New companion

FAMILY!!!! I love you all so much! I had such a homesick feeling opening this email but don't worry, it is nothing too serious haha. It's probably because I had to teach gospel principles yesterday and it was about "Families Can Be Eternal".

You asked about what to send in a Christmas package. I have been trying to think of what I want for Christmas. There aren't many needs... but if you think of an idea, I am open for suggestions and surprises! I would love the family pictures we took before I left, pictures of the Ogden girls, maybe some BYU friends. I would love anything that reminds me of you guys. Pictures, notes, trinkets from home... I also loved the individual crystal light packets you sent, also I have been dying for some granola/trail mix/dried fruit/peanut butter m&m's or something like that. SO I guess that is my Christmas wish list :)

 

Last trip to Malioboro

Now on to the week. Sorry, this will be all over the place!

Monday: we had lunch at the Nanamia's Italian place we love. Then watched Johnny Lingo and The Phone Call from lds.org as a district haha. Oh the funniest part though was when Elder James wasn't watching and had to slam on his brakes to stop from hitting Elder Kusumarmanto but he only used his front brakes and flipped over his handlebars! His bike was facing the wrong direction after that and he had a good smugde of dirt on his sleeve but that's it. Just hilarious to watch haha.

Elder Kusumarmanto's parents are a mission couple and had an assignment
in Jogja for the weekend, so they took us out to lunch

Tuesday: We met a referral who is so elegant and her house is gorgeous... we want to her to get baptized quick so that the missionaries can live at her house! Taught an investigator. I also got Joshua's letter- m'kasih banyak bro! You da best! Then we went to lunch as a district. 

Would have been a great picture at Raminten's for lunch...
but got photo bombed!

I carried a suitcase on my handlebars for Sister Manalu. I bought some proselyting shirts on sale. Then we taught a new member, Charlah then had ward choir practice for the first time. I ended up singing a solo yesterday in church with the choir! It was a long night and a sad night because Sister Manalu and Baantjer were getting things ready to leave.

Last district picture... good for the mantle
Elder James, Elder Kusumarmanto
Sis. Manalu, me, Sis. Manullang and Sis. Baanjter

 

True Personalities maybe?

Going to miss this group
Sis. Baanjter, Sis. Manalu, Elder James, Alexcia, me, Sis. Manullang, Elder Kusumarmanto

Wednesday: really hard to say goodbye. Really, really, hard. But Sis Manullang and I taught english at Cpt's Club then we waited for our new companions (comps)! Sister Believe is 21 years old, from Manado but lives in Jakarta for school. She has been a member for about 2 years now and is the only member in her family. She really quiet but since her english isn't great, I get to practice a lot of Indonesian! She is so little and so it is funny when we take pictures that I look so dorky and tall. It always is a little awkward to get used to a new comp and you feel kinda like you're starting over at ground level but it'll be good. We taught Hastu that night in prep for her baptism which was yesterday!

 

Me and Sister Believe. Funny how she is standing on stairs in this picture

Thursday: felt a little bit like my first week all over again with some loneliness and doubt but I was reading 2 Nephi 4 and WOW does that help! Nephi's Lament is so comforting because it sounded so similar to my own prayers and I know that we all feel like this sometimes... even prophets! We went to Klaten with the Barnard's because Kawit (the grandpa) is going to be baptized next week! Then we taught Hastu again and Alexcia too. Alexcia is going to Jakarta soon so it feels like three friends left for Jakarta this week. Love Alexcia and I am so excited to see what happens in her life.

