Third Letter 11/25/09

Hey everyone, it's Kacy. I'll be updating Hailey's mission blog for her when she sends me pictures and letters. Enjoy & comment.

COMMENT-- I SEND THEM TO HAILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Third Letter 11/25/09
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Hello Family,

I am going to divide this letter into four different parts. I have soooo much that has happened that it is overwhelming to try and fit into one letter! I'm still going to send home my journal entries but just haven't had a chance yet...sorry!

Part #1: ARRIVAL

I arrived in Charleston West Virginia last Tuesday about an two hours after I called ya'll from Atlanta! As we were flying in the sun was BRIGHT red...it was complete crazyness! The airport in Charleston is T.I.N.Y! I stepped off the plane and the first thing I thought to myself is where in the heck did they send me! The luggage spinner thing was off the wall funny! It was metal pipes all lined up and then men were manually pulling and pushing our luggage around to us! Oh boy I was way out of my comfort zone at this point. President Thornock and his wife along with the Assistants were there. They were all really polite. Presidents voice totally surprised me it was higher and sweeter than I expected. Sister Thornock was just as I imagined intimidating and pretty serious the whole time! We went straight to the mission office(another creep me out moment)! We went to this run down building next to a store and gas station I had never heard of and walked up like 4 flights of stairs in this SMALL, DARK and DUNGY hallway! We just went over rules and safety there. We had dinner and spent the night at the mission home! That night I sat down one on one with the Thornock's and it was really nice. They were awesome. President told me who my companion was and a little about her and then let me know the area I would be serving in! The next morning we had transfers and we all hopped in a van to drive to our new homes! I drove close to three and a half hours!

Part #2: MY COMPANION

Sister Merrill is AMAZING!!!! Holy Henna I love this girl. She is from Eatonville Washington(near Tacoma)! She has been serving for about a year and is a complete sweetheart! She just had her appendix out so I have been taking good care of her! I even cook(SCARYYYY!!!!). I actually have been doing an alright job at it...surprise surprise! She is soft spoken but when it comes to teaching lessons, powerful! I admire her and hope to gain all the knowledge that she has gained since she has been here! For reals our personality clicks so well and we laugh more than anything else!!!

Part #3: THE AREA

I am serving in Richlands Virgina(AKA: King Of The Hill Territory)! It is as far South as you can get! We actually are teaching a few people who really should be being taught by the Tennessee missionaries! It is Po Dunk Ville to the max! Everyone has told me that this is as hick as it comes in the mission...YES! The people really and truly have NO teeth here! I thought ya'll were joking at first. It makes it very hard to understand and have been praying for the gift of tongues(no joke)!!! This is a very poor area and the people are very humble. They are always inviting us in. This area is what everyone is considering the MIRACLE of the entire mission! We never ever go tracting because we have appt. after appt. we even had one this morning(on P-day)! It's awesome! We have 3 baptism dates set for next month and our praying that they all go through! I have decided that I officially HATE and DESPISE smoking....YUCK!! I REEEEEEEEK of it everyday all day! That is all people here do...so frustrating! The law of chastity is also a huge problem here but I'm guessing it would be everywhere! Oh yeah are you ready for the best part yet....drum roll please.....I live in a YELLOW SUBMARINE!!! That's what Sister Merrill and I named our lovely trailers! bahahaha I'm actually quite fond of it, It's reall cozy! I have probably only been in about three actual houses since I've been here...trailers trailers and more trailers! It's AWESOME when we do our laundry the whole thing shakes! Makes it easier to do a little dance ;}! Oh and our area that just the two of us our over is about 2hrs totall...a lot of ground to cover!

Part #4: INVESTIGATORS

There are way too many to talk about but I'll name a few:
Michelle Shrader: My very first lesson was taught to this lovely lady! She has a baptismal date in December as long as she stays away from those nasty cigerette's she has been trying to get off of! She is very kind and humble! She's about 36ish.
Jimmy Justuce and his two older sons: Ok for reals sweetest old man but kind of gives me the creeps(not for any reason other than I'm a dork)! He is in his 70's and use to be a preacher. He doesn't throw his knowledge of the bible in our face but instead embraces what we tell him and takes it all in! He is hard to understand but then again so is EVERYONE! We have high hopes for him and are planning on committing him to baptism this Friday!
There are lots more but my fingers are starting to cramp and I have written more about these wonderful people in my journal entree's which I hope to send home soon!

