This week. I can't even.

Hello all!

Where to start...

Well, lets start with Monday. I went to the beach party (only in Florida would I go to the beach 2 days before Christmas in a short sleeve shirt and be sweating). We just hung out with the other missionaries for a few hours and watched the sun go down and then packed up and went back home. It's super funny because there are to be like, NO interactions between elders and sisters so it pretty much felt like a middle school dance. Minus the dancing. And plus a bunch of awkward missionaries. So great. 

Then we got together with two of our favorite families and an investigator for Christmas Eve and ate way too much and played games. We came home that night a little early and opened our presents because we wouldn't have time on Christmas. Thank you so much for all of the presents! I love you all :)

On Christmas we woke up and did our normal thang. It was super weird because it way didn't feel like Christmas at all. We went to District Meeting and then went over to the Mahe's and skyped/called home! And ate. A lot. Then we went over to the Kezell's (who are my favorites) and ate more. It was a lot of fun.

Last night we were having a hard time knowing where we needed to be and who Heavenly Father wanted us to see so we pulled out a ward list and looked it over and found 2 names of less actives we never noticed before! However, we didn't know where their streets were and we didn't have a GPS but we felt like we needed to drive around and try to find them. And Heavenly Father led us to their houses without us even getting lost. He just prompted us the whole way there. It was the coolest thing. One of them even let us make a return appointment to come back. I know that that was where we needed to be.

Despite all of the craziness of this last week, one truth really stuck out to me. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing and I need to trust Him and have faith in His plan. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!

I love you all,

Sister Trebotich

At the beach with my MTC companion, Sister Bennett! I love her :)

No, I didn't touch the water. But I wanted to sooo bad.

Sister Goodman and I got each other onsies for Christmas. You KNOW how much I loved that. But it's way too hot to wear them, which is a shame.

Apparently I'll do anything to serve those I teach. I hate dogs, and yet...

Weird

Everything about this week was weird.

We did A TON of service for that Night in Bethlehem Christmas thing our ward did which took up our days, and then we were there all night helping and doin' our missionary thang. So we pretty much taught like 3 lessons all week long. 

But that thing was incredible. The Spirit was so strong and it totally exceeded my expectations. We ended up having about 3500 people come with about half of them being nonmembers, so it was a total success. I'm beyond exhausted, but it was totally worth it.

Sister Goodman and I were called to be Sister Training Leaders this last week, over all of the English Sisters. Which is about 18 of us. Hah. It totally caught us off guard because I still have about 5 more weeks of training to get done, so we were stressing pretty hard. But one of the APs called us this morning and said "okay, so Sister Goodman will actually be transferred next transfer so Sister Trebotich really needs to get trained. So don't worry about being STL's, we'll figure something else out." Uh... okay. Whew.

Also, I had been trying to run in just some tennis shoes with my inserts until I got some new running shoes and I may have hurt my foot... but I can still walk so I think I'm fine. I am SO not being put in another one of those huge cast-boots again and I know they would try to stick me in one of those. That's not happening. 

But I got the new shoes, dad, and they're perfect! You're the best! Thank goodness I can run again because my skirts seem to be fitting a little tighter...

That was pretty much my week! Hopefully this next I'll have a bit more significant news to give. I may or may not have consumed close to 3 dozen cookies since Thursday...

Love you all! I love this gospel! The church is so true and I am so honored to have been called to preach it!

Sister Trebotich

PS. I hate to say it... but I said "y'all" for the first time the other night. I'm ashamed of myself.

The Begg's were Thanksgiving dinner #3. She takes the best care of us, she's absolutely wonderful.

The famous Tampa sign when I was in downtown. I had to.

Sister Goodman and I at Night in Bethlehem. We had a BLAST.

We went to a soccer game for one of the kids in the ward and their families. Our ward is the best.

All the Odessa missionaries. We take up like half the ward. 

Our investigator gave us a Christmas tree! So we have our stockings on the wall (thanks Sister Beckstrand!) and we have 3 real presents under the tree and a few fake ones so it doesn't look so pathetic haha.

