Hello everyone!

I hope that you will have a wonderful time this Christmas and to remember the reason for this season!

I never seem to know what to write about, there is so much that is going on here!

Well it has only been one week with my new companion Sister Ennis, and she is just Amazing! We are now serving in West Gate. That is where we report tours, send out messages letting the sisters know about things happening on the square, inform the sisters about movies that need to be played and tours to be taken! It is super fun. But we have to watch what we do... lol, the guests can see us perfectly but we cannot see them until they are like 2 feet away when it is dark outside. So I am sure they say that we are crazy sometimes! lol  We have to keep reminding ourselves that they can see us!

We had the opportunity to attend a Christmas dinner last night with the Ostler Family! Brother Ostler was a mission President in Canada. We were sharing experiences with each other and it was the best feeling ever. Just talking about how the gospel has blessed our lives, our families and those that we have come in contact with. They were super loving and helpful as they gave us advice! They said to follow the spirit and that there are NO coincidences and they shared some stories and we did too! So many!! Their granddaughter is serving in NC and he just started reading her new email when it started talking about Temple Square. No way! lol She just went on exchanges with a sister from TS and he began to laugh saying No coincidences. He also talked about a young man named Benjamin from Africa that is about to serve his mission in CA. He was telling us his story when sister Ennis and I looked at each other and said that we met him the day before! Again No coincidences! We shared a message with them, "He is the Gift" and we talked about how Christ and living his teachings has changed our lives. I ended up talking about the Atonement. It was the most spiritual experience I have had! I love serving here at this special time of the year!!!

Today as we were standing in line to check out we glanced at the magazines by the register... we began talking about what makes those people happy. We came to the conclusion that a lot of people find happiness in many ways and most being harmful. People resort to drugs and things like that but that doesn't bring happiness at least not long term... The gospel is true and it can fill/heal all sorrow, and void. Christ can change us and help us discover our purpose and the way to everlasting happiness!! He is the way and the life!!!

This week 2 of our investigators got married and are getting baptized this weekend! Daniel and Crystal! They are so cute and have been able to see many Christmas miracles!! We are enjoying our companionship and laughing too much I dare say, but the work is good and I am looking forward to what this next transfer brings!

I miss and love you all! Have a happy and fulfilling Christmas season!!

Love Sister Tuckett

 

She said she went through a drive-thru for the first time in 6 months today!!!


 

I posted this picture on my "Missionary Momma's" group on facebook last week saying Sister Tuckett and Sister Ennis would be companions!  Below the picture is a comment left by another "momma".....

 Colleen Gittins "These 2 sisters along with Sister Lau from Hong Kong and Sister Linaris from Mexico, spoke in our Sacrament meeting today (December 14, 2014). They did a great job! You could feel their spirits. It was a beautiful meeting. Sorry no pictures. I didn't have my phone with me. You can tell Sister Tuckett is loving her mission."

(Made this momma happy to read that!!!)

Melissa Clarke and Rachel Stephenson found Sister Tuckett Monday December 15th!

 

 

Abby was able to go see the Christmas Concert!

 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/santino-fontana-muppets-bring-holiday-spirit-christmas-concert

 

 

Sister Tuckett and Sister Ennis covered for other sisters in the Beehive House. 

 

 

 

"We saw Pres. Eyring when we were in the tunnels and we didn't know what to do! We were just shocked. He smiled and waved to us. We also saw the back of Pres. Utchdorf's head too!! And Elder Cook!"

 

 

 In the West Gate cubical.

 

"Companions"

Being Silly!

 

Chocolate Hillbilly Teeth

 

 

 

Before heading out to the Ostlers for dinner.

 

Christmas gifts from members.

At the Christmas Concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Santino Fontana, and the Muppets!

 

Scarves and mouths I sent in their 12 Days of Christmas!

 

Selfies in the tunnels under Temple Square

 

Today before emails...

 I LOVE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!  Shows me how happy she is!!!!

Hey there!

It seems like I haven't emailed in awhile!