Friday: UCP which allllllways lifts my week! Then I got 2 letters! 1 from Grandma and 1 from Joan Iverson. They were such great letters. Joan shared a scripture from Nehemia 6:3 about how Nehemia's work was so great, he couldn't go back home until he did all he could to help. What a perfect mission metaphor. Then Grandma shared a chapter from Mary Ellen Edmund's book talking about each grain of rice being precious and how selflessly the people of Asia will give to others even in poor situations. So true! Helps me realize that people outside of my little bubble have experienced what I have. Also that people like Grandma and our ward are thinking about me makes me want to cry. So touching that I have so much unseen support. I need it and can feel it. Then we went with the Elders and a member family from Solo to a way fancy restaurant. Then we had young adult choir practice. Then another adventure with Alexcia, which consisted of driving around finding a hotel late at night... haha gotta love it.

Saturday: Finished our service at Sister Peni's school. It made me think, "The Sheffield's know how to work hard". Masi benar ya? (Still true ya?) Then Hastu had her baptismal interview. We then visited an investigator but got caught in a parade on the way there. OH! That investigator Pak is going to be a general authority someday! He said for the second time that the Book of Mormon is true and we taught about the Word of Wisdom and he wants to live it. But the problem is he is just too relaxed and comfortable not going to church. That night we ran out of gas and water haha which always happens right before Sunday. I was trying to do a lot of studying for my lesson before bed.

Service project

SUNDAY! We sang in Sacrament as the choir and I/Elder James had solo's. Then my lesson went well. Then Hastu was baptized!!! After more than 5 years of learning she was baptized! Then we taught Kawit and took sacrament to a member. (So grateful for priesthood members who never say no to serving.) Then we taught a family and shared 3 Ne. 13:33 because I have been loving that principle lately. vs 31-end. After that we had a phone call that the other sisters frogot their keys and had their bikes locked at Alun-Alun so we had a pretty night ride down to Alun-Alun.

Hastu's baptism

The sister missionaries at Hastu's baptism
Sis. Manullang, me, Sis. Allred and Sis. Believe

Today has been a day full of trying to figure out money situations for Sister Believe and emailing. We want to go to the Gembira Loka Zoo and I am so excited for that!!! I have been wanting to go there forever!

Please keep praying for me and for my companion! I love you all so much and I pray for you always! I haven't had a ton of time to write in my journal or write letters but I will try to send one soon.

Kasihmu selalu,

Sister “Emagoohoo” “Princess Adelaide” Sheff in the Field

I get to stay in Jogja!

Well this week we found out about transfers. I was 99% sure I was getting transferred but looks like President changed his mind! I am staying in Jogja and Sister Believe is going to be my companion. Sis Baantjer and Sis Malau are going to Jakarta together as the new Sister Training Leaders and sis Allred is going to come here as Sis Manullang's comp. Pray for me ya?

I am so glad to stay with all my investigators but I was so sure I was leaving that I cooked up all my food this week. Haha but at least I have a lot of crepes and boiled potatoes in the fridge now :)This also is my last week of training!

We went to Klaten this week and after teaching the Winoto's grandpa (who is getting baptized hopefully in two weeks) we were putting on our shoes to leave but their friend showed up and we taught her about the Book of Mormon and a little about the Restoration. She was really receptive and it was such this fun experience. We got way lost on our bus ride home but everything happens for a reason so hopefully we contacted someone that needed it!

Wednesday was interesting. We taught an inactive lady and she started to cry because she hadn't felt the spirit in so long. Well, later that day we were teaching the lady that we had taught once before and thought, hmmm why not. Well her husband came out and started berading us. He was so mad and yelling at us and at his wife and saying such rude things about her and about us and about Sis Manalu. Sis Manalu is so awesome. With tears in her eyes, she said "saya bersaksi ini benar. Saya bersaksi Kitab Mormon benar dan saya mengucapkan semua ini dalam nama Yesus Kristus Amin" talk about chills! But he was way upset that we had been there once before and came back without his permission. (we've never met before) But he also was yelling at us because he said we are liars, we preach peace but ever since we gave his wife a Book of Mormon (which she has almost finished reading by the way) she won't stop talking about it and it makes them fight. That is the power of the Book of Mormon. But it am sure he burned the Kitab Mormon after we left and I wouldn't be surprised if his wife gets in trouble for all this. PS We are never allowed to see them or go to his house again (ha surprising right?) We left that house very shaken and we were both crying but one day he is going to realize what a mistake it was to hold his wife back from the truth. It was a spiritually draining day but ice cream always helps. :)

Thursday we had a normal day, taught Pak, Ibu and Alexcia. It was really sad though. Sis Manalu and I both had this prompting to change our lesson plan and teach Kak about the plan of salvation but neither of us brought the pamphlets. I resolved to always be prepared so that I won't miss the chance to follow the spirit.

