I got Bronchitis...... AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!!!‏

December 29, 2014

ALOHA FAMILIA!!!!!!  Yep, I just mixed languages...... It's how I roll!

 

So, remember how I said I had a cold last week?  Well.............  I think I got bronchitis.  Every time I tell people that, sister Gillins looks at me and says, "Ain't nobody got time for that!!" This is how I know we are long lost sisters....  So, I have been sick all week, but we still saw TONS of miracles and were able to see the beauty of life through CHRISTMAS!!!

 

Tuesday:  Not much really happened.  I was sick most of the day, but at night we went and taught a lesson to Diana.  I love her so much! In the middle of her lesson, Jarom (La's son) and Manny (Diana's brother) came and were trying to distract us, so I took boy duty, and told them scary stories and shared 2 kings 6:16 with them while Sister Gillins taught Diana.  I love those boys so much! They are so pure and innocent.  They are so funny too!  Reminds me of my brothers a lot!  And they tease me like them too!! Diana told Sister Gillins that she feels "proud of herself" when she prays about baptism, but doesn't know about a day.  We are seeing her tomorrow! Pray that she has a day by then!

 

Wednesday: CHRISTMAS EVE!!! In the morning, we had a zone breakfast! Elder Miller told us that our district was in charge of making eggs, so I got put on egg duty! They turned out really good if I do say so myself! I made 60 scrambled eggs for 30 people! That's a lot of eggs!  After that, we had an AMAZING district meeting.  I love my district! They are so in tune with the spirit, and we are all so unified! I love them so much.

 

That evening, La invited us over to eat Christmas Eve dinner and to read the Christmas story with the Spanish Elders.  They are so amazing! She is a really good cook! After we read the Christmas story, the spirit was really strong, and I didn't want that feeling to leave.  So, I asked La if there was anything that she wanted us to do, so she had the elders, us and her sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus in Spanish, English and Samoan.  It was interesting, but the spirit was still really strong! Then we spent 10 minutes doing nothing but singing hymns and praising God and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  It was so amazing!

 

Thursday: CHRISTMAS!!! I didn't get a lot of presents, but what I got was perfect! I love it.  The greatest gifts were spending Christmas with one of my best friends, and seeing my family! I was able to tell my sister that I am coming home on March 4th, instead of missing her by 8 days! I think that was a bit of a suprise for her.  I got to talk to my beautiful brothers and my amazing parents as well.  I love my family so much! Times like this help me to remember how much my family is important to me and how much I love them! I am so blessed to have a family that is supportive and loving and that I can't think of eternity without thinking that they will be with me!  I love them so much!!

 

Saturday: We had Book of Mormon reading as usual, and then Sister Gillins and I got a haircut.  Well, multiple hairs cut.....  Mine doesn't look too different, more layers and shorter bangs.  Sister Gillins just added more layers and fixed her hair to not look like a grown out bob.  She looks beautiful!! 

 

Sunday:  We had a shortened, combined church meeting with the YSA ward because there weren't very many people in sacrament meeting! It was a little weird, but really nice. I love my ward!  After Church we went to do temple tours! I love them so much!  It is getting cold thoug, and that's weird.  Not too good for my cough, but whatevs...

 

I love you all so much!! Have a great week!!  Hope that all of  you have a wonderful new year of reflection and awesome resolutions!

 

Love,

Sister Haws

 

PS- Ether 6:2.  What do we have that lights our life and keeps us going in the dark?

MUSIC AGAIN!!! AND PARTIES!!!‏

December 22, 2014

Sorry, My email seems really repetitive, but we have had so much music this last week that I don't even know what to do with myself! Probably, just keep singing because that's all I really know how to do:)

 

We got to do temple tours, and it rained again this week! I love the rain, but it gets really cold, at least if you're me and don't have a lot of "winter" clothing because I'm in Cali, and, for some reason, Cali doesn't scream "WINTER" whenever I look at the word....  Maybe that's just me...

 

We have sung Wednesday through Saturday, and i love it so much, but my body doesn't really like it... I got a bit of a cold from singing so much and singing in the cold air.

 

Thursday we had our Christmas Party, and we were suprised with the presence of HAYDEN JACKSON!!! If you remember, he was the elder that we had to say goodbye to in the end of August, but he came back for the Christmas party!! I love that kid so much!! We had a talent show and I sang a song called Gethsemane.  If you go to the California Irvine mission facebook page, you will see a video of me singing, just in case you miss my singing.  We had a beatiful time, and Santa even showed up!!  I knew Santa was mormon!!