SO as you can see life here is crazy busy, hard, wonderful and blessed work! I love everything and am working my hardest to be the best missionary I can be! Right now I am focusing on becoming more knowledgeable in my scriptures and just constantly praying for faith!!! Thank You so much for all of your love and support, it means the world to me!
Love Your Baby Girl,
Sister Hailey Durfee

P.s x 10(random side notes)
I am second counselor in the Young Womens
I spoke in church this Sunday and didn't look down at my notes once...HOORAY!!
I had to role play a door approach in front of the whole zone and president yesterday and rocked it thanks to Merrill(she let me in on the secret and role played with me the day before) love her!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are going to have a million dinners as well as do something with the zone(we our the only sisters)!
Happy Thanksgiving...I want you to know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me! If there is one thing other than the gospel that I am grateful for it is Y.O.U!!!
Keep writing please and thank you
Peace Love & Butterfiles

Second Letter 11/10/09

Hey everyone, it's Kacy. I'll be updating Hailey's mission blog for her when she sends me pictures and letters. Enjoy & comment.

COMMENT-- I SEND THEM TO HAILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second Letter 11/10/09
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I hate that this thing times me...it makes me so nervous! This is when I wish I never dropped out of my typing class! I am going to apologize ahead of time for spelling errors. This week has been pretty rough. I still am loving being on my mission and everything it's just hard work! Companions are going to teach me patience which is good...maybe it will make me be a better wife! I got to teach my first investigator this week...YAY! It was a really neat expirience and way nerve racking! I also chatted with an investigator online for over an hour that was pretty cool too! I love love love mail time! It is the best part of the day! Kacy thank you for writing me everyday and thanks to everyone else as well! I can't believe I leave the MTC in less than a week...SCARY!!!!! This has become home, my comfort. The real world mission seems a bit intense...aw well, bring it on! I love hearing about Connor I miss that little boy so much, the things he say's makes me laugh out loud! I miss Newbie. I have been having the worst withdrawls. I even have dreams where I unsnap his car seat and take him out to hold him! It's a sad story when I wake up! I have decided that I want like a thousand kids, I never realized how much I loved them until now! My companionship is doing really well. Like I said I was blessed to get them. We still have our up's and down's but we manage to make it through! I am SOOOOOOOO SOOOOOO SOOOOOO tired! It is way bad! Sister Thuet and I are always falling asleep in class(good thing sister Place is there to elbow us in the sides)! I hope as time goes on my body will adjust to this crasy insano busy non-stop never ending schedual...lol! Will you please let Jessica know I had a birthday card for her but never got her address! I didn't forget about her. Daddy it's almost your birthday...YAY! I fly out Tuesday the 17th so will be calling you from the airport at sometime! Hopefully Lins is somwhere so I can call and talk to Connor! My flight number is1586 and then 5482. We fly Delta and have a lay over in Atlanta Georgia! I'm excited to talk to you! Also KJ when you fill out my address book don't forget Jenny Lederick...I think it would be nice to write her a few times! Thank You all so much for helping me out with this stuff. I'm not sure if you have sent everything yet or not but if not could you send it to WV, I'm afraid I'll be over the weight limit and it's 80.00(YuCK)! Let me know how you are all doing and MOM write me more you little stink bug! I miss you like CRAZY...for reals!!! I have come to the conclusion that Chad probably won't ever write so I won't be let down if he doesn't! Linds thanks for the pictures, talk about CUTE! I can only look at them in my 30 min. time limit which is really hard so if you don't mind sending them in the mail that would be rockin! I love you all so much and need you to know that I love this gospel! It rocks my socks off! We ser the LUCKIEST family in the world, never forget that and remember to SHOW your love to one another! I miss you with all of my heart and more! You ALL are in my thoughts and prayers!
Love, Hailey Babe
p.s I can't write next week because that's when I fly out but I should call you so that will make up for it! I am travel leader(GREAT) I get lost more than anyone I know! Pray for the 10-15 missionaries I have to help get on the right plane...hahaha
Hugs && Kisses
WRITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace Love & Butterflies

Hailey's First E-mail

Hey everyone, it's Kacy. I'll be updating Hailey's mission blog for her when she sends me pictures and letters. Enjoy & comment. I'll e-mail your comments to her so try to personalize them to her. Thanks & enjoy the post.