My two favorite sisters in my zone. They're so funny, Sister Kitchen is 6'1" and Sister Bush is 4'9". They're so great.

I've Lost My Shoes...

And my mind apparently.

Hello all!

This week, oh my gosh. I'm exhausted. But great.

I went on emergency last minute exchanges and spent some time in downtown Tampa as a "metro" missionary. Basically, we didn't teach lessons, we just talked to anyone and everyone we could. We walked all around downtown all day, every day. It was possibly the most fun I've had as a missionary, period. I love people. I think I forget that here in Odessa because we like, never see people. But then my time had to come to an end and that's when my shoes went missing. I'm not so sure exactly how someone loses their running shoes, but it happens. Apparently. I'd have to go back to the city to get some new ones... but it's not like we have an extra hour to go do that. So I'm not exactly too sure how this is going to work out for me... hahah. I'll figure it out though.

This week went by so crazy fast that I don't even really remember what else happened. President wants us to get more involved in the member's lives and go to their activities with them, so we went to a little league baseball game and a choir concert this week. Our main focus in doing that is to get people familiar with missionaries and show them that we're normal people, it's strange because we're not supposed to proselyte when we do these things and it almost feels like we're being disobedient. But we're having a blast with it. Times are changing for us missionaries.

We totally have facebook accounts. It's so weird. It's for strictly proselyting purposes only so we can only add our immediate family and people from Tampa. We haven't posted anything yet, but its totally the weirdest thing ever logging in to facebook as a missionary. It just seems so wrong. And iPads as a Christmas present...? Pres has been hinting at giving them to us then. Everything is so weird. Haha.

I can't believe Christmas is coming up in two weeks. We've been setting up for this Christmas thing that is this Thursday-Sunday at the church. It's called "A Night In Bethlehem" and it's a HUGE production. Everyone is dressed up in costume and you walk through the little town of Bethlehem which is set up on the acre our church is on. There are all sorts of little buildings with toy shops, little pita and olive snack foods, a carpenter shop, and other various shops that go along with the time period. Then you are taken through these huge gates they built to the area where the stage is. That's where the play happens. Mary comes in on a donkey, there's singing, a real baby, and it's really incredible. Thousands of people come from all over Florida to watch it, it's apparently a big deal. It's cool to be a part of it. Sister Goodman and I get to be at the well talking to people and giving them water. It should be way fun.

I am so grateful to be an instrument in the Lord's hand. I know that He works through imperfect people to preach His perfect gospel. Its an incredible time to be a member of this church. As Elder L Tom Perry said, "This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church. This is something that ranks with the great events that have happened in past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel, like all of the things that build that foundation for us to go forward and teach in our Father in Heaven's kingdom." I know this to be true. I know that the Lord is really hastening His work and it is up to us as people who know the truth to help others to find it.

Love you all so much,

Sister Trebotich

For more information on the "A Night in Bethlehem" event that Sister Trebotich and her companion will get to be a part of, there is a website for the event, anightinbethlehem.org

Don't forget... Christmas is coming up soon! Don't forget to send Sister Trebotich some love! Now is a great time to send a Christmas package.

With the US Postal Service, you can stop by a post office and pick up a FREE small, medium, or large flat rate box and then stuff it with Christmas goodies for Kim! They ship at these rates, regardless of weight: 

Small- $5.80

Medium- $12.35

Large- $16.85

Letters can be sent to: 

Sister Kimberly Trebotich
17750 C Jamestown Way
Lutz, FL 33558

Packages can be sent to: 

Sister Kimberly Trebotich

Florida Tampa Mission

13153 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, STE 109

Tampa, FL 33618-2410

We made a new friend this week

Hello all!

This week was incredible. We found 3 new investigators who are super solid and way prepared, we ate WAY too much (it was really disgusting, but great), and we found a nice little alligator in our backyard/swamp. He/she is quite nice and totally our new friend.

