Goals Are Great

My new hair cut!

I got borred so I cut it all off!

Hello!

I would like to say I'm not okay with Maggie going to prom with a senior....who does this kid think he is asking my sister to prom. But if he is getting his mission call soon I guess it's okay. I'm watching him though....with my spiritual eyes....

I was dying at Sophie's poster. haha I showed all the missionaries emailing right now and we are all rolling laughing. hahah Good job Britissa. Buenos suerte Soph!

Bo I heard you scored 4 goals at your first soccer game!! Wish I was there to see it! Rock those sports goggles!

OH MY WORD! I was watching the "Come unto Christ" video on lds.org and Andrea Lewis is the angry mom on it!!! It was awesome! Tell her that her performance was very convincing and that her fake daughter has awesome hair!

Anyway this week has been great! We have not found too many new people to teach but we have seen miracles none the less. Hermana Stratford and I have been struggling to get 20 lessons lately which never used to be a problem for us... but this week our whole zone had this awesome goal of 20 lessons per companionship. So we set some awesome goals and got to work. We tried to set up lots of investigator and member lessons so we could meet our goal. As usually more that half of the appointments fell through but the cool thing was that every time an appointment fell through Heavenly Father lead us to someone else and provided a lesson. One day we taught 7 lessons!! It was awesome. We ended up meeting our goal exactly with a total of 20 lessons even. Goals are great. I love them. Metas all the way!

Guess what!!! Our investigator Felix wants to get baptized!!! :) I don't know if I told you but he was the one riding his bike and got hit by a car. He is recovering well and in our last lesson with him he said he wants to be baptized...we didn't even bring it up, he did! Anyway it might be far out because he works on Sundays and he can't get it off. He has lots of medical bills after the accident so he is scared to find a new job and for now he can't get Sundays off. Hopefully he will find a way to come to church so he can get baptized. He is awesome!

Brissa's situation is crazy. Jose (her husband) lost one of his jobs so he came to church on Sunday with the kids. They both spoke with the bishop together and they said it went well. He hasn't moved back in but I think they might stay together. I don't even really know all that is going on. I just keep praying for them! Brissa's favorite food and pregnancy craving is fresas con crema (strawberries and cream) So we brought her that and had another good lesson with her as well as Allie.

That's basically my week. Hope you are all having a great week!

Les quiero muchisimo!

Hermana England

P.S. Davis this email is so short....you're welcome!

On exchanges with Sister Sowder...

We had too much fun!

Tree growing in the middle of the

road that Boulderites refuse to

cut down - because it will ruin

the enviornment :)  

I love it here!

 Lunch for Sister Astle's Birthday!

Exchanges with Sister Woods...They are the

Young Single Adult sisters so we went campus

contacting at CU.  We found these

cool steps...

(By the way, campus contacting is so much fun!)

Adventures With Hermana Stratford

Our first "fight" ever...

Hermana Stratford puts her hands on my head

and rubs my hair everywhere to mess it up!

So, I grabbed her hair and messed up her pony tail...

It was a girl fight if I've ever seen one!

Except for the fact we were not actually mad and

wer laughing the whole time!  haha!

My Hispanic companion!

(A member gave us a box of lotions and makeup

and stuff and Hermana Stratford found a

foundation that was just her color...

Hermana Stratford and I have come so close to

catching so many different animals it's ridiculous!

But, the deer got away!

 Fox in front of our house!

 Lunch with all the Sisters in Boulder!

He Is Real

Our little San Juan possy!

(We are actually teaching some of their parents)

OKKKAAAYYY...

That cat story was probably the funniest thing I have ever heard....ever. I am dying laughing at my computer screen and all the missionaries emailing around me are like....Uhhhh Sister England has problems. And through my laughs I'm like....NO NO you don't understand my family is so funny!!!! So now they think I am crazy AND you are all crazy...sorry to soil the England family name. Actually let's be honest we ARE crazy and everybody knows it. It's okay, that's how we roll. 

Anyway I'm glad you had a good birthday Mom. There is something on the way for you...sorry it's late....I'm the worst. Crazy about drill try outs 38 is HUGE!!! And I am a little scared for the other teams/moms/judges/girls if Lisa is going to be a drill mom!!! Haha just kidding she will be awesome! Liv too. You will have a fun year! And MAGS!!! One of the drill mistresses!!! That is insane! I could not do that. You rock!!! So excited to be there for next comp season. AND I finally got the DVD to work that mom sent me of your dances and they are AMAZING! YOU LOOK SO GOOD! Seriously you have turned into this little professional dancer! Jealous. I always dance around our basement and Hermana Stratford is like...you are weird. And I'm like...I know. And she's like...but you can put your leg really high in the air....and I'm like...ya. That's pretty much how it goes except I actually can't really dance anymore....depressing.

