Out in the desert they wandered, hungry, and helpless, and SUPER HOT!

Just kidding...but really, it's super hot!

Hey there, everyone!

I survived my first week in the summer So Cal desert. It's super dry, but it's still hotter than the east side. The sad part is everyone says it's not even hot yet. Yes, mom, I'm drinking lots of water. It's also SUPER WINDY, holy cannoli!!! I feel like I'm gonna fly away half the time. You wanna wear something light because it's so hot, but because it's so windy, your skirt wants to dance around more than you would like it to. #socalsistaprobs #arehashtagsevenstillathing

We live in a home share with this cute couple, the S---'s. I didn't think I would like it at first, but it's actually pretty nice. They have two trailers on their property, so they live in one, and we stay in the other. It's the cutest trailer, with the biggest front porch. It was nice to come home and talk to the S---'s about our day, and say goodnight, but they abandoned us a few days ago to Utah. :( This is their first year trying to be snowbirds, and we might not see them again until next transfer.

This morning, we were taking the trash out, when we noticed the S---'s whole back porch, and some of their basement was covered in water. A water pipe totally busted, and was spraying water everywhere! Of course it had to be the first week they left. No agua for us this morning. Thankfully, their son knows a thing or two about pipes, so he's working on it now.

We have a couple of fun investigators! We're teaching this lady who used to be a JC Penny's model, and knows all sorts of people like Jay Lenno, John Travolta, Betty White, John Wayne, and ton of others. She proudly showed and gave us pictures and autographs. I guess she was also a bodyguard for John Wayne while he was "shooting" one of his movies. Haha, get it? :) There's another lady that we might teach, J--- T---. She's a professional singer, and was married to Ike Turner, Tina Turner's ex-husband. Crazy!

So, that was my exciting week! Hope you all have a magical week!

Sister Sommers

This flower only blooms once a year and lasts only a minute.

Round Two

Hey Guys and Gals!

First things first...J---'s baptism....
HE DID IT! After 2.5 years of investigating the church, J--- finally got baptized! It took six hours to fill the dang font, but that's ok, anything to help that kid become a member. :) For a long time, he had some doubts, but it just took one lesson with that helped drastically progress. A couple days before he was baptized, he shared the most powerful testimony with us about the Spirit. He knew that the Spirit dwelt here, and that's how he came to know for himself that this gospel is so true! After his baptism, his countenance totally changed, and he is so, so happy! On Sunday, he was able to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and was also able to receive the priesthood. We are so proud of him. He had to make a lot of changes, but he knew it was worth it.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added unto you."



This is a pine cone?!?!

Transfers are this week...and I'm getting transferred! :( I'll be serving in Desert Hot Springs, so back to the desert I go...but in the summer. Oh dear. The best part was when the AP's called yesterday, and
told me I had to leave the very next day. So right after I'm done writing y'all, I'll be leaving for the desert. The crazy part is my companion is Sister W---! AGAIN! WHUUUUT? That is such a relief though, I know exactly who she is, and we get along quite well. :) I'm really going to miss serving in the Northpark YSA Ward with Sister P--- and Sister R---. They are amazing! I'm pretty sure there was
a reason Sister R--- and I were together for only four weeks. We are so CRAZY together! :) It's ok though, Sister P---'s sanity balanced us out well. Sister P--- will be staying here at Northpark, and will be doing some follow-up training. Sister R---...well, she's going home! Her 18 months are all up! So weird that will be me someday.

Well, that's all the time I really have. Have an amazing week!

Sister Sommers

Bowling, last day in San Bernardino.

Rest in Peas

Why hello, my cute friends and family!

Here's the scoop on this week.

Monday, we had dinner with our Ward Mission Leader, Lorenzo. His mom made these really yummy tostadas. Into my third bite, I noticed that little green monster. "Umm...Are there peas on this?"
Everyone's eyes got real big. "Oh no, don't tell me you're allergic to peas!" Lorenzo responded. He felt so bad, and made me another plate with everything but peas. It was kinda scary when I could start to feel my throat swell up a little. Thankfully, the swelling went down before too long. So glad it wasn't like my first experience. That was just terrible.

These past few weeks have been great, but also so exhausting! We are constantly going up and down the hill; it takes so much out of you. The nice thing is if we're doing a lot of work in the mountains, we
stay in Sister Robert's condo and drive the Jeep. So we have an apartment and a condo, and a Jeep and a Corolla. So we have like a billion miles to spare. Covering three wards, Northpark, Lake Arrowhead, and Running Springs, has been interesting too. We've been going to two different wards every week. I guess President doesn't think three hours is long enough.

There's this kid, John, that we've been teaching, who has been investigating the church for two years! Some of the members already thought he was a member and asked us why we were teaching him the
lessons. Haha! We've had some pretty awesome lessons with him. Our favorite is when he taught us back the Restoration. It was so powerful, we knew we needed to put him on date. But instead of us
putting him on date, we asked him when he thought he would be ready to be baptized. He chose July 18! Perfect timing before transfers and before Sister Roberts goes home! Everyone is so excited and so proud of him. :)

That's all folks! Have a marvelous week! Love you all!
Sister Sommers

Seeing the Fruits of Your Labors

Hello friends and family!

