1st letter from AZ!!!!!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY WHAT THE HECK!!! okay so ill just start from the beginning! so i got here on Aug. 23. when we got off the plane our mission president and wife were there. there was 28 of us that came and there were only 3 sisters! so they had vans to take us to the area but the mission prez wanted the sisters to ride with him and his wife so we didnt have to squish with the elders lol! so we got to the church and they had lunch for us. then we got our bikes! everyone got like grey bikes and i got a bright blue one and everyone is jealous! haha it was funny! then they had dinner for us, then we slept at a members house.(oh and my area is in Mesa by the way) me and the other two sisters slept at the same house so it was fun! (they were my roomies at the MTC) then the next morning we got our new companions... Sister Marberry told me that when you see all the missionaries you will know exactly who your companion will be. so when we all met in the room i looked over at other missionaries and i saw one girl and i KNEW she was going to be my companion...and she looked SO SCARY AND MEAN! so i was kind of worried, then they were announcing companionships and i was fir

st, so they called my name and walked up to the front and then they called HER name...and i died inside. i was soooo scared of her hahah. but then she started talking and i was like ohhhh snap shes so cool! her name is Sister Gasu but its pronounced nasu! SHE IS SO FUN! shes half Samoan and shes really funny! shes such a good trainer! she has me do a lot of things like talking to people while were tracking (knocking on doors and talking to random people) but im not nervous to do it anymore!! but Anyway... so after we got our companions a member picked us up and took us to cafe rio! it was sooo goooood! then we went grocery shopping so i could get food and stuff. then we started missionary work.. i was like what the heeeck, can i at least unpack or something haha but its cool. we visited a girl who is the only member in her family. her mom is in a wheelchair, she has a disease and she is about to die soon ): she wants to be baptized but her husband is Filipino and a super strong catholic and she doesn't want to make him mad. so were working on them! then we went to dinner... OMG.... so we get to the house, and its a pretty big house, so i'm thinking YAASS were about to be fed so good! then before we get to the door the mom walks up from behind the house, and i wasn't judging her or anything, but when i saw her i just knew this wasn't going to be as good as i thought it was... so we go in the house and it was TRASHED and smelled so bad hahah it was so funny! like they had dog hair everywhere and a random giant turtle... and their trash can, was a legit dumpster... like in the middle of the house hahah! i was like what is happening here!! and the tables and counters weren't even cleared off so we were eating over random stuff! Her kids looked like they hated life but they were really nice! i shared a message with them then left... and the days go by so fast! everyone says that your fist couple days are miserable and slow but for me it was so fun and fast!!! the next morning i was getting kind of nervous because it was sinking in that this was real, so i decided to have a good attitude and try my best to be a good missionary and it worked because i'm having so much fun!! i don't even have anxiety anymore! its so awesome! so the next day we went biking to go tracking  and no one was answering, then one lady drove by and was like Sisters i have something for you! so we followed her and when we got to her house she pulled out a HUGE thing of goldfish crackers! me and sis gasu each got like a 3 pound bag of goldfish! so awesome! it should last me my whole mission, but lets be real, maybe 3 weeks.anyways... i have to buy new skirts (probs from good will) bc my skirts don like my bike. I've been flashing people left and right! I even have a clip to clip it together but it doesn't work! Even though my skits are long! so then we did service at this one lady's house and her house was clean, but she just hoards.. so that's fun. she wanted us to move all of the stuff from one room to the other, and the bring a bunch of toys she bought for Christmas upstairs. i love doing service tho!! then we went to sonic, cuz why not!! 
Then we had dinner at a cute family's house then went home! the next day we got up and exercised. Im so glad sis Gasu likes running! so we ran then went to our zone meeting. honestly i don't really know what went down at that meeting, all i know is that my calling is the one who writes on the chalk board lol. after that we went to Rudies and they gave is free food! and one of the workers said hey sisters, you wanna see my tattoo? it was a freaking CTR tattoo haha it was so great! he was so happy about it! so we have a new ward that both of us don't know so we had to go white washing, so that was fun meeting all the members and stuff!  There is a girl who decided on her own she wants to be baptized but her parents wont let her till shes 18, so bout 2 years. We taught her the first lesson and i had to say the first vision (good thing i have that memorized) and it was awesome! and i  invited her to be baptized on her birthday! So then the next day we woke up and did service for this inactive family who is moving. so we helped them clean their house and i cleaned so many windows and dusted so many blinds it was crazy, like i was sneezing the whole time from the dust! then we found out the mom was an Uber driver and shes always in the middle of drug deals.. and she has to carry a gun...so we were like maybeeeee you shouldn't do that anymore haha then we went tracking..got nothing... then dinner, i shared the message and accidentally committed them to do something different than what we planned, but i didn't even know that i did that, then later sis gasu was like i like how you changed the commitment, that was awesome! and i was like wait i did? and she said yeah, instead of having them share their fav scripture you invited them to find out how they can better understand answers they get from their prayers...i was like what the heck!! so i guess the spirit just says things for me because he knows what they need more than i do! the next day which is Sunday was so awesome! we woke up then went to mission prep and roll played with kids about to go on their missions. then we went to the ward were white washing in and met people and they are so nice, and they are SO excited to have sister missionaries!! so we were sitting there in sacrament meeting and it was ending early and we looked at each other and knew they would have as come up and bare our testimonies! and guess what happened? just that! so we went up and i bore my testimony and said i have only been out 4 full days and they were all freaking out and afterward they all came up to me and was like i cant believe they made you go up only on your 4th day!!! it was funny! the members there want us to talk to this random group of kids who sit in the foyer and play Pokemon go the whole time...no one knows who they are lol. then we went to dinner and the mom and dad were acting kind of weird.. but then i shared the message and it was 2 Nephi 31:19&20 and its about not stopping when you get on the right path and endure to the end with a steadfastness in Christ. while i was sharing this they all looked bored out of their minds, but then when i finished the mom said to me something like   "you have no idea how much i needed that" and she was crying. Im so thankful to be serving a mission, not only to convert or baptize people, but even bringing members closer to Christ. our purpose as missionaries is to invite or bring others closer to Christ and i love doing that. I'm so thankful for my companion Sister Gasu. she makes me laugh all the time and i can be myself around her. and were like the same person, we both hate mouth noises, people being passive, and we're both sassy so its so fun! i miss you all and love you!!!!

