Terrible.

So far my attempt at blogging has been LAME. After I got home from Arizona I was home for a week and then have been down watching my brothers 4 kids while they are on a Cruise. They left early Saturday morning and don't come home till Sunday night. It has been a crazy week to say the least. I am sure I will have lots of funny pictures from my phone to post when I get home. The kids LOVE taking pictures with it :)

Coming BACK...

I am posting on my blog again!!! It has been a long time. I will say a year of that was spent on a mission but the last 4 months have been nothing but excuses as to why I haven't been blogging!! I can blame facebook for most of that because it is easy, quick, and it makes it easy to keep up with my peeps in Virginia :) But I am ready to get back in the game. I am not even going to stress myself out with trying to go back and blog everything from my mission but I will try to post pictures of fun things that happened along with current happenings in my life. I have always loved blogging for the purpose of journal keeping so... let the blogging begin!!!

I am currently in AZ hanging out with these 2 cute girls and celebrating B's 2nd birthday...

Newport News is the BEST!

Another week has come and gone!!! I have been loving every minute of it and every day is a new adventure. The area I am in is challenging but it makes me want to work that much harder! We have been doing a lot of tracting and finding and it is suprisingly one of my most favorite things to do. My companion and I have so much fun trying to think of different approaches and always get a kick out of some of then responses we hear. Our favorite one this week was when a grumpy old man told us, before we even said anything, No thank you I have been churched!... I was laughing so hard after... I was thinking oh so what would be the present tense of churched?! Churching?! would that be like shopping for churches?! We had a good laugh after and still like to remember it when we need a good laugh. My companion is awesome!!! She is such a good example to me and I think we have a really good balance going!!! I have a feeling I will be in this area for awhile and I am excited. Yesterday we had Zone Conference and it was a blast. It gets me so pumped up and wanting to try out all of the great things they teach us. President Millburn is so amazing. He is very encouraging and has a high expectation for all of us! It is motivating to hear him talk and remind us of our purpose and what we are here to accomplish! I continue to learn something new everyday and feel so blessed to be apart of such a great work. The elders that serve in the ward with us are way cool. One of them is our district leader and he is such a great example to me. When we were in our meeting yesterday he said something that really hit home. He said everyday he writes on the top of his planner," What is the worst that could happen?!". It is so true when doing missionary work. We have to have the faith to know that Lord is there to guide us and He will never ask us to do something He knows we couldn't do. It helps me overcome my fears everyday! I have been able to get to know the ward members a lot better too. We had a fun ward social last Friday night and we had a lot of the people we are working with show up! There are a lot of part member families in the ward we are working with and it is definitely a challenge. It makes me think of all of the many blessings I have in my life and I am so greatful for my family and for there strength in the gospel. I look around me everyday and am so grateful for the knowledge I have of the restored gospel on the earth today. Where would I be without it?! AH we are all so blessed. It is amazing to be in this area and see the poverty that plagues so many families. Satan is strong but when we put the Lord first and trust in Him, Satan will never win!!! I love you all so much and you are always in my prayers :)

Oh and some random things I was thinking about....
* Did I ever tell anyone that Harvey Unga's (BYU Fottball) little brother was in my district at the MTC?! yeah it was way cool. He was hilarious and it was so fun to here random stories...
* And Elizabeth Smart was at the MTC while I was there also... It was such a trip to see her and randomly walk past her or what not
* and you can all email me at this address just so ya know ;) I can only respond to family though so feel free to send away!!! I read them on Wednesdays

I love and miss you all...

