Chicago Letter #10

This photo is taken after taking cover from the rain...the wet hair is from the rain being blown in their cover area!

Hermana Hoer and her little friend! Spending time with kids...a highlight of the mission!

I want to write something important first. I always write the joking - well, true, but funny - things; but, then I'm always pressed for time writing what really matters. That's dumb. So, I'll prioritize today. Prioritizing correctly = Ten points for Leshelle.

There is a whole lot of garbage in the world. It sticks out. Actually, here in the city, it blends in to a certain extent. It's that prevalent. Everyday, I see poverty on an intense level. I didn't expect to confront so much of that, being in the US. It is a serious problem here. Though, I've seen poverty. I've seen people living in huts made of metal roofing material, with dirt floor. I've seen people beg. I see that here also; but, I see a poverty that is far worse. There is a moral, spiritual poverty here. There is a void of goodness and love. It is horrible. I go into homes and see how people treat their children. I see selfishness and pride come before love and service. I don't know how to correctly convey what I see and how it makes me feel. It gets me down, to put it lightly.

It is so easy to focus on all that is lacking, and to become depressed by it. To be saddened by the lack of quality in people's lives. I ask myself, so, what can I do?

I know that I cannot remove that poverty. I cannot change that. I am just one person. But, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that I share with people, can change a lot. In nearly all situations, it will not change a family's financial status. It won't give everyone a job. It will not provide a nice house to live in. However, it will provide the means to create a peaceful home, no matter what type of dwelling they live in. It will provide means to cope with financial issues. It will give meaning to life which was dull before. It is all about who we are, not what we have.

Ether 3:5
"We know thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men"

The things the Gospel can offer people don't really look big, judging by the daily difficulties. But, what Heavenly Father has to offer us to improve our lives is so much greater than what the world has to offer us. Maybe it doesn't seem big; but, I guarantee it's huge.

STATS:
- Kisses: 2 (one was a four year old, and the other a grandfather of a man who kissed my forehead)
- average miles biked per day: 7.5
- most miles biked in one day: 16
- favorite activity this week: making s'mores in our kitchen
- marriage proposals: 2 (one was more of a demand, the other was quickly followed by advice to never marry...) Don't worry, I accepted neither.

A man, slightly intoxicated, informed me of why Chicago is better than California (he was trying to compare cities, and I didn't have the heart to tell him that California is not really a city). Why is Chicago the best city in the States??? Let me tell you what he told me: you can get EVERY kind of chocolate in chicago: kit kat, butterfinger, twix...yup, Chicago's got one up on everybody else...

SuperBike was pretty chill this week. No more monsoons. Though, traffic evasion equipment came in handy. There is some sort of Puerto Rican festivities that lasted over a week. No one can tell me what for, not even my Puerto Rican friend. She was not sure specifically, other than it's a celebration. It was so crazy around Humbold Park that there were traffic directors at ever light. But, SuperBike got me around all of it! I'm going to have a tough time when I have to drive a car someday...

Thanks for the prayers and love and letters! Keep them coming!!!

Chicago Letter #9

Just the other day, I was playing the movie Princess Bride in my mind (not really, but saying so adds to the character of my story). Westley is parading courageously (pridefully, if you ask me) through the fireswamp, and sweet, helpless Buttercup says "What about ROUSs???" To which, Westley replies " Rodents of unusual size? I don't believe they exist."

Well, sweet Westley, Hermana Hoer has news for you. Go to Chicago! They're real! They're big. They're gross. They creap around our alley at night and in the yard during a lesson...As the sun goes down, the ROUSs emerge to wreak havok on the innocent missionaries!

Seriously. There are some ridiculously large, nasty rats around this city.

Headlines:

"Villains are teaming up and on a RAMPAGE!"

We were leaving an appointment last night. It was just before 9pm. It was hot. Muggy. HumidHeat was out terrorizing the city. HumidHeat invited FerociousFriz to drive me crazy. (There is some photo documentation which I may or may not release to the Blog press. We'll have to see about that). FerociousFriz is still on the loose, but SuperBike doesn't have anything to fight that. The helmet is my friend for protection, but not a friend for those who look at my hair...

Anyways...it's 9, and we're headed for home. It's still a little light - the sun is just going down. We get to an intersection. In literally no more than a minute, the strongest wind picks up and the water begins to dump from the sky. The rain is nearly horizontal, with large amounts of water being swirled across the intersection like a river. I've seen some weird, crazy weather in Chicago. However, this was unquestionably the worst yet. I couldn't ride my bike. The wind nearly knocked me off several times. We took shelter under some construction scaffolding. SuperBike was knocked over by WickedWind, and took a good beating. It messed up the brakes and disconnected the chain. The wind was that crazy! It was monsoon-style!

However, the locals say: if you don't like the weather in Chicago - wait five minues. We waited 15, but then we were able to get home safely. A bit wet. But, as we went home, it was hot again. The image in the mirror was hilarious. The helmet kept the top half of my hair in check. However...the bottom half had become a fro. It was so funny.

Stats for the week:

- # of times people changed sides of the street (while walking) to avoid us: 5 that I counted
- Puerto Rican flags on streets, cars, homes, etc: thousands this week
- Crazy woman dancing, waving flag, who wouldn't let go of my hand when I shook hers: 1, but that was more than enough.