Things are good! The Square is s..l..o..w  until 5 and after that it is crazy! NO room to walk or sit or anything!

I think you already know that I have a new companion and well her name is Sister Ennis! We were companions for a week in the MTC for Visitor's Center Training! So fun and I am excited to be here on the square during this season!

 

Yesterday our trainers got back from outbound... I cannot believe that they only have 2 transfers left and we are going into our 5th! Time sure does fly!

Well something that I learned last transfer is to be bold (still working on that!). With the sisters leaving they gave us some advice. One sister said "If you are grateful then there is no reason for you to be scared." I loved that! Even if something scares us we can overcome it because if we have a grateful heart we will thankful for all the opportunities we have to share the gospel, and all fear and doubt is pushed aside!

My companion and I were asked to talk in one of the Salt Lake wards this Sunday! They want us to talk about serving a mission and about Temple Square! We are excited!

Well this week has been crazy with moving and transfers, and guess who is here?! Sister Dani Wardinsky! She seems to be getting the hang of things.

I love you all and hope that things are great!!

Called to Serve

Sister Tuckett

Tidbits from Abby::::::

Abby guesses that Alayna will have a boy!  (She was wrong!  Alayna is having a girl!)

The Temple Square sisters do not get to go have Christmas with a family like they did for Thanksgiving.  They will do something as a mission in the morning and make phone calls home before noon.  Then it is business as usual.  Last year the square closed for Christmas Day... this year they will be open. 

I asked her if she had been told that she would go outbound next transfer... here is her reply:  "The next class only has 6 and then us, we heard that they send a lot out after Christmas. So that is why we think we will be going, but idk."

She and Sister Ennis will be working the West Gate of Temple Square.. I asked her what they do there...
"West gate are the ones to let the sisters know about tours and movies. We text it out to the mission and stuff.  We have a glass cubical by the TAB so guests can come and talk to us if they would like tours and such!"


She gets to go to the Christmas Concert tomorrow night!!!  She is excited about that!  She enjoyed seeing Santino Fontana in concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir this past summer.

Christmas Concert Featuring Santino Fontana and the Sesame Street Muppets

http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/events/christmas-concert?lang=eng

A while back I won a Christmas pillowcase in the Missionary Momma's group I am in on Facebook... Alexis Bagby made it for Sister Tuckett!  She only lives about 15 minutes from Temple Square and offered to hand deliver it to Abby! 
She found her on the Square on Saturday the 6th!  She LOVES it!!!  She especially loves that her name is on it!
Thank you Alexis!!!

 

Sister Linda K. Burton, the Relief Society General President, came to speak to the sisters serving on Temple Square!

 

With Sister Arrieta

She is excited to be companions once again with Sister Ennis! 
They were in a tri-companionship in the MTC!



 Greg, Lindsey & Jude found Sister Tuckett on December 7th!

 

The Whitehead family found Sister Tuckett and Sister Arrieta on December 9th!

 

The Sisters on Temple Square!

See the man standing on the left side?  Abby is to the right of him in a little ways.

 

A "Missionary Momma" went to Temple Square (December 10th) and took a picture of the sisters singing carols!

Abby is on the top row ~ second from the left.

 

 

 

Hello Everyone!

So I am going to try something a bit different this week hope it works!! 

​Mom sent this craft for us to do! It was fun and it gave us the time to think about being Thankful. We shared some of our family traditions with each other...   the Philippines has Thanksgiving too! 

​And Again!

 

 When we got back from having Thanksgiving with the Walkers! Such a sweet family!! Their Grandchildren were our age which was nice and a bit awkward having returned missionaries everywhere, but we were able to talk about our experiences.  Austin ~ he just got home the day before so it was a family reunion for them! 

 

The food was so good and we enjoyed being around a family! We shared a short message about He is the Gift.  The church has a campaign about this Christmas season to help us remember the first gift that came from this season was the Gift of our Savior Jesus Christ! I invite you all to go to christmas.mormon.org and to watch the short message to help us remember! Discover Him, Embrace Him, and share it with your family and friends!!! 
 