I just realized I am addicted to dot dot dots....They symbolize my awkward pauses....uhh...

Anyway like I said before we are basically starting fresh this transfer finding all new investigators. So this week has been LOTS of work with little results. BUT, It has all been worth it because we found one new investigator!! I know it is only one but she is awesome! It is actually an amazing story. 

To start out we need to rewind to zone meeting last week....(there I go again with the dot dot dot but this time it symbolizes us going back in time to zone meeting...but it's me so there was probably some awkwardness involved too....ya) Anyway, sometimes zone meetings are a little bit of a joke because sometimes we have Elders running it who didn't prepare or who are distracted ect. But this transfer we have all awesome missionaries in our zone and our meeting was super spiritual! We decided that as a zone we are going to do this purification challenge. It's basically where you fast for 24 hrs to have Heavenly Father tell you 10 things you are doing that make it harder for you to feel the spirit. You make a list of these 10 things. Then for 40 days you "fast" from those 10 things. When you do this you can be more receptive to promptings ect. Our whole zone was really excited about it and we all started the next day with our fast. So Hermana Stratford and I fasted and put together our lists. We have been working so hard to help each other out with our goals and we talked about how as we do this we know we will see miracles!!

SOOooo....the other day we were in Lafayette for an appointment but it fell through. So we decided we would tract. We both felt like we shouldn't just start knocking doors right there so we got in the car and Hermana Stratford suggested that we pray to know where to go. So we did and we both didn't feel anything specific but we have a member who lives near there so we started driving to her house. Well on the way we noticed a trailer park that we had never been in before and we both felt that that was where we needed to go. So we did and we usually start on one side of a trailer park so we can keep track of where we have tracked but we randomly started in the middle. And the second house we went to was Danika! Long story short she was heading out the door but said to come back the next day. We did and she gladly let us in. We talked with her about how God gives us trials to help us grow. She was SO receptive! She opened up about some hardships she has and how she knows that they all happened for a reason. Over all it was an amazing lesson and she wants to learn more!!! Amazing!!! We also had another miracle in the trailer park with this woman named Lithia. The spirit is already in our lives so much stronger than before. It's awesome!

Another powerful thing that happened was with Brissa our less active. I have talked alot about her. Well, recently she found out she is pregnant. (This email is already super long and I actually don't like telling this story because it's so sad but I will tell you the short verson.) So we usually visit her Wednesday night but last week we had to help with a mutual activity so we didn't go. We found out she had to go to the hospital because of some bleeding but that her pregnancy was still okay. So we were planning on visiting them at our regular time next Wednesday to check in. Well last night after dinner we felt like we should go see them. When we got there the house was a mess and Brissa looked awful. We sat down with her and she told us everything that had happened. VERY VERY long story short. They found a cancer tumor in her ovary. The baby is okay and they will have to wait until after the baby is born to know how bad or what to do about the cancer. Right after this Jose her husband randomly accused her of having a relationship with another man and left her. It breaks my heart. I have come to love this family so much and to see them so incredibly sad literally just broke my heart. I know the spirit led us there. We were able to help her clean her apartment and give her daughters some love that was much needed. Bro. Gibbson was able to come give Brissa a blessing of healing and comfort. The spirit was so strong. Please Keep Brissa and her daughters Allie and Silvia in your prayers. They really need it right now.

Anyway all of these things have been miracles from our "40 day fast" I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life. I could not be a missionary with out it. The spirit has led us to so many places this week that the Lord needed us. He is real.

Les quiero!

Hermana England

Ontiveros family...Silvia (above) is Jose and

Brissa's daughter...she and her sister

Allie are now coming to church every week!

Awesome Hike

Our hike!  I am so glad it's warming

up!  I love hiking!!!

Too bad Colorado is even more bizarre

than Utah...This day it was 78 and

the next day it was 30 and snowing!

After our hike we drove up to a look out.

We hiked a short way down to this tree

right on the ledge! It was awesome!

I Thought I Was A Gonner

Me and Arturo before his  baptism!

HELLO!

Bo I heard your birthday was AWESOME! I wish I could have come to Extreme Airsports with you! We will have to go again when Davis and I are home. Deal? Aaaaaand MOM! Your birthday is coming up!!!! I seriously just want to echo what Davis said! I never realized how much I needed you until now. I miss calling you just to talk. I miss going to run errands with you. I miss eating cookie dough with you. I miss late night conversations over a bowl of cereal. But don't worry...all of this will resume in about 9 months. :) I love you so much Mom. Have a fantastic birthday! 

