SL coming to our Mission!-Being Bold

Wow some crazy changes are happening in the mission! Salt Lake is
coming for six weeks to film four companion ships for a training
because the Tempe mission has been really successful with using
technology. I don't think anyone knows what they're doing but we seem
to be doing something right. Sense the change and because of recent
events it has caused me to reflect where I fit in in it all....
There's always those bold personalities wherever you go and I haven't
quite figured out how to mesh with them. I feel like it's me.. But at
the same time I don't feel like Heavenly Father wants me to change...
So it brings me back to figuring out where I fit in. And maybe the
answer is that I don't!  Maybe He just needs me to be me and I won't
have a bunch of friends. I mean that's nothing new. I've always just
had a couple really close ones but I find I'm happiest when I reach
out and can help others. So change is good but it is difficult but I
look forward to what the next six weeks has to offer! My comp is 
from England :)I got to teach her howto share the responsibility though.. 
Just cause I'm leading out the area doesn't mean I do everything. I'll be 
here at least until Nov. 19 but I hope they don't move me a week before 
Thanksgiving! I would LOVE to go hiking in Jackson when I get back! 
You know in the summer of course... After spring semester! I love you 
both more than words can say! Idk if you've noticed but it isn't too much 
longer until we get to Skype! Thank you for being so supportive and 
encourage.. I LOVE YOU!!!

Love, your baby girl,
Sister Jennifer Eaton

6 MONTHS IN CHANDLER!!!!!-Oct 12

SIX MONTHS IN CHANDLER!!!!!! (so far...) I get to stay another transfer! And my new companion is... SISTER HANSENS!!!! (My MTC companion) I totally did not see that one coming! We've had some fun times together already! Last night we celebrated Canada's Thanksgiving with some members! Thanksgiving 2x a year... yes please! One of the sons pointed out it's ironic Sister Hansens we celebrating because she's English and all but she may as well be American! So we're teaching this family and they're from Africa! There's a bit of a language barrier... they speak Swahili! So I taught my first translated lesson! We had an awesome member out with us and once we got home she texted us to let us know she ordered a BoM in Swahili! The members here are AMAZING!!!! This week I also hit another mile stone! I fell for my first time on my bike! More like flew but all is good! It was raining and the roads are slippery "don't ya know" (said like Whit in her Minnesota accent) I was getting on the sidewalk and my bike slid, I flew and did this flip thingy but all is well! ALL I got to show is a little scrape on my knee! It's been such a great week! I can't believe how quickly the Lord's work is hastening! I love being a missionary with all my heart and I'm so grateful for all the support I have! I love you all!

Love, Sister Eaton

Royann's Baptism!!!-Oct 5

What an amazing week!!! We were able to go to the Mesa temple on Wednesday! We were in and out but it's always great to be able to spend time in the Lord's home. So I have a story but I first have to preface it... transfers are this week, need I say more? Okay for those that don't know transfers cause ulcers. Okay not quite but needless to say I do not want to leave Chandler! I love it so much! Any whos on with the story! So we're at dinner with some members...  I'm already an emotional wreck and the topic of transfers comes up. Oh no! The dad is like "Don't you know? Every missionary that eats dinner with us is always transferred!" (He said this not knowing how I've been feeling..) I respond in tears. "WHAT?? I don't want to leave!" Cry at a members home during dinner- check! With that said I know wherever the Lord sends me is where I'm needed. Royann's baptism was amazing! There has been so much support from the ward! She was so excited to be baptized and already knows what she's going to say Sunday when the bishop calls her up to bare her testimony. The elders helped us fill up the font. Long story short the water was scalding! Our church has a very good water heater. I felt terrible! They were like in repeated whispers "it's hot... it's hot" And on top of it her foot popped out the first time so she had to go in it 2x! But it was a great day! CONFERENCE<3 Three new apostles! I took so many notes I wouldn't know where to start but I loved every second of it! I love you all and pray for you!

Love, Sister Eaton

Elder Scott...and flat tires-Sept 28

We just watched Elder Scott's funeral. I loved the talks that were given! They were powerful reminders of one who emulates Christ like attributes. This week we had interviews! There were 6 zones there! SL made a surprise visit so that took a lot of time that usually goes to interviews so they were a bit different but it's always good to see President and Sister Toone! He talked about our vision. In Proverbs 29:18 it says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish". What is the difference between goal and vision? A goal requires stepping stones. A vision is who we can become. What is the Lord's vision for us? And what are we doing to accomplish His vision?

On Friday we came out of a lesson with a RC and my back tire was totally flat! Flats are THE WORST but we walked our bikes home because we weren't too far and the following day a member picked up my bike to change it for me! Because he had my bike another member picked us up for a day of service and the broadcast that evening. I loved the general women's session! The talks that were given were so powerful and uplifting. Afterwards we were dropped off at home to bike the rest of the night and lone behold Sister Berezay's back tire was TOTALLY FLAT!! So we called a different member to come a change her flat. How frustrating it is when you can't do missionary work! But Yesterday at church during relief society we had such a great lesson! The sister that was teaching referenced from Elder Jorg Klebingat's talk "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence" IT IS AMAZING!!! As I was reading the talk during personal study this morning point number six jumped out at me! Accept trials, setbacks, and "surprises" as part of your mortal experience. We are here to be proved and tested. Answer with "I understand, Lord" and "spiritual confidence [will] increase". I love this gospel! I cannot wait for general conference this weekend! Also WE HAVE A BAPTISM FRIDAY!!! You always here about these "golden referrals" and she is it! God really does put those He has prepared into our paths! I love you all! Have the best week and a even better weekend!

