Never a Dull Moment!

This week was a roller coaster. The strangest thing is that whenever I feel down, I still feel happy. Whenever I feel like everyone is against us, I still feel on top of the world. I pray every single day to have a positive attitude and to be joyful. I've never been so glad in such awkward or heartbreaking situations before. Sister Woolf and I were talking about how in Alma, Ammon is SO joyous about the Gospel. There is a point he is so happy that he FAINTS. He is preaching and all of a sudden he is overcome and it says he falls to the Earth. For some reason we thought that was the funniest thing ever. Who knew that the scriptures would make me laugh so hard. Just imagine talking about something, being so excited and all of a sudden you just fall. HAHA... It's not really that funny... You had to be there.

Sister Woolf and I drive a truck, so we started doing this thing where we drive extremely slowly and just start talking to people walking on the street. We just roll up and are like, "Hey, what is your name?!" I have never felt more like a stalker in my life. When we go street contacting, you are pretty much analyzing people to see if they will talk to you. We have met the funniest people while doing this. Every day is a riot. Sometimes when we get lost, Sister Woolf will say, "Where are we?" and I will be like, "Oh my gosh... ARE WE IN JAMAICA? How did we get here?" Seriously though, I ask myself that question every single day. How did I get to this point in my life? How did I end up choosing to do this? I really don't know. It all feels like it happened so fast. I still can't believe I am here. I don't know when reality will set in. I don't know when I'll start yearning for home, but thus far, everything is alright.

I HATE JAMAICAN POLICE STATIONS. They are so slow. I've been there so many times trying to get my police report for my lost passport, and they take forever. They all know Sister Woolf and I now, because I just sit there complaining until someone helps me. And when they finally do, they try to tell me what I need to do, and I'm all like, "No, no, you are not listening. I NEED this, NOW." I am finally getting the letter from the police station sometime today or tomorrow. I wish Mom were here to just do it for me, hahaha! Oh what a luxury that was. But, as for now, I am still an illegal alien here. It's fine though because I have my passport, I am just waiting on the letter so I can get my work permit stamped in it. 

So on Wednesday, we had our District meeting. It was awesome. It always lifts my spirit and makes me so positive. The AP's came out and they helped us get our oil changed after the meeting. Apparently the car place rips people off, especially women, so we made sure to have Elders with us to check everything. It was fun because our District, Zone Leaders, and the AP's all went out to this fast food place called Tastee's, which has really good meat patties. When we walk down the street, we are all white, except for two of the Elders, so everyone stares at us. It's a parade. I immediately thought, "The Mormons are coming!" Because, we really were. 

During the week, our District leader, Elder Hefner called us to give us a referral. At the end of the conversation he asked us to grab our white handbook. He said to turn to page 35. Page 35 talks about how you are not allowed to change a child's diaper. He was all like, "Sister's, I hate to say this, but we've been getting some complaints about you changing diapers..." Sister Woolf and I started freaking out. We were like, "ARE YOU KIDDING? We are not doing that! They are lying. THEY HATE US. This is so stupid.!" We ranted for about 5 minutes until Elder Hefner was all like, "I'm just kidding." Then we screamed at him for a little while. The reason why this prank worked out so well was because Elder Hefner is so serious, and he has this very mature demeanor, so we didn't see this joke coming at all. He got us so good, and we've been laughing about it all week. 

There is never a dull moment here. Especially when crazy rasta men want to sing and dance for you. I wish I could show you all the video of it. It was so funny, that I started crying. I was laughing SO hard. I guess you will all get to see it in a year and a half. This man was seriously insane. But, it made my day. Also, Jamaica is so beautiful. It is gorgeous out here. The other day we had to drive to this less active who lives about 35 minutes away. The drive was stunning. The mountains are huge and round. Everything is green. There are huge valleys of corn and sugar cane. The road we drive on is canopied with vines and trees. It was amazing because on the way back, the sun was setting, and it was coming through the trees. It was glorious. It reminded me of the scripture, "Everything denotes that there IS a God." The beauty of this place was a tender mercy for me, because when I saw it, I wasn't having the greatest day ever. It also solidified my belief in God even more. I'm just baffled at how all of this was made. 

