Hello! We should have at least an hour today, hopefully two to email! Sorry, It has been a crazy past few weeks!!

So, My new companion is Sister Huang. She is joining me here in Andover. She is has been out on her mission for nine months, and is 23. She is from Taiwan! She learned English in elementary school, but didn't every have a chance to practice it, so she is still working on it :) Her last companion (whom she had for 7 1/2 months) spoke Chinese as well, so this is the first time she has had to converse only in English! I have learned quite a few Chinese phrases....oh my goodness, they are so difficult! It is interesting how each new companion brings new struggles, but new blessings as well. It was a good change :) We are not moving, at least not that I know of. It has been sort of crazy with our living situation, but for the next while we will be at the same location. I will let you know if anything changes. We did order some things fro Sister Nelson, but we just sent the packages to the mission home. I figured that might be easier. She was transferred to downtown Minneapolis, but will still be in the same zone, so I will see her probably 3 times a transfer. It is much easier to leave a companion when you know that you will see them soon. I haven't seen Sister Amis or Sister Callister since we were transferred.....If all goes well, I might see them on the 21st though! It would be quite delightful. I did get the package, thanks so much! Sister Huang likes to share her....authentic Chinese food with me, so it was fun to share some plums with her!! Today she asked me if I had ever had a wasabi pea. I said no, and so of course she told me to try one! I ate one, holy moly!!! My mouth was on fire! Only for a few seconds though, it was a strange experience. She laughed and said she only did it because she loved me, and wanted me to be able to experience different foods. It was fun :)

I am glad that the baptism went well, Grandma sent me some pictures, they look great! I love the family picture, with Sandy running in front of everyone, that is how it goes! Baptism is a great thing...it has been said that a baptism is the most spiritual meeting in the church. And that is so great to be able to get together with family. It is interesting, for the vast majority of baptisms I have took part in here, there isn't any family. It is very spiritual, but a different experience. Family is such a blessing! That kid does have a ton of potential. If he decides to go on a mission, he will be a great one. You know, there are a lot of missionaries that I have met that have great.....intellectual skills, but it is the missionaries who truly care, and have a love for both the lord in those they meet, that really make an impact. That is how it is in life though, being genuine and caring is much more important than material possessions, or intellectual strengths. (and trust me, I know that I am far from perfect in this category!) My past two companions have not had real great English skills, for different reasons. It has given me perspective though, a pure testimony is much more powerful than all of the convincing in the world can be! We can debate all we want, and fail. We can testify, and succeed! It happens over and over again.

Yesterday I realized it was my 11th fast sunday. Holy Moly.

It is interesting to study the story of Jonah. I am so very grateful that there are examples in the scriptures of prophets, and others who are imperfect, but who change and become better!!

School, school, school. I am glad that everyone seems to be enjoying it. Jacob is playing the guitar?! That is soooo cool! Just tell him that if he learns to sing while playing it, he will have all the ladies falling for him! Trust me, I've seen it happen time and time again! And Jackie, what a social butterfly! Isn't it so interesting how different we all are, yet how similar in certain ways. Haha one of us has to have a social life ;) I think when I come home I am going to just be by myself for a month or so....not talk to anyone!

17 Laps, well that is 17 more than I can do right now! And I do miss the garden, make sure to can all the best, so I can have some in the future! Fun fun.

Well, this week...hmmm...I have learned a lot.

I realized that lately I have fallen into the habit of asking what can the Lord do for me. What can my mission do for me. How am I benefiting from this, or that. Etc. Etc. I have learned a lot about what it means to serve the Lord. It is much more important to ask what can I do for the Lord. Every moment of the day (at this time in my life) That should be my question. How can I serve and help Him? I have change my perspective a little bit the past couple of days, and it has made a remarkable difference in my life. I am truly coming to see how my time here is so short that I have. I am so grateful for this opportunity, I have grown so much already, and learned a lot of lessons that I don't think I could learn any other way. Sunday Sister Huang and I had a interesting experience. We planned to stop by three less actives after church. We went to the first lady, and she was home! We were able to talk to her, it was great. We were driving to the next one, and I told Sister Huang that maybe we should just go to the third one since we had tried the 2nd one just the day before. She didn't have a preferrance, so we went to the third sister. She wasn't home. Walking back to the car I had the thought that we needed to try that 2nd sister. Just before I said anything, Sister Huang voiced the same thought. We decided to go back, and we were able to see her! This is a sister that we have stopped by probably 10 times, and never gotten in touch with! That is sort of confusing, but I am so grateful for the Spirit, and for having a companion who is doing her best to listen to the Spirit. As we do our best to serve the Lord, we are guided by the Spirit, otherwise it is rather unproductive!

Well, Sorry if this is sort of a confusing letter....I hope you can interepret! ;)

Have a great one :)

wo ai ni!

Sister Christina Trickler

So. This week is transfers. Sister Nelson is leaving, and I am getting a new companion here in Andover. There were lots lots lots lots lots of changes in the mission. Very few companionships stayed the same. It will be interesting. Being how it is Labor day, we also have less time to email, so just as a heads up.

