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MY FIRST BROKEN BONE!!!!!

So, this is my last weekly I will be sending out! It has been a fun mission!! 

Let me tell ya... Osky is insane! Each week is something different. For instance, I can no longer say that I have never broken a bone... We shall get to that tho!

So, Monday was Pday!! We went up to Ankeny and hung with the other missionaries, played some ball, because I used to love it... LOL. After we got back, we just went to dinner with our favorite people, and then headed home!

Tuesday and Wednesday were just visiting people, nothing too exciting!

On Thursday, I had my last district counsel!! Crazy!! I forgot to take pictures tho... On the way back from Newton, where the meeting was, we saw A PIONEER CEMETARY!!! So, of course we stopped and I have a picture of that. Then, we went on exchanges with the amazing Beaver Creek Sisters! I was with Sister Handy this time, and I, once again, forgot to take a picture for that. But, we went and saw some awesome people, and we found a total of 4 new people to teach!! They are all so amazing!!

Friday morning, This is were it gets fun. We woke up and started preparing to go play some basketball for exercise. I had a little bit of a stomach ache, but I was like, eh, I like ball. Before we left, Sister Pinto-Haynes told us about her dream... In which we went to play some basketball and I wore some weird wooden cases on my fingers so I wouldn't jam them. These were all warnings from Heavenly Father, but we didn't listen to them, it seems! So, we get to the church, and we start playing a game called 21. If you don't know what that is, that is okay. I probs won't be playing it again, LOL! Anyway, someone threw the ball, and it bounced off the rim. I jumped up and tried to catch it on the rebound, and, welllll.... My finger basically flew off! TMI maybe, but you could see the two ends of bone. So, I start freaking out. It takes a second before the other sister believe me, and we rush to the urgent care while calling our mission president's wife. We get there, and I'm starting to get dizzy... my finger was literally 10 times bigger than it was supposed to be... Long story short, they took a couple xrays, and came to the conclusion that it was just displaced. So, they yanked it back into place, and I bawled my eyes out because that hurt really bad, and took a ton of ibuprofen and headed home! Sister Short and Sister Pinto-Haynes headed out to do work, and me and Sister Handy stayed home and did a puzzle while listening to conference talks! Well, then we get a call from the hospital... They were looking over my xrays again, and turns out, the impact of the basketball not only displaced my finger, but also broke it! So, yeah. I have to go to a specialist sometime this week so they can do more with it, because like, it's swollen and black and I can't move it xD

Anyway, Saturday was MY BIRTHDAY!!! But sadly, We were stuck inside most of the day because of my finger, AND I also got a 24 hour stomach bug! So, happy birthday I guess? LOL. We did go to a lesson with our homie Ben, and he brought his friend along with him! So, we are now teaching Ethan as well!

That was basically our week... TBH I can't remember much else, but enjoy the pictures! 

Love y'all!

Sister Melanie Girvin

P.S. I included a picture of my hospital band because after the initial shock wore off, I realized they spelled it wrong, LOL!

Week in Pictures

So, I have a ton of pictures from this week! So, basically, my weekly will just be those and a little explanation...

- Zone conference was this week! It will be my last one! So, it was sad. But, I got to see lots of people, take a picture with my trainer, and a picture with the zone, lunch with the zone, a selfie during caroling with Sister Pinto-Haynes, Elder Gunderson, and Elder Gaunt.

-We went to the mission office, and they had our Christmas card hung up!

-Awkward camera picture

-A random question directed towards our zone leaders gone a little overboard

-Me and our favorite puppy, Liddy!

Also, I will only be sending one more weekly after this! I have loved the year that I have served in the IDMM, but it is time for me to go! After the 21st, you can get ahold of me through my personal email- melaniegirvin@gmail.com. Love y'all! 

December!!

Sorry in advance for the lame email... We have a busy day planned ahead of us! Our district is performing a musical number for zone conference on Tuesday! And... Yesterday we decided what song haha! So, we gotta practice that! But, here are some pictures!!