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Ok I only have 29 minutes exactly to write this letter before the computer logs me off! AHHH This is going to be speedy! For starters how are all of you??? How are my little men(I miss them sooooo much)! I have some very exciting news....David LOVES me, he really loves me! I couldn't believe my eye's when I received that letter from him...HOORAY! Ok so I am in LOVE with the MTC! It is such an amazing place to be. The spirit is so strong and it is so cool to see thousands of missionaries from all over the world!!! All of the sisters here are BEAUTIFUL!!! I don't know why I always thought badly about sisters, I was totally wrong! I have learned a ton here but still have so much more knowledge to gain! I love my companions! Sister Thuet is 26 from Las Vegas. She is a hair dresser as well and will be going to W. Virginia with me! You would never guess her age, she's adorable! Sister Place is 21 and from New Jersey. She is very soft spoken and humble. She is helping both sister Thuet and I a lot in that department! I love love love my district! We have the best elders in the whole MTC! I have never before in my life been treated with so much respect as I have by them! They stand up every time we enter a room, help us with our jackets and our ALWAYS opening the doors for us! I love my teachers they are crazy fun! It's wierd to think they're my age because they are so mature in the gospel and life! I see Kevin everyday, he is such a sweet heart and is constantly checking up on me! Hamani Stevens saw me and yelled, "No Way"! He demanded that I write Fenuki and gave me his address( who knows if I ever will)! He said hi Kacy! I want you all to know how much I love you, we are so blessed! I am the only one in my district with a complete and active family! I hear all these stories about siblings falling away and parents seperating. I can't help but to silently thank my Father in Heaven! I have learned that love is not just a word, it's more than that, it's an action! Please show one another that you love each other, REAL love! Thank you all so much for your letters....oh my goodness that is one of the best times of the day! I always get soooo much mail and it makes me appreciate having such a ROCKIN family! I am a little nervous for when I leave the MTC and you all stop using dearelder.com! I just keep telling myself you all will right just as much(cough cough...CHAD)! Kacy you would seriously love serving a mission and you would be GREAT! If you get the oppertunity don't pass it up! Linds I miss hanging out with you in the mornings! Thanks for the Duck update...YAY!!! Go DUCKS! Chad write me you little stinker! Mom and Dad(do you really write those letters or does Kacy do it for you)???lol Either way I love receiving them! Thank You for supporting me in this decision! It has changed my life and me for the better! I have yet to be homesick, Heavenly Father is blessing me so much! Every night I comfort my companions as they get teary eye'd yet I don't feel an ounce of sadness. It truly is a miracle! I am so Grateful to my Father in Heaven! I am senior companion(don't ask why they chose me)! I want you to know that I love this gospel, that I love being a missionary, and I love all of you! Thank You for everything! Please please keep writing me!!! Dearlelder.comis awesome! I have letters to read every night! I lost my address book and need address's as soon as you can get them to me. Especially grandma, grandma durfee, erin fine, melissa, chad and jess, etc...! If you could send those to me via dearelder.com that would be awesome! I want to send out those letters tomorrow! Also I NEED tights! I hate knee high's! I would appreciate full length nude nylons(1x)! Also I may have left some mission clothes there if you see any please send them! I am running out of wardrobe options! I'm sorry I'm asking for so much, I hope you don't mind! I will send you money for an address book if one of you could get one and fill it out for me!!! I love love love you family! You are in my thought and prayers EVERYDAY!!!! I can't say it enough, we are so blessed! Give Connor, Jet, and Colby loves for me! I miss picking up Newbie(I can't think about it or I get sad)! I love my mission! I am so grateful I decided to come!!! Write me PLEASEEEEEEE!!! Oh yeah mom send my boy book(I think it's in my salon)my roommates want to see pictures! Funny Girls! Tell everyone to write me on dearelder.com!
Love always your HAPPY and HEALTHY little girl,
Sister Hailey Durfee
P.s Kacy hang in there at work...just write down something you have been bleesed with every time you get down...you will be suprised!(MIssionary talk) Tell Grammy hi and that I love her!
Peace Love and Butterflies

Day one.

Hey everyone, it's Kacy. I'll be updating Hailey's mission blog for her when she sends me pictures and letters. Enjoy & comment. I'll e-mail your comments to her so try to personalize them to her. Thanks & enjoy the post.

On the 27th Hailey was set apart as a missionary at 7:30.
She wanted only family there.
Of course we had our parents, Lindsay and David and the babies.
Grandma Stephens as well.
We also had the pleasure of having Seth and Sarah Ruhnow.
and Erin Fine.
Hailey considers both additions family.
It was a perfect group.

On the 28th Hailey woke up at 3:45 and began one of the best days of her life.
(Other than marriage and baby's)
She looked beautiful and like a servant of the Lord.
We made it to the airport at 5:00.
She got her ticket and got in line.
Lindsay and David and the babies got there just in time.
Hailey held it together the best.
She is amazing.
We should get a letter within the week and I'll make sure to get it up for you.
Comment for her...
Or better yet write her!!!!

Here she is at the terminal.

