Discouraged

One thing I have learned over the past few weeks is that mission really aren't all fun and games. Joy is learning that first hand now. She and her companion Sister Koford are having a hard time teaching people and even holding up appointments. Here's an excerpt from her letter:

"Though we do not have anyone to teach, Sister Koford and I know, that we have put our whole hearts into this work, and we are not going to stop.  I came here because I was told to come by the Lord.  And I'm staying here because I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  
This week, I have to admit, I wanted to be home.  I didn't want to GO home, just be home, with homeade chocolate chip cookies, and parents who I can actually hug, and brothers to wrestle, a sister to laugh with, watch movies with (and a boyfriend to eat hot wings with and watch football!)
But there's a greater cause.  And no matter how difficult this week has been, I'm here.  I'm here and I'm going to just have to continue pressing forward."

"Family and friends, please pray for the hearts of Murray Kentucky to be open.  Please pray that Sister Koford and I will be safe.  And furthermore--Be obedient.  Do missionary work."

I hope and pray for Joy that the hearts of Murray, Kentucky will be open to her. She brings such a strong amount of light to everyone's lives and she can truly bless those around her.

-Kate Muir

McDonalds and Tornadoes

Sister Valentine experienced her first Tornado warning this week! She serves in tornado alley, but I didn't realize tornado season starts this early.  The warning struck on Thursday, February 24. Here's what she wrote about it:
"We went with our member friend Heidi to teach Elojio and Horacio and Jose.  In the middle of our lesson, I heard this wailing noise.  I looked at Sister Koford and she said, "Um, we need to go.  Those are tornado sirens."  We called President Hutchings and left him a message. Heidi took us to the Murray State University campus Library. On our way, I glanced out the window to see the McDonalds Drive thru line full as ever.  I guess when it comes to survival, McDonalds is a necessity.  We sat at a table until we were given the all clear.  Ugh the sirens are SO loud.  and I think they make the whole experience a lot worse.  They went off a couple more times.  I miss Utah storms... haha they're so much quieter!  It rains a lot here.  It's beautiful but it rains"


Joy promised to send me photos soon! Hooray.. This blog has been empty without photos!


Also according to Joy, I'm the best sister in the whole world.


She'd love to hear from you:
Sister Joy Elise Valentine
Tennessee Nashville Mission
105 Westpark Drive Suite 190
Brentwood, TN 37027


Love,
Kate Muir

Not in Tennessee

Joy is not serving currently in Tennessee. She's actually in Murray, Kentucky. It's a small town two hours Northwest of Nashville. We received our first letter from her today, ok it was an email, but it still was awesome! Joy's companion is Sister Katie Koford. After during some internet stalking, I've found out she's from Riverton, Utah.

Joy had a very interesting first week in Tennessee  Kentucky. On Wednesday she and Sister Koford set off with three elders for a meeting in Paducah. Well, it snowed. They were stuck, stranded, not once, twice but THREE times. They missed the meeting and ended up spending the night at LDS members houses that night. They couldn't set off until early in the afternoon the next day.

On Saturday night, Joy and her companion stopped on a hill to watch the sunset. When guess who else decided to join them? A herd of cows. She's promising to send us a SD card with video of it soon. I can't wait!

One thing I'm looking forward to is what kind of interesting food Joy will eat. Here is the first one that sounds like it will be inevitable: a pear half, on a lettuce leaf, with a dollop of miracle whip topped off with melted cheese. Hopefully there will be photos.

Overall, Joy is loving it and loving the people. She asks for continued prayers for the members there and for inspiration so she knows how to reach out to them.

-Kate

Hello, Nashville!

Joy left the MTC early Monday morning. She was able to call her parents, Mark and Julie, and Me (Kate Muir) early in the morning. I however, was still asleep and so I missed the call, Oops!  My parents were so thrilled to hear from her.

Joy flew from Salt Lake to Dallas.. Then Dallas to Nashville.
The Mission President, President Hutchings and his wife picked her up and took her to their home for dinner and a good night's rest. On Tuesday, Joy had orientation.

Sadly, we have yet to hear from her since she landed in Nashville, however, we're hopefully for an email on Valentine's Day. Monday is Joy's new preparation day.

Joy now has a new companion in Nashville, but at the MTC she was paired with Sister Warwood. 

I wish I knew where Sister Warwood was heading out on her mission, but I don't know. I know she and Joy became very close during their time together.

Joy has already grown so much spiritually, it's been a wonderful experience to see her growth.

If you want to write her, the new address is: 

Sister Joy Elise Valentine
Tennessee Nashville Mission
105 Westpark Drive Suite 190
Brentwood, TN 37027

"The more we count our blessings God has given us, the more love we have for him-hence the more love we have to share with those surrounding us. Life is hard. We can make it easy by doing what we know is right and by lifting those up around us."

                                                                   - Sister Joy Valentine

-Love you all, Kate

We LOVE letters!

We've received an abundance of letters this week!  HOORAY!

The very first began:

"First, I love my family. Second, I love the MTC!"

It was short and sweet but the overall message she loves us! She also loves her companion and other sisters in her zone. Joy has a tremendously big heart and it's very apparent that her heart is overflowing with love for everyone she is meeting and learning from right now. It's amazing the way we can still feel her love though her letters.

The boys of the family received a letter from Joy today. In it she included a small message to each one, along with a message for all of them. She asked the boys to do these things for her while she is gone:

"1. Say your prayers.
2. Eat your vegetables
3. Bear your testimony
4. Hug Mom and Dad OFTEN!
5. Be kind to each other
6. Laugh everyday!
7. Tell family you love them
8. Make a video to send me
9. Brush your teeth
10. Write me!"

Joy's Preparation Day is on Tuesdays. I'm assuming that day will change once she is in Nashville, but for now it's Tuesday. It's the one day she does laundry, grocery shopping, checks email etc. The other 6 days she spends learning more about the gospel.

-Katie Muir

A Tender Farewell

Sister Valentine, dad, mom and three brothers ate a sushi lunch before the MTC drop off.  Here's photos of the day's events.

And she's off!  We're so proud of her!

Waiting...A Mother's Love

It's been two days since Sister Valentine was dropped off at the MTC. Since then Mom has been busy. She has sent our missionary a box of cookies, letter and an email. Now we're all waiting. Waiting. Wondering. More waiting. We wonder, what she's learning, who she's befriended and most importantly when we'll hear from her!

-Katie Muir