Me and sister Short went on exchanges! And we got to see Rita, my first convert!! She and Roy have 6 dogs now, and we got attacked xD they were cute, but one of them peed on me..

Thanksgiving Text

Sister Girvin and Sister Pinto-Haynes helped Sister Stahle prepare for Thanksgiving.

Being a missionary means expecting miracles!

What a crazy week! Thanksgiving was a blast! So, starting off...

Sister Pinto Haynes and I were stuck in Osky for pday! It's weird being to far to go places, but that's okay! We went to a couple stores and looked around, and we were going to pass a nail salon when she said she had never gotten her nails done! So, we got a pedicure Haha!

On Tuesday, we had interviews with our amazing mission president and his amazing wife! Love getting to see them and the zone! We played some weird games and got to know each other more, which is fun!

On Wednesday, we got invited to a couple different houses to help cook Thanksgiving food, and we happy obliged! Got some yummy pie early!

Thursday was TURKEY DAY!! We went to our Branch President's house and ate with them! It was a party! Afterwards, we went home and took some Christmas photos... LOL

On Friday, we weekly planned! And sad story, there was a baptism in Newton on Saturday, and we wanted to being some of the people we were teaching so they could watch! But, no one wanted to take the time to drive them because it was a long drive. So, we just gave up. We also felt impressed to go to the house of a part member family. The thing about these people tho, is they will invite you in and talk, but skip out on every return appointment and not answer texts. But, we went anyway! Sister Russel was the only one home, along with two of her boys. So, we talked and really got to know her, and found out she loves music! She admitted to us that she really enjoyed having us over, and we are going to eat with her next week!

Now, back to the sad story from yesterday. And, now it is Saturday, the day of miracles!! We woke up at 6:30, and not a minute later the phone goes off! It was our branch president. He said he would take Beth, and her boyfriend Jeff to the baptism, on the condition that they were nice clothes! So, we excitedly texted Beth, and she said that Jeff had some, but she didn't! We said a quick prayer and ran to a closet that had a lot of clothes for old missionaries. Inside, was a box full of clothes that would fit her!! So, we told her to shower and get ready, and we would bring clothes. So, that was awesome! Both of them were able to go! Now, a little about Jeff, he was previously like, never going to church! It was huge that he agreed to go to the baptism! During which, I would occassionally look over, and he was into it! So, while waiting for the newly baptized Sister Yoakum to come back from getting changed, I offered him a Book of Mormon, and he was giddy!! Also, Beth who was previously iffy about setting a date, wrote in her calendar 'my baptism' on February 12th!! We were so happy!! After we dropped Beth and Jeff back off, President Stahle took us out to dinner. While there, he said that when we asked him to come on Friday, his human self told him it was too far, and he was too busy. But, when he woke up on Saturday, Heavenly Father told him that Beth and Jeff needed to go. And they sure did!

On Sunday, we got a blizzard! So, church was cancelled :( We had been asked last minute on Saturday to give talks, and so we no longer needed to give those! we went to the Stahle's, again haha, and had some pancakes and helped them decorate for Christmas! That was fun! After about 3 hours though, we looked out the window and what did we see? A FOOT AND TWO INCHES OF PURE SNOW!!!!! And Oskaloosa does such a fantastic job of snow removal! JK. That was in the middle of the street xD So, we decided to head home, and then we were grounded for the rest of the day, so we decided to do our laundry... However, we didn't have enough quarters to dry our stuff, sooo.... yeah. Picture down below of how crafty we are!

Well, my talk was supposed to be on gratitude, which makes sense because Thanksgiving! So, what I am grateful for... Most of all my Savior, Jesus Christ. I would be lying if I said that being on a mission was easy! But I love this one talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland... He talks about missionary work, but I feel like it can apply to anything. He says, "Missionary work is not easy because Salvation is not a cheap experience! Salvation was never easy! If our Savior could cry in the night, sobbing Aba, Father, Papa, remove this cup from me, then little wonder that it is not a whimsical or easy thing for a missionary." 

