OFF THE CHAINNNNN (hna. Rapalos most often said phrase)

WHATS UP WAGGERS??

I cannot believe how fast time is going! Holy cow someone please stop it!! This week i got really really sick. I couldn't get off the floor and when i did it was running to the bathroom to throw up! My comps were searching high and low for medicine but we didn't have nothin! I mean we live in the Brazilian bungaloos we can't consume drugs. So they call the elders next door and tell them hermana wagstaff is sick can you bring over some medicine if you have any?? I wake up off the floor to two elders standing on our porch looking like hagred. Hated to scare them like that... but  They literally bought out all of the local Walgreens and CVS I'M ALMOST POSITIVE! There were so many strange drugs they gave me. They also brought soup, crackers, and bluebell i was like EVERYTHINGS FINE NOT DYING JUST A SMALL STOMACH BUG GET BACK TO WORK! Everything was fine until i walked to the car was laying in the back seat and just so happy about my saltine crackers i held it up to the heavens and goodness gracious that strong texas AC blasted all the salt into my little eyeballs. felt like i just did a swan dive into the ocean. couldn't see for hours! Hna. Mayne was like, "i never thought i would see my trainer blinded by a saltine cracker!" scary moment for everyone! 

This week was incredible! I think my favorite sunday in the ward. it's 11 oclock bishop stands up you'd think world war 2 just ended with how many people were there. BISHOPS MOM AND WIFE, and cutest papito Antonio on my side! Antonio is the greatest grandpa i've ever had! we had a heart to heart yesterday because he has changed so much! I just want him to be baptized and recieve a remission of his sins so badly! He's so close and he will pay tithing so soon! He use to be the scarest 75 year old i knew. He would yell at me and make me feel terrible but I've now realized thats just how cubans are. But through this gospel he has turned into the sweetest old man and he knows it! He has a heart of gold! All the old ladies in the ward have their eyes on him. HE'S A HEART STOPPER ALRIGHT! ahh how would you guys feel about movin the family to cuba?? I'm serious he is my little gramps and i finally told him that i would be leaving tomorrow and it was the saddest thing of my life! im going to miss him soo much! But it's 11:20 everyones comin in and i look to the side of me and all 8 of our investigators were on my row singing the sacrament hymn! What a beaut! ohhh how the smallest things just fill my heart with joy! 

We had a family night after church in the familia Martinez house with our investigators and we watched Meet the Mormons. That movie is sooo powerful! I forgot how wonderful it is. Our investigator Yedwin (found him through the english class we teach. he's been coming to church for 2 months and brings ALL the other investigators to church! such a cool guy)  was crying by the end and said he had never felt something that powerful before. He said i now know why God told me to come here and leave Honduras behind. There was a life so much better that he had planned for me. I've never been so happy except for in this church. He accepted to be baptized this saturday! His only problem was coffee so i called him this morning before he went to work to make sure he wouldn't drink it. I call and he's just whistling and yelled "WHATS COFFEE?? WHO NEEDS COFFEE??" 

THIS GOSPEL IS PERFECT! I AM COMPLETELY CHANGED BECAUSE OF IT! I LOVE LOVE LOVE WATCHING ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST DOES FOR THESE PEOPLE! 

I should be leaving tonight to go to the other companionships... im just sooo soooo sad to leave my home H9 THIS IS MY HOME IVE BEEN HERE HALF MY MISSION. Hna. Ruiz is like how do you know everyone that walks by us i'm like when you can't leave an area for nine months you get to know EVERYONE! "hola luis!" "hey terressa how's your mom? is she still selling mangos on the corner??" "Hey Matthew let us know if you still need help moving!" SO MANY FRIENDS!!! I LVOE THIS AREA! even Jannet who lives on the curb of walgreens and is always on drugs. she lets me pray for her! bffs if i do say so myself! i've been stalling and i might text president and tell him that i can just stay in the area till i leave  but we will see what he says! I had an interview with him on friday and i just love my president so much! i know i could have been called to any mission in the world but i was called to Texas Houston South Mission because I needed President Hall! He has helped me change and become the girl and missionary i've always dreamed of being! 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING MY VERY FAVORITE FAMILY AND MY VERY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE. Even though i say all these people and places are my favorite you know there is always no place like home in the middle of my mom and dads bed! 

see you soon!

hermana wagg

Familia Barreno! ahhh they are the cutest family ever. i want to be like them when i'm older

                                                             whats dinner without tortillas??

