Subway Singing and Such

Hey, I apologize there will not be a very lengthy weekly update this week...

I've got NO time today.

But I will mention a few things...

The family I talked about last week…Is FANTASTIC. So solid. We've been meeting with them and their 15 year old daughter is attending Young Women's activities with the ward! Next step... getting the WHOLE family to church... Please pray for us.

I can't remember if I've ever talked about Bishop Yanez (Yawn-yez) (Mom! He's from Chile! Along with half of the ward... Haha.). Due to experiences with irresponsible missionaries in the past, the bishop hasn't been too fond of the missionaries. I've always personally been a little terrified of him. BUT guess what... We got invited to WARD COUNCIL this week for the first time in a long time... ALL 7 of us. Pretty cool right? The bishop was on FIRE. He spoke very passionately about how we missionaries desperately need the help of the ward to do as much teaching as we should be doing. It was awesome. I think he's been really pleased with the work my district has been doing. At least, I hope that's what that means.

Another interesting thing that happened... Sis. Van Langen got pretty darn sick. So we went on Splits with the Sisters serving in the Young Single Adult Queens ward. That way Sister Mann and I wouldn't both have to be cooped up all day.... SO AWESOME. I love the YSA ward. I have a feeling I might end up serving in that ward at some point... Who knows?

We started doing a thing where we go sing hymns in the train station. That's pretty darn cool. Watch for me on Youtube folks. All the Asian tourists video us. Haha. But really it's amazing how music brings people in and lifts everyone's spirits.

Speaking of singing...I got asked to sing at the Mission-wide Sisters Conference next week. WOOO-whoo. Haha

Uhh... I'm running out of time!! But I love you all! Keep the faith, and remember to be an example of the believers!

Hermana Franklin

 




The Three Musketeers

 We Love NYC







 




 Outside the apartment!

I Knew You Were Different

Alright everybody. I will apologize in advance... I'm not really sure where to begin with this update. SO MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

As I informed you last week. I'm in a trio!

I LOVE IT! It's been super great. Turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Sister Mann is the BOMB. She's from Logan (Hyde Park), Utah. Another one from "La Fabrica" (The Factory... as the Hispanics call it. Haha.) We get a long SO WELL. Too well, actually. Haha.

She adds so much to the companionship. Seriously, it doesn't even matter that she doesn't know Spanish. Her ideas and her positive attitude have blessed us so much. We've started getting used to having 3 people in our tiny studio apartment... and things are going well. :)

We had a Mega-Zone Conference this week with Elder Koelliker of the 70. Such a great conference. He talked a lot about our need to teach our investigators how to pray and how essential it is that our investigators pray with us all on our knees. It was good to think about what prayer means to me, and what role it played in my conversion.

President Calderwood also upped our standards of excellence. He made a couple of changes, but the one that made my eyes widen a bit was "1 baptism per companionship each transfer". AHhhh!

Well, it may take some time to achieve this. But the bar has been raised. If we're looking at this from a high jumpers point of view...the Bar's at 6'. I've never even been able to jump 5'8"... So I've got a lot of jumping to do. As my strength increases I'll be able to reach the bar. If I have to knock the bar off a thousand times so be it. One of these days, I'll make it over the bar!

We're all on board and we're ready to work harder than ever before so hopefully I'll be able to tell you about a baptism this transfer. :)

Let's see... what else is new?

We found a new family to teach, and they're pretty great. They have two very sweet daughters and haven't lived here that long. We've only taught them once, so I'll keep you updated on how things progress with them.

I also changed a tire for someone on the side of the road this week. Yes, in a skirt. Haha.

We had stake conference this week and guess who was there!? JOSEPH! The Egyptian guy I found a few weeks ago! He came up to me and thanked me for being in the right place at the right time that day. He said, "I saw you, and I knew you were different. There was something special." He told me that I couldn't have presented the church to him at a better time. And he was ready to accept it. Even though I didn't get to teach Joseph, I'm so grateful I had a small part in his life. And I'm grateful that I had the privilege of seeing him change. I'm grateful Heavenly Father has a perfect plan.

The last thing I want to share with you is a message from Boyd K. Packer (from stake conference)... the message is this: It's NEVER too late to change. It doesn't matter where you've been... As long as you know where you're going. Heavenly Father provided EVERY man with a way back. And for this, I couldn't be more grateful. I'm grateful that the almighty God, the creator of a universe, provided a way for all of us. You, and even little ol' me. Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Never assume it's too late for you, or someone else to change and come unto Christ. No matter how rough and dark the past may seem... The future is bright!

Keep the faith! I love you all! 

Hermana Franklin

PS. Here is a lovely "self portrait" of my companions and me.

And Then There Were Three...