Yesterday, Sunday, was an interesting day. One of the Elders in our area got a kidney stone, so they had to borrow our truck. We had to walk to our appointments, but for some reason, it turned out to be the best day ever. We met with these two young girls, who we committed to baptism. They said yes! We had dinner at a members house, and we made it to their house, right before a big rain storm. By the time we left, the rain had stopped. When we were walking, our Mission President drove by, and picked us up. Everything worked out so perfectly, even though we had to walk so far. It was also super fun because we had a member, Tiana (18 year old, preparing for a mission), with us. I thought about Cameron on his mission walking up to 10 miles or more in one day! What an inspiration. 

Overall, not much else to say. I'm excited for this coming week. This Friday, someone from the Quorum of the Seventy's is coming to our Zone Conference. I will get to see Sister Savage! I'm so happy. We get to drive out to Kingston and see all the missionaries here in Jamaica. There are about 80 of us. This last week was great, and hopefully this week will be even better.

Family, I miss you tons. Have fun with our annual Memorial Day traditions! <3

LOVE,

SISTA PITT

All the Fruit the People Gave Us!

Crazy Rasta Man Who Danced for Us

District

Elder Nugent! He's Famous, his grandfather was the first member in Jamaica  to be baptized.

He Came Up With the Pose.

In Court With The Elder Who Lost My Passport

Sister Woolf and I

Time and Patience

It's so ironic that I live in a place called, "Time and Patience," yet I lack both of those things. 

This week has been... let's just say a struggle. A struggle with missionary work, but everything else has been super hilarious. We are just struggling with investigators mostly. Almost all of them are not keeping any commitments. It's rough, but I mean, I still feel extremely positive. Every time we see someone I always think to myself, 'This is it! This is the time where they read from the Book of Mormon,' But alas, we always end up a bit disappointed. I have been giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, which I will continue to do, and maybe one of these days I will be surprised! "The sun will come out tomorrow!" -Little Orphan Annie.

There are so many bugs, everywhere. Especially after it rains. Sister Woolf and I were driving and there was this huge bug flying around in the truck. She screamed, I screamed, we all screamed for ice-cream. We shrieked and laughed for 10 minutes, and I think we probably killed the bug from excessive noise. We have way too much fun. We have two CD's that we listen to all the time, and we have been getting SO sick of them. Soooo, we end up singing Disney songs at the top of our lungs, without any music. If we get bored of Disney songs, we sing Phantom of the Opera. That's when it gets CaRaZyyyy. 

So, last week P-Day, we went to Spanish Town to buy groceries, because they have an actual grocery store, with like a checkout that beeps, shopping carts, and all that amazing good stuff. They also have a bigger selection of American things, which are a bit more expensive, but not bad. Anyways, I was craving mexican food, because I had totally forgot about Cinco De Mayo. I bought all the ingredients for homemade tortillas and stuff, and viola! I made it, all by myself. Dad, be proud of me. Sister Woolf and I were in heaven. It was nice to have a break from strange meats and 5 HUGE cups of rice. 

A common occurrence in Jamaica: Seeing women's breasts. We were going to go visit this lady named June and she was completely topless. She just talked to use half naked for about five minutes. Awkward. I didn't know what to do, where to look, etc... Often when we are teaching, a woman will just whip out her bosom and start breast feeding. I'm just like, WHOA THERE. I'm being dramatic, it's not bad, but I can't even imagine how awkward it would be if I was an Elder and that happened. No shame these people have. It's also weird because almost no one here wears a bra or shaves their pits or legs. I am almost tempted to not shave my legs either, because I hate shaving, but NO I will not give into temptation. 

I got to go to Ocho Rios on Wednesday for District meeting! Ocho Rios is a tourist town. I saw so many white people! It was like Christmas. We ate at Burger King. I know I've only been out a month, but I gave some good praises to that hamburger. I don't think I've ever thanked the Lord so much for a crappy fast food meal. It was glorious. Mmm, normal tasting ketchup. District meeting was fantastic. I learn SO much when I go to those things. The worst thing is that we realized that there are a huge chunk of our investigators we have to drop because they are just not serious and not progressing. We've been trying our hardest, but they are just not ready to receive the Gospel. They are not elect. So, this next week we are devoting our week to FINDING. We are going to get as many referrals from members as possible and just contact. Hopefully out of 100 people we talk to, one will need this in their life immediately. With everyone else, it's seed planting time. Maybe someday in the future, they will be ready. I hope so.