So much has happened this week! It's kind of ridiculous!

The week all started with, of course, a text from the AP's. It was the best text I have ever received on my mission. On Sunday, July 5, P--- D--- would be baptized!!! The deal is if you've taught them, you can go back to that area to see them get baptized. Thanks to Sister K---, I was able to go back to La Quinta. As soon as I opened the doors, I saw P--- all dressed in white, getting ready to start. I ran right up to her and gave her the biggest hug.

"Sister Sommers, I was so afraid you weren't going to come!" she said in her sweet shaky voice.

I wasn't going to miss that baptism for the world. It was also so amazing to see my La Quinta family again! I miss them so much! As soon as I walked in the room, Bishop asked if I could say the opening
prayer and if I could help P--- in the font. I was so happy to be a part of her baptism. As we walked to the bathroom which led to the font, P--- looked at me and said with tears in her eyes, "I love you." I cried the rest of the baptism. I was so proud of her, and the spirit was SO strong! I have never felt the spirit like that in my life.

P---'s nephew, L---, got to baptize her, and he was just baptized a couple years ago! He kept thanking me, and thanking me. But I didn't do much of anything, I just told her what I knew to be true and invited her to do things. Her sister also went, and told me that I was changing her life...that definitely was not me. The spirit was the teacher and she chose for herself to change her life around. P---'s son and his wide also attended. It's amazing how the spirit can soften hearts. 

After reconnecting with friends, I saw the F---'s! The F---'s were not attending church for years and we tried so hard to get them to church. Yesterday, was the first I had ever seen them in the church building. Sister F--- always wanted to come back, but there was just something holding her back. They've been attending church for five weeks now, and she said she didn't realize the joy that had been missing from her life until she came back to church. 

Sis. F--- ran into some other sisters a few weeks ago, and they reminded her of me. She asked if she
would ever see me again. The sister said she probably wouldn't until after my mission. The crazy part is they weren't even planning on staying at the baptism, but then the Stake Relief Society President
invited them to stay.

"If we had decided not to stay, I wouldn't have gotten to see you!"
Sister F--- then leaned over towards someone, and said looking at me, "...that's my missionary."

That is so wonderful and crazy to think. I am someone's missionary!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Thank you to all of those who have served our country, and the many sacrifices you had to make for our freedom. It kind of made me miss being with my family at home, but it was still good because we got to be in Lake Arrowhead, and got to see fireworks off of Sister R---'s balcony.

I heard about the loss of our beloved apostle, President Boyd K. Packer. Thank you for your many years of service for the world and for the Lord.

Friday, I turned 7 months old! That's how long Sister P--- had been out when she started training me! It's so weird to think that I thought she was so old on the mission because I don't really feel that
old.

So you will NEVER guess what happened this week. Friday morning, I ran one whole mile without stopping! I have never been able to do that in all my life! It was the most painful, exhausting thing I've ever done, but I did it! Some of you may be thinking (like my sister), "Ha! That is nothing!" But to me, it means a whole lot more than just nothing. So go ahead, you can clap for me. :)

What a wonderful week it's been! :)

Sister Emily KaeLynn Sommers

In the California Redlands Mission We...BAPTIZE!!!

Hey everyone!

So guess what happened this week! T--- got baptized!!! WOOHOO!! :) She was so dang prepared, I can't even believe it. But when good things happen, something just has to go wrong. The elders didn't tell us it would take over four hours to fill up the font, so she had to go under three times because she couldn't go under all the way! It's a good thing we were there to fill it up for at least 3 1/2 hours. She was a good sport about it though. She was laughing the whole time. Definitely an experience she will never forget. :) Her fiance, F---, was able to baptize and confirm her. 

We finally moved in with the hermanas! We all get along super well, so that's good! And we have a washer and dryer! Hallelujah! 

Bishop says southern California has four seasons; wind, fire, smog, and rain...well, maybe a little less on the rain part. Last week, a fire started in Big Bear and it lasted all week! A second one started a few days ago here in San B, but they were quick to put that one out. Scary stuff. Bishop was telling us about a huge fire in 2007 that burned about 1000 houses down!

Last Monday, we got to check out the original McDonalds. Super cool! And this morning, our zone went to the mission home, hung out with Sister Van Cott and played some games. Next P Day, we're taking a hike with Sister Van Cott! I just love her! :) 

That's about all! Have a fantastic week!

Sister Sommers

Expect the Unexpected

San BernarDINO

Dear friends and family,

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all those superhero daddy's out there, especially my own! Love you, Pops!

Wow, it's been a crazy week!

This week, the temperature has been ranging from 100-104 degrees. I'm so lucky to not be in the desert anymore, it's 120! How do you live? My blood would boil and my skin would melt right off my bones! Sorry for the graphic image, but it's true!