So, in times of trial, remember that the Lord is there for you! To quote the mission president's wife, "The best way to squash the ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) is to use gratitude"!

Love you all, and have a fantastic week!

The First week in Osky

What a fantastic and long week! Our schedule was full on the daily!

On Monday, we got the opportunity to go up to Des Moines for ZONE P-DAY!! It is crazy living in an area that we can't go up every week, since we live so far away from real civilization haha! But I love Osky! After we got back, we went over and had a very sleepy lesson with our recent convert, Kawika! That was fun.

On Tuesday, We had some miracles. First, we were picking something up from Walmart, and there was this guy there! He came up to us, and was like, I see you everywhere, and figured I should talk to you! His name is Steve, and a little while ago he ordered a Book of Mormon in the mail... And six arrived at his house, so he has been reading those! We taught him again on Thursday, so I will tell about that later. Then, we tried by some people and did some finding, and found Linda! That was funny. She was expecting it to be her mom, but it was us, so she screamed and kinda threw the place mat that she was holding, and so that was funny. She invited us in, and we talked for a bit! Missionaries had come and visited her in the past, and her cousin is a member of the church, so she is down to learning!

On Wednesday, we went to the little town of Sigourney to teach Beth! She is funny. Afterwards, we were looking in area book and saw that there was a less active that lived there, and she had a cool name! It was BaneekequiQuia! So, of course, we had to meet her! Sadly, she moved a couple months ago, but we met Ben! He is so prepared! he has such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and when we offered a Book of Mormon to him, he responded with 'Yes Please!' He is a cool guy! 

Then, we went to have another lesson with Kawika, and our other recent convert, David! And they brought their friend, Sonny, who wanted to learn more! So we are so excited to work with him as well!!

On Thursday, we went to District Council, and had a party with our district! I love the other missionaries in the IDMM, we are like the most awkward family! But we had a blast! Afterwards, we went to see Cheryl, who is someone we are teaching. We had an awesome conversation with her about the love of God, and she gave us the address to her daughter April's house, so we also stopped by her! She was busy, but we are going back next week, which is awesome! After that, we went by a former, her name is Sheila! She hasn't seen missionaries since Sister Dalton was here! She just wanted to sit in silence for a little bit just to feel, and we are going back to see her next week as well!

On Friday, we had a full day inside! We had found quite a few people this week, and had to plan for them all, and we were tired by the end of the day! We also decided to be spontaneous and give each other hair cuts... yeah... LOL that was fun!

On Saturday, we also had a full day! We got up, did studies, and then went over to our Branch President's house, yes, I am back in a branch, for now!! We are gonna make this place a ward in no time! Anyway, we had lunch with them, and then headed up to DES MOINES for stake conference! Once we got to the church, we were walking down the hallway when I heard 'Sister Girvin?' I turn around, and THERE WAS SISTER MORA!!!!! She was my first STL back in Osceola, and she went home in March, and I hadn't seen her since, so that was a happy happy reunion! We went to DQ with her and Sister Short and Sister Handy and got some pictures!

On Sunday, we got to watch the second half of stake conference! I don't know why I used to think these were boring, they are the best! Afterwards, we went over to Tawyna and Doug's and ate some food! We had a competition on who could make the best chili, which still is in limbo, as me and Sister Pinto-Haynes obviously made the better one! LOL. Anyway, quite the exciting week! I am loving the people of lil' Oskaloosa, and absolutely loving Sister Pinto-Haynes! Have an amazing week!

New Address:

Sister Melanie Girvin

219 High Ave E apt 1

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

Just Awkwardness

So, to start, I know many people just look at this to see pictures. But let me tell ya, if you need a laugh, right here is where you find it! Welcome to the adventures of Sister Girvin and Sister Pinto-Haynes, coming straight from Oskaloosa, Iowa!!