ps if you want to send me snacks feel freee....lol    im broke as a joke and i need emergency candy to put in my bag! apparently were supposed to eat stuff that's salty to get electrolytes... idk

oh and the people here are so mice! like a lady gave me police pepper spray, and another gave me a good stainless steel water bottle because my hydro flask didn't have a straw and hers did!

anyways love yall!

-Sisiter Bischoff

Letter from the AZ mission office

Dear Missionary Parents,

Your wonderful missionary arrived here in Gilbert Arizona this morning – and we love them already!  We have 28 wonderful new missionaries.  We had to borrow the mission van from the Scottsdale and Tempe Missions plus we used our van to haul all these missionaries.  They arrived a little hot but excited to be in our mission.  We had them take turns getting their pictures taken with the mission president and his wife and for the group pictures.  I’ll be sending you a picture of your missionary with President and Sister Wheeler in the next few days.

Their day began early morning at the MTC, so they had an early start and were worn out by afternoon.  Sister Zollinger prepared a lovely luncheon for them which they really enjoyed.  Our senior missionary couples oriented them on bikes, cars, referrals, housing, and the office. Each of them will have an opportunity to meet and interview with President Wheeler.  Elder Ashton  will introduce them to their bicycles, and by evening they will all be looking forward to a good night’s rest.  They will be housed in a host member’s home tonight; then Wednesday they receive more training, meet their new companion, attend Transfer Meeting, and then head to their assigned areas of service.  We have attached a photo of group.  They are going to be great missionaries.  All the other missionaries in our mission are very excited to have the opportunity to get to know them. 

We are happy to have each one of them, and we will do all we can to support and encourage them while they are here.  Thank you for sharing your missionary with us.  They will have an opportunity to email you on Monday, Preparation Day.  Contact us anytime if you have any questions.

Last week in the mtc! Next week AZ!!!!

well id like to start off this email with the fact that a bird got in the 4th floor of our residence. it was hilarious. it took them like 2 hours to get it out haha. anyways... the MTC is so fun, the Sunday and Tuesday devotionals are soooo gooood! mind blown every time. but everything eless is awesome!

 i got my district to play 4 square with us every morning and now they call it our district bonding time. for some reason 4 square at the mtc is so intense... but its so fun, i have a serve that gets people out every time so im not allowed to do it anymore haha. and its cool because were kind of in front of the temple while playing and it looks awesome! 

were in class ALL THE TIME but its so good because i learned a lot. the other day our district did a thing where one set of missionaries would teach the investigator and the rest of us sat in the room next to it where we could see through and watch them but they couldnt see us. it was cool to watch that and see how others teach and what we can learn. me and my companion did the best.. of course.. but they were like since yall were so good can you lead the district discussion on sunday? so now were kinda stressed about that. 

so every one is still asking how the food is... its pretty good! one day they had chick fil a, taco bell,papa johns pizza so its super awesome.. apparently i dont eat a lot and everyone is worried about me, and also the fact that i never eat the ice cream or cookies or cake they always have freaks them out lol i can never finish my food, but its okay because i have a butt load of candy and treats yall send me!! i love getting packages from yall they are so awesome!! the poor elders never get anything and i get a package like everyday so i feel super loved and thankfull for you guys!! but seriously yall hooked me up its awesome!