Friday was ZTM!!!! We had a lot of fun and it was in Jogja this time. Sis Jibson is still in my zone and it was fun to be together and with all the new people, since transfers. They announced that the Sister Trainers are going to start testing out the whole facebook/ipad missionaries’ thing that the church is pushing.

 

Zone Training Meeting.
I love to see Sister Jibson, my "BFF" from the MTC

Saturday: I perfected my crepes that morning, hooray! We had the busiest schedule ever starting with the call from president about transfers (then we all cried). Then we sanded/painted tables at Sis Peni's school and shared a lesson. I got paint ALL over my hands and used almost all the paint thinner just to try to get it off! 

Painting tables at an inactive members school. Who doesn't love painting?

Made the mistake of trying to wash off a paint brush and the oil based paint
of course was ALL over my hands... caught red handed! (It still won't come off completely
 and I get lots of people asking questions about it.)

Then we taught 2 lessons with fellowshippers then we played futsol with the YM but our investigator didn't come to that. Then we had 2 more appointments that Alexcia wanted to fellowship for. Sadly they both cancelled but we just helped Alexcia and shared a message with her. Funny highlights of that day: in Indonesia if there is a homeless man outside your house it is really rude to tell them to go away or anything so we were teaching someone and this homeless man slowly starts making his way to the door... then comes in... then sits down and listens. Apa the heck?! Haha he was really awkward but we still had a great lesson about the Holy Ghost. Second story. After futsol we wanted to walk back to the church but the elders brought their bikes so we took one and they took the other and had to double up haha. Sis Manalu sat on the bar in front of the seat and I pedaled with this like spread leg/tiptoe/awkward angle technique. Elders too. I bet that made everyone's day.

Yesterday we had a day full of goodbyes and farewell testimonies from Sis Manalu and Sis Baantjer. We delivered the sacrament to a couple of families, which I always LOVE. And then we wrote in each others' BR's (book of remembrance) and chatted until late. Today we are going to Malioboro to buy souvenirs and going to that delllllicious Italian Place.

This week we have taught more lessons than ever before and I am just so impressed with how easy it has been to do missionary work with Sis Manalu. Like I always say... with her, the work just happens! I'm going to miss her so much. She has really been alone in her conversion but she is already blessing so many lives (did I ever mention this is only her second year as a member?) I also have had this change of perspective this week: am I drawing people towards baptism or dragging them? The Book of Mormon? church? After I explain it, they should be asking me how they can be baptized or get a copy of the Book of Mormon or get to church.

I also read the best talk from this month's Liahona by Brad Wilcox "His Grace is Sufficient". He explained the analogy of piano lessons. A mom desires her child to grow and learn so she pays a piano teacher and the child begins lessons. Because the mom paid, she is able to ask of her child that they practice. Practicing is not to pay to mom or the teacher but practicing shows appreciation for the gift and willingness to become what the mom desires. When the child hits a wrong note, he doesn't give up and think well Carnagie or nothing. No, he tries again. Practice is how he changes. We are the child. Christ has already paid the price for us. We are not trying to make up for our debt. That is impossible. "What is left to be determined by our obedience is how comfortable we plan to be in God's presence and what degree of glory we plan on recieving... The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home, but that -- miraculously-- we can feel at home there." When we make mistakes it is not the end. We are still learning and changing all the time. "Grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted. Rather, it is our constant energy source."