I ate 3 Thanksgiving dinners and probably gained more weight than I am willing to admit. Good thing we lose our car next week and we're back to biking 30ish miles a day, because I still feel gross haha. 

We had 2 investigators at church this week which was so exciting! AND we had a goal of 3 new investigators by Sunday at 9pm and we went and had dinner with a part member family to try to get his wife to take the lessons (which she has denied for like 10 years) and we got her. 8:30 at night on Sunday and God totally delivered. The look on his face when she said "yeah, I think I would actually like that" was the best thing I've ever seen. He just about started crying because it's just been such a long time coming. It was awesome to be a part of that.

Heavenly Father loves His children and He is so mindful of every single one of us and the trials that we each are going through. We were blessed to find a new investigator who is dying of cancer. We found her when we were walking home from a lesson with another new investigator and we were able to have a lesson with her yesterday. I know that Heavenly Father placed her in our path because she needs this right now. The knowledge that we have of our Father in Heaven's love for us and that death is not the end is so comforting. I know that there is a purpose and a plan for each of us and that He is with us every step of the way. I know that sometimes things happen that we don't understand, sometimes we feel like we are given more than we can handle but I KNOW that we are never given more than we can overcome with Jesus Christ.

I love this church and I love you all,

Sister Trebotich

God is Good

Dear everyone,

This week was a week of serious miracles. 

Miracle # 1

A husband and wife who we've been working super hard on to get active again PAID THEIR TITHING AND ACCEPTED CALLINGS. They're currently preparing to go to the temple next month. Oh my gosh, I bawled my eyes out in sacrament meeting when I found out.

Miracle # 2

We got not one, but TWO NEW INVESTIGATORS. One of which is in a less active family we've been trying to get to love us and they finally agreed to take the lessons and prepare their 9 year old son to get baptized! They were tough ones to crack, but my comp and I are trying to be extra sweet to them so they invite us in. And it worked. Hallelujah. 

Miracle # 3

I'm singing in a piano recital to try to connect with a nonmember who we are just dying to teach. No, that's not the miracle. The MIRACLE IS I can actually sing. I'm under no impression that I've always been able to sing, but I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me with the confidence and the temporary talent to connect with this person we're trying to teach. I'll probably go right back to sounding terrible when the recital is over but that's okay. I'll take what I can get haha. Tender mercies.

Miracle # 4

My companion and I have been found worthy to receive Facebook. I have no clue how they judge such a thing but apparently they think we're going to be good for piloting technology in the mission. Unfortunately no ipads until after Christmas, but you know. Baby steps. 

Miracle # 5 

We met a guy on our run in the morning (who wasn't creeped out by 2 girls trying to talk to him in the dark wee hours of the morning, miracle in itself) and he invited us to go to his church on Saturday and he'd go to our church on Sunday. He's this super old man with the sweetest old wife so of course, we agree. We went with him and much to our surprise it was like a rock concert. Like, a stage with a band and cameras and lights and smoke machines and everyone's totally rocking out. We had a blast and their pastor gave us coffee mugs as gifts for coming. It was great. 

They're church is like the cool kids table in high school. Like, that's where the jocks and the pretty girls sit. Ours is like the Student Body Officers table. Not... the coolest but totally got our priorities in check. But the miracle is they actually liked it and we're hopefully going to have a lesson with them this week!

The Lord stretches us farther than we think we can go, but never farther than He knows we can. I know that if it wasn't for the Savior picking me up and dusting me off everyday, I would be dead on the side of the road or something. This gospel gives me so much hope in others and in myself. I know that it's just when we have done absolutely all that we can that Heavenly Father produces miracles. God is a God of mercy. And for that I am eternally grateful.

I love you all.

Sister Trebotich

I Have The World's WORST Last Name

I don't really have too much time to write this week, BUT this week was awesome.

We got the car again, thank goodness, just in time for it to pour rain for 2 days. We are making a lot of progress with the members of our ward trying to get them into the missionary spirit.