Not a ton of statistics this week. We'll try to get SuperBike back to normal and see what happens this coming week.

We had Zone Conference this week. For those who don't know about it, you're asked to prepare a talk (everyone is) and about five or so people are asked on the spot to speak. Hermana Hoer was one of the five. But it was great! We talked about small and simple things, from Alma 37:6-7. I thought a lot about what are the small and simple things for me personally. Willingness, dilligence, attitude, obedience. Those are not easy to develop though. So, how are they small and simple things? Well, let me tell you what I think. (If you don't want to know what I think, this is where I suggest you stop reading).

Each and every day we have small and simple opportunities, small and simple decisions. It is in each of those small and simple moments that we have the choice to be obedient, happy, committed, etc. Each of those small decisions builds us, develops us. In each of those simple ways, God molds us. As we apply those small and simple things in the small and simple moments of life, they become large, intricately woven parts of who we are. They work together to create a better version of ourselves. But that doesn't happen overnight. It happens through each and every small and simple decision that we face every moment.

As we give the deserved importance to those small, simple moments in life each day, we are allowing Heavenly Father to shape us into what He knows we can become.

Chicago Letter #8

Howdy, friends and family.

Thank you for letters, prayers, and support. It all means a great deal to me.

Statistics: (These are the fun friends I've made this week)

Bearded women: 3
women with chest hair: 1
Mustached women (I mean seriously stached): 2
Drunkards: 4
People pretending to be private investigators: 1

So, the most significant thing I've learned this week is the critical importance of who you surround yourself with, as companions of any sort. When you can choose, choose wisely. Be with people who are going to uplift you, encourage you, and bring out the best in you. Be with people who will help you reach your goals, not distract you from it. If your goal is to always be Christ-focused, then be with people who work for the same thing, and people who will help you accomplish that goal.

In the end, be the person you want to be with. Love everyone, no matter what.

I love you all! Be good. Remember who you are (a child of God - and treat yourself accordingly).

Love, Leshelle

Chicago Letter #7

SuperBike is BACK!!!

SuperBike has returned to Chicago, fully equipped with the up-to-date crater (aka pothole) evation system. Thus, a few of the following statistics are no longer a danger to Hermana Hoer and her new counterpart, Hermana Mackley, now that SuperBike is back!

STATS
- days this week that I began to melt: 7
- days this week that my feet were swollen: 7
- times (on average) I have to circle to find a parking spot: 4
- Likelihood of running into a gnarly, make you cringe pothole: 110% (regardless of length of trip or destination)

Another hazard that would have been avoided, had SuperBike been freed from the dungeon just days earlier: StallionSpeed Strikes Again! I innocently approached the intersection at Pulaski and Irving Park...Turned, slowly, cautiously...SCREEECH. Everyone thinks that a white stallion rides in, with the hero, to save the damsel in distress. Well, for starters, I wasn't distressed, nor am I a damsel (not on my to-be list either). WRONG! The StallionSpeed did not save anything (except for the paint that he took off of my car). Beware of StallionSpeed. Not to worry, SuperBike is back in business! (and I'm sure I'll feel the evidence in my legs tomorrow).

Now, to deal with the daily enemies: CrazyCabbies and ChicagoCopCars. They keep me on my toes (figuratively, not literally)

I've also developed a strange addiction to Hot Tamales. This cursed sweet tooth of mine (inherited from my sweet mother)

Onto the real stuff: Well, all the above is real, but not very significant.

I'll be frank and honest, I have had a very difficult first transfer in the mission. However, I know that it was no accident or coincidence that I was here and experienced those things. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us - not just as human kind, but for each individual person. I know that He looks out for me, helps and guides me. A common theme in my mission thus far is that the help from Him comes in various ways -most ways are tough to identify. Just trust Him. Do all you can and then, be still and trust. (D&C 123:17 and 101:16)

I love you all!

Hermana hoer

I have a new missionary companion, but I'm at the same address.

Chicago Letter #6

I've thought a lot about Nephi. In 1 Nephi 4, he tells the story of going back to Jerusalem and finding Laban. That must have been scary. And difficult. And intimidating. And seemingly impossible. Heavenly Father knew how Nephi felt. He knew Nephi felt inadequate, scared, terrified, nervous. But, I noticed that in chapter 4, there are several points when Nephi says he remembered something, thought something, or the Spirit told him something. Through all of the challenges he experienced, Nephi remembered his own testimony. He remembered that Heavenly Father knows how we feel, and He will help us do hard things. He will. I keep telling myself that. Actually, I need to tell myself again right now. Heavenly Father will help me do hard things. In the end, Nephi is obedient. He did something hard, because he had help. I know He'll do the same for me. I know He knows how I feel - maybe even better than I do. He knows. If we let Him help us, He will.

Please keep praying for me - and for my missionary companion. I know that helps. I know it.

Sorry so short this week. Not much time to write today. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Hermana Hoer

PS -- We're still on bike rest for at least another week. SuperBike is probably going crazy. He's been chained in the dungeon for nearly two weeks now.