Man. I can't believe it is this time already. I have learned so much from Sister Nelson. There have been very hard days, but very good ones as well. I thought for sure that we would have another transfer together. There isn't much really to say I guess.

To respond quickly:

Weather: Well....All I am going to say is that the other day we were walking around, and I noticed that their was a faint rainbow in the sky. Not because it was raining, but because of the humidity. It is quite the adventure, but I love it....I love not being cold! We have thunderstorms nearly every night, which is really fun to see. I have taken a couple of videos on my camera, so you can see all of it! I am glad to hear that the garden is doing well. We have ward members who often will give us tomatoes and such. They are delicious!!!

I am glad that things are going well in school for everyone and such, and that things are a bit calmer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KONNOR!!!!!! I am so sorry I didn't  get a letter or something in the mail, I would say that one is coming....but things are going to be crazy today. I hope it was a good one for him though, and I am excited for him to be baptised, make sure to take pictures for me. I wish I could be there!!

I have not gotten your letter, but look forward to it!

That is a lot of converts in that branch!  Haha we do have some crazy experiences, to be honest I just block some of them out, and also forget some of them! We did have an experience when I first got here though that I wanted to mention. It was my 2nd night here, and my companion told me that we were going to a bible study, they had been once, and the people asked them to come back. We did, and it started out alright, but didn't end well. Bible bashing, just doesn't work. Anyways, we left, and I decided that I was never ever  going to attend one of those things again, it was a really negative experience. Well, on Saturday, Sister Nelson and I knocked into the house of one of the couples that was there! They invited us in, then apologized for how it all went down. It sounds like they all felt really bad, but just didn't know how to apoligize. They asked us to come stop back in sometime, so we will have to do that! Miracles do happen.

Also, Last Monday, we went and toured downtown Minneapolis. It was by far the best p-day I have had on my mission so far! We had so much fun. I have the best group of missionaries in my district (just sayin;) ) And we really had a blast. We walked through the sculpture garden, and the basilica, walked through a couple of museums, and just had a lot of fun. A lot of laughs! It is a neat experience to be serving with such outstanding missionaries. It is a neat experience! Well, for Kaycee, I would say that yes, it does sometimes feel like it is too long, but I'll be home before she knows it! I love you all, and better get going, so I can get a bunch of necessary stuff done with my comp!

Have a lovely week!!

Love,

Sister Christina Trickler

Hello, thanks for the email again! It was great :) Haha it really does sound like I am missing out! Well, I don't know....I am in downtown Minneapolis right now at one of the coolest libraries I have ever been in...besides the Library of Congress of course! It is district p-day, and we wanted to come explore the cities, so we got permission from president, and caught a train at 7:40 this morning! We have lots of exciting things planned, so once again I might be short on time! I have realized once again that I could live in a big city for a couple years. I will be a single woman, out there to save the world in my pencil skirt, and heels! That's the dream at least :) It has been really a lot of fun so far though, this is by far my favorite group of missionaries I have ever been with, I'll let you know how the rest of the day goes next week!

This week we had a really strange experience. Last Sunday as we were walking out of an appointment, a 20 year old Liberian man stopped us on the street and asked if we had a few minutes to talk. We said sure, and started to talk with him. He told us that he had met missionaries a couple of times and was confused about some of our doctrine. He said that he just wanted to understand. We had to leave, but he asked if we could set up a return appointment. We did so. Things came up and so we had to reschedule a couple of times, but finally Friday on exchanges we taught him. We brought a super awesome sister in our ward who is very blunt and bold. When we got in there, he started to ask us questions about the doctrine concerning becoming gods in the next life. Oh dear. We told him that as missionaries it wasn't our job to teach people about those deep doctrines. That we needed to start at the beginning, so that we were on the same page. He said that was fine, and started to "prove" to us (using the bible and the doctrine and covenants) that Joseph Smith was not a prophet of God. We again told him that our job as missionaries was to talk to those who really wanted to listen about the church. We are not here to argue, or debate. (no matter how much I wanted to in the moment!) The member was super awesome, and backed up everything we said, having been a sister missionary herself. We told him that if he wanted he could come to church, and ask members those types of questions. We left, and quite honestly did not expect to have him show up on Sunday, but he did. We had almost a repeat of the earlier lessons, again telling him that we didn't have time to waste! I learned/remembered two pretty important things from that though.1st, my purpose. I am here to teach prepared people who want to learn, they are out there! It is just a matter of finding them ;) 2nd, Joseph Smith was a prophet. When he was trying to convince us otherwise, I felt so strongly that he was! He saw God the Father, and His son Jesus Christ. He was called to be a prophet in these the last days! That knowledge didn't always come easy for me, and I still have to continue to study and to learn, but it is something that I cannot, and will not deny! Anyways, that was quite the experience.

To respond to your letter: Haha oh china, you talked about me?! That's a tad bit scary....I hope it went well! As for public speaking, it is something that I use to really really struggle with. I remember in We the People, Mr. Rigby just telling me to talk! I knew what I was talking about, it was just a matter of having the confidence to open my mouth. Once I learned how to do that though, a lot of my fears went away! Now, it isn't even stressful to talk in church. Granted, I have spoken 5 times I believe, but still. It is all about confidence :D

I am glad to hear that you are finally feeling better, Grandma mentioned that you sound like yourself again! It is interesting how sometimes we do get on auto-pilot. That happens to me all the time. I just focus on getting through the next few days rather than really enjoying and learning from them. I inevitably "wake-up" though! Life, it's a roller coaster for sure!