So, last Monday was crazy in Morton, because it wasn't pday! So, we went out and saw a few people, but spent a lot of time packing and cleaning the apartment, because I was already certain I was coming here to Osky.

Then, Tuesday was Transfer Doctrine day! Sister Loeak is still in Morton with Sister Nelson, who was previously in Oskaloosa! So we just switched. So, we went and said goodbye to people, including the Sanchez's, the Mehr's, and the Jarnagin's, of whom I have pictures!

Wednesday was Super P-day! All us missionaries met at the stake center and had a party! 

Thursday, was the exhausting day of transfers! We got up at 5:30 and we were out by 6:30! We drove to Peoria, where I got into the Sisters van and drove up to Iowa City! There, we saw a ton of awesome missionaries that we haven't seen in a while, and then got in another car to go to Des Moines, where I met the lovely Sister Pinto-Haynes! And then the awkward started haha! So, we were supposed to go out the lunch with the zone, and we were told 2 different locations! We went to one first, and we didn't see any missionaries, so we went to the second one, which had the wrong zone, but we ate with them anyway! And I got to see my trainer! Sister Short! She is going to be my sister training leader this transfer! Then, we went to dinner with the Van Egmonds... Where they fed us! Groundhog. And not just any groundhog, it was a groundhog that had been pestering another member, and so they killed it and cooked it for us! It was... yeah haha! They were funny.

On Friday, MORE AWKWARD! We got a text from an unknown number, who wanted us to guess who it was! We said just some random names, and finally got it right haha! And she wanted us to meet her at the library in Sigoney! So, we took off and put the address of the library in the phone and went there. So, the building was as old as dirt, but we were like, huh, vintage! So we tried to check it out, looking in windows and such, trying to find out how you get in. Long story short, that library has been closed for about 10 years now... So, yeah... LOL! But, we got to the right place and met Beth! She saw the missionaries when she lived in Osky, and then moved and has missed it! So she found a member in the branch, asked for our number, and told us that she wants to come to church! She even found her own ride! We are stoked to work with her!

Then on Saturday, we had get to know you district counsel! Got to know the new district alright, and played a game where you had to make animal noises... #lifeasamissionary ! Then, we headed back and went and saw a member in the area... Tawnya Overton! She lived in Chariton back when I was serving in that area, and so I knew her already! We had a fun time talking, and we ended up getting challenged to a chili cookoff... Which is awkward cuz we dont know how to make chili. But, we tried yesterday and it turned out good! 

Next is Sunday! Of course, we had church and it was amazing! But fast forward to lunch at Branch President Stahle's house... The waffle recipe ended us getting messed up,  and so the waffle maker was a mess and everything was AHH! But it was funny! We ended up just eating sandwiches and muffins instead! Then, we went home and FINALLY started weekly planning since it had been a busy, awkward mess! During which, we decided to eat some chocolates that we had been given. Pretty soon, our throats started burning and our stomachs hurt! We thought we had been poisoned!! Come to find out, we bascially had been... There was live alcohol in the ingredients! So, that was kinda awkward since we don't drink alcohol, so yeah. 

Then, yesterday. The craziest day of all. We started off in the morning, we were going to head to do our laundry. However, we walked outside and I realized I had forgotten the keys!! And we couldn't even get into the hallway with the keys because the door is locked! And, we live on the second floor, so we couldn't climb out of any windows... So, we tried to fire escape, locked. tried picking the lock, but of course that didn't work. So, here we were, standing in the cold, kinda under dressed, and we decided to text the landlord, who said he would be right over, thankfully! So, we decided to go wait in the police station that is right across the street. When we went to walk out, can't make this up, A GIANT GLOB OF WET BRICK MORTAR FELL ON ME!!! It was all over my hair, and my dress, and my sweater that I was wearing, and my water bottle and my bag! We have yet to get it out of the clothes, and I ended up throwing the bag that I have used and loved for the last ten months in the trash because that was a lost cause. and my water bottle is still soaking in the sink! So, most awkward thing that has happened on my mission? Yeah. LOL.