So we have been struggling to find those to teach. The Square had been so dead until Thanksgiving and the lights came on! God blessed us!  We have received so many referrals and have found people in the Square to teach too! We ran into this couple, Paul and Mindy, last Wednesday in the TAB (Tabernacle). It was their first date, he is a return missionary of 2 years and she is not a member. They were super sweet and we ended up taking them on a tour that lasted awhile. She had some really good questions and wanted to learn more!! She came back to the Square on Saturday with her sister and her boyfriend and now they all want to learn more!!! What a blessing!! It just helped me remember that God is aware of us and has a plan for each one of his children! Some people aren't ready to know but some are and are looking for the truth!! 

 

 

 

 

The work moves forward! I love this Gospel and this opportunity to serve! I cannot believe that it has almost been 6 months!!! So crazy but I am learning so much about God's plan for His children and he wants us to be happy! 

​Remember this season, the true meaning!!! 

Love you all!! Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Called to Serve 

Sister Tuckett

 

 

 

Here are just some other fun pictures that we took!

 

 This past month I have been studying more about the Savior and how He is the way and he brings life and light unto all that will believe on His name!!! 

The Temple is so pretty!!

 

 

Their Christmas hours on the Square are until 10:00 pm so they don't get to bed until 11:30.

But,, they get to sleep in until 7:30 am!  (Compared to 6:30!)

Here is how she ended our e-mail session today:::::
 
Well I guess I will talk to you next week! 

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE DAD, AUBRIE and FAM, AMY, LANE and FAM!!!!! TELL EVERYONE!!!

Talk to you later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Her 6 month mark is December 4th!!!! 

 

She made a comment that she might be going outbound January transfer!  We will have to wait and see!

Hello!

It has been a great week!

We went to the Savior of the World performance last Wednesday! It talks about the birth of Christ and then jumps to his Resurrection. Temple Square is honestly the best place to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so many resources including this performance. This time of year is so special and it is important to remember the real meaning of this season. Our Savior, who was born in humble circumstances and lived his life perfectly and he changed the world. As representatives of this Church, whether full time missionary or not, we are called to the work. To share this message with all.

I guess I want to invite you all to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and help others come to know as well! You are all amazing but I will keep it short this week!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Called to Serve

Sister Tuckett

*****************************************************
Other stuff:

*!*!*!*!*  She and her companion will be having Thanksgiving dinner with a family in Bountiful!!!!  I am so happy she gets to have a home cooked meal for Thanksgiving and be with a family!!!  (Beverly, thanks for the invite... would have been fun if it was YOUR family she was going to!) If I understood her correctly,, they might be doing it for Christmas also!!!  I hope so!  Maybe then we can Skype!  Keeping my fingers crossed!

*  Because of so many visitors to Temple Square in December she has to be on the Square for the evening so she will email in the morning instead of the afternoon for the month of December.

Jodi Hawkins found Sister Tuckett at Temple Square!

Looks kind of chilly!

(November 23, 2014)

 

 

Sister Tuckett sent me lots of pictures this week of her zone activity last week!!!

 

 

 

 Staying warm by the fire....

Her Zone....

 

 

 Sis. Arrieta and Sister Tuckett

 

 

 

 The Assistants to the President!  ;-)

 

Sister Tuckett and Sister Bellais from Tahiti

Good Friends!  With Sister Bellais

 

Sister Arrieta's turn at "announcing" on Sunday morning.

 

Cute Sister Missionaries!!!

 

 

So this past week has been crazy!

I went on tons of exchanges and learned a lot but they definitely have been helping me get out of my comfort zone! The sisters are so great!

