A Week of Miracles!!! +Pictures!

Like she says, a week of miracles!!!!

Dear family,
I love hearing from you and I appreciate your love support so much!
Thanks for all you do for me! And I am so jealous that you all went to
the West Fork with out me! Hahaha! It sounds like you all had fun
though!
So, on Monday for P-Day, Sister Clark and I went to Bethlehem (the
city right next to Allentown) with Sisters Ipson and Lindley. It was
so cool! We saw the Old Hotel, the Church, the girls school and the
Moravian Bookstore. Then that night we had dinner with Brother and
Sister Hahn. We ate Philly Cheesesteak pizza. It is so good! They use
use cheese whiz for the sauce and then put steak all over the top of
it. It looks and sounds disgusting, but it is SO good!
Then on Tuesday we taught a lady named Anne. Her husband is a
less-active and hasn't been to church in years, and Anne has never
gone to church, but she wants to start. She had already heard the
restoration so we taught her more about Joseph smith and the Book of
Mormon she loved it all. Then I invited her to be baptized and she was
so excited about it that she said yes before I even finished asking
the question! Then she asked us if we could teach her kids as well and
if they could be baptized as a family!!!!! I was blown away! We set up
another appointment with her and her family, so we will see her again
this week. It was a total miracle! When We are told to find the elect,
this is what they mean. To find people who are willing and ready to
listen to the gospel. That night we had dinner with the Bastow family.
I love spending time with the members! They are almost all converts
and they all have the strongest testimonies. Our ward really is so
awesome.
Wednesday we taught two more incredible lessons and volunteered at the
Salvation Army. It is so much fun, I really look forward to it every
week!
Thursday, we had district meeting. It was so good! I love district
meeting because it is one of two times during the week that we as
missionaries really get to recharge ourselves, spiritually and get
ready for the rest of the week when we are feeding others. We talked
about the attributes of Christ. It was so good. If you ever need
something to study, just look at chapter 6 of Preach my Gospel and
read the scriptures about Christ. What a testimony builder! After that
we went and taught Ricardo. He is the best! We talked about our living
prophet, President Monson. Then we watched his conference talk from
last October. It was incredible! And Ricardo loved it!
Friday was amazing!. Jose and Melody called us out of the blue and
asked if we could come and teach them. So, of course, we got over
there as fast as we could! Then we talked about the attributes of
Jesus Christ and the things that we should do to follow him. It was
another miracle lesson. They really opened up to us and told us that
they have been struggling, but they want to come to church and they
want to be baptized. We were able to help them realize that they are
making so many changes in their lives and that they are doing awesome
things. It was probably the best lesson I have ever been a part of.
On Saturday I went on exchanges with Sister Pike in the Reading ward.
That night we had dinner with a Haitian lady in their ward. She cooked
us a huge dinner and it was authentic Haitian food. It was so good!
She has a very strong accent though, so we could barely understand
what she was saying. After dinner she asked us a question and sister
pike and I had no idea what she was saying, so we both just nodded our
heads and said yeah. Then she comes walking out of the kitchen with a
huge watermelon and 2 gallons of cranberry juice for us to take home.
The look on our faces had to have been priceless! We almost died of
laughter once we got outside! I had a really good time with her and I
learned a lot about missionary work and different ideas for doing
things. Being away from Whitehall was hard though! I was only gone for
a day, but I totally missed the people and the area and especially
Sister Clark. Hahaha! It's nuts, but I realized that Whitehall is my
home now and I love it!
Sunday was nice and I loved going to church. I totally agree with what
you said Mom, about church being the place to spiritually recharge. It
is definitely the time of the week that I love the most because of
that. That evening we went to a lady named Teresa's house. She and her
husband Paul have tried all sorts of churches but have always felt
like none of them were quite right, so that is why they are meeting
with us. This was the first time we taught them a lesson. So, we
taught the restoration and it was so powerful! The spirit was so
strong. And Teresa and Paul promised that they would read the Book of
Mormon and pray about it together. It was another miracle! This work
is so incredible! I love it!
I really hope you all have another amazing week! Especially with
Kaitlin's Birthday! Have a huge party for me! I love you all!

Love, Sister McGuire

Sister Clark and i at THE CUP - A super good Ice Cream store in Bethlehem!!!!

We toured Old Towne Bethlehem last p-day and this is the School for the girls!

2nd Week in Whitehall!!

Sister McGuire had another great week! She even sent pictures!!!

