January 28, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net>
Subject: Re: Happy Days!!
To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, January 28, 2013, 10:50 AM

I don't know why. But for some reason the e-mails I received from Mama, Papa and Marie have been the greatest e-mails I have received my whole mission...They were the only ones in my inbox this week. And they were so packed with comfort and things that just made me laugh! I have not been getting much mail these days, which surprisingly, has been easy to deal with. Because I am coming to understand that you don't always need proof of love to know that it exists. I know that many people are not writing, but they sure are praying! Because I KNOW that I wouldn't be able to do any of the things that I am able to do on the daily without those precious and much needed prayers, MY GOODNESS! I can feel the love everyday and yes, letters and reassurance that everybody is still alive is wonderful to receive via mail and e-mail, but they are not 100% needed.

I can't believe how well the Lord takes care of His missionaries. I have been soo soo blessed out here and feel such a change occurring in myself. I can't even believe that I've already been gone for 6 months this next week. Time has really zoomed by!

This past week we had the traveling sisters stay with us for 3 days! Their names are Sister Miller and Sister Tuddenham. One is from Jerome, Idaho and the other from Logan, Utah. Sister Miller only has 5 weeks left in the mission and is the best stinkin missionary! She is super tall and super fantastic. She goes to BYU-I on a full ride scholarship and was valedictorian at her high school. And Sister T, is an Elementary Ed. Major who goes to Utah State. She was Sister Real's companion in the MTC. So both her and Sister Real go home in August. But while they were here we went on splits! Which was so fun. Basically, Sister Miller and I went out teaching for a whole day together and Sister Real went with Sister T for a whole day and then we switched off the next day. This weekend was total bliss. I loved having them here!!!

But transfers are this coming week. I have a really good feeling that Sister Real will be transferred and I will stay in Kirtland with a new companion. There is even a chance that I could get one of the new missionaries coming in :D I hope!!!

But ok, my time is about to run out. I have 1 min left lol...But Sister Real is sick today. SO we will stay home all P-day which means I will write to yous guys with all of the extra time that I will have today :):):)

Love you all so so sooooooo much more than I did when I lived with you ;) hahahahah!!! Talk to you next week :)

Monday, January 21, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net> Subject: Re: Happy Black Person Day!! To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com> Date: Monday, January 21, 2013, 1:33 PM Mama Mia!! Happy Milk and Kookies Day :) Sister Real has improved a little bit. Her and I really got into it last week. She cussed at me! hahahaha! and I just walked away...what else can you do with these hard headed Sisters. And yes, she has received a letter from Marie, thus far :) And it made her smile. I just played along and asked "Oh I wonder who that's from? hoooohuummm" lol it's been a lot of fun. While we were at the laundry mat they were playing Jeopardy and Pyramid on the TV. It made me miss you all so much. I had to just look away (because we are not allowed to watch TV) but every now and then I could hear little snips of it. Loved how close it made me feel to all of you. I can't believe Joyce is.....dead....wow....Poor Rick. I'm just really glad that he has grandma and grandpa... I know they love him. Also, Mitch-E-pooo the balla!!!!! That's so awesome. Please get some pics of this boy. Again, my time has been cut short. Please write a longer message next week with lots of details :) Also thank you thank you thank youuuuuuu for that last package. That thing had everything a missionary could ask for. I have never felt so updated on our family before. hahaha But on a more serious level, I heard that you bore your testimony in church?!!!!! Tell me how this happened!! Haha I was so happy when I heard :D ;D

January 14, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net>
Subject: Re: BRRRRR,,,,
To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, January 14, 2013, 2:56 PM

Heyyyy-low!

How are you, mama? other than sick...I'm sorry to hear that...But I'm glad that you've had time to rest and recuperate.

I will say a special missionary prayer for you :)

But ok! My area is known as one of the most fruitful areas in the mission! When I first arrived we were so busy...we always had an appointment and were just up to our eyeballs in work. I love it!! I think I may be a workaholic...or that's just what my mission has brought out in me. There is just no greater joy than doing the Lords work. And I know without a doubt that this is the Lord's work. My companion and I taught 31 lessons in one week. It was awesome! We live with Joel and Sherry Foutz. And wow...they spoil us so bad!!! haha We live in there upstairs area and use their garage fridge to store all of our stuff. It is a great location too, the church is right across the street.