OH. THE WORST, MOST AWKWARD THING. So, Sister Woolf and I were at the Police Station, apparently I had to report my lost Passport, no one told me. Anyways, I was doing that, and this creepy guy wanted to talk to Sister Woolf in private. She said no. He kept trying to get her to stand up. I think somewhere in the conversation, I said we are companions, we can't be seperate, and he took it like we are lesbians. HAHA, we were like, "No no no no no! That's not what we meant." Anyways, I pretty much told the guy off. I was like, "She is not interested. Leave us alone. GOODBYE." And it was so annoying, because none of the police officers where doing anything. They just laughed. Speaking of lesbians.... I GOT HIT ON ONE. AT CHURCH. AT CHURCH of all places. What the heck. I was sitting in the pews, and there was this girl that kept trying to get my attention. I waved and smiled because she just looked like she wanted to say hi. She kept trying to get my attention. After church, she comes up to me and says, "I like you." In a creepy whisper. I was like, "Oh that is nice, as a friend right?" Then she just stared at me and shook her head no. I mean, nothing against lesbians or anything, but seriously, at church?! 

Last night, our car broke down. The oil light turned on a few days ago, but you know us girls, we didn't think anything about it. We were teaching a recent convert a lesson, and then it wouldn't start. We immediately called the branch president, and he dropped everything he was doing and came to our rescue with his neighbor! It is so comforting to know we always have help. Especially being in a weird country, it is nice to know that friendly people are only a phone call away. It's like whenever I see a member of the church here, I feel so safe and comforted. Whenever I see the Elders, I immediately feel like a stress relief because I'm like, normal people! hahaha, I'm still getting used to everything out here, but I'm slowly getting better. 

Overall, everything is great. One investigator Bryan, has a baptismal date, hopefully everything works out. I can't believe it's already Monday again. Another week. Another day, another dollar. Except, no dollars, because we don't make money. Everyone is great here, they give us so many mangoes. I don't really like the mangoes here because they are stringy, but it's nice that they do that. This one investigator we have gave us fresh grown corn! It was so good eating it. 

I'm in 3rd Nephi right now, in the Book of Mormon. There is this scripture that I just love. 3rd Nephi 11:14. "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world." I had like a little epiphany after I read this, of the day I will be able to see Christ, feel his scars, and just be filled with complete joy. I think a little tear came to my eye. It is a beautiful thought, to know that Christ has redeemed my soul, and someday, I will be able to thank him for that. 

I love you all, I miss you all. I will keep working hard, laughing a lot and choosing to do the right thing.

-Sister Pitt

Sunset in Jamaica

Corn!!!

Important Black Men

Mexican Meal

Rastaman

A Street Performer

Where we run in the mornings

Fun Facts!

Fun fact #1: Our investigator has a huge garden of marijuana. 

Fun fact #2: I took a picture next to it holding a "Word of Wisdom" pamphlet. (Is that sacreligious?)

Every day here is so random. Nothing is consistent, except our studies and when we come home at night. Every day we have to deal with people canceling on us, hiding from us, hitting on us, or pretending to be interested. But, it always turns into the most hilarious situation. Jamaican people are so weird sometimes. They are late for everything. (Jamaican time is way later than Hawaiian time. I never thought that was possible.) We have some good investigators, don't get me wrong. But, we have more obnoxious investigators than good ones, so it is easy to only think of the crazy ones. 

This week a baby peed on my shoes. I took them off at the door, and she started playing with them. Apparently, people can't afford diapers here. So, this baby peed on my shoes. My reaction was, "Your kid just peed on my shoes..." (I think I said it in a kind of grossed out/rude voice. haha) The mom didn't even say sorry, she just wiped it up. I walked around barefoot the rest of the day, and later I poured Purrell all over them. Ahhaha. I wonder what my mission president would think of me being barefoot while proselyting. I actually don't think he would be upset about it. This mission is a hard working mission, but it is also extremely laid back in some aspects. 

I have learned that the quickest way to have a prayer disrupted is to hear a dog getting hit by a car. Not only that, to have it screaming/crying at the top of it's lungs for a few minutes. And then, the owner coming and taking a machete to it's throat, to put it out of it's misery. Our investigator was praying and it was a spiritual moment, and then SATAN had to come ruin it. Hahaha, gosh darn it. It was so gross, and I felt sick after that. The worst part was that afterwards, a member fed us turkey neck, and all I could think about was the dog getting hit by the car. 

Speaking of turkey neck, Jamaican food is getting weirder and weirder as time goes on. A member, Sister Wallace, cooked us PIGS TAIL. Like the literally curly part of the tail. Oh my goodness. I just about died. I tried it and could not swallow it. She wasn't in the room where we were eating it, so I had a plastic bag and Sister Woolf and I stuffed it all into the bag. I then hid it. I've also eaten so many different meats, I am afraid to even ask what they are. I assume most of it is goat, because there are hundredssss of goats here. 