One more thought! Matt 9:37-38 talks about the harvest being plenteous but the laborers being few. That is the Indonesia Mission. We should work our tails off here to make up for the lack of missionaries because every person deserves and needs this gospel. That’s the rescuing thing again ya?

I love you all soooooo much! It is such a blessing to be in your family and I can't wait to sit down one day all swapping mission stories. :) (mom and dad too!) Keep up the love and patience but most importantly the laughter. Sounds like a funny week with all the injuries and the dance! Dayton is going love his mission and is going to do so much good. I'll send a letter soon. Give everyone my love and a sloppy jaloppy kiss for me!

CTR! Take luck!

~Sis Sheff

4 month mark

This week was luar biasa sperti biasa! Haha. 

Had a Siang Ketemanan (Friendship Afternoon)
in place of Family Home Evening, Ha Ha

Tuesday we went to find a long inactive member but we forgot to bring her address. We only remembered the street and her name (which is just the same as knowing nothing in Indonesia) so we asked around until we found someone but turns out she was the wrong Ibu! 

Ibu's family

BUT she was sooo excited to have us there and is Christian but new to the area and looking for a church and friends. She has been to the ward in Jogja once during the week with a friend just to look around but so supports our messages of Christ and has a way strong testimony of him and of prayer. LOVE THIS MISSION! Who knows what will come of this but it just feels good when things like this happen. I am grateful for a companion who is just a missionary! A great, hard-working missionary! It makes this work soooo easy to just do! That night we went to find another inactive member which was less eventful and kinda a let down. But we also had a surprise appointment with Alexcia which always boosts my spirits! Days like this I am just pinching myself that I'm on a mission! Then we got home... THE RAT! There was a trail of blood from the rat! I sent a picture where you can see his footprints. After using a ton of bleach and mopping up, my only consolation is that the blood maybe means he is dead/dying? This is not the end!

Sorry this is so gross! Bloody footprint from rat. I hope it's dead!

Wednesday we visited one of my favorite investigators Widanarto because I see so much potential in him! Then english at CPT's Club and WML meeting. Then we headed to a new member's apartment. She had 9 friends there and we taught them all about the restoration! It is like a religion club and they were very accepting of our beliefs. So fun to teach a bunch of college students who have testimonies of Christ. Miss that kinda thing :) And who doesn't love cake for dinner? But the "20 minute" bike ride to her place was actually an hour and 20 minutes while following her riding the scooter so we were dead when we got home!

Charlah's "Christian Club" friends

Thursday: no such thing as a typical morning. Went on a 40 minute search for batteries because we couldn't turn off the AC in our room since the batteries died in the remote and it is way expensive to have the AC on! We only use it when sleeping. Had a good planning session then taught Alexcia again (she is needing a lot of support this week through a dozen trials and tribulations that are appearing out of no where). Her definition of faith I loved-- "Faith is daring to obey what you promised." Made me really think! We four sisters had a lot of bonding time too and I just love them all dearly! PS don't use the brace anymore, it's all good!

Friday: I had a dream that I had just gotten home from my mission and telling stories about Indonesia and in my dream I started to cry because I realized I would never ride a bike through the streets of Indo with a companion again. When I woke up it really stuck with me and still makes me misty-eyed. I am going to miss this sooo much. I can't afford to lose a day of this calling! Then had UCP which is always a highlight of my week. We met with Widanarto again and gave him the baptismal commitment! He said if he knows this is true then of course he will be baptized but he doesn't know yet. Oooo it makes me think of Star Wars "The force is strong with this one". He is going to be a general authority someday I know it! We also met a man who asked me for english directions to the train station then said he met missionaries two weeks ago in London and he has a Book of Mormon. We are the 2nd seed in his conversion! Then we paid for a bus we didn't ride, because our appointment fell through. But without going to that bus stop we wouldn't have met the guy from Singapore who asked for directions!