Sister Dunn

First P-Day

HEY!!! Yep, I am still alive and currently serving in Newport News, VA (first ward)... And I drive around and can't believe I am here. It is gorgeous and insanely cold. I guess it is humid but I can't really tell I am too cold. haha. SO to wrap up the travel story we ended up taking a red eye to Georgia on New Years eve. What a long day. We had a three hour lay over there and then flew into Richmond around 11:30 am. SO i didn't get much sleep and it was pretty much the scariest thing because you all know my "love" of flying. not. It was not fun but by the time we got on our little plane to Virginia I did not even care anymore. I just wanted clean clothes. a bed. and to finally get back to doing missionary work. When we got to baggage claim our mission president was anxiously waiting for us along with his four assistants. They were so excited to see us it was pretty sweet. We headed to the mission home where we were fed an excellent home cooked lunch and got to sleep in the softest beds for almost 4 hours. When we woke up it felt so good to shower and then we ate a yummy pizza dinner, had our interviews, took some pictures, and chatted with the assistants and then went back to bed. It was so nice to be there and the mission president and his wife were so nice and caring. They were everything I was hoping for and more! When we woke up the next morning we ate breakfast and then headed over to the local church building to do some training and what not. Then everyone that was involved in the transfer came together in the chapel and we got to meet our new trainers!!!! OMG! I love my companion. Her name is Sister Cox, she is from Fruit Heights Utah and has been out exactly one year. She is amazing. I have know doubt that Heavenly Father knew exactly that we needed to be together. After we left the church in the transfer van we got dropped off at the church with several other missionaries and got a ride from a sweet member in our ward. OK so I realized I am still in America and pretty much am in the best area ever. I guess before I left I was going to be in the middle of nowhere but SUPRISE we live 2 seconds away from a target, costco, wal-mart, and the MALL. I knew you would all appreciate that. ;) And yes we have already hit up Target today. I said to sister cox, uh-oh my family is going to be scared knowing I live right next to a Target. haha. But yes I guess we live in one of the best areas and are so lucky to have all of this just in our ward boundaries. Now.... So after we got back to the apartment that day we ate lunch, planned for a little bit and then got to work. My trainer kept telling me I was a natural but I am not so sure. I have so much to learn but I think I am picking it up pretty quickly. I taught my first lesson on Monday and it went SO good. Heavenly Father blesses me everyday and I am so greatful for the courage He gives me. You would be so happy to know I am almost never nervous and I have NEVER EVER been this calm when trying something so NEW, and completely out of my COMFORT ZONE!!! WOW. I know that Heavenly Father is knows us perfectly and I am blessed everyday to know that He is there every step of the way. It helps me trust in Him more and rely on Him to get me through the days. So I know I am so scattered right now but there is just so much I want to tell everyone!!! Sunday was a crazy day. It is so stressful because there are so many recent converts in the ward and so many people we are teaching that we need to get to church . I guess there have been 36 beaptisms in the year of 2009. The bishop is supposedly the best one in the whole mission and I am defintely starting to see that. It was so hard to try and remeber everyones names but it is getting easier everyday. We don't get dinners every night unless we get invited to someones house because our mission president thinks it is wasting out time unless they are inviting non-members. But its ok. We eat on the run everyday but I am getting used to it . I just can't say enough and there is so much to say but things are going so great and I am loving every minute of it. I have never been happier in my entire life!!! And one cool thing was last night I witnessed my first baptism... It was so sweet... It was a girl my age and she has a little boy who is 8 months old. The crazy part is that she had been taught the gosple for almost 2 years and we finally had commtited her to baptism on my first day. She is super shy and so she didn't want to make it a big production oh and did I mention she got married in the bishop's office right before she got baptized?! CRAZY!!! I am so happy for her though. She has the strongest testimony and is going to be such a great new member of the church. We are busy everyday and we do a lot of tracting because we are trying to re-build our teaching pool... Sister Cox is a rock star and just saw so many baptisms so we are trying hard to find more people and also help less actives as well. The area we are in is pretty big and so we have to do a lot of traveling. We are so lucky to have a sweet apartment that is so nice. It has the laundry inside and it also has a gym in the front of the complex that we get to work out in every morning. Sister Cox said don't worry not every area is like this ;) I have it good and am so greatful. I am not too homesick and was so happy that I got to talk to each one of my siblings and parents and nieces and nephews in the airport. It was hard but so good to hear those sweet familiar voices. Our P-days are on Wednesdays and it has been a great day and great first week :) I lvoe you all so much and thank you for all of your prayers!

My new address for this transfer is:

602 Riverbend Ct. Apt. 106
Newport News, VA 23602

I would love to here how everyone is doing :)

Love Sister Dunn

2nd Email

{Sorry this is a little late...the Holidays got the best of me. This was sent a week ago}

Hey! Well I can't believe that it is already my second week at the MTC... I leave a week from today!!! This week has gone by so so so fast. I have decided that the days go by slow and the weeks go by fast... I have been able to get better sleep and so I have been doing so much better emotionally. haha. On wednesday I was able to see my cousin Melissa who just got to the MTC and it was so fun seeing a familiar face. We see each other at least once a day and her room is down the hall from me! So... I can't believe it is Christmas in 2 days... We got our schedule for the day and it is pretty laid back. Lots of down time and a morning devotional and and evening one as well. We get "sack" food all day but its all good. I have a little tree in my room that I love and I have been so blessed to recieve so many fun packages and cards, it totally helps me get through :) SOme exciting things happened this week... I have finally finshed some of my lesson outlines for the first few lessons. we have been able to teach a ton of investigators who aren't really investigators but they volunteer and they have gone really well. The spirit has been so strong sometimes and it definitely has been a huge blessing as we have had these teaching experiences. Another cool thing happened yesterday in the RC where people call in for free videos or to chat, or we call them to confirm bible and book of mormon deliveries. whew. ok so yesterday. all of the sudden I get a call and he was calling to order a free lamb of god video. just that morning a few elders in the area had given him the card to call. He was so interested and wanted to meet with the missionaries whcih is huge. most people just want the video. I was able to chat with him for awhile and bear my testimony of the restored gosple. I told him that god loves him very much and that the message we share is one of hope and love. for the sake of time I will tell you more later :) so then I asked if he would promise me to keep and open mind to the message and if he would continue to pray to heavenly father and he said he would promise!!!!! It was such a huge moment for me. I look forward to getting to Virginia and continuing this great work the Lord has sent me here to do. Usually these things dont happen here very much in the RC so it made my day!!! Then last night Elder Neil L. Anderson (Apostle) came to our devotional. we were kind of expecting an apostle but didn't want to get our hopes up :) so we were on a high all last night. the spirit was so strong when he walked in and then when we sang Called to Serve it was incerdible to feel such a spirit so strongly through my whole body!!! WOW! It has been so great to be here and I am so happy and blessed to have these opportunities... I can't believe I won't be around for Christmas this year but know that I am doing good and more than anything I miss all the traditions but I know this is where I am supposed to be. Oh and last night Elder Anderson also had his grandkids come up and sing christmas songs and I just about lost it. I miss all the kiddos SO much.