MY PAPITO ANTONIO! AHH LOVE THIS MAN 

small car on fire.. nothing unusual

What the world needs now....

DEAREST FAMILY, 

You know you are living in texas when then sun hasn't even come up over the bayou and it's 97 degrees and your eyebrows feel like raw meat. IT'S SUMMER ALRIGHT. AND COULDN'T FEEL BETTER! So my momma here wanted to take me to Galveston for one of our last p-days and pres pres said we couldn't go because then all the other missionaries would follow us. she has a little temper like she just chewed out all these workers at walmart this past week. she's hilarious! But needless to say i had a dream that instead of going to Galveston i took her to oly high school where Jenn Goodman told me i was performing at half time. SOOO SCARY.  All I had was my bike shorts and my G'S they made me do a stunt....AND EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING. ASK ME IF I WANNA COME HOME AFTER THAT?? NOOOO. 

What the World needs know is love, sweet love, it's the only thing that there's just too little of. We've got bayous and bluebell enough to fly. We've got cockroaches and Shipley's enough to die.... TILL THE END OF TIME! WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS KNOW IS LOVE, CHRISTS LOVE, IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT THERE'S JUST TOO LITTLE OF. 

shout out to my fav movie- best friends wedding. That movie and i have some good memories here in Texas. I only watched it 7 times driving here. And that's what I've realized this week. All people need is Christ love. There is far too little of it in the world. AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO is recognize it! It is simple. He's always there whether we deserve it or not. Every single one of our investigators has told us this week, "i just want to feel Christ's love. How do I do that??" 

Well here's a small formula

Get on your knees + serve + stop thinking about yourself + recognize the good = lots of Christs love 

We have this investigator Miguel. He's a little rugrat alright. He's come to church for about a month and he should be getting baptized this week. I have had some of the most powerful lessons I've ever had in my mission with miguel. He's heard everything, every last anti thing about our church. Right down to asking if we are really associated with the ihop gang.Joseph Smith has been really hard for him to accept. And I really have never had a problem with anti before so I'm so so soo soooooo very thankful for the spirit but I really could not tell you one thing that I have told him. I've had to completely rely on the spirit and it's been an amazing experience! But through it all he knows this is true and all he wants is CHRIST PURE LOVE.

2 years ago he was studying with elders. He got kicked out of his house. His parents hate mormons! He moved in with a high school's family and we went and taught him at his house last week and in the middle of the lesson he's like shoot!! they walk in and they are like get out of this house now! WE GOT KICKED OUT! I have never been so terrified in my life! They hate us too! Satan has really been trying to not get Miguel baptized. He was suppose to get baptized on Sunday but the high school friends parents invited this woman that use to be mormon but is now catholic to talk to him. BAD NEWS! he has heard it all. Miguel walks to church everyday by himself. It's about a 5 mile walk and he wants to receive a remission of his sins so badly. He loves the Elders and they have been teaching his as well. On Saturday they had a 2 hour lesson with him at Mcdonalds when this black guys walks up and was like, "bible study! can I join!!! i love bible study." ohh you gotta love texas! the people here are hilarious! pray for miguel everyone! 

Saturday was Hermana Maynes b-day I planned an OFF THE CHAIN surprise party with my mamma hna. rapalo! we kept it so secret not even hermana ruiz my other companion knew about it! soo much fun! the ward is awesome! I have the best companions and I love love love these members! 

well gotta go to shipleys. TRYIN TO MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL!

LOVE YOU ALL MORE THAN ALL THE STINKING EGG SMELLS THAT COME FROM THE BAYOU

HERMANA WAGSTAFF

I GOT HER SO GOOD!

OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

ANTONIOS WORK BOOTS FIT JUST RIGHT!