 theres an elder in our district who hasnt gotten ANYTHING from his family, not even an email, it was so sad. so a couple days ago it was his birthday so i decided to give him a BUNCH of my candy and it filled a whole birthday bag thing, and it didnt even dent the pile of candy and treats i had haha.

 i cant believe i leave next week! i feel like i just got here 4 days ago!! im buying a calling card so i can call yall when i get to the airport, so i think ill be calling between 8:30 or 10:30 on tuesday! the pictures im sending are probably going to be super random because the elders like taking pictures on it so i dont even know whats on that camera haha.

 so between me and 2 other sets of companions, were all the same people, like me, elder gibson and elder lutz get along super well and then our companions get along super well, and were the fun goofy ones and they get super annoyed with us, i feel bad but its so funny! its not like were not doing what were supposed to be doing, we just have fun too or else we will go crazy! but obviously its good we have companions who actually are serious and keep track of time or we would be screwed. so we love them!!

 let me know if theres anything else yall want to know! the next time i will probably be able to email is when im actually in Arizona!!
love you guys!
-Sister Bischoff

First Email From the MTC!!!!!

Ok. Its crazy here! so you know how im in a trio companionship? not anymore... Sister Vilet left to go home a couple of days ago...its sad because she was awesome, and me and my other companion Sis. Cottrell dot really click. shes nice, but its been a struggle. im a pretty chill person, and shes the complete opposite. so its been super awkward. i want to play sports, she would rather do personal study...but im trying and i know she is too...ok i know i keep saying this but I LOVE MY DISTRICT!!! its funny because half of them are from Arizona going to Idaho, and Idaho going to Arizona! i dont have any pics with them but i will soon! they are all so funny and goofy, but so spiritual at the same time! i love hanging out with them but Sis. Cottrell doesnt lol. WERE THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE! it cracks me up.We went to the temple today and it was super awesome! we did initiatories at the end too and that was really cool! for all the questions people keep asking me.. The food is super good!, yes Mom, i am eating...and yes im getting all yalls packages!! its so funny because i get a package slip every day and my district freaks out and there like "OMG your family must love you a lot! you get non stop mail and packages for days!!" classes are so awesome! i literally am mind blown E V E R Y  D A Y. its crazy. i learn so much stuff here that i didnt even know exists. i love it. OH our first investigator we taught was trevor... the whole class had to teach him at different times. we were all excited and scared to meet him, and me and my companions were the first to teach him. so our teacher walked us to the room, said hold on let me check if hes in there, he walks in and shuts the door and doesnt come out... we were like, uhhh????? so i look through the peep hole and hes just standing in there... TREVOR our INVESTIGATOR was our TEACHER!!! we were like omg, are we really teaching him? so we knock on the door and he was acting and it was sooooo awkward. we did horrible haha! i think we taught the Restoration? idk i just remember it was BAD. we all got to teach him like 3 times. one day in class he told all of us that he hopes we never ever treat one one Gods children like how we taught "Trevor". We all were super salty and butt hurt about it but we talked about it and we were kind of thankful he was hard on us like that. hes an amazing teacher! we have "real" investigators now that we teach. we have two girls. they are both super nice. its hard to tell if they are LDS or not, but it doesnt matter. its kind of hard teaching with Sis. Cottrell because we have a plan, and then when she talks she goes on and on about stuff i dont even know about and then when she dosnt know how to finish what she started, she looks at me, and im like haha omg no idk what to say after that!!! so i think i just bare my testimony or something haha. i feel bad because she does most of the talking, but she never gives me a chance to talk! its probably a blessing to be honest. Today new missionaries come in so were not new anymore!! yall. days here feel like forever, but 2 hours ago feel like yesterday! i seriously can not believe i have been here a whole week! i feel like i at least got here 3 days ago! but i feel so much better here, im having so much fun. i remember the fist day i got here someone was dont worry things will start to be funny again, and not so serious. and i would always hear people laughing a lot and think why are you laughing? this isnt funny! its the MTC and its scary! theres nothing funny about this! and one night it just clicked with my companions and roomies and we were laughing at everything! IT WAS SO FUNNY! WE WERE LIKE THEY WERE RIGHT! they were also right about "make it through Sunday" seriously if you can make i through sunday you will be a pro! And also i have seen a lot of people i know! one day at lunch i saw (i forgot her name) from Alabama!! we freaked out lol! then I saw one of my FAVORITE people from EFY a couple years ago! we  saw each other at dinner and our jaws dropped and we were like whaaaattt!!?? so he wanted to get a picture so ill get that too!, then some kid came up to me at dinner, and he said hey are you going to the Gilbert Arizona mission? and i was like yeah! and he said do you know Makenna Downs? and i was like YES!!! he was like yeah she married my brother! he said she showed him a picture of me and to find me lol. hes also going to Gilbert Arizona!! its been so fun here! im so thankful for all fo your support (and packages)!!

love yall!

Sis. Bischoff