Saturday we visited the school of an inactive newish member and she started to cry when we told her we wanted to fix up some things there. Hey, I'm just excited to paint desks! I love painting! Taught Mbak Hastu then met an investigator who is in the hospital. We found a referal who actually doesn't want to learn from us. All sorts of cancelled appointments but we kinda all happened to meet up at the church as a district at the same time and had the usual dinner, Sedyo Mulyo's Pecel Lele and Roti Bakar. I don't know what I will eat when I go home!

Sunday: 4 month mark! LP (relief society) was quite interesting and a little off track, maybe not so doctrinally correct but no worries. We talked about priesthood and I love the priesthood and I get so excited when we talk about it. I get to support that power, that authority on the earth today. So cool.  Alexcia helped us teach the Winoto's grandpa and then came with us to deliver the Sacrament. She is a missionary. She already has started saving money for her sons' missions since she can't serve! Her testimony is getting stronger every second and I learn so much from her. But in a whirlwind of events we spent the night trying to find somewhere for her to sleep. Atin let Alexcia stay there and they have become better friends now. Everything is in the Lord's power now.

I'm mashing potatoes. Learning to masak (cook) perkedel today.
Mashed potatoes? How about stone ground

Today! We visited a member and Elder Wiradi's uncle who taught us how to make Soto and Perkedel. Mmmm! Perkedel is like a potato pancake and soto is soup with a million "layers" to it. Then we met Atin and Alexcia for lunch with the other sisters and learned how to make cap cay and noodles and tempe/tahu and all that good stuff. We met Ibu Marta again and I am excited to see her family at the temple someday (they just don't know about that yet). I gave them a Book Of Mormon today too. Then we met the Elders for some McDonald's ice cream cones (I feel so weird there. It is like one of the nicest restraunts in Indonesia...) and tried to not listen when one of my favorite OneRepublic songs came on.

McDonald's.  It's a little expensive but not going to lie,
loved having ice cream with french fries

That's my week! I am just trying to take advantage of every second I have right now. I was reading some conversion stories this week and it makes me so humbled to know that God is helping people have a change of heart every day. I know that if Heavenly Father wanted, everyone in Indonesia would be baptized. Yet they aren't. In fact they are persecuted for even thinking about getting baptized. Everyone here thinks the church is the church of Satan. Yet here we are like the armies of Helaman to bring the world His truth. This mission is so different than anything I imagined or how I picture any other mission. But I had this realization that this is the one time in my life, I know EXACTLY where the Lord wants me to be because he told me. I didn't even have to figure it out, it was assigned to me. So here I am and the work here is getting done. One person at a time. I'm just a tool here for that work.

PS I read The Fourth Missionary, and it exactly mirrors my thoughts from my first month here.

Alma 44:4

Tried making french toast

And made crepes. The pan was a little hard to work with. I'll keep trying.

And made our family favorite "cheggybrowns"

My friend from BYU, Elder Foutz is training my friend from Ogden, Spencer Smith
This mission work connects so many; small world isn't it?

Selamat malam keluarga yang terkasih! Bagaimana kabar?

 In response to your letter. First off, smash burger is amazing good! Congrats on the paintings, hope they hang it on their front door or something haha. Kasihandelu (pity on you) for the wisdom tooth tale and twisted ankle! Congrats on the track meet Jos... little tornado! Andrew congrats on your patriarchal blessing! One tip-- I read mine every time the sacrament is passed so I at least read it regularly and it helps me so much! Always noticing new things and gaining new perspectives, so read it on a schedule! Jacob have fun with soccer and school ya? Samuel too, you look so old!

LOVE YOU ALL! Share your light with the world yeah? Give 'em heaven!

~Sis Sheff

PSS weirdest food of the week... Honestly the drinks here are weirder than the food... so I had some weird rice/gel/coconut drink and also had some corn flavored candy that was wacko.