So last night... I had the best night ever on the mission!  Long story short, I felt like we should go to the NVC (North Visitor's Center) to the basement (Scriptures and Revelation exhibits).   Anyway, there was no one down stairs and I was on exchanges with my Zone Leader, Sister Reed. We turned around the corner by the Welfare and Humanitarian exhibit and there was a blanket and 2 shoulder bags and a purse laying on the ground. So we were trained at the beginning of last transfer about suspicious items that are unattended in the Square (Temple Square).  Well we went and looked closer at the bags and could see that things from the displays were in them, someone was stealing! We cannot touch unattended things so we called security and 10 of them came within 3 mins. We are safe here! Well one of the security guards started going through the bags and some other sisters came wondering what was going on. The person left a purse with their phone and things. It was fun trying to figure things out. After 45 mins the guy came back with his pockets bulging and said "What are you doing with my stuff?" So he pretty much turned himself in. And they banned him for a year, they had to take down our names... I said "Sister Tuckett"... lol "No, your full name sister!" hahahaha

Well anyways it was fun! By the end ~ 8 sisters joined in and we all were trying to help security. We all treat them like our dads and they treat us like their daughters! It feels weird to be watched all day long and then on p-days leave the Square and feel unprotected.

The weeks seem to be going by faster and faster!

I love you all and hope all is well!

Called to Serve

Sister Tuckett


****************
Sister Tuckett loved her "adventure" last night so much that she says she wants to be a detective now!


It was like pulling teeth today, trying to get anything out of her!  These are a few little tidbits that I did get:

She said her favorite scripture changes almost every week.

This week it is Mosiah 23:21
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to ^achasten his people; yea, he trieth their ^bpatience and their faith.

She said: "God knows all and he knows what is best.  It just depends on your heart - whether you choose to learn from mistakes or trials we have.  Patience and Faith."

She is still getting to drive. 
Sister Arrieta speaks English really well and is from Manilla Philippines.

Right now she spends about 4-5 hours outside... but that will probably change when they turn the Christmas lights on.
She had to buy herself some new dress boots - she has some warm snow boots but they don't want the sisters wearing those until it starts snowing. 

These are the only 2 pictures she sent me this week.

Sister Arrieta served her outbound in Alabama and she had taught someone who was baptized on November 14th.

Hello Everyone!

 

So this past week has been so great!

My companion is the District Leader and we have been going on exchanges like crazy. At first I was so scared to be with her since I know what DL's do. I have learned to think more of others, to help them instead of thinking of myself and how I can improve. I gained a stronger love for God's children. I recognize my potential as well as the others sisters in my district!

Also what I have learned these past two weeks is to have fun while on the mission!

 

And this past Sunday I learned about how to Relearn the importance of scripture study! The habits whether good or bad impact our lives so it is important to choose today and scripture study is one of those good habits that will bless our lives not only now but in the eternities!

We have been having some trouble with some of our investigators. They are from Georgia, (Sister Arrieta served her outbound there and just came back) so they can be extremely fixed in what they believe. But quoting Sister Arrieta... " You know some of the best Mormons would be Baptist converts with how much dedication they have!"  (Great compliment!)

So in the past 2 weeks we have had 3 baptisms (from the Philippines) and there will be another this Friday!! God does prepare his children!

D&C 4... the field is white already to harvest!!!

I Love you all so much! Keep up the good work!!!

Called to Serve!!!

Sister Tuckett

 

 

 

I found out that she does not get to Skype on Christmas Day... only phone call.  There are 180+ sisters serving on Temple Square and not enough computers for everyone to get to Skype.  I told her that she has to take 100 pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and send them all to me to make up for not getting to see her cute face!  ;-)

 

There are several sisters serving on Temple Square who do not receive ANYTHING from their families.  She asked me if I could start sending this one certain sister a letter every week and a little package every once in a while... and something for Christmas as Abby doesn't believe she will receive anything from anyone. 

 

 

 

Here are the pictures we got from her this week!

Sister Tuckett and Sister Arrieta





 

 

The Beautiful Salt Lake Temple at night!



 

 

 

 

 

 

Received this picture from a friend.. below the picture is the note she sent with it!

Thanks Scott, Robbie, Joshua & Kenzie!

