The Mission is awesome!

 The mission is awesome! I love my companion, and I LOVE my area.  The people are just great, and we never have a lack of people to see... ya know? I don't know if any of you had this problem, but a lot of missionaries have a hard time keeping busy between the hours of 12-4 pm.  We don't really struggle with that! Maybe because it's an older area, and there are more retired people... who's to say?  

   I haven't seen Frozen yet, and it's killing me.  I've heard so much about it, and I remember seeing all the previews before I came out!  We actually went to one family's house, and they had it on, so I've caught glimpses! It just makes me want to see it more, though! Also, the Miranda's play the music all the time... it sounds pretty hip.

   A movie I have seen is the Testaments.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's my new favorite movie! Sister Hatch and I have watched it probably 6 times in the past week.  It's just about an hour long, so we come home and put it on during our lunch hour.  If you haven't seen it--SEE IT!  If you have--see it again! It gets me every time!

   Transfers happen again in a couple weeks, but I don't think I'll go, yet.  They are trying to keep people in areas for longer as the flood of missionaries ebbs.  In the fall, there were sets of 40 missionaries coming in at a time! People often trained after 6 weeks of being in an area, and you usually didn't stick around in a place longer than 3 months. Now that things aren't as crazy and the transfers bring only about 10 missionaries, they are trying to settle things down and keep you put for longer.  I'm happy about it, though, because I love this area!

   I can't believe Jeanette's having her baby this week!! Well, I guess I can believe it because from what I hear, she's about to pop! Be sure to send lots of pictures :)  (as usual).

   I'm so happy that your mission papers are going along well! I love telling people that my parents are going on a mission!! I think it really surprises people, but it wouldn't if they knew our family...

   We had a really good week this week, besides one main thing. Our investigators are getting kicked out of their house! It's so sad.  They are a brother and sister.  Over the past year or so, they have both been let go from their jobs, and are having a really hard time finding work.  We went over and helped them pack up all their stuff. It was heart-breaking!  As missionaries, I wish we could do more to help them find employment, housing, etc, but we can really only teach them.  Thankfully, they have good friends in the ward that love to help out.  

   Anyway, that's all I've got really for this week.

Hay que tener fe!

Sister Pratt

 This is a family that we're teaching.  They're actually active, but their son is being baptized in a couple weeks, and they want him to know what we teach other people.  They're such a cute family!

 

 

This was a funny church sign since it was really sunny that day.

 

We painted a house!

 

 

 

  

Good Week!

This week, Sister Hatch and I made a goal to visit EVERY family in both of our wards. Obviously, it's gonna take a little more time.  Whenever we go to an active family, we give them a Family Mission Plan.  I do have to say, it's not as intricate as the one we grew up with that has daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals, but it's a good starting point for a lot of families.  This week we committed 18 families to do this mission plan!  We are really excited.  Our mission has always focused on working with the members, and now, I feel like we've finally figured out how to do that!!  I think it's pretty exciting.  Anyway, not a whole lot else happened this week.     Sister Hatch and I met these random stoned guys on the sidewalk.  We had the opportunity to testify of the Law of Chastity to them after they proposed to us.  That was probably the craziest thing that's happened on my mission.

   Someone requested to know my favorite treat..?  Well, I've sworn off sweets except for Sat and Sun, so maybe........ chips? I really don't know. I've got a thing for potato chips, though.  As far as non-food items, I like stickers! They are fun to give to kids and put on letters, and they don't take up a whole lot of room. :)  Ooh, oooh, I know! How about a Gospel Coloring book? That would be sweet.  Anyway, I'm out of ideas. I don't really need anything.

   Hay que tener fe!

      Sister Pratt

I got to eat dinner with a couple of super heros the other night.

Going crazy with the artsy settings on my camera

This is our ward mission leader...be jealous

The moon was HUGE...you can't tell in the picture.

Saw this random car...had no idea what it is...had to take a creeper shot.

No idea what this is supposed to mean!

(A note from Nadine in response to this letter.)

I loved the pictures and captions Lizzy shared!  She's so...Lizzy! (aka. Awesome!)

It reminded me of a line she wrote in a letter to me that I must share.  She wrote:

"I love you more than recently thawed Star Crunch's :)"

What?!  Who says that?!  No one!  Oh!  She makes me burst with a smile and a little chuckle. 

-Nadine 

"Stupid Songs in Primary get Solos"

   This was just a funny quote from last week.  Sister Hatch and I were asked to do Sharing Time in Primary, and we decided to stay for the singing! One of the kids yelled out, "That's a stupid song."  This was the Chorister's response... pretty great, I think.  Also, the Primary kids sang in both wards yesterday, which totally made up for any misery that Daylight Savings brought about.

   I'm really excited for the March Challenge!! I already know what I'm giving up because I had already decided to do it--now I just have extra motivation! I'm giving up buying fast food.  No more drive-thrus or Taco Bell runs or any of that.  Now, I did put the clarification "buying fast food" because sometimes people take us out to dinner, and I don't want to have to refuse them, so if someone else gets it for me, I'm ok. I can't, however, buy any for myself.  I know it will make me feel better and help me be less lazy.  