Well our first transfer was coming to a close and Sister van Langen and I made lots and lots of goals and plans for this upcoming transfer...I was feeling SUPER great about the things we were going to try to accomplish...Feeling pretty dang confident, and ready to get out there, dive in and get to work on my goals.

Then. We got a phone call.

Yes. The dreaded phone call. It was the office elders telling us they would be bringing by "an extra bed for the new missionary". WHHHHAAAATT?

News to us, we were going to be in a trio this transfer.

...............

President called us shortly after to inform us that the missionary who would be joining our companionship is a brand new missionary from the MTC, and in fact, a visa waiter... she could be here for pretty much any amount of time between 6 and 12 weeks. Here's the thing... she's waiting for a visa to go to BRAZIL...so she doesn't speak Spanish. She speaks Portuguese...unfortunately Brazilians are a little scarce around these parts. Haha.  (There's a few in our ward luckily...so they should be able to help her with her language...I most certainly can't.) We'll do the very best we can to make sure she has a good experience here. But we'll hope for her sake that her visa goes through soon.

So there's the update on my companionship...trioship? Haha...Needless to say, all my goals require a different plan of action now.

Funny how life does that to us.  Just plan to be surprised. :)

On a completely unrelated note...We had a FREAK rainstorm on Saturday. I've never been that soaked in my life. Haha. Nothing more pitiful than two girls in nice Sunday clothes walking around in "raining cats and dogs" weather. On the topic of weather I've had a couple previews of the summer days ahead. HOT and HUMID. Pretty sure I'll have to carry an extra shirt wherever I go...Sheeesh... It's awful.

Everything is good though. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I got to talk to the best padres en todo el mundo ayer, and I'm preaching the great news of the gospel in this wonderful place, serving in a great ward with soon to be TWO awesome sisters, and we have 4 of the greatest elders in the world...... WHAT MORE COULD I WANT?

Well, I do want one thing... And that is for everyone else to be as happy as I am. I hope you will help me in my efforts to share joy with others. Everyone could use some joy, right? And EVERYONE can use the atonement. Invite your friends to church, invite your friends back to church if they're not active, invite others to invite OTHERS to church, invite someone over for dinner, be a good example of righteous living to those around you, share a smile, write a note, help someone weed their yard or paint a fence, pick up trash at the community park...  WHATEVER! There's always something we can do to help. :)

Love y'all so much! I hope all you mothers had a great day yesterday, thanks for ALL you do! I know I'd be just about nothing without my dear mom.

Have a great week!

Hermana Tara Franklin

PS. ENJOY THE PICTURES.... FINALLY. :)

MTC Pictures...

   

    MTC District Sisters

   MTC District Elders

   MTC Companion Hermana Dean

    THE Map Pictures

   One of Tara's best friends -- On her way to Russia

    

   BYU-I roommate Brooklyn and Hermana Julie Dean

   View from the Brooklyner

   View from the Brooklyner

   View from the Brooklyner

   View from the Brooklyner

   

  

 

   

   Radiating happiness as usual

   Zone Leaders -- Elder Heaps & Elder Hogge

   Elder van Mondfrands & Elder Nielson

   Hermana Franklin & Hermana van Langen

 

Tara didn't send any captions but if you have been reading her letters here on the blog you will be able to recognize some of the people and places.  I tried to add what I think they are. 

Cast Not Away Your Confidence

Howdy!

Well this week went by like a rocket... But from what I remember it was pretty good. 

Things are really taking off here in Woodside. The ward is just getting stronger and stronger. I love all the members so much. I know I say that ALL the time. But honestly, I never realized that by leaving my family behind for a year and a half I would gain another one. :) (Don't worry family, I'm not replacing you. Just adding on.)

I would love to talk for a moment about my district. I LOVE MY DISTRICT.

I truly have the greatest District Leader in the mission field. Elder Van Mondfranz is the best of the best. He's such a good example to us.... He works hard ALL day, EVERY day. He knows how to get the job done. He would kill me if he knew I was publicly boasting about his awesomeness... but I don't really care. Haha.

Elder Nielson is ROCKIN' it like he always has. He's always got a smile on his face. I've actually never heard him make a negative remark of any kind.  He's improving so much in the language... and he works hard. He's just a gem.... Everyone's "little brother", if you will.

Elder Heaps and Elder Hogge (Zone Leaders) are the bomb. Elder Heaps is going home after this next transfer. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty sad. He's one of those people that just drives you absolutely NUTS in such an endearing way...(??) I hope you know what I mean. I dare say, Elder Heaps speaks the best Spanish of any Gringo I've EVER seen. Funny story about him:

He bought a brand new suite to wear home from his mission. It looks great on him and he bragged about it plenty, so we were all aware he was wearing a brand new suite...

One word. PIGEONS. Haha. Hahaha.... Haha.....Ha.