 

Friday we sang at the Laguna Niguel Chalk Walk.  It's this thing where artists in Orange County can buy a parking stall and decorate it with chalk.  There were some AMAZING artists there.  I sang a solo again, but not very many people heard it because it was outside and there wasn't a microphone.  Still good.  OH! Funny story!  So we were on risers here, and I was on the second riser.  For some reason, I lost my balance, and I was on the end of the riser.  I didn't fall off, but I almost did, and my first thought was "Well, there goes my OTHER elbow!"  Funny times!  I promise I'm trying to be safe!

 

Saturday was spent serving and setting up for the Christmas Party for our ward!  Since my arm is still out of commission, I wasn't able to set up the tables (though I tried....), so they put me in charge of the decoration part and bossing everyone around.  I think I really liked that job!!  The party turned out really nicely! There was a pretty good turn out, and Sister Gillins and I did a song.  She played Breath of Heaven while i sang.  She also did a duet with Elder Rivera, and played the piano for a lady in our ward who sang Oh Holy Night! It was great!!

 

I turned 16 months yesterday, and I cannot even believe that i am this old in the mission!! Most days it feels as though I have only been here for a week, and I just got off the plane.  I love this work so much!!

 

Make sure to look at the He is the Gift website at christmas.mormon.org! I love you all and hope you have a VERY Merry Christmas!

 

Love,

Sister Haws

 

 

 

 

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing LOUD for all to hear!

December 15, 2014

 

This week was crazy and full of singing, hence the title of this beautiful email!

 

Tuesday we had transfers, and we got elders!! We said goodbye to a lot of missionaries, including my trainers, Sister Carlson and Sister Oswald.

 

Wednesday went to choir, and as I was getting out of the bathroom, the stupid doorknob came out and attacked my elbow.  yes the bad one...  It was not fun...

 

Thursday was spent recovering, and showing the elders around the area.  We taught Quinn, who is awesome!

 

Friday and Saturday we got to sing at this thing called Follow The Star in RSM.  It was really neat.  They have a live nativity, and thousands of Nativities from across the world.  We sang a lot, and I even sang a solo.

 

Sunday we went to church and had to give the Relief Society lesson.  Good thing it was on Proclaiming the Gospel.  It was really cool.  I love the Spirit.  It helps us when we really need it!

 

After Church, we went all the way down to San Clemente and were able to sing in their big Interfaith concert.  It was absolutely amazing! The spirit helped us so much, and we were able to touch a lot of hearts with our music.  Also, we got to sing the Hallelujah Chorus again, and that was AWESOME!!! I love learning hard pieces and working with them!

 

God is real! I love him a lot!  Sharing the gift this week was really awesome!

 

I love you all! Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Kayla Haws

 

 

 

​It rained again! I love the rain! God really does California!

 

 

Elder Bickmore, one of the Spanish elders in Anaheim got transferred. We are so sad:(

 

Transfers again????????????????????????????????

December 8, 2014

Well, it's that time again! Transfers has come upon the land of Irvine once again.  The hearts of the missionaries have been touched and the call has been issued.  There have been some that have had weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.  There has been some that have had much rejoicing.  Where am I in this picture??????  GUESS!!!!!

....

Just kidding!!! I have had much rejoicing! Sister Gillins and I are staying together! The dream team has another 6 weeks to be AWESOME!  This will be my 5th transfer in this area.  I love the South Coast ward.  I love this so much and I am so excited to continue in this ward and to be able to serve during CHRISTMAS!!!!!

This week has been a week full of music and getting in the spirit of Christmas.  We have been able to go to 2 interfaith concerts for the Choir--one in Laguna Beach and one in Aliso Viejo.  We sang so many songs, and in Laguna Beach, I got to be a Wise Man! That was fun!  And I got to sing a solo there, that I wasn't expecting.  That was interesting.  In Aliso Viejo, we sang at the Soka University concert.  That was really fun! I love singing in a concert hall and serving the Lord and testifying of what is right and true!

I love this ward! I love it with all my heart! 

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Sister Kayla Haws

Turkey!! And Pasole? And a baptism!‏

December 1, 2014

 

Happy December everyone!! Can you believe that it is already the last month of this crazy year?? I can't!