So we had transfers...and....I'm staying in Boulder with Hermana Stratford!!! :) YAY! I seriously thought I was a gonner. But I'm thankful I can continue working here. I guess you all knew this though because the McDonalds told you. That is so cool they were able to come over for dinner. Funny how Davis said it made him realize that I am so close to you guys. hahah STATE SIDE WHAT WHAT!!! I realized that I rule all state side missionaries because my state is literally to the side. BOOYA! 

Arturo's baptism was amazing! He is seriously a future bishop! He was so ready and so prepared. I am so grateful I was able to go up to see him be baptized. I was also able to see a few of the families from the Spanish group there. My heart was so happy and so sad at the same time. haha I miss them sooo much! Longmont will always have a big part of my heart. The Safey family took us sisters and Arturo to dinner after and it was just a perfect night. It is really amazing to be a missionary...because if you think about it, the Lord can do His work on His own. He doesn't really need us...BUT...he allows us to do his work so we can witness the miracles and learn for ourselves. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to just watch these people change and come to Christ. There is nothing better in the world. 

So all of our investigators are not progressing. They feel the spirit when we are there but never come to church or keep commitments. It breaks my heart. But Hermana Stratford and I decided we need to kind of start fresh this transfer. We need to drop our investigators who are not progressing and find new ones who will. So we are starting at ground zero. Wish us luck! :) I am excited for a fresh transfer with a fresh look on our area and new goals:) I love goals...just saying. 

I am sorry to hear about Brother Gasick. He was such a great man and a great strength to our ward. Send my love to Steven and the whole family. 

Well I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Les quiero 

Hermana England 

My note I got from Sister Snow!

Soooo Happy!

Me, Hermana Snow, Arturo, Brother Stewart,

Hermana Seaborn and Hermana Jarvis

...all the sisters that taught him!

Familia Moreno!

Me. Hermana Snow and Crystal...

At dinner after the baptism...

Arturo does not know how to smile :)

Nielee Got Baptized

Love this lady!

FAMILIA!

Okay so I have so much great news!!!! First, NIELEE GOT BAPTIZED!!!! The whole day went great. Her kids came and I think they really felt the spirit. The only thing...She wasn't thrilled about wearing a jump suit. So that morning we were doing service at a members house and randomly she's like...Hey I have this white temple dress she could wear for her baptism if she wants. And I was like oh man we are so in tune with the spirit, someone just randomly offers us a dress! So we take it and Nielee was super happy. So she gets in the water, they do the baptism, she stands up and it is completely see through!!!!! She was basically just standing there in her bra and underwear. It was bad...But she didn't even notice because she was so happy. haha So her son Devon, when she came back out told her that it went see through...lame. But it's Neilee...and if you know the woman she would just laugh about something like that. So it wasn't a big deal. Matthew her 9 yr old wrote her this cute note and at the end of the note said....also I saw your bra and underwear. hahaha Other than that it was just perfect. Right after she was baptized we were back in the dressing room with her and she just starts crying so even though she is soaking wet we gave her a big hug and we all just cried for a minuet. hahaha It was a tender moment....(Little did she know at this time that her dress was see through).

It was such a blessing to see her take this step. This woman has completely changed since the day we met her. The gospel makes us better and I am so grateful for it. Also she broke her foot 2 days before and they needed to put a cast on it but she said....NOPE! I'm getting baptized in two days and those things aren't water proof! haha so she just wore a boot and after her baptism she promptly went to the hospital to get a cast. haha she cracks me up. 

Other incredible news....ARTURO IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!! He was one of my investigators in Longmont. He was golden and super ready but he took a trip to Mexico to see family and I got transferred. Well Hermana Snow is still in Longmont and she sent me a note saying he is getting baptized on the 14th!!! Since I am in Boulder...(only half an hour away) I CAN GO!!! :) I am so excited! Arturo is the best. He was a referral from Elder Rogers who was a visa waiter and has since left for Brazil...I am convinced that he was here to find Arturo! So all you visa waiters don't fret...you are there for a reason! :) 

Bo!!! Your birthday is this week!!!!! What are you going to do to celebrate!? I will be thinking about you all day! Have an awesome birthday! Te quiero hermano! 

Have a great week everyone. Get involved in missionary work and you will be blessed! Also pray for the Ukraine....Rach has people to baptize!!! :) 

Les quiero

Hermana England 

Sister McDonald offered to buy Nielee a dress

for her baptism!  

Doing Nielee's hair for her big day!

Nielee with all 4 of her missionaries

us, Elder Buchanan & Elder Hanks

She was so excited!

Geena and me...(she's next...eventually :)

Nielee with her kids

Geena, Matthew, Devon & Devon's friend Cyrus

Elder Buchanan performed the baptism

Matthew's note to Nielee...