We had Zone meeting this last week. It was Sister Woolf and I and about 30 Elders. It was so good, and I learned so much from the Elders. It's hard not to feel inadequate compared to them, but I have been learning to not compare myself to others. Everyone is at a different level in life, everyone is learning and growing in a different way. I think the biggest thing I've been working on out here is developing Christlike attributes. Sister Woolf actually inspired this. We work on different ones each week. It is either patience, kindness, love, charity, etc... It is amazing that the more we become like Christ, the easier it is to love those we teach. The more we become like our savior, the easier it is to feel his spirit and teach his children. Also, the more you become like Christ, the better your life will become. If this isn't a universal truth, then it should be. Everyone needs to know this!

We were having dinner at a members house, and we gave a little spiritual thought, then played a game. It is amazing how just by having the Gospel in the home, you can feel the spirit and love that each family member had for each other. It is considerably different from teaching in a home without it. Not that those who don't have the Gospel are bad, or they are doing wrong, it's just the bond and connection they have made through Christ is so evident. For a minute, I felt like I was at home, with my family. I loved it so much, and I want to give everyone in the world the chance to be able to feel that spirit of God in their own homes.When we teach investigators that the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families, we are not lying. It significantly improves families. I have seen it so much in just this month that I've been on my mission.

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there! It was so good to skype home and see my family crowded in my bedroom. There are so many mothers here, so Sister Woolf and I have been teaching people about our mothers and explaining how their good example has influenced our lives. We are telling them that if they choose to do what is right, and choose to follow the Savior, their kids will grow up extremely strong. I am so thankful for my mom. I love her with my whole heart. She has given me everything. Without her help with paperwork, doctors appointments, buying me things, I WOULD NOT BE HERE. Also, if she hadn't given birth to me, I wouldn't be here. Haha. It's the truth. 

Oh, and everyone here thinks they can sing. You can just be like, "Sing me a song!" And they will make up on the spot a song. This recent convert, Conrad, sang us a song about moms. It was the most off-pitch song. SO funny. I was trying so hard not to laugh. I filmed it. Hopefully someday I can show you all. The funniest part was he was so serious. He closed his eyes and was like, "Mommmmmm mommmm mommm! I loooOOooveee you..." It's still stuck in my head. I can't believe I'm saying this, but even I am a better singer than some Jamaicans. 

Family, I love you all so much. I miss you. Cameron, your beard is looking mighty fine. I bet all the ladies love it. Kristin, I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR WHERE YOU ARE HEADED ON YOUR MISSION! Kayla, good luck with May Day and graduation from 6th grade! Mom and Dad, you two are perfect parents, keep it up.

Friends, I miss all y'all. Peace be da journey.

Respect,

Sister Pitt

Marley And Me!

Questionable Meat????

JAMAICA

Colorful Map of Jamaica

Natural Pink Carpet

Weed Of Wisdom hahaha!

A Marvelous Adventure!

I'm teaching the Rastas the Plan of Salvation,

Living Reggae Nation, but it ain't no vacation.

Serving the Lord on an island in the sea,

Through the winds and the waves, 

I hope you're thinking of me!

My name is Caressa Pitt. I ate an entire jar of peanut butter in a week, I am getting the worlds most awkward tan line, and I'M A MORMON. 

This last week was crazy. The days are so long, but this week was finished in a snap. Four more days till I make one month on my mission! 17 more to go :) So much has happened. Every day you see so many people, go so many places, do so many things, that it all kind of blends into one big "akhgkajgka" (that's the only way to describe it). Plus, everything has been kind of going over my head. My companion is always like, "you're so chill about everything out here." Honestly, it's because I have no words, I just can't believe I'm out here, in Jamaica, serving a mission. I wonder when it will hit me? Probably when I have a really bad day or something, but thus far, all my days have been a marvelous adventure. 