 And about Sister Real and I getting along...let's just say that your prayers are appreciated in that category. She is a very difficult companion and is currently struggling with depression...So she is dealing with a lot, to say the least. I do my very best to be loving, supportive and understanding. And thus far the Lord has blessed me with mountains of patience that I didn't know that I could muster. I feel very blessed to be in this tough situation because I know that it is making me a stronger person. I have never prayed to our Father in Heaven more than I have these past few weeks..It's a struggle everyday. But despite this challenge, I can honestly say that I've never been happier, honestly. I love being a missionary.

I was actually wondering if I could ask all of you a favor...Sister Real hardly ever gets any mail. I can feel her sadness when we check mail and there is nothing there for her. So I wonder if, whenever you have time, could anybody and everybody right her a quick note of encouragement. Something to lift her tender spirit. Please write it anonymously and address it to Sarah Real with the same address you would use to write me. (This would mean the absolute world to me...Because though she makes me want to light my eyelashes on fire I do love her very much. Anybody and everybody is welcome to join in on this lil idear :)

Ugh....I'm sorry. I again, don't have anytime to go into detail. These computers don't allow us much time. But I love you all so so much!!! Hopefully next week I will type a little quicker! haha. I feel your prayers and appreciate every single letter. Thank you thank you.

P.S my return date has been changed to Feb 11 2014 instead of the 19th. 

Here is the address:

New Mexico Farmington Mission400 W. Apache St.Farmington, NM 87401

Monday, January 7, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net>

Subject: Re: Cold January Morning!

To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com>

Date: Monday, January 7, 2013, 1:12 PM

Got extended again! woohoo! Please tell Misty Lou that I want to hear how and why she sent me a stolen Christmas card?!!!! HAHAHA And tell Mitch and Jake to write me. Please I miss my milk skinned brotha's. Also Jack wrote me this past week :D

Monday, January 7, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net>

Subject: Re: Happy New Year!!

To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com>

Date: Monday, January 7, 2013, 12:51 PM

Ahhh Yes!! The computer gave me an extra 15 minutes!! SO I have a little more time to write and thank you a zillion times for the amazing Christmas! I loved all of my gifts. They were perfect. The socks are so warm. The Granola bars were yummy and did NOT last long at all haha. The coloring book and crayons were a dream come true. The hounds tooth cardigan was oh so cute along with the two sweaters. They are super warm!! Also the pullover from the Kingsburys, love it! That picture frame was probably theeeeee best gift ever!! I loved that so much..Thank you everyone for making my 1st mission Christmas so wonderful. If I did not mention any of the gifts it is not because I didn't like them. It's because I have a few minutes left and don't have time to mention all. But geeeeh wiz errbody, I sure did love everything I recieved. I don't care what any of the missionaries say...I, Sister Swayne have thee best family ever.

I love you all so much. And appreciate the letters and words of encouragement that you send me.

Please give grandpa a kiss for me and tell him to please stop getting hurt...

Also, yes we go to all 3 wards here in Kirtland. And yes, the Holy Ghost had me bare my testimony at all 3 meetings...haha 

Monday, January 7, 2013

From: Jade Swayne <jade.swayne@myldsmail.net>

Subject: Re: Merry Merry Christmas...

To: "Penny Paxman" <paxmanp@yahoo.com>

Date: Monday, January 7, 2013, 12:40 PM

Hey Mom!!!

How are you?! I haven't had a chance to read your past two e-mails yet. I will print them off today and read them at home because the computers here in Kirtland are always bussssssssy!!! This library here is nuts. Especially today because the wi-fi went out and everybody who would normally use their lap top is now stuck using the desktops. meaning everybody gets like 30 mins to email and take care of their business. SO I'm sorry to be so M.I.A....Hopefully it will calm down this next week and I will get to write you a proper letter/email.

Hope all is well. I'm doing really really great :):):) I love being a missionary and I love all of you. Time sure is flying. In February I will have been out for 6 months already!!! can you believe it? I can't!

Love you so much. Think about you often.