Not going to lie having 2 companions is hard but we are making it work and getting through while trying to have as much fun as possible. Many of you know I am the coordinating sister and since we got new sisters in on Wednesday(16th) it was pretty crazy getting them all settled and adjusted but it has been such a great opportunity to serve others. We have had a ton of teachers this week with Christmas here and them all going home so it has been great to change it up a bit and learn from different perspectives. the elders in our district, well lets just say that things have been way better and we actually have so much fun togetehr and really help each other a ton!!! Ok so I am running out of time so I better wrap it up.... I love and miss you all so much. The cards and letters have been so great. I think about you all and pray for you all the time. Remember the meaning of this time of year and the example of Jesus Christ in our lives as we remember His birth. I am so greatful to be here!!! The gosple is true!!!

Love, Sister Dunn

My First eMail

{this is amie - katie's sister - and she asked me to post to her blog while she is gone! So this is her first email, received today!}

Hey family and friends!

WOW!!! Where do I begin?! First, I must say a huge thank you to all of you who have taken the time to write me!!! It is soooo nice to get mail. SO HARD not to just pick up the phone to call and tell you how I am doing and give you all the deatails... When I first got here you would be so proud, no tears! i thought i would feel so homesick but honestly there is no TIME to feel that way. The spirit here is infectious and everyone is just so happy all the time. not going to lie a little hard to get used to but I am doing well. ha. NO but seriously the feeling is amazing. By the 2nd full day I was so tired I had a small breakdown but pulled it together and have been doing great ever since. I have been getting the hang of things and it gets a little better everyday! My teachers are awesome and my district is even better. the elders are a little immature but i am getting used to that. So. my companions are so sweet. I am in a trio and so it takes us awhile to do things but i have learned to have patience and love really quick! we are all in the same room and all going to VA! our tenative departure date is dec. 30th. yay. So i feel like i am dragging on but I just have so many things to share...

- i didnt sleep at all the first night
- the food is ehh ok.
- i have never had a cold shower
-the beds are nice
- i never have to open the door for my self haha.
- on the second night the fire alarm wen toff at 12 am i freaked out and got out of the building remebering my companions and then realized it was a false alarm. so fun?! not. but great memory for sure.
- our zone is amazing
- relief society sister elaine s. dalton was there. AMAZING

Ok so....

Like I have told many of you this is the hardest thing I have ever done but I know it will be soooooo worth it! I have never prayed to my father in heaven more than i have in my week of being here! it is so important to rely on Him! I have tried to jump in with both feet first and it has stretched me beyond belief. I realized I have to have more faith than fear or else I will not be able to be the best missionary I can be! My branch president is amazing and I know that he is truly inspired from God. I was called to be the coordinating sister in our zone on Sunday and when he met with me he reminded me that I have all the tools to be a good missionary and that he knows that I have all of the personality traits required to be effective. it felt so reassuring because i really had been feeling so inadequate! I know that I am doing the work that heavenly father has been preparing me to do my whole life. It is hard but I know through Him I can do all things. I have never felt the spirit so much in my life. I am so happy. The lord truly belesses us with the tools to return to Him and be the best we can be if we rely on Him. This week has been so long but i know it will go by fast. Every time I am feeling like I can't do it something or someone helps me get through it and I know heavnly father has placed them in my life. Oh and the first time singing called to serve last night was SO COOL!!! wow. I want to never forget that feeling. I have so much to learn and I feel like being at the MTC will go by so fast! I am excited to be here and I cant wait to tell you more! I love you and miss you all so much!
p.s. letters and packages are always welcome :)

LOVE, Sister Dunn

Address

Sister Dunn

MTC Mailbox #119

VA-RICH 1230

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, Utah 84604

Emily Bemily...

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Josh's birthday at our house... This was Emily watching him open presents. classic.