Happy Presidents' Day

Thank you for your letters.  I always look forward to them.

            One of the most exciting things that happened this week is we found someone to teach from tracting.  Usually when you knock on doors people say they're not interested in one way or another.  But this girl, who is in her 20s, when I told her that we had come to share a message of Jesus Christ and how he can bless us and our families, she said “Yes, I’m interested.”  So we shared with her about how Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and a bit about the pre-earth life and our purpose on earth.  It was awesome.  Her eyes teared up a bit.  We met with her again and also went on a church tour where we showed her the church building and how it is not scary.  We also talked about what we do at church.  It is hard to pass that kind of person to someone else when you leave an area....

            So... exciting news is:  I am being transferred to another area.  The area I have been working in is south of the mission office.  I am currently a Ducks fan (since they won the Rose Bowl-- I believe that is the one they won) so it is going to be a bit interesting in the new area as they are Beavers fans.  As you can obviously tell I still don't pay too much attention to sports, but almost everyone in my current area is a Ducks fan. 

My new area will be north of the mission office.  It is a huge college town that gets more rain than here and has its very own singles ward, which I get to cover.  My new companion is going to be Sister B.  My current companion, Sister W, is also going up to the same area and she will be in a family ward. 

I kind of don't want to leave and I am only half packed.  I am leaving at 5pm today.  Sister F said she would help me make everything fit in my suitcases.  She was in the military, so she is pretty good at packing.  I have just been attempting to cram everything in-- it's not working.  My stuff grew.   It must be all this humidity.  Things just can't help but grow.  Ha ha.

I love you all and I am so grateful to be on a mission where you can clearly see just how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses individuals and families.  Keep sharing the truth with those around you.  Love, Sister Cluff.

Short & Sweet

Sweet News!  We had a baptism!!!  I forgot my camera cord, so I won’t be attaching any pictures this week.  It was an awesome baptism.  The spirit was so strong!  Brother J, Kathy's fiancé, called us up less than 3 weeks ago and said "My fiancé wants to take the lessons and be baptized."  The call came on a day of really long tracting or knocking on doors. 

Some thoughts I’ve had about missionary work: 

-It is amazing when you are blessed for doing what you should be doing. 

-Member missionaries are so important. 

-Friendship is one of the three most important things church members need.  Investigators and recent converts are no exception and also need friendship.

I should be hearing about transfers on Saturday.  Next Wednesday is transfer day.  We are going to be moving to a new apartment soon.  We, the R ward sisters, have been living with the M ward sisters in the same apartment.  I will let you know next week what is up.  Exciting times.

I love you all so much!  The church is true and it makes your life better. 

Love, Sister Cluff

P.S.  Sorry the note is short, but I had to fill out an online survey for the mission and it took my computer time this week.

Super Bowl Sunday

As most of you know the Super Bowl was yesterday.  None of the Sister missionaries really like the Patriots, so it is a good thing the Giants won.  Did you know that people don't like answering the door/talking when the game is on?  We tried not to tract after knocking on 3 doors and people not liking to talk to us.  People were either watching the game, or not home because they were going to a super bowl party.  We figured it wouldn't really gain the respect of The Church and they wouldn't really want to hear about Christ when the biggest game of the year is going on.  Oh, well.  We didn't even remember about the Super Bowl until we were at church.  ha-ha

Another fun thing is that Sister W and I got to go into the YM’s class (YM = Young Men, ages 12-18) during church yesterday and answer all of their questions.  They asked a lot of hard ones like "What is your favorite hymn/scripture/candy?"  And, yes they really asked us all of those questions.  It was fun being the source of knowledge and also kinda scary.  The Bishop was there and a lot of YMs leaders who know a lot.  I hope we helped at least some of the boys.  They started getting rowdy towards the end.  Anyways, it was fun and a good learning experience.

The other day the Stake President (He's in our ward) was talking to Sister R, who’s now in the other ward.  He said that we (Sister W and I) were doing well.  He also said that I prompted Sister W to ask a good question when we were at their house for dinner/lesson.  The funny part is I don't remember doing that....  Maybe she asked a question when I decided it was her turn to talk?  I don't know.  Companionships definitely take a lot of work.  You have to watch out for the other person and gauge how they're feeling and adjust accordingly.  I think Sister W is getting tired of hearing me ask "Are you okay?" or something similar.  But it is what I do.  I try to watch out for those around me.  I do the same thing for Sister R and Sister F.

To all my friends and family, keep doing well.  Keep sharing those things close to your hearts, especially with Heavenly Father as He loves hearing things from your heart… anywhere from worries and concerns to complete joy.  He is truly our Father in Heaven.  I love you!

Work While the Sun Shines (or not)

It has been a mix of weather lately, some days it is nice and sunny, although a bit cold.  Other days it is warmer (sometimes) and rainy.  I wish the weather would just make up its mind.  I have to decide whether or not to wear my rain coat or my wool coat (which is warmer, but not so very water proof).  It is kind of a challenge without a weather forecast.

Sister W and I have been having fun.  I am still the driver.  I miss Sister R though.  It is not the same without her.  I am glad that I get to see her every once in a while.  Nothing much has changed by adding a fourth sister but we now get to juggle the bathroom a little more and there are two different schedules.  Since I’m not companions with Sister R anymore, I can't really lean on her to fix the problems or plan for the day.  Sister W and I have to take care of it ourselves.  It is a good growing experience.

There is another baptism coming up.  Kathy is engaged to a member and we got a call one night that said, “Hey, my fiancé wants to take the lessons and get baptized.  When can we schedule a lesson?”  It was every missionary's dream.  She had already gotten a Book of Mormon from missionaries years ago and took their challenge to read it and pray to know if it is true.  She did and felt the truth.  But nothing really happened after that until she started dating her fiancé.  Kathy and her fiancé have known each other since they were kids (about 30 years).  It is interesting how seeds are planted that you don't even realize were there.  I am so grateful those missionaries gave Kathy a Book of Mormon and that she acted.