CUTEST COMPANION EVER

 ALWAYS HAVE TO TEACH MIGUEL OUTSIDE IN THE WONDERFUL TEXAS HEAT

LA WAGSTAFF

DEAR LOS WAGSTAFFS, 

HOLA HOLA HOLA! QUE PASO CON LA WAGSTAFF? QUE QUIRE LA WAGSTAFF? DONDE ESTA LA WAGSTAFF? LA WAGSTAFF NO ESTA? LA WAGSTAFF LA WAGSTAFF LA WAGSTAFF LA WAGSTAFF! 

I didn't realize till.. hmmm yesterday that everyone, all the members, all the investigators, everyone calls me LA WAGSTAFF. Anytime someone calls "can i talk to LA WAGSTAFF?" No one can say HERMANA WAGSTAFF it's just too hard so it's always LA WAGSTAFF. and let me tell ya.. it's doesn't always sounds like your typical wagstaff. it's sounds like wastaf, waffles, wafa, wagfat. WHO GAVE US THIS LAST NAME??? 

So i just realized what time it is.. don't have much time because this 30 year old man has been chatting my ears off about Pokemon. Told him i love pokemon (in reality i don't know one thing about it...big mistake to say you love pokemon to someone who really does) he told me to save his computer and now he is frantically walking about the neighborhood trying to catch a pokemon. should i be concerned?? OH HE'S BACK! i was so worried! he found the pokemon at the gym next door. so confused sir im just trying to write los wagstaffs! 

anyway fam 18 months ago... you, I, and a couple strangers sat in on one beautiful night of reeses shakes at dairy queen on feburary 9th. and little did you know the advice and council you gave me has changed my mission! i read your advice every morning in my personal study and YOU GUYS WERE THE ONES THAT HELPED ME MAKE THIS MISSION THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! 

Through Mitch I knew i could take any houston heat and crazy hispanic because he told me, "petes brother from "unbroken" said to louie, "if you can take it, you WILL make it." example: sons of mosiah teaching the lamanites got treated very badly but they were always patient in their afflictions- always answered with kindness." THANKS MITCH! 

Through Kels I would have never known how sweet but sometimes fake these latins are. We find a golden on the street they are like "yes come back everyday and baptize me tomorrow!" LIAR! we never see them again! because kels told me, "the spanish population are very kind and loving. Not always committed but they want to be good." I HAD NO IDEA BEFORE THE MISS! THANKS KELS! 

Through Dad i knew it was ok to have a bad day or be sad. THAT'S NORMAL AND THAT'S LIFE. I've definitely stretched and learned more than i ever thought i ever would. Because daddy told me, "you will feel new things. loneliness, disappointment, spiritual highs you've never known. when people really get to know you, they'll respect what you say and listen to your message! THANKS DADDY! 

Through minds i learned how good God is in our everyday lives. Being able to reflect on my day through nightly prayer i have learned to see the the lords hand in every second of everyday. Whether it's a sunset, an investigator understanding our message, or a free icecream cone from abel when i think i'm going to melt. GOD KNOWS ME AND IS IN MY EVERY SINGLE DAY! because mindy told me, "always look back at the day and see how the lord had a hand in your life. it will help you see things in a positive light and will make you realize that little miracles happen every day!"  THANKS MINDY

Through Brady i learned this mission is not about me! this isn't my work this is our saviors work! GET OUT OF THE WAY LA WAGSTAFF. what brady told me is so true i've made a lot of great friends thanks to you! because he told me, "you can make more friends in two months being interested in them than you can make in two years being interested in yourself. all the goals and numbers are important but the best thing is to love and get to know them" THANKS BRADS! 

Through Addie she helped me remind me i can do this! That no matter what gets thrown at me i can do this! because i am nothing but with the savior i am everything! I have been set apart and i've been trying to live up to the counsel ads gave me. because she said, "to always be myself. that i am capable. I don't freak out in any situation but stay full of goodness." this one has been hard. many times i wanted to smash peoples head in but what good would that do! THANK YOU ADS!