Well... You can all guess. He had bird crap in his hair, on the front AND back of his jacket, pants, AND his backpack. NICE. Pretty sure he made it through 2 years of serving in this pigeon infested land and never took a hit till that. Haha. Life is just too great sometimes.

Elder Hogge is such a good Elder. He's super enthusiastic and is always ready to help out wherever he can. If you would like an accurate Disney character comparison... he's Flick from Bugs Life. Haha. Seriously. It's spot on. I hope he serves here in Woodside with me for a long time.

There you go. Now you have a little bit of inside info about the missionaries I'm with day in and day out.

How is the actual MISSIONARY WORK going, you ask? FANTASTIC!  I love the nice weather. It's starting to be warm every single day and all the greenery is out! BEAUTIFUL. Lot's more people are out on the streets during the day and there's always someone to talk to. Things have started to take off with some of our "finding efforts"... which has been awesome! 

Guess what, y'all. I draw (Charac-a-cher... NO idea how to spell that...) caricature (correct spelling inserted by Mom) pictures of people in the park, to get them to talk to me for a few minutes. SO great. Haha.

We've been working with several less actives and WOW. It's truly been a miracle to see some of the changes they have made in their lives. We've had a lot of success in my companionship (as well as all the other companionships in my district) with reactivation. We're all really happy about that.

My spiritual thought for today... Read Hebrews 10... 32-39 are the best verses.

Remember.... We are not of those who "draw back"! We are of those who believe in the saving of souls!

In honor of Elder Heaps and the Timpview Cross Country team... Some days you're the pigeon, Flyin' high, with everything goin' your way. Some days you're Elder Heaps. Haha. On those days... remember who you are and "cast not away your confidence"! You're a child of the most high God. And he loves you very much.

And so do I.

Con todo el amor puedo dar,

Hermana Tara Franklin

P.S. Congrats to my beloved sister who is now a college GRAD!!! WOOOO WHOO! What a smart cookie. LOVE her.

Congrats to Tommy-Ray and Laura on their engagement... I knew it!

Congrats to Uncle Jeff! An IRON MAN!? What a boss!

Way to go Uncle Scott!  You will be a great Bishop!

And to the best mom ever…I always thought that you should be the Relief Society President.

Count Your Blessings

Hello one and all! Some things I did this week: Ate pig skin, got locked out of my apartment (don't worry, miraculously someone was there to let us in), held a PYTHON, invited an Oscar De La Renta wedding dress designer to be baptized (WOO-Whoo!), got bible bashed, taught English class (with 5 NEW people!), FINALLY met "Dave the Painter", taught an Egyptian (he is SO cool), sang in Sacrament Meeting with Elder Hogge and played the piano A LOT. One that I would like to elaborate on is "Dave the Painter". Dave is a guy who does service for the community day in and day out. He's known as Dave "the painter" because he paints over graffiti around the town. He is such an awesome individual. And he loves our church, he's not a member (yet), but he asks for our help with big projects and what not. We talked for a minute about how every bit of help no matter how small, is helpful. He said, "I know I'm just one guy. I know I'm just Dave. But this one guy, Dave, can leave this place better than he found it." That's practically a direct quote from Preach My Gospel. Haha. I thought a lot about that conversation and about the wonderful example "Dave the Painter" is to me. Even if I never baptize anyone here in Woodside, I'm determined to leave the ward and the community better than when I found it. There is work to be done everywhere. I love the opportunity to help people! Speaking of helping people... We as a district teach an English Class free for anyone to learn English. It's a pretty awesome way to get to know people. And we usually have a couple new faces each time, and tons of "regulars". Well, we're really trying to make some of our regular attenders into investigators. This is much harder than it sounds so...I could use some prayers. Speaking of prayers... Teresa has been reading and praying! She's one of our only investigators who is REALLY progressing. We invited her to be baptized and she said that she wants to keep learning and studying, but that she feels good about what she's been learning with us. Teresa is super cool. She's from Ecuador and she's a designer for OSCAR DE LA RENTA. (What the...? Who knew we'd find one of those right around the corner from the church!) She's very intelligent, artistic and curious. (I relate to her pretty well.) :) I have really, really high hopes for Teresa. I'd appreciate your prayers on her behalf too. I've had a lot of reminders this week that I live a really good life. I have a good family and good friends who have guided me and helped me make good choices. As a result of those choices, I've avoided a whole lot of pain. Others have not been so blessed in their lives... I can't even express to you all how grateful I am for the COUNTLESS blessing I have. One of MANY, many examples:  We were given two big bags of food by a less active family after an appointment one night, as we walked home from the appointment I saw an old man digging through the trash looking for something to eat (sadly, that's not terribly uncommon). I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to the Galeanos for providing us with the food, and gratitude to Heavenly Father for providing us with the opportunity to give someone a much needed meal. SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR! Keep the faith family, keep being awesome, and count your many blessings! LOVE you all, Hma. Tara

And if You Endure it Well...