 

Not much exciting happened at the beginning of the week. I took yet another friend/companion to Ikea for her first time. It was awesome! We had a blast!

 

Wednesday, we had a special mission conference.  The chaplain on Camp Pendleton Marine Base, Chaplain Adams, came and talked to us. He is a Seventh Day Adventist, and he had some great insight.  He loves the members of our church, and he loves serving the Lord.  I found a fellow servant in him, and it was really nice to hear his insight.  He knew a lot about our religion.  The elders stationed in Camp Pendleton have helped him out a lot and he has the deepest respect for them.  They are great elders as well.  He talked all about how mission is about sharing; sharing our message, sharing love, and sharing what we have.  He talked about how a mission is not about you, how it is about the people, and how a mission is for the glory of God, not you!  It was really cool! I love hearing what other people have to say. It proves that each church has some truth in it, and that there are true seekers here.  I love this work so much!!

 

Thursday, all the fun happened! We had district meeting where Elder Miller asked Helena to speak to us about her conversion and how we can be more successful with our investigators.  She did so good! I love her with all my heart! Then, since we had to sing with the elders for Manny's baptism (more on that later), we went to the church and practiced. Sister Gillins is the most awesomest person ever!!! She plays the piano like a boss! It was so fun!  Then, we went with the Sisters, the Spanish Elders, and us, to La's house! We had so much fun!  La made turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoe salad, ribs, and stuffing; and Manny's mother made Pasole!! It was so good! Probably the best pasole I have ever had! I loved it a lot.  I love food so much!

 

Friday, we had practice with the Elders again, but before that, we had a blitz in the Mesa View ward.  I got to go on exchanges with Sister Cottle for that and it was so fun! She helped me be ok with going home, and put everything in perspective.  She helped me to feel loved, and it was great!

 

Saturday, we were in charge of the book of Mormon reading that normally happens, but no one showed up, so we practiced a little, before going to get lunch.  After lunch we helped a less active to feel better.  Then we had MANNY'S Baptism!!!!! It was so cool! I love that kid so much! The program ended up awesome! There weren't many people there, because aparently no one knew about it, but it was perfect.  The song we sang was awesome! The elders did amazing, and so did Sister Gillins! I love having a musical companion! it's the best!  La and her son, Jarom gave AWESOME talks, and he was so happy! After his baptism, we went to eat Tamales that his mother made! They were SO GOOD!!!! I love mexican food!! It makes me really happy to serve in such an awesome ward.

 

Sunday morning, we got a call from the Sisters, and they asked us a favor.  Sister Cottle was supposed to give a talk, but she found out she had to go to a meeting in Irvine, so she asked if I could give a talk on Gratitude.  I didn't know that I was speaking, and I had about an hour to prepare it, but it turned out pretty well! I prayed really hard for the spirit to help me know what to say, so that worked really well.  I know that the Spirit is real, and that God does give us strength in the times that we need it.  I love God so much!!

 

I love this work! I love seeing people make covenants and changing their lives! I love seeing people follow their Savior Jesus Christ.  I love seeing families change because one person decides to change.  I love being a missionary!! I love you all so much!!

 

This week, look up the awesome video found on christmas.mormon.org. It will bring you to know just why we celebrate Christmas!

 

I love you all! Have a great week! Remember to remember the reason for this Christmas season! Watch the beautiful Christmas devotional for me, since I can't!

 

Love,

Sister Kayla Haws

 

Helena's mother, Bessie, crocheted me a blanket!! It's my favorite color and it is so flipping beautiful and warm!! I love her so much!!

 

 

 

24's! Baptisms, and Amazing Awesomeness!‏

November 24, 2014

 

YOKWE!!!!

 

So this week was full of amazing awesomeness, as it says in my subject line!

 

Tuesday, we had our district meeting, where Sister Gillins and I had to do a training on the Book of Mormon and how we can better use it in our missionary life.  It was amazing and the spirit was really helping us along in that training! I love her so much! And I love that we were able to work together for that!  I have such a strong testimony of the book of Mormon that it was really cool to share that with the members of my district.  Then we had a missionary conference, and we learned about the Christmas awesomeness that is called "He is the Gift."  It is all about helping us to feel of God's love and remember why really have Christmas.  To learn more, check out christmas.mormon.org.  Super amazing!  That night we also picked up Diana, Manny's sister, as an investigator!