Jamaican people have the weirdest culture. They are pleasers. They will say anything to make you happy. We have no shortage of people to teach, but we can never tell if they are serious, or just being nice. At the same time, they have zero manners. I will ask enthusiastically, "How are you today?!" and they will reply smugly, "Ok...." or just walk away. It is actually really funny, because I never know what to say after. I swear, if I come home super rude and stuff, slap me. Also, Sister Woolf and I have made it a goal not to smile and be bubbly towards men. We have to act very serious about what we are doing. If we even smile at them, it gets so stupid, and they ask if we are married. WHY is it that I can smile and flirt with someone in America, and they think we are just friends, and then in Jamaica I do a half smile and a wave and barely talk to a man, and he thinks I dig him? Seriously, so annoying. hahaha

Speaking of marriage proposals, (Dad, I hope I'm not making you nervous, hahah), we were out getting groceries, and this guy comes up to us and asks us to be taught. I guess he knew what we do. So, we went and met him at his house, and he told us his whole TERRIBLE life story. I really did feel bad for him. Anyways, we told him we would walk to church with him and another member, and he said okay. The next day, he texts asking if I am married. hahaha (When a male investigator does that, we immediately drop him), so we called him and told him that was inappropriate, and told him he is welcome to come to church, but we can't teach him if he only wants to talk to us. We didn't think he would actually show up at church. BUT HE DID. Oh my gosh, I was so nervous because he wanted to talk to me and Sister Woolf. Anyways, he apologized and just started talking foolishness (everyone out here says foolishness), haaa and we told him the Elders could teach him, but we couldn't because if he is really interested in the Gospel, we want him to take it seriously. And since it was Fast and Testimony meeting yesterday, he STANDS UP, and walks up. The Elders in the Branch turned around and looked at me and I just put my head down and started laughing silently. Anyways he said something like, "I want to change my life, thank you," and then he sat down. Anyways, the Elders are going to teach him now, so it's all good.

I wouldn't be telling you about all the weird guys out here, but that is literally what we come in contact with everyday. I can already feel myself getting ruder and ruder towards men. Jamaican people are extremely forward, they have no personal bubbles, they act like they've never seen white people before. OH MY GOSH. So, the other day, we were driving and we saw a white girl and an asian girl walking, and we screamed, "White person!" We pulled over and talked to them. There is a town here called Ewarton, where the Peace Corp. Volunteers teach at a school. The asian girl was from Hawaii! She lives by Sandy's and went to Punahou. I don't think I ever got her name or anything, but yah, that was cool to talk to them. I feel like I forget I'm white, because all we ever come in contact with are Jamaicans. 

So, the coolest thing about being a missionary is the fact that every time I bear my testimony about something, it's like I'm rediscovering it for myself. Also, somehow I thought I was so bad at scriptures, but somehow, I can find a scripture for almost everything, right on the spot. I seriously have been praying for help in that, and lo and behold, it worked. During a lesson we are talking about faith or baptism, and somehow I just flip open to it and it works perfectly. Even the other day a lady was asking if we believe in evil spirits because she has been feeling one, and I directed her to a scripture in 2 Nephi, that says something like, "And evil spirit teaches a man not to pray, but a good spirit teaches a man to pray" (paraphrased), but then I asked if she has been saying her prayers consistently, and she said no, and I invited her to continue to pray, to have the good spirit with her at all times. I've been so impressed as I teach how the Holy Ghost has been guiding me. It is literally amazing how God's hand is in everything. As a missionary, prayers are almost answered immediately. Not when it comes to investigators, but when it comes to something that I need help with, it works. I love it. 

There are so many things to be thankful for. Be thankful for consistent power and water. Sometimes during studies the power will just go out, it's fun. Also, after running in the morning, the water will just stop working, so we are a sweaty mess all day. Be thankful for paved roads. Be thankful for Foodland. Be thankful for warm showers. Be thankful for just everything!!!

So the other night, we were sitting with this man named Jermaine. He is about 27 and a member of the branch presidency here in Linstead. He is the coolest person I've met so far. He used to be a Rastafarian, and then when he found the church, he changed so many things in his life, and he is so devoted to the Gospel. He said the reason why he became a Rasta was because he was looking for something, but he still never found it, but the Rasta beliefs came sort of close to what he was looking for. When he found the Gospel, it was like, perfection. So we were sitting with him, just talking story, and he was saying that the reason he has stayed so strong in the Gospel as well is because he loves the great example the Sister Missionaries are. (He lives behind us). He said he was impressed with how I've adapted to everything so quickly, and I'm so chill. He was like, "You just fit in here!" It was funny, and I was like, "Thank you so much, you've made me feel so much better about myself." hahaha 

Last off, an Elder here (an AP), lost my passport. SO today, I had to go to the USA Embassy and get a new one. It was such a hassle. Don't worry mom, I got this handled!

Well, that is all I can think of for right now!

Love you all :)

-Sista PET (everyone says it like that). 

Jamaica Pride!