I was laughing so hard!

Mormon Highs

Michael's Birthday Party..cutie!

Even though I can't be with Davis on his

Birthday - I am celebrating B Day time!

Hello hello,

I would first like to start out this email by saying HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY DAVIS!!!!!!!!...er...ELDER ENGLAND!!!!!!!! I hope your day was great! I was thinking about you all day. I hope you got the card I sent you...I sent it a while ago. I am so proud of you! It has been such a tender mercy (Yes I just referred to something as a "tender mercy"...I am a weird missionary) to have you serving at the same time as me. You are my utimate missionary example. Keep up the good work. Te quiero con todo mi corezon hermano!

In other news I have a million cool things to tell you about...I know you are all annoyed about how long my emails are so I will try...key word try...to keep them breif...

First my Stake Conference talk is over with YAY! But it was so cool because I was sooo nervous for it and I was having a really hard time preparing it. Well my companion was sick and Bro. Mcdonald and Bro. Gourgourous came and gave her a blessing and Sister McDonald was like..."Hey Sister England, do you want a blessing to help you with your talk?" At first I was reluctant because I felt I didn't need to have a blessing but then I agreed. It was amazing. After that blessing I was able to better receive inspiration on what I should speak about. I felt calm about giving it as well. The priesthood is there for us to use. I realized that I needed to get over some pride I had and let the power of the priesthood work in my life. What a blessing it is to have this power in our lives! OH and also I didn't right out all the words to my talk...I did an outline and just spoke...It was scary but I think it turned out okay. OH and mom your talk was AMAZING!

So Neilee came to Stake conference and she is SO excited about her baptism this Saturday! She some how heard about "Mormon Funeral Potatoes" and said that we must have them at her baptism :) hahaha Cool story with her...I don't remember if I told you anything about this but Neilee's sons started a gang a while ago. The gang has about 45 members. Well Neilee (before we met her) was trying to help these boys who all have horrible back rounds and family situations. She was kind of "gang mom" she called it. Well after meeting with us she started gathering the gang and teaching about things we taught her. She would share passages from the Book of Mormon and talked to them all about how they need to change their course so they don't end up like their parents. Well eventually they started listening. All the boys decided they would no longer be a gang and they would now be a "crew". They decided that instead of doing whatever they were doing they are going to start doing service projects and such. They are all going to volunteer for "Clean up Lafayette day" Anyway long story short Neilee is making such a huge difference in so many people's lives because of the gospel...Oh and the best part is that their gang logo is this design of MH which stands for money hungry, they wanted to change it but they already have hats with the logo on it so they are now the "Mormon Highs" haha so great. They still need some work, obviously, but maybe one day some missionaries here will baptize a whole gang...never know :)

Another awesome thing....I don't know if I told you but Sister Clark and I gave a training in zone meeting a while ago as the Sister Training Leaders. The next P-day Elder Springer came up to me and thanked me for the training and said that it had answered one of his prayers. Well at stake conference Elder Springer came up to me again told me that the answer to prayer that he received from our training had to do with what they should do with one of their investigators who has been investigating for 4 years. Obviously something was holding this person back from being baptized and the Elders could not figure out what it was or how to help them. Well Elder Springer didn't even tell me what the problem was or even the solution but he said..."Because of your training this investigator is now picking a date to be baptized and our other investigator is getting baptized next week, Thank You!" I don't think in any way shape or form this had anything to do with me. I think this story is so cool because when I first was called to be STL I was so nervous. I didn't know what to say to the struggling sisters, I did't know what to do for the STL training. But I prayed ALOT that the Lord would lead me to things I need to say or do. I have such a testimony that the Lord qualifies who he calls. I'm pretty sure without His help and guidence I would be the worst STL let alone missionary ever. But because I have His divine help I can fulfull this calling in the way He wants me to. This experience was a huge answer to prayer. 

I am thankful for the Lords hand in my life every day....Okay super sappy....seriously I am that weird missionary! But it's okay, I like it.....You will all have to deal with my "tender mercys of the Lord" stories alright.

Well so much for keeping it short...I remember going to read missionarie's emails before my mission and I was like - wow this is like a novel and I would only read half of it. Haha so if that's what you did that's okay...wait if you did do that you wouldn't be reading this part....awkward.

Okay well have a great week! Keep me updated on everything going on at home!

Les quiero!

Hermana England

Making sopas with Rosa y Graeiela - YUM!

Boulder is hilarious...So many hilarious

bumper stickers!

 Boulder is hilarious...

"Eco-friendly/natual & organic

hair products!

More Birthday celebrations...

Celebrating Michael's Birthday with

Donna and Michael