Hype Milagros

 Hey y'all! 

Another week in the Midwest paradise. Both 80⁰ and 20⁰ with snow in the same week. It's never a boring day!! 

This week we spent a considerable amount of time with a family of investigators making dinner! He taught us how to make Midwest meatloaf which apparently includes cornbread and bbq sauce? I don't know but it was fire. They are doing awesome reading from the Book of Mormon and their faith grows every day. 

We had about a 3 week long drought of finding new people to teach. This week, we found 3! That is the hype milagro ("milagro" means "miracle" in Spanish) if you are wondering. Our friends Becca and Yasir are way awesome. Becca is a famous body builder and both are faithful people. So cool. The third us Jorge!! We found Jorge in the stairwell of his apartment waiting for his laundry. He recently just got back into reading the Bible and is looking for the right church for him. The day after we met him we asked when we could come back and teach him more, he said "right now!" So we sprinted out the door and taught him for an hour! Super exciting and we're eager to see how far he grows. 

In other news: we spent an hour scooping poop for a service project, spent an hour looking for a lost dog, I made tater tot casserole, and that's about all you need to know. Being a missionary is the best!! We get to talk to people about God and tell them Jesus loves them all day every day. Life is weird, but in a good way. 

To explain the sticky ball thing!! There are elders that live right below us in our apartment. They found this sticky ball that sticks to ceilings and walls and we are currently in a war of passing it to each other. Missionaries find the darndest ways to entertain themselves lol. The picture below shows one of our attempts! 

Also: sorry if the emails are a bit short, but I think I don't believe in long emails?? Haha!

Jesus loves you! 

Sister Katie Troy 

sticky ball war

hefty bag full of poop

 🧍‍♀️ Me :)

HOPE

life-size battleship

weather that makes perfect sense--LITERALLY 5 days ago

Today, with 8" of snow :(

Facebook find of the week! 

Ice Cream and ABBA

 Hey yall! 

Another week in the NOM!! We had zone conference this week which was crazy awesome. We learned all about how to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives, and how to help people do the same! 

We also had exchanges this week which means we mix and match companions with the Sister training leaders. I got to join them in their area for the day so it was cool to see some new perspectives and learn lots! 

Finding new people to teach has been a little slow lately but we're learning as we go. We got 4 people to come to church with us yesterday so it was worth it! Church is an awesome opportunity to make yourself 1% better. I'm so thankful that we get to go each week and take the sacrament! (some of you may know it as communion). 

This week the weather has been especially wonky. We had a day with wind chill real feel of -5⁰ but today it's literally 70⁰ soooo ya. Like, it literally snowed 3 days ago.?? Nebraska be wild. Summer is quickly approaching so let me know if you have any advice for dealing with humidity 😀👍

Also I hit my 3 month mark this week which is cool. Things are picking up! 

Thanks again to all reading. I feel your support 2000 miles away! Also, a challenge for you all! Spend 30 minutes this week reading from the scriptures (whatever you believe in, the Bible, Book of Mormon, etc.). You've got this! :)

Jesus loves you. 

Sister Katie Troy

celebrating my month mark with melted Expo writing on the steamy bathroom mirror

Bart Simpson the gummy bear

before of our car...SNOW!

after of our car...SUN!

 ice cream and ABBA

exchanges

More exchanges!

Facebook finding at its finest 🤤

If ya ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it wrong

 Hey yall! 

Bit of a slow week. We had some rules change on how we teach people that has thrown us for a loop, but next week will be better! It has been unusually warm here at about 65⁰ for a couple days this week. So that's fun! 

I can't remember if I mentioned my friend Marcus, he is a Lutheran pastor I met on Facebook! We ended up giving him a church tour and he is super nice and just a generally kind Jesus-lover. We are hoping to take a tour of his church with our mission president soon! 