 

"Guess who we saw when we went to Utah last week?  Sister Tuckett!  She looks so good.  Joy just radiates from her.  We could tell that she was tired but she hid it well.  It was the Sunday evening after Women's conference (Sept 28 I think) and her and her companion had just finished watching the broadcast and teaching a lesson.  The sisters had taken turns watching it so they could cover all of Temple Square and the other places (some other sisters told us this as we were searching for Abby).  They also said that the new sisters covered the Square while all the others watched the broadcast live.  We asked on Temple Square for her and 2 of the sisters lit up when we mentioned her name.  Then when we tried the Beehive House, there was the same reaction.  When we got to the 2nd visitor center, those sisters knew her too.  It truly was a 'Where's Sister Tuckett' moment :)  We also gave her a little birthday gift even though it was late.

"I was amazed at the way they are using technology to share the gospel.  Abby told us how they teach and about the skyping--I told her that I read your blog and asked her how the Skype thing worked.

"It was crazy to think that when I first met her she was just a little older than Kenzi is now.  Abby was 7 when we moved to OK.  I played the piano at her baptism.  Wow it goes by so quickly.  Anyway, I wanted to share our experience with you but didn't want to make you miss her more.  She really looks like she is doing well.  Scott commented afterward that he always liked Abby but that she had seemed much more reserved  around him the last time we saw her.  Now, she has a friendly dignity and was very willing to talk--she seems calmly sure of herself and of her faith. I'm not explaining it well.  Oh well.  It was fun to see and talk with her."



 

So this past week has been crazy! Lots of new changes going on in the mission!

We have several new Senior Couples, we just love them but of course miss those that left!

So my new companion is from the Philippines, Manila! She is in her 10th transfer and is the District Leader, so I have heard that I am pretty much one too.. So scary but with the 5 days I have had with her, they have been a blast! She is super sweet and hard working!! Oh and I am back on the square!

 

So for Halloween we closed the Square at 5 pm due to the fact that we don't have silly people come in and stuff. So we had a dinner at the church office building and afterwards we went to the temple. It was the best Halloween I have ever had. Sorry Mom, but the temple wins! I am not kidding when I say the WHOLE mission was there! It was such an amazing sight! Especially when we all made it to the Celestial room, I began to cry thinking about our purpose as missionaries. Going to the temple to seek for guidance not just for ourselves but for our investigators. BEST FEELING EVER!

So I just love serving here... it is a little bit of Heaven! The spirit is so strong and to see people come and visit. I love when my Mission President said "Sisters, everyone comes to the square for some purpose even if they don't know it!" They really do. Everyone is looking for something to better their lives.

We got some referrals from chat and they both were crazy weird/funny! There was a BYU student who came on and said hey I have a stranger that posted something on my FB wanting to learn more about the church... so here you go! So if you ever have anyone in mind, you can come on to chat and we can help you get the missionaries to your friends or family members all over the world!

Lots more to tell but it seems that I have run out of time!! Love you all and hope you are enjoying the weather!!

Keep up your personal missionary work! If it weren't for the members, missionary work would be very hard!!

Love you!!

Called to Serve

Sister Tuckett!!!

Last week was transfers.. her preparation days (p-days) are now on Monday. 
She got to stay in the same apartment.  She was glad she didn't have to move.

I got a couple of pictures from her....

Fall on Temple Square!

 

 

 Her new companion from Manila, Philippines.

Rita and Ken Lawson found Sister Tuckett!

 

 

From the Mission Blog...........

Temple Square closed at 5pm on Halloween and our mission gathered in the cafeteria area of the Church Office Building for a Potato Bar dinner.  President Poulsen warmly welcomed everyone and introduced our new senior missionary couple Elder and Sister Burton.  Afterwards we went to the 7pm Endowment Session at the Salt Lake Temple.  

All 190+ of our Sister Missionaries looked beautiful dressed in white and it was a special experience to be together in the temple as a mission.

 

 (As only a mom can do... I found Sister Tuckett's forehead!  She is sitting on the right side of the picture... see the picture on the right side on the wall... the very bottom right corner of the picture is just above her.  Her companion is leaning on her hand in front of her.)

 

 

Some of the sisters serving in the mission....

 

The potato bar on Halloween Night!