Umm, Voodoo doll?

Future Sister Missionaries

Busy Me!

Learning to Play Cricket!

First Week in Jamaica!

Hey everyone!

 

I'm finally in Jamaicaaaaaa! But, I'll first catch you up to speed with everything that happened at the MTC and whatnot. The MTC was stressful, but very spiritual and fun. I am soooo happy to be outta there. I left on the 23rd, I got to call my family home, and Kallie, so that was so good. I can't wait to call mom on Mother's Day, which is soon! I think I will be able to skype! Sweet. 

Okay, so Jamaica. What to say about Jamaica... This place is nuts. I got off the plane and you could immediately feel the humidity. It is so heavy here, but I'm getting used to it. I actually am so glad because it was extremely dry in Utah. And, off the plane, there was this creepy rasta man who asked if I was a Mormon, and I said yes, and he told the Elders that he would come to church if I was there. We got out of customs and immediately met the AP's. They were super nice. I just have to say, I LOVE PRESIDENT HENDRICKS. He is so cool. He took Sister Austin and I to his home, but when we got in the car he immediately bumped into this guy walking in the street and yelled, "Move it DIPSTICK!" I felt so happy, seriously. Anyways, President Hendricks (the Mission President) is a crazy driver. Everyone in Jamaica is terrible at it. And it's on the other side of the road, so I kept thinking cars where coming at us, but it was an illusion. We stayed at the mission home in Kingston, and Sister Hendricks fed us, it was so good to not eat MTC food.

The next day I got assigned to my companion and area. My companion is Sister Woolf (mind you, she has only been in Jamaica for 6 weeks) and my area is Linstead, Jamaica. After that all the missionaries getting transfered went to KFC, which is much cheaper than American KFC. Anyways, Linstead is a funny place. There are literally NO white people here. Just Sister Woolf and I, so naturally we get stared at all the time. People yell, "WHITEY!!" and "MISSIONARIES!" and "WHITE PEOPLEEE!" Where we live is a rural little farming place, called, "Time and Patience." (They have weird names here). The house we live in is perfect. It's not nice or anything, but it has everything we need. We don't have warm water, and the first night I was here, the water went out. Of course. But, it's all good. I am grateful we have a place to stay! 

Linstead is the main town, and it is like a downtown kind of area. Hundreds of people are on the street all day, selling, driving, honking and blasting reggae music. When Sister Woolf and I walk, men seriously blow kisses at us. I've been asked like five times if I want to get married. It's annoying because we are trying to look for legit investigators, and we can't really know if a guy is really interested or just wants to be seen talking to white girls.

Everything here is so colorful. Like every building is bright orange or green. I seriously love it! There is a lot of poverty here, but everyone just seems happy and loud. Linstead is safe. No worries. There are also lots of members looking out for us, and everyone knows we are missionaries. We also have a car! It's this old beat-up truck, which I get to learn how to drive soon. One of the older missionary couples are going to teach me! It's stick shift, and I'll have to learn how to drive on the other side of the road. Oh and to make you feel better (or worse, depending how you look at it), we keep a machete in the truck just in case. HAHAHA! No worries man.

English here is a joke. This might be an english speaking mission, but everyone pretty much speaks Patawa. Which is like really thick pidgin. I can't understand half of what they are saying, but the key is to just listen. I've learned a few words like, "wagown" (wah-gawon) which means: "What's going on?" Sister Woolf still has a hard time trying to figure out what they are saying as well. Whenever we go teaching, we take a  member with us, so they translate if we don't get everything. So if I come back speaking like a fob, y'all know why. 

The members in this town are amazing. All of them are converts, and so strong. Church on Sunday was so funny. Most of the people are from former churches and so when someone reads a scripture, they will say stuff under their breath like, "Amen," "Agree," or, "Mmmhmm." Also, everyone is bad at singing hymns here. Probably just because they were not raised on the hymns. I got to bear my testimony at church, like all new missionaries do, and it went well. I am SO happy to be here.

Okay, so we don't have that many investigators at the moment, we have been going contacting a lot, and trying to get referals from members. But we do have one guy named Bryan, with a baptismal date. He's been taught since January, and he has already been interviewed to be baptized, but the person interviewing him didn't think he was quite ready. BUT, on Sunday he said he wasn't feeling well, and the Elders here gave him a blessing, and he was brought to tears. It was a beautiful blessing and I asked him how he felt and he said warm in his heart. I love it! He walks to church every Sunday and he lives far away. I can't wait to see him be baptized, even if I didn't do much to contribute to the effort.