I forget that it's the holiday season, because it looks and feels just like summer. Sister Goodman and I already have 5 appointments for Thanksgiving. Since we aren't allowed to eat with members except on holidays, everyone wants a piece of us. Challenge accepted.

I've met more people in the last 2 weeks than I think I have in the last year. It's crazy how much I love people now that I'm a missionary. Even when they definitely don't love me back, all I want to do is help them.

It's crazy to think I've only been out for 3 weeks because it feels like I've been here for forever. But I'm not complaining, I love it here.

One of our investigators who has committed to baptism has been super flaky for the last 2 weeks, but we ran into her the other day! And she has read trough Alma 24 just because she "felt good reading it and didn't want to stop." Uh, amazing. The Book of Mormon is so true and brings so much peace into the lives of those that read it. I love this work and this gospel.

Love you all!

Busy Week

This week has been crazy. We've been on bike and I had to borrow a super used one from the mission home and goodness, I am so grateful for all of you who have gotten me my bike! So my area is out in the country with 2 main roads that we ride on to get to the little streets where people live, and both of those roads are insane. I guess people in Florida don't believe in sidewalks, or bike lanes, or shoulders. So we just try to ride as close to the side of the road as we can without getting hit by cars going 50mph and without falling off the road into the swamp. So you know, it's been great.

We have been seeing miracles though! After getting threatened to be kicked out of our apartment complex because of "approaching our neighbors about our religion", we've spent a lot of time hanging out at the gas station because there is no other place in our area we can contact in. So that's been fun. We met this really cool guy who was super prepared and way solid on Friday. I gave him a book of mormon and he was so excited and wanted to meet with us. Unfortunately he doesn't live in our area so we have to refer him to other missionaries but it was incredible to see someone actually interested in what we have to say. That doesn't happen too often. 

The Book of Mormon musical is coming to Tampa Bay next month so we as missionaries get to stand outside the theaters and pass out copies and pass along cards and whatnot. It's going to be a blast, I'm so stoked.

As slow as the work is and as few investigators we have, I have never been happier. The other day we rode our bikes for an hour to get to the other side of our 20 mile area just for our appointment to not answer the door. When we were riding back in the dark on the scary highway, I kept thinking "what the heck am I doing?" and then I remembered who I am doing this for and it made everything worth it.

Jesus Christ has changed my life. When I am drenched with sweat and still have 15 miles to ride home after 4 appointments cancelling, He is the reason I am still happy. He is the reason I can't give up. Because I'm not out here for me, I'm out here for Him. And I would get doors slammed in my face for Him any day. This gospel is true. Otherwise there's no way people would be crazy enough to do this work. But this work is the best work and I am honored to have been called to it.

I'm all out of time but just know that I love you all and am so grateful for the support you all have shown me.

Sister Trebotich.

When It Rains, It Pours

I'm so totally in Florida and I love it!

My mission pres and his wife picked all 17 of us up at the airport and we stayed the first night in a hotel before we met our trainers! Mine is Sister Goodman, she's super great. We get along really well.We are the only one's in our apartment which just so happens to be ON A LAKE. No big deal though. I'm serving in the mission famous Odessa Ward in North Tampa and I way love it. The ward is so strong and they love working with the missionaries. Which is good, because there are kinda like 7 of us in the ward... haha. I won't have a car, or a bike because it hasn't gotten here yet. So who knows how that will go!

I experienced my first Florida rain, and oh my goodness, I might just drown here. It came out of nowhere when we were running in the morning and when it rains, you pretty much can't see anything, so it was an adventure to get home. The people here are nice. We aren't allowed to tract, so we have to contact in our apartment complex (which is the 2nd largest in the nation, fun fact). It's fun. It's a good thing I don't mind awkward situations, because that's pretty much the constant state of life as a missionary. 

Our area is huge, but there's nothing around so it's really hard to find people to teach. It's all no soliciting apartment complexes and homes. And we can't go to either of those. But that's okay, God will line them up for us as long as we're doing what is right.