That is so great that you were able to go to the temple open-house with the kids. It is something that I'm sure they will remember. And I'm so excited for Konnor! I can't believe he is that old already though, I remember the first day that he came to our house in Hyde Park. He was so quiet, and loved charlie. I knew that dog was good for something :)

Haha my birthday...oh dear. Could you send me some music? Lamb of God would be great....or Vocal Point Hymns...or anything that is hymns, or classical! I am going to go insane listening to the same 6 cd's that I have over and over ;) That's it though, I don't really need anything else! Thanks much. And yes, a hike or the temple would be quite lovely right now! I think if Sister NElson and I stay companions that we will be able to go to the temple next month!!! I can't even explain how excited I am :)

Well, I hope you all have a lovely week, and that all goes well! We are off to explore minneapolis! (I'll have to send pictures sometime ;) )

Love,

Sister Christina Trickler

Hello!!

Jacob's talk was so great! He emailed it to me.....I can't believe that he told the whole ward that I was weird though! Oh man, I should have known that it was coming ;)!  Isn't it crazy that we probably won't have everyone in the family there for a gathering for quite a long time, with kids being gone and such? It is interesting that you talked about how good it was to hear that everyone is facing challenges. I am a very private person usually as well, but I had an interesting experience with my 2nd companion. Sister Amis. For some reason we just clicked from the get-go, and we really opened up to each other. We told each other what was going on at home, in our heads, everything, and we were able to help each other so much overcome challenges and struggles that we were facing. It was a really great blessing, and so far the best 3 months of my mission. It is so helpful to realize that you aren't the only one struggling. People may have different struggles, but we all have them. Some may seem to be tougher than others, but they are all there! I never ever ever in a million years thought I would say this, but talking to someone you completely trust can actually be kind of therapeutic!

Man, I am sorry to hear that you are still feeling sick, that is no good!! When does school start? And have you given yourself time to heal? I swear that is usually my problem, I just don't give myself time or means to get feeling better. It's a work in progress ;)

That is exciting that you are going to the temple open house! That is sure to be a really great experience. I keep hoping and praying that I can go to the temple sometime in September. I now live close enough, but my companion went just before transfers, so we have to wait until next transfer. Sometimes you just need a spiritual uplift, I think! Also, if I time it right, I can see a few of my friends from Austin! ;) And the 16th of October. Wow, that one has been a long time coming, let me know how it goes!

Thank you for the packages, they are great! We got them last week, Sister Nelson is waiting to open hers until her birthday, it is so far her one birthday present, so I hope it's good! Jk, I am sure she will absolutely love whatever is in there. She really appreciated the letter as well, she said she is going to have to write down her story sometime and send it to you! As far as how things are going on that front....as my friend serious would say "the struggle, it's all real". But you are right, we are given trials and weaknesses for a reason, I just think that usually it is easier to see the reason when we aren't actually in the situation! Lately I have been reading over the October conference talks from last year at night. They have been really great, and have taught me a lot. I read one last night about becoming a better teacher. It said something to the affect of: what sets us apart as teachers can really come down to two words. "God Speaks". If we have a testimony of this, then we can believe that he speaks to man today and therefore we can receive revelation for those we teach. If we don't strive to receive this revelation than we don't have anything special to teach really. It was an interesting talk, but I love that. God Speaks. He speaks to us today, that is all we need to trust in! Easier said than done sometimes though!

Oh yes!!! I knew that there had to be at least one crazy or interesting story from this week!

So, on my mission I have gone to lots of Chinese buffets. For some reason elders seem to really like them, so we usually end up going to them for missionary meetings. They are alright, but not my favorite. Something about buffets just gives me the heebie-jeebies! So, we are working with a Chinese Less-active member named holly. She wanted to take us out for Sister Nelson's birthday, so Saturday we went. To a Chinese buffet. It was the most hilarious experience of my life. She is so loud, and so funny! She was telling us all these stories of crazy things that happen when she goes clubbing in Vegas. (please keep in mind that she is in her 50's!) She told us that she never ever drinks alcohol, just water. She just loves to dance, so she dances for 4 hours every night when she can! One time she was dancing and dancing (by herself of course ;) ) And all of the sudden her teeth flew out of her mouth, onto the floor!! It was hilarious to hear her tell the story in her thick Chinese accent! We had a great time, laughed way too hard, then we got in the car. She turned up the music so loud, and started dancing to it in the car!!! We said "Holly! We can't listen to this!" But she couldn't hear us....so I just decided to dance along! It was hilarious, definitely the type of thing I would do at home. Don't worry, it only lasted for one song, then she turned off the music, and began to drive.Oh man, everyday is an adventure!!

Well, I hope you all have a lovely week, enjoy the summer while it lasts!

Love,

Sister Christina Trickler