Sister Woolf is awesome. She is so cute! I am already friends with her on Facebook mom, so if you want to look at her profile her name is Brooke Woolf. She is a hard worker and has really taught me so much! Her and I wake up at 6:00 every morning and go running on this closed freeway. Honestly, if I don't run in the morning here, I can't wake up. So, hopefully I'll be super fit and healthy by the time I come home. The food here is pretty good. It's a lot of filler food, so like rice and beans and dumplings. All carbs. The rice and beans are always flavored, so I like it. I ate at this place called Juciees, and ate a meat patty, which are SO good here in Jamaica.

What else?! I don't know. Oh, a member washes our clothes for us, we pay her.  It's nice so we don't have to take the time out of our P-Days. Um, I feel like so much has happened, but I have no idea what to say! This last week has just flown by.

Jamaica is amazing. Everyone blasts music out of their cars. I mean like literally, they have huge speaker systems set up on the roof of their cars. People here burn trash, because there is nothing else to do with it. There are so many goats everywhere. Some people are pulled around in carts by donkeys. Everyone dresses super colorfully. The members are awesome, and the women treat us like their own daughters. I'm still getting used to the men here giving us a lot of creepy attention. I don't really like it, but if they start talking to you, you automatically just interrupt them and start talking about the Gospel. There are churches on every corner. But, everyone knows about the Mormons. We are coming for them! ;) hahaha! Love you all!

Respect man!

-Sistah Pitt

Elder's Birthday

Food

House

Jamaica

Malik

Malj

Meat-pie

MTC

Sister Pitt Welcome to Jamaica!

Sister Pitt and the other new Missionaries with their new companions!

Dear Brother and Sister Pitt,

We are happy to let you know your daughter arrived safely in Kingston, Jamaica. She is in good spirits and arrived anxious to become involved in the great work being done here. When she arrived we met her at the airport and brought her to the mission home where she spent her first night. We helped her with banking and immigration matters and then provided training and orientation.

She was interviewed and met her trainer, Sister Woolf. They then went to their area where they began the work she came here to do. Your daughter will be serving in Linstead. As parents we can appreciate your concern for her and her welfare and felt you would like to know she is safe and doing fine.

We want to thank you for raising such a fine daughter and for your support for her while she is here. Your support for the next few weeks while she may experience some homesickness will be very important. The work is really beginning to blossom here in Jamaica and the people are warm and friendly. We are confident she will have a special experience. We can assure you we will do everything we can to help her grow and develop and are confident her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ will increase. Through her mission experiences she will draw closer to our Savior. We are so grateful to have her here.

Gratefully,

T. Scott Hendricks                                 Sister Marian Hendricks

President,

Jamaica Kingston Mission

First and Only Letter From the MTC

Family, Friends, Loyal Fans,

I AM SO HAPPY ITS MY P-DAY. I have had dreams about emailing you for the last three nights. (I only have 1 while I'm here). I've been here for a week and one day now. This was the longest week of my life. In a good way. The MTC is really nothing I expected. It's better than anything I could have ever imagined, and the biggest emotional roller coaster I've been on. The spirit here is so consuming. I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many times my mind has just been blown and I've gotten goosebumps all over. (And not because It's 40 degrees). SERIOUSLY, It has snowed, and all I have is light clothes for Jamaica.

My companions name is Sister Savage. She is from good ole' Lehi, Utah. She has been such a blessing because she has the most contagious laugh in the world, and frankly, it gets really tough here, and she always makes me feel happy. We have so much fun. When we are not "studying," we are just laughing about everything. I feel like so much has happened and I don't know how to summarize this last week. 

First off, all we do is eat and sit, eat and sit, eat and sit. The food is just like regular cafeteria food, nothing special, but each Wednesday and Sunday is ICE-CREAM for dinner. Well, I make it ice-cream for dinner. (You could eat other stuff). Seriously, the ice-cream here is the best in the world, I'm not even kidding, I've never eaten anything better.