"Hey, lets go this way today."

"Okay, why not."

I never thought that this simple exchange of words would mean EVERYTHING, but this past week it has.

The week before was hard. Really hard. Our appointments were dropping like flies. And people had no desire to listen to us. I'll admit I was really discouraged by the time the end of the week came and we had almost nothing to report to our district leader.

I thought to myself, "So this is what it's really like being a missionary."

I had a decision to make... give up, and assume that I'll never get the hang of it. OR just decide that tomorrow is a new day.

I bet you're all wondering which one I chose...Haha.

I was done being discouraged, I was done feeling sorry for myself. This week WAS going to be different.

And guess what, it was!

The Lord blessed us so much. We found several new families to teach! I'll never cease to be amazed by how the chain of miracles link us to our investigators... How seemingly small things make a WORLD of difference. Things like doors being left unlocked, giving us access to floors of apartments we normally can't get to. (Just one of MANY examples.) Lessons with members present just fell into our laps! We found people everywhere we went who wanted to be taught. 

My testimony of the "small things" grows stronger every day. The small successes REALLY are what make up the big scale of success. Often I overlook the miracles that occur in my life daily. And what a huge mistake! Elder M. Russell Ballard says, "Great and marvelous events seem to motivate us, but small things often do not hold our attention. Noting that the Liahona worked by faith, Alma stated, 'Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means…[the people of Lehi] were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased' and they did not progress in their journey. Is our journey sometimes impeded when we forget the importance of small things? Do we realize that small events and choices determine the direction of our lives just as small helms determine the direction of great ships?"

I testify that "coincidences are (not) God's way of staying anonymous". He is in the details of our lives. He knows what we need, and the spirit will prompt us, making His will known to us. We just have to listen. Next time you feel inclined to do something, if it's a good thing... DO IT! Blessings will come from it.

Something else that I've learned this week is that people are good. Sure, there is a whole lot of bad going on in the world right now...the Boston Marathon bombing, for example. There are individuals out there who desire to hurt and to harm others. BUT I know that the majority of people are good. I've been truly privileged to come in contact with people who even though they live in the humblest of circumstances have a love for life that I admire SO much. The people here are amazing.

Well... My time is about up but I love y'all so much. Keep the faith and keep praying for me!

Thanks for your letters and emails! Keep 'em coming!

Lots and LOTS of Love,

Hermana Tara Franklin

Guardar La Fe

Well, my friends... It's been a CRAZY week.

I actually will be sending a very short update today... because I don't have much time to email.  A surprise lesson ended up taking most of my email time.

So to water it all down for you... This week was "all over the place" if you know what I mean...

For something comical: We were "Street Sweeping" on Saturday when a rather... eccentric, drunk woman came up and looked into my companion's face and said, "You have a POWERFUL face. Your face contains power.... I mean, WOW! What power. Man, I'm a mess." And walked away... Yeah. The New York Crazies. We love them. The greatest thing about it is was that we saw her an hour or so later on the other side of town when we were on our way to visit a less active.  This time she had with her a teddy bear the size of my dad. (?????) Who drags a giant teddy bear around Queens?? As we passed by we said hello... of course her response was, "Who the heck are you?" Haha....life is quality entertainment.

For some good news...We were able to do some really, really great work with the less active members of our ward... there are A LOT of less actives. We had 6 people come to church with us who haven't been to church in many many months. That was such a blessing and I was so glad they all came. We're going to try to continue our efforts and really concentrate on helping the less-actives REactivate. I hope you'll do this with me and invite your friends who don't make it to church very often to come with you!

I'm finding that I'm really struggling with the language. Part of this is my inability to be patient with myself, and the other part is...well I don't really know. Maybe I'll never figure out why it's so hard for me. Either way, Spanish is definitely not my strength when I'm teaching the gospel. BUT, as I've struggled to find Spanish words to say to people I've figured something out... And that is that I HAVE strengths. I have SO many other ways of communicating and expressing my deepest feelings. I've been able to bear my testimony and spread the gospel through song and through my gifts as an artist. I've used drawings to teach people all the time and I sing for people every time we're let into a home. I play the piano for every sacrament meeting, relief society meeting, primary singing time, choir practice/performance and every baptism that happens here in the Woodside Ward. I know Heavenly Father didn't give me these talents so that I could keep them for myself. It took me 20 years to figure that out. But hey, later is better than never. I hope you will all think about the talents you've been given and try to use them more to benefit others. You WILL bring others closer to Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support.

You're all amazing... Anytime you see either of my amazing parents give them a HUGE hug for me. They're doing a pretty great job and deserve a hug. Haha. HUGS to all of you from me!!

Hermana Tara Franklin