Love, Sister Eaton

Family History-Sept 21

As a mission we have implemented a tracting hour from 1-2. This weeks focus was family history. Sister Berezay and I were knocking on some doors and came across this ladies house... She has 7 children and a friend on a mission... we asked if she's ever been interested in learning more about her family history... She didn't even miss a beat!!! We set a return appointment for this Thursday! It's amazing who the Lord will put in your path when you involve Him in HIS work! We had stake conference Friday and Saturday. It was so great! President and Sister Toone came which was THE BEST surprise! Also because we were getting a new Stake President there were two general authorities! One of the bishops from one of the wards I'm serving in was called to be the 1st councilor in the stake presidency so we'll be getting a new bishop! During the adult session Saturday night the themes were family councils and family history. Family is why we're here on Earth. Our goal is to return to our Father in Heaven. It's so simple when you look at the basic principles of our gospel. I love teaching investigators about temples because although they may not understand now the spirit can confirm to them what we're teaching is true! I love being a missionary! The weather is cooling off down here. It was raining this morning! I've actually been a little chilly a couple of the nights this week! Haha That 70 degree weather! Have a great week! I love you all!

Love, Sister Eaton

P.S. My best friend from 4th grade!!! Ignore the height difference. She's been a visa waiter for Australia and it finally came!!!!

OYM-Seeing the Fruits of our Labors

We're leading our zone with lessons taught this week!!! Sometimes you don't see the fruit of your labors until it is handed to you! This week we have implemented OYM (Open Your Mouth). The goal is to get 20 each day. Of course some days are better than others but just this week we have FOUR new investigators! Also just this week our whole mission had a tracting hour from 1-2. It was cool to know the whole mission was out knocking doors finding ANYONE to talk to. Also we're having a little competition between the zones... in our efforts to get missionaries up and exercising in the mornings we (as a MLC) have challenged each missionary to run 20 miles a transfer. In just one week Chandler and Tempe YSA have been neck in neck with about 100 miles each so we'll see who takes it at the end of this transfer! This week we had a interesting street contact... he was Muslim and spoke Bengali and very little English but in our efforts to teach ANYONE we attempted using google translate. Harder said than done! Needless to say there won't be another lesson with him. We were also able to sit in on a Lutheran study group. It was amazing! Here's why- there were only 4 of them and Pastor James was teaching how Christ is in us and us in Christ and one of them could not understand that. It was very cool teaching opportunity to teach that we were created in God's image and so forth. They were very kind and invited us back! On Saturday we took one of our investigators to a baptism that some of our Elders had. The spirit was very strong and her desire to be baptized increased 10 fold but still wants to wait until they have their 6 kids back. God is in the detail of our lives. He loves us more than we'll every know. I love teaching others about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! I love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Eaton

Sister Berezay!

What a crazy week!!! Okay SO much has happened I don't even know where to start! I guess I'll start from the very beginning... Sound of Music reference anyone? So the beginning of the week was full of good byes! We're lucky that our wards are so great that it makes saying good byes hard! Tuesday night were transfer calls..... 9:30- nothing 10:30- nothing 11:30- we get a text from our ZL saying that calls won't be until MORNING!!!! So the next morning we wake up, exercise, and get ready. At this point I'm a ball of nerves and I'm practically giving myself an ulcer! So we start personal study. We're about 20 minutes in, I was finally able to focus on the scriptures, when the sisters come in with the phone on speaker and President's on the line... do you know what it means when President's on the line?? So I answer, "Hi President" (if you know me I have my phone voice all the way as if I could cover up my shaking voice!) He answers, "Sister Eaton we would like to ask you if you would train?" I was so excited/nervous and whole bunch of other emotions! But then he asks, "We would also like to ask if you would serve as a Sister Training Leader" WHAAAT? I wasn't sure what to think or do but I heard myself say "Yes I will". Just so I don't hold you in suspense any longer... I am staying in Chandler! Transfers came SO fast and before you know it my "mom" "died" and now I have a "daughter"!!!! Her name is Sister Berezay (Bur-zay) and she's from Colorado. She's a sweetheart! #GreenieFire I now know why there's so much growth that takes place on a mission... it's because of all the change! Every time I think I get the hang of something the Lord's right there waiting to remind me of who I can become and so He pushes me just a little (or a lot) further. I'm grateful that the Lord trusts me to train one of His missionaries. I know there's still so much for me to learn but I trust that this is His plan for me. Just as it says in 1 Nephi 17:3 that if "the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them". I love this gospel with all my heart! What a privilege it is to serve a mission and wear the name of Christ on my tag. I love all of you all! Have the best week ever! 

Love, Sister Eaton

P.S. Conference is in a month! Start thinking now of any questions that you have because I know that the Lord will answer them!