Okay let's talk about all the amazing things that have happened! This is probably going to be out of order, but I seriously don't even remember when I did things. All the days have melted into one. Okay, so guess who came to our Tuesday Devotional? Everyone said not to expect an Apostle or anyone really high in the church, but RICHARD G. SCOTT came! It was so awesome. His talk was so amazing. He spoke about prayer, and about pouring out your heart to your Heavenly Father. It really made me want to be better about communicating with the Lord, and believe me, I have said so many prayers while I've been here. Probably like 20 a day. But, I still need to have that constant communication with my Heavenly Father. The most amazing part of his talk was his testimony of the Lord. He said, "I know God lives, because I know Him." It seriously gave me chicken skin and I felt so warm all over my body. The way he said it, and the conviction he had in his voice was so powerful. It really made me think about how many prayers he has said in his life to be able to say that he knows the Lord. I loved it. ALSO He gave us an Apostolic Blessing. That seriously blew my mind. I couldn't believe that. He blessed us with strength and with hope. He blessed us that the Lord would answer our prayers. 

The first few days I was here, everyone was just saying, "You just need to make it to Sunday," and how right they were. The first few days were so overwhelming, but once Sunday rolled around, I was so joyous. Relief Society was awesome. The speaker was Mary Edmunds, who has served about 5 missions for the church. Her whole talk was hilarious. She was sooooo good at uplifting all of us and helping us realize that we are meant to be here. For about a minute she talked about not touching the Elders. We were all cracking up. She then proceeded to say, "Don't touch the Elders..... but keep in mind who you want to touch later. So, no touchy now, but as soon as you get home and they are home, TOUCH." I don't know, it was kind of like a you-had-to-be-there moment, but it had all us women rolling. SPEAKING of all the women, there are SO many sisters here, it is really amazing at their power they have. So many people were effected by the mission age change. The Lord is really hastening his work. Anyways, back to Mary Edmunds, she also spoke about how you will never regret serving a mission and how we have journals that need to be filled with our adventures. I think she knew many of us felt discouraged, but she said, "All you can do, is the best you can do, and the Lord will do the rest." How right she is. Even in one week I have felt that. 

My District is amazing. They are soooo awesome. It is made up of four sisters and four elders. Elder Williams is our district leader, he is 25 years old. He has been in the military for the last couple years I think, and decided to serve a mission. He is so dedicated and works so hard. He is so funny, because I can tell he gets irritated with the rest of us, because we are all 19 and 20, but he is also patient. He is going to West Virginia, just like the rest of the elders and sisters in my district. Elder Hohneke is his companion, and he is 6'5". Elder Williams is like, 5' 4". It is so funny watching them walk around. Elder Shepard and Elder Cagel are the other Elders in our District, one word to describe them is, "DORKY." But they are the comic relief. Elder Cagel, I have never met someone so funny in my life, and he seriously doesn't even know he is funny. For example, Elder Cagel came into the room the other day pretending to be blind and we were like, "What are you doing Elder Cagel?!" and he created this long elaborate story about how he lost his eye sight. I couldn't stop laughing. Also, Elder Shepard is hilarious. He always asks my opinion about everything. "Sister Pitt, what do you think of this quote?" "Sister Pitt, what do you think the significance of this butterfly in the painting is?" And the list goes on and on. Sister Wines and Sister Holden are the other sisters is our district and they are so sweet, softspoken sisters. It makes up for the loudness of Sister Savage and I. We have really grown together. I have also felt really bad, because there are times after I teach a hard lesson (to a fake investigator), and I just cry. None of the Elders know what to do. I can't help it. 

Speaking of lessons, I've also had some amazing ones, as well. I have really felt like I've learned so much, and I am learning so much about teaching Doctrine. But, it's not easy, and it takes so much work. I AM NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS. I seriously have so much to learn and I don't know the exact order or scriptures and biblical stories and what not, but I really have learned it's not about that. Yes, teach the Doctrine correctly, but meet the needs of the investigator. Find out what they want in their life and what not. 

Elder Cagel just walked by and pretended to be stuck in the washing machine. He is so random, I love it. hahaha

UGH I feel like there is so much I have to tell you. OH, my companion and I were called to be Sister Training Leaders (basically Zone Leaders), but for sisters. We also gained another companion yesterday because she got a rash or something and couldn't leave. Anyways, I'm so stressed out, I will cry tears of joy when I get to leave here. I feel like I'm trapped. I love the sisters in my room. We just sit there and giggle for 20 minutes and talk about the future and what not. We are all so excited to serve. Only three sisters are going to Jamaica here. And about 8 elders. I am so excited. AHHH.

The days are long, and short. The hours are forever, but end so quickly. Time is an illusion here. I like it. I also hate it. Overall, I'm loving it. Don't worry about me. Every little thing will be alright.

Peace and Blessings,

SISTAH PITT

I'm official!

My Companion, Sister Savage, I love her!

We're going to JAMAICA!

My MTC District!