Through Ronnie i've learned how to be the best companion i can. All my companions have become my best friends and i love them soooo much because ronnie told me, "companions can be hard. Don't think of yourself. think of christ and what he went through for us. work on your relationship with the savior. he is more important than anything else become his servant and try to be like him." THANKS RONNIE! 

Through Rachel i've learned that truly we have an army of angels on our side. to protect and guide us through this crazy life. I've felt them throughout my mission and i'm so grateful for what rachel told me, "when you pray, unload your burdens on the lord. Pray for your ancestors and those on the other side will help and support you! it will be hard and you will be tested but he will be there for you!" THANKS RACHEL!

through rex i learned i always needed to fast and the lord would bless me! richard told me not to be scared because the holy ghost is with me! 

Through my dearest mom i learned how to serve with all my heart, might, mind and strength and make this the best experience for me and my investigators. because my mom said, "go with your heart. be a light within yourself. its not what you say it's what you are. what converts is the spirit. make a friend before you try to convert." i've learned this to be so true! it's not what i say it's how i act each and every day that converts. THANKS MOM!

There is so much other advice you have all given me and i just thank you all for all that you have taught me. Here i am with four more weeks and we are still seeing soooo many miracles! I keep thinking ok if i was at disneyland with my dad right now would he say i got my money worth today? DID I WORK HARD ENOUGH??  did i go on splash mountain 1704 times?? what more could i have done? GET THE LORDS MONEY WORTH! THIS IS IT EAGLE QUARTER!! GET YOUR CLAWS UP IN THE AIR! 

1. my mission mom hermana rapalo. FAVORITE HUMAN! (i know i say that about everyone but it's true!) took us to the best bakery i think i gained 10 pounds

2. YEP TEN POUNDS. I REPEAT 10 POUNDS

   

Teaching MY FAV Jariela to make crepes! sooo i'm begging her and onandy to get married this next week! i told her i already found her dress (hallelujah thank the heavens for texas thrift!) they are legit thinking about it now!!! i'm making crepes and baleadas for the wedding! she laughs so hard when i talk about the wedding. i'm just sooooo excited! WEDDING PLANNER! 

FIRST CREPE! 

CUTEST hna. villalobos b-day! i love the members of this ward! nooo only one more week here!! soo sad!  

    

my mission mom hermana rapalo. FAVORITE HUMAN! (i know i say that about everyone but it's true!) took us to the best bakery. I think I gained 10 pounds

YEP TEN POUNDS. I REPEAT 10 POUNDS.

MEDIUM RARE... OR WELL DONE??

1. RAINSTORMS ON EXCHANGES 

2. BUBBLEGUM IN THE SKY 

3. erlin's surprise b-day party during english class.... we are so sneaky. Teaching them party words then SURPRISE CAKE AND FIESTA! 

4. FIESTA WHOOOOOTTTT

5. mlc... Hermana Paiz one of my favorites. shes coming to my district! 

6. cleaning the less active, leticias bathroom with don don don OVEN AND GRILL CLEANER

7. SO SCARED COULDNT BREATHE 

8. my trainer baptized this lady leticia  and she hasn't come to church in a year but we cleaned her house sunday and followed the ammon service approach and she came to church! 

9. WORK ZONEEEEE WHO WANTS TO BE IN OUR ZONE?

10. WE WERE IN A PARADE???? SAY WHAT?? DREAMS COME TRUE. This is my district 

11.district

12. chick fil a is life! 

13. Elsa noooooo i hate holding hands stop! Bell the Disney princess was there and wanted to kill me cuz i kept taking videos of her the whole parade and she was so sweaty and hot in her dress. HILARIOUS 

14. parades with the english ward!

15. parades. parades. parades

16. WARD PARTY GRILLLINNNNN

17. MY FAVORITE CHILD IN THE WORLD. KELLLLYYY 

18. SELFIES

19. meat is all you need in life for a good party 

20. i hate sin... when you get stuck in gas stations in rainstorms and they tell you to go sit down and make yourself and home. NOT POSSIBLE

Dear Family, 

HEY FAM HOW ARE YOU GUYS? SUCH A FUN FUNNNNN WEEK! I LOVE THE FOURTH OF JULY. I mean i love all holidays but i just get so excited to celebrate anything! i don't care what we are celebrating. it is always so fun! i mean i couldn't even sleep july 3rd i woke up at 5:50 and did a small dance routine off my comps beds. SO STOKED IT'S THE FOURTH OF JULY. WAKE UP! THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO! It was so so hot on the fourth- just how you'd expect a texas 4th! All our investigators just camping out inside because they have no idea what this holiday is but needless to say we CELEBRATED ALRIGHT! 