Anyway, love yall! Hope you enjoy that!

Sister Girvin

Becoming a Baller...

What an awesome week! On Monday, we went to p-day. Of course. And I was reminded, once again, about how bad I am at basketball! I am not terrible, But there is definite need for improvement. However, I didn't really care, cuz like, why do I need to know how to ball? Well, let me tell you!

Sister Loeak and I met with Jimmy on Tuesday and ate some delicious PB&Js and some apple pie! Love picnics. Anyway, we talked a little about 'requirements' for baptism, because he really really wants to be baptized!! Well, we taught the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. And here was the response... He said "I can give up most of those. I can stop getting tattoos, stop drinking coffee and tea, and I would love to stop swearing. I can keep all those commandments, no problem! But, there is one... Don't take away my cigarettes!" So, we talked about smoking, and eventually, he came up with a solution... He noticed that in every church building, there is a basketball court. And, he LOVES basketball! So, he challenged us to a game! And, if we win, he will stop smoking! Being the competitive people we are, we agreed. But, being smart, we scheduled it for in 2 weeks! (Now about 1 week) One problem though.... WE ARE TERRIBLE AT BASKETBALL!!! So, we need help. Thankfully, God will be on our side haha!!

Sorry I can't write more! Gotta practice! Love y'all!!

Sister Melanie Girvin

P.S. Any letters you may want to send? Hold until November 12th! This is the last full week of the transfer, and I have a feeling that I am getting booted out of the blessed land of Morton!

P.P.S. many people doubt that Morton is actually big into pumpkins, or that Libby's Pumpkin Factory is here, or that there is a Nestle Chocolate Factory here... So, here is the first thing you see as you enter Morton!

NAUVOOOOO!

I love being a missionary! This week I hit 10 months! Crazy!! I go home in just 7 and a half more, which seems like a while, but with how fast it has gone so far, I'll be home next week!

Monday we had our usual p-day! Super fun, as usual!

On Tuesday, we had a busy morning! We were visiting Grandma Jean when we got invited to a BIRTHDAY PARTY!! For a three year old, but still, it was great! We had some cupcakes and because it was so last minute, we had to find a present in our apartment... Luckily, we still had the Barbies from our favorite member, so we packed up a Cinderella one and we are now Aspen's favorite people! It was outside at a park, and it was COLD!! Winter has officially hit the midwest y'all! Bringing out the boots and coats, cuz we are dying!

After the party, we went and saw Barb! She was sad that she wasn't baptized, and we talked a little about doing it next week, but it didn't feel right to us. So, we are still going to wait! Stay tuned!

On Wednesday, we spent the entire day in Morton, which was weird! We don't make it there too often. We met an awesome guy named Chris! His wife, Katelynn is a less active member. Chris has been to church a couple times to bring his step-daughter Skylar, and he loves it! We were a little curious why missionaries never taught him then, so we asked is missionaries had ever offered... He said no! Every time they came, it was just chit chat. He didn't even have his own Book of Mormon! So, we fixed that and he is planning on coming to church this week to watch the Primary Program, and he is super solid! 

We also had another super awkward encounter... We went to visit a less active lady, Sister Thomas. She hasn't come to church in 30 years, and said that no one has ever come! (Like I said, we don't make it to Morton often!) Her daughter Courtney was there too. Sister Thomas was just crying and talking about the state of the world right now, and about good Christians. And then, she started talking about Jehovah's Witnesses, and went off on everything wrong with them. Courtney was like, 'Mom, I told you, I don't want to talk about it!' Sister Thomas said 'That's why I am not talking to you, Courtney!!' Turns out, Courtney is officially joining the J-Dubs this week! So, that was a little awkward! But, missions are filled with awkward experiences! It is just another reason they are so fun!