  I was also so touched to hear about Grandma's temple recommend story.  I know that it wasn't a coincidence--things never are!! That is something that she really would have cared about, and I wouldn't be surprised to know if that's what she was waiting for in her coma.  I'm so grateful that the family could be together at the funeral to support each other at this time.  I hope you all know how strongly I know that Families are joined for the eternities.  I also hope you all know how happy I am to be stuck with you forever. :) 

   Well, as far as news from this end, Sister H and I had another baptism this past weekend! (sort of)  I don't know if I ever told you about Olivia, but we got her as a referral, and we went and got to know her really well and taught her.  However, because she was a YSA, she wasn't technically in our ward, so we let the Elders finish teaching her.  Anyway, she got baptized this past Saturday, and Sister H and I were able to go and support her in that.  It was great.  We love her so much!  She's a beautiful daughter of God.

   I have gained a greater testimony of the adversary this week. I know it sounds weird, but I have seen his influence and his power over some people we are working with.  It's kind of reassuring, though, because I know it is NOTHING to the power of God.  He is the real Master in our lives if we let Him be.  There is no reason why we should let Satan take control.  I also thought it was interesting that the March challenge is about overcoming addictions because that goes along the same lines of what I have been thinking about the past week.  Let God take control. Even if your goal isn't necessarily spiritual, we can still use His power to get us there.  The Atonement gives us the power to CHANGE! That includes breaking bad habits.  Anyway, that's my thought for the week.

   I love you all--even if you don't read my blog. I still love you :)

Hay que tener fe!

Sister Pratt

This is after Olivia's baptism.  She's so special.  The other girl with the long straight hair is Tess.  She was Olivia's main friend, and she just got her mission call to Peru!!!  Exciting stuff.

This is Olivia with the Elders.  The ones on either side of her are the ones that actually taught her...and the other Elders just jumped in the picture for some reason.

 

Letter from Sister H_______

Hey Pratt Family,
     I'm currently serving with THE SISTER PRATT and let me just say how awesome it has been.  Truthfully its been one of the most interesting transfers I've had so far.  From people trying to set her up with their sons or trying to find a "good" way to ride bikes in a skirt.  It's the best!
     Sister Pratt is one of the funniest people I've ever met.  It's great to watch her conversations with Brother M____.  They both just give each other a lot of guff about everything...
     Sister Pratt is also just on a level that I can only dream of being...   I'm glad I have companions like her.  To pick up where I lack.  She has a very firm testimony and can reach some people I cannot.  The Lord knows she was sorely needed in this area.  I swear, she has connections with everyone.  I'm sure she's told you.  It's insane how she can make an actual connection with almost EVERYONE!  It's a small world.
   Well, I thought I would write and let you know what a wonderful sister you have sent out!  I will always remember the things I have learned from her and her wonderful ideas that we start. haha.   Sister H_______

It's MARCH!

   I was so sad to hear about Grandma Pratt's passing. I have never been more grateful for the power of the Resurrection in our lives.  I was sad that I wasn't able to be with the family or with her during those last few days, but I know that she is with Grandpa right now, and they are supporting and protecting me on my mission.  I was also so grateful for the Miranda's and Sister Hatch's kindness and love during this past weekend. I can feel their prayers as well as those of my Mission President. 

  It's such a relieving feeling to know that you are exactly where the Lord wants you to be.  Without that assurance, I don't know how I would get through my mission. It's hard! It's hard when people hate you before you even open your mouth. It's hard when members of the church don't feel the need to share their beliefs.  It's hard when people become complacent and don't think church is important anymore.  Sometimes I wonder why it's so hard. Then, I think of the Savior. I think of Him suffering in agony. I think of Him bleeding on the cross. If it was so hard for Him, why would it be a walk in the park for us? If He sacrificed so much for the work of salvation, why should we think to get an easy way out? It doesn't work like that.  However, the flip side is, because He suffered so deeply for us, He is able to help us through the hard times. He is with us every step of the way.  He never gives up on us.  Through Him is the only way we will ever survive the trials that come to us.  

   I'm grateful for this knowledge that I have. I'm grateful for the chance I have to grow in testimony of my Savior.  Most of all, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share this knowledge and testimony with those that need it--members, non-members, investigators, and less-actives.

Hay que tener fe!

Sister Pratt

Our Bishop trying to build a hot air balloon/floating lantern....it failed.

This is Jeff at the Pinewood Derby.  He got 3rd place.

Mission Collages

We had a water gun fight!

I found a bonnet.  Don't I look nice?

 

 

Brother Miranda made a turban out of brown paper.

Discovering settings on my camera--What better thing to take pics of than crayons?

We got a new bishopric, so the ward played this game to get to know them better--super funny!

This is the White family--we love them.  Brother White is our former ward mission leader.

"Famous Daves"   SOOOOO good!

Finding cool things on my camera.

Got lost and took a little tour of downtown Boise.

Cutest stray bunny I've ever seen!

Jackson photo shoot

We taped socks on his feet--he didn't like it.