Tuesday we had an exchange in MAPLEWOOD with Sister Fish'iahi and we were out biking for a good 10 minutes when the storms of all texas storms hit home. TEXAS I LOVE YOU! i looked behind me on the bike and it looked like the sky was just going to eat me!  like a huge smoky fire took over the sky and it lite me of fire alright! My little pink easter dress quickly turned into a striped red candy cane. WE GOT SOAKED! i was laughing my head off it was so fun! we finally found a small local gas station and we were waiting outside because we didn't know if we could go in so drenched when this homeless man showed us just about every tumor on his stomach. the darling little man from Iraq quickly told us we could come and "make ourselves at home because the storm wasn't going to let up for an hour." he pulled out three chairs in the middle of the lottery machines, the wine, and the beer. sir noooo we can't make ourselves at home! Hna. Ruiz i never know if they have all the things we have heard of in america. so she was like i want a treat and just walked up the the cash register without picking anything out. i walk up behind her like ok how do i go about this to not embarrass her. i start explaining a gas station to her in spanish how you go pick out your treat first them come up to the counter. she just looks at me and in english "I'M NOT STUPID. WE HAVE THESE IN MEXICO" she just wanted one of the special treats behind the counter... oooppps my bad!  But God was nice and sent lots of fun people to contact in the grocery store. Personal fav.... IAM rapper name from Miami just passin through. loves god! The Iraq man kept giving us chips "church discount!" THANK YOU SIR I LOVE YOU! when the storm let up we jumped back on our bikes. sister fish was like "shoot i lost my favorite sweatshirt." we run back inside to find it... search team high and low. looks like we really did make ourselves at home it was laying in the middle of the iced drinks just covered in ice! 

Saturday I sent the pic of us cleaning... we have been trying to get Leticia to come back to church for quite some time we finally decided to show up in our work clothes and tell her to put us to work. she was so excited! i was like, "i will clean the bathroom!" (didn't want anyone to have to suffer through that. ya never know what you will find these days) shes like ok! HANDS ME OVEN AND GRILL CLEANER AND FREBREEZE... already so scared! she's like ya just spray this everywhere works like a charm! i'm thinking in my head do you want your backside medium rare or WELL DONE! GRILL! i then look at the caution on the other side... wear gloves and eye wear. i was just spraying it everywhere. toilet,shower,sink inhaling everything! that's when the burning sensation hit all parts of my body! poor dear can't read english probably had no idea what kinda cleaner that was. she didn't complain about the toilet so it must have been WELL DONE! 

ward party- TO DIE FOR! first we crashed the english ward breakfast because 'aint nothin like an english ward 4th of july breakfast! THen we got to be in the bellaire city parade! what what! i thought everyone was cheering and getting so excited when i waved to them and passed water out. NOPE stinking elsa and bell were right behind me! but needless to say i just kept filming them and now we are great friends! our ward party... lets say 2 kids showed up. kelly and Angel.... BUT NO PARTY IS A LET DOWN PARTY! so we still grilled up and lite the meat and instead of a bike parade for the kids! we got a soccer game going with all the adults! our investigators loved it! and they told me i should try out for the women league! i think they were just being nice but there is hope in the world! 

THIS WEEK WAS THE BOMB! SO WELL DONE! NOT EVEN MEDIUM RARE OR THE SLIGHTEST BIT BLOODY! SOOO GOOD. as good as a triple wammy tri-tip on the grill! I LOVE MY MISSION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I LOVE MY SAVIOR AND THE PERSON HE IS HELPING ME BECOME! 

LOVE YOU SO MUCH FAMILY!

HERMANA WAGSTAFF