every Wednesday! We will also be setting up some booths on campus, so those will be perfect missionary opportunities. 

The month of May has come. You know what that means? No sweets or junk for me! It's gonna be a long transfer because there is ALWAYS food at the YSA ward. I'm praying for strength to resist temptation. Sister Porter is doing it with me too, so that helps!

You know what the month of May also means? I GET TO SKYPE MY FAMILY NEXT WEEK!!! WOOHOO!!! :) Haven't seen y'all in forever and a day!

Hope all is well with all of you in the world! Have a great week!

Oh yeah...and May the 4th be with you

Sister Sommers  

TRANSFERS, AND REPTILES, AND BREAK-IN'S...OH MY!

Hey everyone! Crazy week!

So this week is transfer week...and guess what...I'm being transferred! AHHHH! I don't know how I feel about this! I can't leave La Quinta! It's like leaving home all over again! :( But I have a good feeling about this one. I'm now going to be serving in the Northpark YSA ward in San Bernardino. Everyone was so jealous that I'm being sent to a YSA ward. I hear it's a lot of fun working with them. So that's exciting! Another plus is my new companion is Sister Porter. I've never met her, but all I hear is good things about her. I can't even tell you how much of a relief that is. The only part I'm nervous about is we're whitewashing the area! [This means that both of the missionaries are new to the area. They usually have one that's been there a while.] Maybe we could use some prayers. Maybe the La Quinta Elders too; we're not being replaced by any other missionaries. 

We went to the Stake President, Pres. Morris's house on Monday, and made a new scaly friend. President's 11-year-old son, Noah LOVES reptiles! That's all he and I ever talk about. After dinner, Noah showed us the rattlesnake he caught! My first rattlesnake! It was so cool...and actually kind of scary. His rattle was louder than I thought it would be, and he tried striking at us multiple times through the cage. I'll be listening to those rattlers as I walk around.

On Saturday, all four of us got locked out of our apartment. Hahaha! We were stuck outside for an hour until the Elders came to our rescue. There was no way we could have broken in through the door, so the Elders had to break the latch of our tiny window to open it. Sister Wagner crawled right through it and let us back in. Hahaha! We were secretly all hoping we would have to sleep in the chairs by the pool.

Today is P Day, so our Ward Mission Leader's wife, Sister Agherbi, took the four of us to the zoo! Yay!! It was the first time Sister Yeager has ever gone! So much fun!

 
I'm going to miss La Quinta, Sister Wagner, and our roommates SO MUCH, but I know I have finished my work here, and the Lord has other plans in store for me in San Bernardino.

Until next week,
Sista EmSom

Roomies

We found our Parking Spot!

Bishop Jones and Family

Sister Jordan (Can you believe she's 75?!?!)

Sister Riding

The Cute Agherbi Family

Bishop Jones and Family 

Sister Jordan (Can you believe she's 75?!?!)

Sister Riding

The Cute Agherbi Family

Breaking in

Zach is 8-years old and a child of record, but we've been teaching him because he hasn't grown up in the church. He's gonna be baptized!! 😊

Cuz You Gotta Have Faith

Hey everyone!

So, this week was unfortunately not as exciting as we were planning it to be. Pauline decided not to be baptized this week. It broke our hearts. If only people could see the good that comes from being baptized and following Heavenly Father's plan. We'll just keep loving her, and keep helping her build her faith.

We did a ton of service on Thursday! We helped Sister Anderson sand a dresser, helped a potential clean out her garden, worked on a some dishes, and then helped make dinner. We slept pretty good that night.

Last week the Elders were planning a surprise party for Elder Villegas, and invited us. Sister Wagner and I went to the store early that morning to buy him a a cake, some ice cream soda, and pretty much everything else you can think of. Then the ZL's found out and told us that Elders and Sisters probably shouldn't throw a party together. Dang! I've never been uninvited to a birthday party before! The Elders felt so bad, they saved the last box of pizza for us. Ahhh thanks Elders! :) We tease them about it all the time.

"Remember that one time we were uninvited to a birthday party?"

I found out something cool this week I thought I would share with you all. Jesus's half-brother, James, was known to always have calloused knees because he was always praying on his knees. How fitting it is that he talks so much about prayer in the Bible. 

"If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." - James 1:5

It's interesting to know that was the scripture Joseph Smith read that inspired him to kneel down and ask Heavenly Father which of all the church's were true. It was because of this, the Church of Jesus Christ was restored back to the earth.

I just love how Heavenly Father connects everything. The church is so true!

Missions for sure have their ups and downs, and sometimes I miss home a lot, but there is, honestly, no place I'd rather be.

"Called to serve Him, Heavenly king of glory, chosen heirs to witness for His name..."

Keep on keepin' on!

Sister Sommers

Ain't no mountain high enough

We're Supers

Yvette and Morteza ❤

Being the conservative sister that I am

Gracie Miller

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