As a mission, we have a Facebook page called followers of Christ in the Midwest (if you feel so inclined to like the page I would not be upset ;) My companions and I help with the page and spent *several* hours making a post for the page. It ended up performing well so we have been happy about that! 

Yesterday we met Susan and Todd, some of our most quickly progressing investigators! They are so generous and gifted us one of their many many many plants (I'll include a picture). We most recently taught them about the importance of going to church! We read with them Alma 32:28-30

"28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. 

30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow."

If you're lazy like me or don't have time I'll summarize! If you have faith like a seed, it will grow if you give it sun, water, and soil. That sun, water and soil is church, prayer, and reading the scriptures! We call that CPR, keep yourself alive spiritually! 

Today for pday we played capture the flag so that was sick!

I hope yall are doing well! Make sure to perform spiritual CPR every day :) 

Jesus loves you! 

Sister Katie Troy

Valentine's Day chocolate!!

Susan and Todd (and plant)

sunsets 4 dayz

me n Arnie in capture the flag prison together :,(

Parkin in da font

most beautiful potstickers I ever did make

Video of me and my comps trying some strange South American candy my mom sent us. 

I've always wanted to try them.  Guess what?  No bueno.  0/10--would not recommend.  

Turnt in da car

 Hey yall! 

Shorter email this week, but packed with fun and miracles! 

As the subject line says, my companions and I do in fact get turnt in da car (to motab of course). If yall haven't heard down to the river to pray you are missing oooouuutt. I sure love my comps. As mission president Bailey says, if you aren't having fun you're doing it wrong!

Our friend DeShane set a date to be baptized! DeShane is so awesome and is eager to become a member of the ward. He has met with a few sets of missionaries but is ready to make the next step now! Big things are coming for this man, stay tuned!

Ashley was referred to us recently. We have met with her twice but she is already seriously considering baptism. Ashley is the type of investigator we call "golden". She is ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. After our second lesson she told us that everything made so much sense. She has been wondering what religion is right for her but has had so many questions. We were able to answer each of her questions and she is so amazing. She told us she wishes she had found the gospel years ago, and that it is where she belongs. She has read several BOOKS in the Book of Mormon so far and is so excited to learn. What an inspiration and a true miracle. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly does make so much sense and anyone can enjoy the blessings that come from it. 

John 14:27 says "27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

Jesus loves you! 

Sister Katie Troy 

 scotcharoos in the rain

comps! wish I could add the vid of us getting turnt to motab but it's too long :/ 

gingerbread houses in February (can you guess which is mine?)

Sisters in the Zone

when you see it (⚠️ caution swear words)

Papillion!...and a proposal

 Hey y'all!! 

Like I said last week, I got transferred. My new area is in Papillion Nebraska. New state and all! I'll miss the craziness of Council Bluffs but I'm so excited for this new adventure. The people are so nice so far! 

This week started off crazy, obviously with transfers, but also because our companionship was a quad for two days! Companionships are almost always two people, sometimes three, and almost never four. It was hectic but super fun. Our fourth companion left for her original assignment in Argentina. We got to send her off at the airport and it was bittersweet but I'm so excited for her!!

Funny story of the week: we were in a member lesson with this sweet lady with a couple dogs. We were half way through when one of her dogs straight up poops directly on the floor in the house. I was in shock but the only one that noticed. Let me tell you this dog pooping inside the house was not even remotely close to the craziest thing I've seen in someone's house. The Midwest is wild. ANYWAYS I was debating whether or not I should say something and decided against it. A couple minutes later the smell hit all of our noses and it was pretty bad. Haha! 

Not sure why this was entertaining but we found this children's smart watch out front of our apartment one night. We tried our best to get it back to the owner by calling the mom's phone that was attached. It was hilarious trying to communicate on the phone through this little toy but it made it home safe! 

Today for p-day fun we went to a chocolate shop! It was this cute little Dutch candy shop with thousands of little chocolates everywhere. It was super yummy and I can't wait to go back! 

Bring on Papillion!!