Last Day

Today is my last day home, I have very mixed emotions right now. At one end I am excited to leave and finally get this thing started like I know that I am suppose to and on the other end my heart is aching. I love my family and as silly as it may sound I love living at home with them! I know that most 21 year olds are long gone by now but not me! I think it is amazing that I get to spend everyday with my parents, siblings and nephews...SERIOUSLY...how lucky am I!? My family is my EVERYTHING and I feel so blessed to be able to spend eternity with them! I am going to miss them like CRAZY but I know that I am suppose to serve the lord, so like Nephi, " I will go, I will do". I just want to Thank all of you my family and friends for being my everyday sunshine, for always bringing a smile to my face, supporting me in all of my random adventures, and for loving me with all of your hearts. Every night in my journal I end with this....

Love You Long Time, The LUCKIEST Girl In The World, Hailey Liane! So to all of you, my family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, etc. Please know this....

I Love Y.O.U Long Time, because of Y.O.U I am without a doubt the LUCKIEST girl in the world! I will miss and think about you often. I hope to hear from you all at least once and promise to write you back! This gospel is TRUE and I cannot wait to share it with the world!

Sister Hailey Liane Durfee

Getting Ready To Go

Little Inspirations

Daisies Are My Favorites

My DREAM board(I need to glue a missionary on there)

I have been cleaning like crazy today, sorting through all of my things and throwing most EVERYTHING away! Who knew moving away for a year and a half would be so complicating and stressful! I have so much left to do, I have but touched the surface! I'm trying to stay patient and nice to those around me(sorry family)! I just finished my bedroom and if I say so myself it's looking pretty lovely! It's really teeny boppy but hey I haven't had much time since high school to re-do it! :) One thing down and a million to go....YAY! ;) Only 6.5 days to go(I better step on it)!

Big Big Blue Whale

Tonight Lindsay and David came over like they usually do on Sunday evenings but tonight it was a little different. The realization that I am leaving in just a few short days has finally started to set in. I started the night off holding little Colby as I usually do and oh my goodness is he a sweetheart! Connor has become very independent and likes to watch cartoons in the den by himself. I went in to check on him and it just happened to be a commercial so I thought it would be the perfect time to let him know that I would be leaving soon and that I will miss him as much as a Big Big Blue Whale(Our inside joke)! I can't even explain the emotions that came, the flood gates opened! I told him that I was going to be leaving for a long time and that even though I wouldn't see him I would always be thinking about him. He said, "Let's take the batteries out of the plane tomorrow so you can stay with me"! It made me laugh so hard he is adorable. He told me not to cry and that he loved me as much as a Big Big Blue Whale too. He then proceeded to reassure me that I shouldn't worry because he would forget me(he means to say I won't but doesn't quiet understand how to say it)that too made me laugh! Tonight made me realize how undeniably grateful and blessed I am to have such a tight nit relationship with all of my family members. It opened my eye's to how lucky I am to see these precious little boys 7 days a week! They truly are my everyday sunshine in this rainy state! My heart has grown twice in size since they have been introduced into this world and more importantly my life! I love them all as much as a Big Big Blue Whale!

Time Is Flying

A Moment Of Weakness

Last night I had the first of what I am sure will be the beginning of many moments of weakness to come in the next few months. For a second I lost sight of the goal, the desire, the destination, and the path that I have chosen for the next 18 months of my life! To be honest I am scared. I wish that I could just hide in my father's arms forever, that I could fall asleep and wake up after everything that is about to happen in my near future has come to an end! I have always try'd to stand on my own two feet not showing my fears but all of the sudden this has become nearly impossible. I am getting ready to leave my home and every comfort that I have ever know! I am saying goodbye to my family and stepping onto a plane that is flying into the unknown! I am having to fully rely on my own personal faith and trust in my Father in Heaven's plan for me! It seems like an easy task but indeed it is everything but easy! I know that everything that I have been taught, that I have done, that I have become thus far in life has in some way lead me up to this point, to where I am right now! This truly is my time to show the world but more importantly myself that I can do this...that I can be brave and fearless...that I can stand on my own two feet...that I can gain an unwavering testimony and friendship with my Heavenly Father...that I can become selfless and share the reasons for my happiness with others. 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. I believe that and I believe in him and I know that he believes in me! It's my turn to believe in myself.

I believe in me....

Over My Heart

This morning my dad and I were watching the video Called To Serve. I have never been touched by the spirit so strong in my life! It made me realize that not only do I need to serve a mission but more than ANYTHING I want to serve my Heavenly Father and brother Jesus Christ! I know with everything inside of me that this gospel is TRUE! I can't begin to describe the way I am feeling...pure excitement! I am looking forward to feeling the spirit this strong each and everyday! I KNOW that this is something that will strengthen and bless my life. I am grateful to wear the Saviors name over my heart!