Dear Family,
Sounds like it was a great family reunion! I am so jealous of all of it.
So, culture moment. Something awesome about my area is that one minute we can be driving through green and lush fields and trees and then two seconds later we are in downtown Allentown! I love it!
It has been a crazy week!!! I will try to recap it as best as I can.
Tuesday we drove all over the place! We were able to visit a ton of people though. I met a lady named Sister Noa. She is Puerto Rican (like most of our area) and she has a 21 year old autistic son named Angel. They are the best!!! She has the strongest testimony, but they haven't been coming to church for a while. So, we were able to ask her why she hasn't been coming and she finally admitted that it was because she had sold her car and she was too embarrassed to ask for a ride! I couldn't believe it!!! But, we were able to line up rides for her for the next few weeks so she can come. It hard out here, because most people in our ward have to drive 20-40 minutes to get to our ward building. We are so spoiled in Utah!!!
On Wednesday we taught two more incredible lessons. One to a recent convert named Mike. He is the best! He was baptized on Mother's Day and he is already being interviewed for a temple recommend and he is preparing to take 4 family names to the temple to do their work for them! The other lesson we taught was to a girl named Daniela. She is 18 and just graduated High School and I love her to death.
Thursday we had District Meeting and our Zone Leaders and the Assistants were there. I was super nervous because Sister Clark and I had been asked to give the example role-play lesson, but it went really well. That night we had the Britto Bash (Sister Britto's Birthday Party). She turned 60. Sister Clark and I as well as Elder Wilson and Elder Soon (the other Elders in our ward) served the dinner and then helped fun the party games. It was crazy! There was over 150 people there, and it was mostly our ward. Also, Jeanette was there and took a picture of sister Clark and I with a lady in our ward named Sister Leutbecker. She said that she would send it to Amelia, so you'll have to get it from her.
Friday was a MIRACLE day! Here's the story. Two of our Progressing Investigators with baptismal dates (Jose and Melody) have stopped returning our calls, so we have been unable to see them for almost two weeks now. On Friday, many of our appointments had fallen through early in the day, so we were left with extra time that we hadn't planned on. We prayed about what we should do and then we decided to go and a visit a less-active family that we haven't seen for a while. On our way there we saw (you guessed it!) Jose and Melody waiting at a bus stop. We pulled over and talked to them about how they were doing. We ended up teaching the most powerful lesson to them, right there at the bus stop. We prayed with them and talked about their problems. At the end, they agreed to set up a return appointment and we get to see them tonight. It was a miracle! If we had gone to our appointments or decided to see anyone else, then we wouldn't have found them. Heavenly Father is definitely in charge of this work, and I am so glad He is!
Saturday was nuts. We spent two hours helping the Leutbecker's with their yard work. Then we had a meeting at the Church with the Zone Leaders called trainer accountability. That's where Sister Clark and I met with Elder Timmerman and Elder Lee, and they just checked in on how we were doing. I love the Zone Leaders! They helped so much! They were very encouraging about everything. At the end, Elder Timmerman was able to give me a blessing. It was wonderful and exactly what I needed. I am grateful for the priesthood power and how big of a role it plays in my life. Women may not hold priesthood keys, but we are equally blessed by its power.
Sunday was another crazy adventure. I spoke and played the piano for a musical number in sacrament meeting. Also, I think the bishop wants me to teach Organ to everyone who can play the piano in our ward. Then we helped teach Gospel Doctrine and then we helped teach Primary. Our ward is so full of good people who try so hard, but we NEED about 200 more people just like them! I would give anything to have three of the families from the Bountiful 45th Ward move in up here. We need all the help we can get! Most ward members have 2 or 3 callings already, but we just need more people in order to run this ward.
After church we went to the Relief Society President's house for dinner. She is from Costa Rica and she made the BEST rice, beans, and chicken that I have ever had. It was SO good!! These people out here know how to make good food! I thought for sure I would be the missionary that lost a bunch of weight, but know I can see that I was kidding myself. Just know that when you come to get me from the airport in 17 months, they may have to roll me off the side! hahaha!
Well, I have to go, but I love you all so much! Keep having fun and enjoying life!
Love, Sister McGuire

A normal Street in Allentown!

Me in front of my house!! Isn't it beautiful??

The Rose Garden in Allentown!

First Area!!

Sorry everyone! I have been slammed all week! Here is the latest and greatest from our missionary! She even sent pictures!!!