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

I have been informed that I forgot QUITE a few things in my last email, so please forgive me, it was crazy last week ;) 

JESUS LOVES YOU

Sister Katie Troy 

Also my new address is

1429 Grandview Ave. Apt. 24 

Papillion NE, 68046

Thanks in advance for the love :,)

the letter I forgot :,)

my desk

sleep anytime anywhere

some sick clouds

ginger Gelato (dad I thought of u and had to have it)

CHOCOLATE

the sQUAD

my first proposal

Transfers

 Hey y'all! 

So basically... I'm getting transferred! I don't know yet where I'm going but all I know is that I have to have all my stuff packed up and ready to go by tomorrow! 

What happened this week?? It was crazy. Most days this week we had 8-9 lessons DAILY.  Also you may be wondering why this email is coming on a Tuesday this week, it's because it is transfer week! 

The most interesting thing to happen this week is my companions and I helped one of our friends change the control arm on his truck. The interesting thing is that it's an easy fix, but the hardest part was getting the tire off. It froze to the car! Over the course of a couple days we got it figured out though and he was able to make it to church. 

My companions and I also sang for a nursing home on Thursday. Small crowd but they were happy to listen to our (my) screeching haha. 

On Sunday we wrapped up one of our ward activities with a pie party! The activity was a 3 week long missionary Quest, where the members tried to do as many acts of service as possible. It was loads of fun and we were so glad to have so many involved. 

One of our member families took us out to Indian food last night. It was some of the best Indian I've had. The husband was from India and had us try all the staples and eat it by the proper methods. We are still full the next day but it was so worth it! 

The miracle of the week: our friend Gordon has been learning lots and progressing quickly. He gave us several brand new sets of church clothes that we could give to one of our friends in need. The recipient was so thankful and Gordon is the sweetest soul. I'll attach a picture of a letter he wrote us as well :) 

Last but not least: I am sending my beloved trainer Sister Lauritzen home this week. She's been a dream and I'm so excited for her to jump right into life again. Love that queen <3

Matthew 5:16 "16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Midwest Sunset

PB BALLS

Indian

cigs (we took to help a friend quit),

zoo

L-town

the best fam

Butterfly exhibit at the zoo

Kung Fu Panda

 Hey yall! 

What. Just. Happened. The better question is what didn't happen. Crazy week! Council Bluffs is a party all day every day. 

Last Monday we went out to eat for someone's birthday and one of the elders paid for all 11 of us. SO nice and very generous. Missionaries love good food, man. 

Our car is a hybrid and the ECU broke (if you don't know what that is join the club). It was all very dramatic but we took it in to get all fixed up and got ourselves a loaner car and everything. All's well that ends well! That same day we had zone conference which meant about 100 missionaries came together to learn more and have fun! 

On Friday we got some GOOD Greek food. This little Greek man knew his stuff lemme tell you. I guarantee you'll hear more about this place in the future from me haha! 

Saturday the day started with service. We were helping a family move but their house was full of mice. Still got it done tho!! Later that day we had exchanges and I got to visit a wealthy area which was CRAZY. One family we visited was the richest in Council Bluffs. They showed us their "shed" which was full of $5 million+ worth of dirt bikes, gators, cars, etc. He filled up two grocery bags worth of junk food he has on stock for his 20 grandkids. They were soooo nice!!

This morning I casually learned Kung Fu. No, seriously I learned Kung Fu on my mission no big deal. Stop and smell the roses the Mish is so crazy awesome all the time.

Most importantly: we met this guy named Malachi. He's the sweetest guy and calls himself a "beginner Christian". He's super willing to learn and asked to be baptized after one lesson! Whoah!! 

Jesus loves you.

Sister Katie Troy 

banana bread (shoutout mom for teaching me her ways)

Exchanges!

20 y/o with play dough

GREEK!

Junk food 4 dayz

The haunted house

Zone conference!

More Zone Conference

Texas Roadhouse, babee