Monday, we got a call from the AP's, telling us we needed to move out of our apartment because another one was shutting down! Ugh...I don't like packing. But I hear they're pretty nice apartments. Maybe we'll actually have our very own washer and dryer. That would be nice because it gets expensive. We'll be moving in with the hermana's this coming week.

Wednesday, we got to go to the temple and do an endowment session! I think President is allowing us to go twice a year. I feel lucky, it used to only be once a year.

Thursday evening, we got a call from the AP's again, telling us that Sister T--- would be going home the next morning for some health problems, so her companion, Sister Nellie R---, would be staying with us. So, yes, I am in a trio! It's fun having her in our companionship, but it's hard because now we're all in charge of three areas! She covers two areas in the mountains, and we cover one huge area which includes four cities down the hill and three up. So all together we basically cover about half of southern California...or it seems that way, anyway. Talk about STRESS. 

Redland Temple - Holiness to the Lord

Friday, we went up the mountain to get some more of Sister R---'s things. It is so beautiful up there, and the temperature is perfect in the summer, but Sister P--- and I got so sick from the elevation. Guess we better toughen up, we'll be going up a lot more for the next four weeks. Sister R--- will be going home after this transfer. It's been a real weird last transfer for her.

Fun Fact: Sister P--- has been out for 13 months, and has had 11 companions! She has never had a companion for more than one transfer...except for me! :) That's right, breaking records and all. Transfer number two, and still going strong! 

Saturday, we had Zone Conference, aaannnddd.........WE GOT OUR i-PADS!!! WOOHOO!! :) Moving up in the world! If you couldn't tell, we are very excited! The best part is we each individually get to have our own! We don't have to share them like we do with our dinosaur phones. AND we get to take them home with us! YIPPEEE! I'm feeling pretty spoiled. I'll let you know when we get Facebook. The Lord really is hastening His work. One thing we all have to remember though is the i-Pad is just a tool. The i-Pad does not have the Holy Ghost, and i-Pad cannot baptize. Therefore, we are not an i-Pad mission. They are just tools to help us with the work. 

Also on Saturday, T--- had her baptismal interview! She's getting baptized this Saturday! :) She was so prepared, we are very excited for her! Please pray for her, Satan knows the best times to attack, even on the strongest people.

Sunday, we had four investigators come to church; T---, B---, J---, and C---! After a long, crazy, stressful week, that was a beautiful blessing and miracle.

So that was my adventurous week. Hope all is going well in the land of "normal."

Sister Sommers

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Hello!

So since the beginning of my mission, every time we drive somewhere, we're always driving past some baseball field. It always makes me miss all the times my family would go to major league Cleveland Indian baseball games. Then, just a couple weeks ago, everyone started talking about Mormon Night- the 66ers baseball game. I wanted to go SO BAD, but I knew President wouldn't go for it. Our Ward Mission Leader, Lorenzo, said he was pretty tight with the AP's and he would just call and ask them...BE MY GUEST...but he's gonna say no.

That evening, we were driving back to the apartment, when the phone rang.

"Hey sisters! We just go a call from Lorenzo, asking if you were allowed to go to the game. We asked President and he said since you're serving in a YSA ward, he feels good about letting you go."

...say WHHHAAATTT!?!?!?

"So as long as you have investigators and less-actives go, and you feel good about it as well, he's going to let you go. He's not gonna let any other missionaries go, so you sisters are pretty special."

AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

Of course we did all the gasping and screaming once we got off the phone.

Ummm...we get i-Pads on Saturday! WOOHOO!! Supah Dupah excited.

Wednesday, right before the temple tour, we ran into Sister P---'s great-aunt B---! Her real name is E--, but she likes B---. :) She works at the temple, so maybe one of these days we could get her to give the tour.

This week, I finished the Book of Mormon again! Did you know that if you read four chapters of the Book of Mormon everyday, you can finish in two months? So that's what I did. And guess what. The book is still true and still so amazing! You know how I know? Because I've read it, and I've prayed about it. You may be thinking the Book of Mormon must be pretty great by just reading this. BUT you won't know for sure unless you've read and prayed about it yourself. So go do it, even if it's just for five minutes a day. It'll change your life, I promise! 

For the past few months, Sister P--- gave up desserts for a past investigator, J---. He's this cute old man who's been smoking for over 40 years. Then just last week, Sister P--- got an email from her last companion saying how J--- took all of his cigarettes and chucked them over the fence. "I QUIT. I'M DONE. I'M FREE!"

We got to go to his baptism Saturday. :)

It is so amazing how the gospel can completely turn someone's life around, even if it is hard, and you have to make a few sacrifices. It may be tough, but it is worth more than anything in this world.

Saturday, we found this pretty amazing girl, A---. She just graduated high school, and she was just filled with questions. Her dad goes to one church and her mom is goes to another; both very strong religions, but she was never interested in being a part of either of them. She said she was confused, and just wanted some answers. She asked all of the questions every missionary wished more people would ask! So, she's basically like Joseph Smith. [Both of his parents went to different churches. He was praying about which church to go to.] We're excited to be teaching her. :)

Well, that's all folks! Have a goofy day!

Sister Sommers