I love you all!  Thank you for all of your support and prayers.  I couldn't do it without you ALL.  Love ya! Sister Cluff.

Not a Gangster

I only have one companion now, it is Sister W.  We got an interesting phone call on Tuesday or Wednesday.  The APs (Elders who are assistants to the president) asked us if there was enough work going on in the wards to split them.  Transfers weren't for another month so we were a little alarmed.  We said yes, there was.  After a bit of digging we learned that there might be a sister missionary coming who was waiting for her Visa to another country.  We didn't really think anything of it, or make any decisions.

On Saturday, President Y called and asked if we could be ready to move another sister into the apartment in 2 hours.  It was pretty exciting.  Long story short, Sister R is training Sister F who is a Visa-waiter going to Russia.  They are working in the M Ward.  Sister W and I are covering the R Ward.  We are all living in the same 2 bedroom apartment.  It is a party!  Sister F and I are pretty sure we are related.  I whipped out my handy-dandy pedigree chart—(thanks, mom!) and we both have relatives who lived in the Chihuahua, Mexico area.

It has been a bit wet here, for about 2-3 days it was raining solid.  It was gross, but better than the snow.  My boots and jacket kept the rain out; hopefully they will keep doing that.  I might get a cheapy pair of rain boots in case my shoes start leaking.  Who would have guessed it rained in Oregon?!  Just kidding!  Luckily it only really snowed last Sunday.  It reminded me of the time right after we moved to the Chicago area when Dad made me call Kara and ask if church was cancelled because of 2-3 inches of snow.  Haha.

I have a funny story from last night at dinner.  We ate with a family who had 5 boys and when they learned I was from Chicago they were joking with me about being a gangster.  I was wearing my pretty sparkly scarf and totally looked nothing like a gangster.  It was fun joking with them.  We were teasing about "packing heat" and stuff.  It reminded me of hanging out with the cousins.  Another member, Brother S, he is probably in his 60-70s, asked if I had a gun in my purse when he learned I was from Chicago.  He was kidding and it was fun.  Everyone asks why I don't have a Chicagoan accent.  Then I usually say “Chicago” in the Chicago accent way a couple of times.  (Or they say it with an accent like that-- that's my favorite.)  I then explain the whole story that every time Dad becomes ward employment specialist, we move.  It usually gets a laugh.  I miss you guys.  I hope you had fun reading this letter.  Love, Sister Cluff.

Church is Cancelled?

So, exciting news... It snowed!  It isn't supposed to snow here.  It is not what I agreed to.  But, it is fun for a little while. 

So, no one knows how to drive in snow in Oregon.  It is kind of ridiculous.  There are also no snow plows or salt trucks.  I guess that makes a difference.

It started snowing during Sacrament meeting and so they cancelled the last two hours of church.  There was less than an inch but some people had 1/2 hour or more to drive home - out in the middle of nowhere.  (By the way, that's where the pictures were taken.)  The funny part was is that it stopped snowing right after they cancelled church.  Then, the snow all started melting. 

We got to go tracting in the snow for an hour.  It was great fun.  Not really, that was sarcasm in case you couldn't tell.  Still, it was fun to see snow.  I am over it now.  I guess it is supposed to snow the rest of the week.  I am still driver, which is not as fun as it used to be.  I don't really like “backers” [backing up].  My companions sometimes tease me about my driving/parking skills. 

Well, since my computer was super slow today, I don't have much time to write.  I’ve got to get going.  I love you all!  Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and letters!  Love, Sister Cluff.

P.S. Sorry the pictures don't have me in them.  Sister W took them while I was driving.  I was concentrating.

New Year's Resolution

Tim's Baptism

Tim investigated the church for a long time before finally deciding to join.


Bobbie's Baptism




Bobbie decided to be baptized after her son, Chase, returned home from his mission.

I feel like I haven't talked to you in sooooo long.  I keep remembering Christmas and smiling.  It really made my day.  I keep remembering how good it was to see you and talk with you.  I didn't ever want to stop.  I am so glad we are a forever family.

            So, having a third companion is a party.  It is a sleep-over every night.  Now it feels weird when there are just two of us.  Sister W got to go out on splits with a member Saturday night. [“Splits” is where a missionary will leave her own companion and work with another member or missionary for a few hours or a day.]  Sister R and I were feeling sick.  We caught the stomach flu -- Sis R's was slightly worse than mine.  Mine was just nausea and feeling super tired (so don't phreak out Mom).  Sister R and I missed Sister W a ton.  It was lonely without her there.  It is interesting how quickly people adapt.  It’s also interesting how you can just feel when something is not right on your mission (or in life).  Heavenly Father helps out his missionaries – a lot. 

Our trio companionship will last for 6 weeks.  This week has been interesting; it is a whole new dynamic with three of us.  We are like an army. 

            One of the New Year’s resolutions I have been thinking about is to volunteer.  Normally, I sit back and let someone else do something.  For example, when someone asks who wants to say the prayer everyone's hand should shoot into the air.  I can at least do that.  It is kind of sad how much we limit ourselves.    I want to be the one to volunteer, even if I am scared to death.  When we do things like that we are just getting blessings.  By the way, I am giving talks in both of my wards.  We volunteered to help the missionary work in the wards progress and to help the members get excited about missionary work.  Fun, huh?  I am not exactly sure about the wording of my goal, but I want it to be somewhere along these lines.  I am trying to work at setting better goals, ones that I can accomplish.

            I guess I am going to run.  I love you guys, thank you so much for all of the letters!