On Thursday, we got a text from a former person that was taught named Jerry! He had texted us before, but this time he asked that we come over. So, we said a prayer and went! And it was the right decision, let me tell you! He has been getting really sick, and wanted us to pray with him. He has been making bad choices with health and money and wants help fixing them, and wants to come to church. He said that he always felt comfort coming to our church, and really wants that comfort right now. We are excited to work with him more!

On Friday, we had... ZONE CONFERENCE IN NAUVOO! It was so fun! This was my third time going to Nauvoo. It was an amazing experience, as always, and we saw some awesome friends and hear some inspirational trainings about missionary work!!

On Saturday, we got caught up on weekly planning and all that jazz, and then went and had dinner with Barb and a member! Barb loved it! She tells us how she feels more like a member of our church than of any other one she has been to, which is awesome!

On Sunday, Barb and Chris came to church! It was so good! That night, funny story! Sister Loeak and I decided to try dying our hair again, because last time it didn't work. So, I used a dark brown.... AND MY HAIR IS BLACK!! I'm still laughing at myself every time I look in the mirror. It's great. 

-A couple pics I forgot to post from interviews... us with the zone leaders, elder Barney and Elder Judy, and our new district! Add in Hermana Davis and Sister Walker, and Elders Hansen and Gardiner!

- Sister Henderson, "This is my flirtatious face."

-Awkward selfie of the week! Sister Walker!!

- Peoria Zone!!!

Pics from Nauvoo! Featuring Elders Anderson and Hunsaker, who we ran into there!

Facebook Posts Catch-up

Melanie Girvin

May 9, 2018

Hey everyone! I am still on my mission in the Iowa Des Moines Mission, but my mission has been authorized to use Facebook in our proselyting efforts! You can comment and share, but i can't reply back. My main way of contact will still be through email. But I will love seeing all of your smiling faces! I love it here in the amazing, green hills of Iowa! The church is true, and the Book is blue!!

Melanie Girvin

August 5, 2018

#Guidance
#oneWORDtheWORD

Melanie Girvin

September 7 , 2018

 "I like to look for rainbows, whenever there is rain!

And ponder on the beauty of an Earth made clean again"
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary in the IDMM! I get to witness miracles all day, every day, and I can testify that God loves each and every one of His children!

Melanie Girvin

September 10, 2018

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because I know that it is Christ's Church on the Earth today. Everything about it brings the Spirit and all the answers to questions long asked are within reach! I have read the Book of Mormon and put the promise it contains to the test! It says "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true. And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:4-5) I have read the scriptures, I have prayed for truth, and I have received the undeniable witness that this is true! #whylatterdaysaint

Melanie Girvin is with Alyssa Blake in Washington, Illinois.

September 25, 2018

No matter the times in which we live, we will always need the help and guidance of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ! Whether we are in 600 BC with the Liahona, or in the world today with the Book of Mormon and the Bible, we can always listen to the influence of the Holy Spirit!!

Melanie Girvin

September 28, 2018

One of the most asked questions to missionaries is, why do you choose to leave your family for so long to go awkwardly knock on doors?! I know, it seems crazy! But the answer is simple-because this church is the true Church! The key word of that question is CHOOSE. Jesus Christ chose to come to Earth, and to suffer and die for each one of us so that we could return to our Father in Heaven. I chose to come on a mission to be the Lord's Hand! To help others grow their Faith and Knowledge in the Son of God! #whythebadge

October 19, 2018

Melanie Girvin updated her profile picture.

October 20, 2018

Today marks 10 months of me being on a mission! I second what every missionary has said- it has flown by! This has been the hardest 10 months, but the best. As a missionary, I get the unique privilege of watching others gain a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. But, most importantly, I have gained a stronger testimony of Him than I ever thought possible! I know He lives! He came to Earth to for each of us, He lived for each of us, died for each of us, and lives now, For Us!! I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and joy knowing that if I were the only person on Earth, He would still have gone through the Atonement, because of His matchless love for me, and for each of us! I know that this is His work!