Hello everyone!!! I am here in my very first area in the field! So,
here was my week.
On Tuesday we flew into Philly. We got there two hours late, because
we had been delayed at the airport. We met President and Sister
Anderson. They are the best! Then we piled into two cars and drove to
the mission home where we spent the night. In the morning we woke up
and drove to the mission office. There, they gave us each an iPad and
a binder with info. Then we were assigned to our areas and companions.
I was assigned to Whitehall PA and my trainer is named Sister Clark.
She is the best and we are already having so much fun together!!! The
next thing I was told was that Sister Clark is no longer allowed to
drive mission vehicles because of an accident she was in. That meant
that I am the driver!!!! Most missionaries don't get to drive until
later on it their mission, but I got to start and I love it! Plus the
car is a Subaru legacy! Hahaha, so I love it even more!
So, we left the meeting and drove about an hour to get to our area. We
live in the basement of a gorgeous house! This lady who we live with
is named Sister Britto and she is 60 and single. She is amazing
though, and we love her to death!!! She is so cute and calls us the
angels in her basement. We had no time to unpack, so we ran off to
teach lessons and visit people all night.
Then, on Thursday I had a little bit of time to unpack, but not much!
We had district meeting and planning that lasted almost all day! But
then we spent the rest of the night visiting and teaching people.
The rest of the week was pretty much a blur until yesterday. Sunday
was so great! We attended PEC and reported on our work for the week.
Then we went to sacrament meeting and I met so many people. In our
ward, we only have two members that can play the piano and no one
knows how to play the organ. So, lucky little me got to play the organ
in Sacrament meeting! The bishop told me that they haven't heard the
organ be played in over 6 months! I almost died and I wanted to teach
everyone in the ward how to play right then and there! Our ward is
also very small and so Sister Clark and I taught Sunday School and
Relief Society. It all went really well though. The best part about
church was that we had one investigator, Ricardo and two less actives
come to church!
After church, we the baptism of an 8 year old girl named Malia. She is
sister Britto's granddaughter. It was a special experience and Ricardo
was even able to stay and watch. He loved it and is getting so excited
for his baptism in August. We have two other awesome investigators who
have committed to baptism and one more that is so close. This work is
truly so incredible! I love it!
Also, Jeanette, Amelia's sister, is totally in my ward!!! Hahahaha! It
was so nuts! Her husband came up to me and asked, "are you Dan
McGuire's sister?" And I was so confused because how on Earth would
this random guy know Dan. But then he said, Jeanette Kolts is my wife!
I almost fell off my chair! Hahaha! I still can't believe what a small
world it is!
So, fun facts of the week: I see firefly's every night and I love it!
Our ward boundaries are huge! There is a pair of Elders that work in
our ward as well, so my entire area only takes up half of the ward.
People in Allentown are really weird! (Like Doug said) Hahaha! And our
ward is very ethnically diverse. Most of our ward in Puerto Rican or
Dominican. Another large chunk is African American, and whatever is
left is white. Rita's water ice is the best stuff in the entire
world!!!!! There's a place out here called Wawa's. It's a gas station,
but they make the best hoagies you will ever eat in your entire life!
They even blow Spanky's out of the water! Also, my bishops wife is
from Bountiful! And so is my District Leader and so is my Zone Leader!
Haha! So I'm not lonely at all.
I'm so glad that you all got to go to the sealing yesterday. I wish
that I could have gone. I love you all! Have fun at the reunion this
week!

Love, Sister McGuire

Sister Wilco and I...

...My MTC district at the temple...

...My MTC Zone. Half of us are in Philly now!

Sister Clark and I. The red car behind us is the one I am driving!

The famous Rita's Water Ice!! And yes, it is even better than everyone says it is! :) 

Phone Call!

Just a quick note! Today Kristin left for Philadelphia, and she got to call us from the airport at 5:30 this morning! It was early, but very fun! She is doing great and excited to get into the field She did tell us that each email she sends to each member of our family with have different stories so I will do my best to collect them all! From now on, her P-Day will be on Mondays!
Thanks Guys!

First Week at the MTC

We just heard from Sister McGuire after her 1st week in the MTC!!!!

Hey Everyone!
My first week here at the MTC has been awesome! I have learned so much and I am having so much fun! My companion is Sister Wilko. She is from Kaysville. We get along so well! Our district and zone are awesome too! One of the struggles that we have been having is that most of the Elders just graduated high school three weeks ago, so they are having a really hard time adjusting. But, all of us sister have one or two years of college under our belts, so we've been able to help them and tell them it's all okay! 
I never knew that there would be so much to learn, but I'm learning! One of the cool things that we get to do is practice teaching lessons to our teachers and members of the church. One man we taught is named Jeremy (played by Brother Mills, our teacher). But he had a Word of Wisdom problem that he's been struggling with. During the lesson I was inspired to promise him that if he had faith in Jesus Christ and threw away all of his alcohol and cigarettes, then he would never use those things again. I was shocked as the words came out of my mouth, but I realized that it was the Holy Ghost speaking through me. That lesson made me so excited and I cant wait to get out to the field and actually teach people. 
So, I have my flight plans! We will be leaving Provo this Tuesday and flying in to Philly. I will be able to call from the airport, but it will be at 5:30 in the morning! Our flight leaves at 7. It's crazy because we are leaving Provo on a shuttle at 3:30 am. It will definitely be a long day! But I can't wait!!!! And I will be talking to you! Because the p-days are all weird, I won't be able to email again until next Monday (the one in 11days), but know that I really do love you and I will write back as soon as I can!
Thanks so much for sending me the package!!!! I totally LOVED IT!!!!! My district is loving the queso, and it is definitely our 4th of July celebration today, because we have class all day tomorrow. One tradition they have here at the MTC on the 4th is that all the missionaries are allowed to go sit on the field and watch the fireworks from the stadium of fire! I can't wait! And I'm hoping to hear some Carrie Underwood while we're out there! 
Our district is awesome! We have 3 elders from Utah and 1 from Louisiana. He is hilarious! He talks southern and he calls home 'the crib' and he says koo instead of cool. We have so much fun though.
Well, I love you all so much! have a fabulous week!
Love Sister McGuire!
P.S. the computers here block all of my pictures, so I can't send them this week, but I will for sure email next week. Also, keep sending me love notes on Dear Elder. Sister Wilko is totally beating me on the letter front! ;)