Everything people told me about Florida is true. It's insanely warm and humid and the bugs pretty much eat you alive. And I may or may not have accidentally eaten one of them alive... Apparently it isn't safe to breathe with your mouth open at all here. Even on runs. Haha. Lesson learned.

This work is so hard, but it's so fun. I love teaching people about Jesus Christ. I love when we share with them a message and the spirit comes into the room and their eyes light up. I love Florida so much and am so excited and honored to serve here.

Here is my address :)

Sister Kimberly Trebotich
17750 C Jamestown Way
Lutz, FL 33558

Love you all! 
Sister Trebotich

Sister Trebotich is in Florida!

Kim spent just 12 days at the MTC in Provo, Utah. Some thoughts she had on the MTC are here:

The MTC is great! I'm a little tired of role playing because we do it for like 6 hours a day, but it's okay. I DID drink the orange juice and it is totally normal. Such a hoax. It's Minute Maid. Got my hopes up for nothing. My district is awesome. I'm in a tripanionship with two amazing sisters. One is going to Tampa with me and the other is going with our Elders to Arcadia California. I love them both and am going to be sad to leave them. They teach us like, way too much too fast to retain it all, but somehow (because of the spirit) I am. We teach 4 investigators and there's a 50/50 chance that two of them are nonmembers. So it's totally real. I love it. We get to go to the temple today and I CAN'T WAIT. We've gone 7 straight days of 6 hours of class, 2 lessons a day, 2 hours of meetings, 2 hours of study,1 hour of exercise, 1 hour of planning, and 3 meals. I need a break. 

On Monday, October 28th, Kim woke up bright and early (at 2am!), to fly to Tampa, Florida! She arrived (exhausted) and her mission president posted these pictures from the airport:

Kim is in her first area now, and we look forward to updates from her on Monday! 

As a reminder, you may write to Sister Trebotich at: 

Sister Kimberly Trebotich
Florida Tampa Mission 
13153 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, STE 109
Tampa, FL 33618-2410

Finally Sister Trebotich

Sister Kimberly Belle Trebotich was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last night and departed this morning. She entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah this afternoon!

On October 28th, she will depart to begin her missionary service in the Tampa, Florida area. Until then, she will be learning and studying at the MTC!


How to contact Sister Trebotich: 

BEST METHOD from now until October 27th is DearElder.com:
Letters sent via DearElder are printed and will be delivered to Sister Trebotich the same day you send them (if you submit them by 11am PST) or the next day.
Click this link.
Fill out your return address.
Select Sister and type Kimberly Trebotich.
Use Unit # 94, Mission Code: FL-TAM, and Estimated MTC Departure Date: Oct28.
Type your letter and submit!

Snail Mail from now until October 27th:
Sister Kimberly Trebotich
OCT28 FL-TAM
2007 N 900 E UNIT 94
Provo, UT 84602

Email (Sister Trebotich has only a very limited amount of time to email once per week):
kimberly.trebotich@myldsmail.net


After October 27th:
You can always send letters and packages to:
Sister Kimberly Trebotich
Florida Tampa Mission 
13153 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, STE 109
Tampa, FL 33618-2410
(I will also be updating with her local addresses when she is in the mission field, which will change every 6-24 weeks.)

kimberly.trebotich@myldsmail.net (Sister Trebotich will only have a very limited amount of time to email once per week)


Sister Trebotich shared these thoughts about her departure for her mission:

I cannot believe this is finally happening.
This gospel has brought me more happiness and hope than I ever thought I could have. It has shown me that I am loved even when I don't feel it. It has given me hope that no matter what happens, everything will all be okay. This gospel has shown me that I can be better, that I can be great. I know that it is true with all my heart. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves us. I know that life is hard, but this gospel makes it so much more worth it.

I can't wait to help others learn what I have learned. That God is always there for you, no matter who you are, where you are, or what you have done. I know these things and profess them proudly, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.