 

Wednesday we had temple tours and got to help Katina, a recent convert from Westpark continue to settle in to her new apartment.

 

Thursday was 24s exchanges.  I have talked about them before because this is the 3rd time we have done them.  This time, as with the other 2, I stayed in my area.  I was with Sister Murphy and Hermana Williams.  It was an amazing experience! I was able to share my time with some amazing sisters.  Hermana Williams has only been out in the field for 10 weeks, and she went to the Mexico MTC, so that was cool.  As we were contacting, I got to introduce myself as Hermana Haws, and it made me think of Ashley!  Shout out to the COOLEST sister in the world!! Hermana in 5 months!!

 

Friday we returned with our companions.  Can I just say how grateful I am for having a companion that I love so much that I miss her! I missed working with her, talking with her, singing with her, praying with her, serving with her, teaching with her.  I love exchanges, and there are a lot of miracles that come from it, but there is power in working with the person that you have been assigned to work with ever day.  There are reasons we are with our companions, and the Spirit testified that to me this week!  That night we taught Diana, and she accepted baptism!!! I am so excited for her and to see her progress!!

 

Saturday we were able to go with Manny to his baptismal interview, and he PASSED!!  He is getting baptized this Saturday!!

 

Sunday was great, full of singing with the Choir, and seeing members of the Dana Point ward that I haven't seen for a year and be able to say hi to them! I love them a lot! they are a good ward!  We also got to sing at an Episcapol church for an interfaith conference.  It is so amazing to be able to share my testimony that "I Believe in Christ" and "How Firm a Foundation", to sing "Amazing Grace" while being accompanied by the bagpipes, to hear other people and the songs that they sing, to hear scriptures that are used in our church as well as theirs.  It was an amazing experience!  I love music!!

 

This week is so amazing! I am so excited for Thanksgiving! Let us all remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving, and show our gratitude to those that matter most to us.  I sure am grateful for every single one of you, and the impact that you have made in my life.  Thank you for all the prayers and love that you show to me every week!

 

Have a great week!! Eat lots of turkey, and watch a football game for me!

 

Love,

Sister Kayla Haws

 

These were taken at the temple tour meeting that all the temple sisters went on last week!

 

 

 

Singing, Mission calls, and awesomeness!‏

November 17, 2014

 

ALOOOOOOOHA!!!!!!

 

This week has been really cool!! I love serving in South Coast!!

On Tuesday we were able to go to the temple again! I love that place so much!! I just love the insights we receive and the spirit that is felt there more than anywhere else!  After that, we had temple tours and we didn't have anyone show up, but we were able to make up a story with the sisters that were there with us! That was fun!

 

Wednesday we had our Zone Training Meeting and it was awesome! We went to choir and started singing Christmas songs!!! The season is upon us!! I am so happy!  We went to temple tours and froze our toes off!! I must really be acclimated to this coastal weather, because it was torture, and it was only 65 with a slight wind chill.  I'm such a wimp!!

 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent most of the day practicing for some songs that Sister Gillins had to play: "I know that my redeemer lives," for me for sacrament meeting, and "Savior, Redeemer of my soul" for another missionary to sing at a baptism.  It was really amazing. She is such a talented missionary!! I can't even handle it how awesome she is!!

 

Friday we were able to have a meeting with all the temple sisters, and it was nice to get insight from them on how to do better with the tours.  I love it so much!!

 

Saturday we had a luau! It was super fun! Really good food!! I love our mission!!

 

Sunday we went to our first Marshallese baptism! That was interesting... I didn't understand most of the words that were said, but the Spirit was still strong!

 

Also, on Friday, I received an unexpected call from Sister Webber, Tommy's mom, and she told me that my little sister had received her mission call!!!!!! I found out that my angel sister will be serving the people of Twin Falls Idaho in Spanish!!! She reports to the MTC on April 1st, 8 days before I return home!!! I was so excited, I cried for joy at the thought of her serving the lord. I love this work so much!!

 

Have a wonderful week! 

I have a quote for you!  "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ...can also be a source of inner strength through which we find self esteem, peace of mind, contentment, and the courage to cope."  (M. Russell Ballard, Our search for happiness, page 16.)  Hope this helps you!! Be awesome!

 

Love,

 

The other Sister Haws

 

 

We got Chocolate Turkeys from our favorite mission mom! (Thanks Sister Webber!)

 

 

 

The sky is almost as pretty as in New Mexico:)