Letter dated July 1, 2009
I am back here now in my old area once again- they just can't seem to let go of me :) As you all know I was sent to to work in a zebra companionship working with two English speaking sisters. But, the Lord had other plans for me- I was only there for a week and a half. Sister Maughan and Sister Mora (my Spanish speaking sister missionaries) were here still. However, Sister Maughan went home on medical leave on Monday- No worries, she'll be fine. So now I'm back here once again with Hermana Mora! :) I can tell you one thing- I sure am getting good at my packing and moving skills- you can all put me to work some day- (but I still can't beat the "Nature's Sunshine Packer" :) he, he )!
I love the madness and the craziness of missionary work! So many random changes and you're always being thrown something new! What we have in mind is not always what the Lord has in store. Isn't it beautiful?! None of us know what the future holds, but as we put our faith and trust in Him we need not worry, because He'll help and guide us. Plus, His plan is always far better than our own- He knows us better than we know ourselves for goodness sake, and knows exactly what we need to learn and grow.
While I was gone Fernando was baptized and confirmed!!!! Yay!!!! :) I'M SO HAPPY!!!! Also, I was able to take part in the baptism of Mike while I was away- wahoo! Incredible men who have embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ and let its powerful effect change their lives completely.
Though my week and a half away was short, I feel as though I just about learned more during that time than in my entire mission! So many things I have taken back here and together with Hermana Mora, plan to apply in order to lift and elevate the missionary work here. Big changes are in the air- I can feel it! I'm excited to carry through!
I love you all dearly and hope you all know how very special you are. Keep on praying, reading your scriptures, and going to church--- you will be greatly blessed. The Lord loves you and will continue to guide you. Always have a smile on your face and spread sunshine wherever you go. Do as the Lord commands. I love you all!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Learning Overload
Letter dated June 24, 2009
Wow! What an incredible experience this past week has been. As you all know, I've been here in a companionship with two English sisters- Sister Sowards and Sister Allgood- they're the greatest. I feel as though in this one week span I have almost learned more than I have throughout my entire mission! Can you say learning experience overload, but still craving for more?! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!!!..... and guess what... yep, the Gospel is even still true in English! :)
To be honest, it has been quite a culture shock for me going from strictly Spanish speaking and being submursed in the Spanish culture, and going to English. That may sound crazy- but yes, I've had to learn how to adjust to English culture again!
I have lots to say but no time! I love you all! Keep a journal and write all of your spiritual promptings and share the Gospel with others! Love you all so much!!! Have a splendid week!
Wow! What an incredible experience this past week has been. As you all know, I've been here in a companionship with two English sisters- Sister Sowards and Sister Allgood- they're the greatest. I feel as though in this one week span I have almost learned more than I have throughout my entire mission! Can you say learning experience overload, but still craving for more?! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!!!..... and guess what... yep, the Gospel is even still true in English! :)
To be honest, it has been quite a culture shock for me going from strictly Spanish speaking and being submursed in the Spanish culture, and going to English. That may sound crazy- but yes, I've had to learn how to adjust to English culture again!
I have lots to say but no time! I love you all! Keep a journal and write all of your spiritual promptings and share the Gospel with others! Love you all so much!!! Have a splendid week!
Zebra Companionship
Letter dated June 17, 2009
Como estan todo? Les quiero mucho! Alrighty--- BIG CHANGES!!!! Two weeks ago we were supposed to have transfers for the whole mission, but almost everyone in the MTC were sick with the flue and were quarantined (Is that the right word?) and weren't allowed to go in or out for two weeks. However, because we had one of our Spanish sisters going home, we were put in a trio for 2 weeks where I was serving before. I was still with Sister Mora, and Sister Maughan came to work with us.... we're the last three Spanish speaking sisters in the whole mission. Well, transfers is tomorrow and we have Spanish Elders coming in. Last night we got transfer calls, and Sister Maughan and Mora are staying where we've been- and I'm going to a new area! I'll be in a trio and it will be a zebra companionship- which means that I'll be helping teach with the English sisters, and I will also be teaching by myself in Spanish. So this will be a great opportunity to learn what it's like to do English work and will really push my Spanish skills. This will be a wonderful experience! English and Spanish work is SO DIFFERENT and I'm excited to experience that firsthhand. Also, I'll be with Sister Algood I believe, as well as Sister Sowards, who is one of the greatest missionaries in the Virginia Richmond Mission- she is really gun-hoe about the work and with the Lord's help, as well as her companions and many others, they're making miracles happen. I'M SO EXCITED but a little sad at the same time to be leaving my little Hermanitas- it will probably only be for 4 weeks then we'll see what happens.
Como estan todo? Les quiero mucho! Alrighty--- BIG CHANGES!!!! Two weeks ago we were supposed to have transfers for the whole mission, but almost everyone in the MTC were sick with the flue and were quarantined (Is that the right word?) and weren't allowed to go in or out for two weeks. However, because we had one of our Spanish sisters going home, we were put in a trio for 2 weeks where I was serving before. I was still with Sister Mora, and Sister Maughan came to work with us.... we're the last three Spanish speaking sisters in the whole mission. Well, transfers is tomorrow and we have Spanish Elders coming in. Last night we got transfer calls, and Sister Maughan and Mora are staying where we've been- and I'm going to a new area! I'll be in a trio and it will be a zebra companionship- which means that I'll be helping teach with the English sisters, and I will also be teaching by myself in Spanish. So this will be a great opportunity to learn what it's like to do English work and will really push my Spanish skills. This will be a wonderful experience! English and Spanish work is SO DIFFERENT and I'm excited to experience that firsthhand. Also, I'll be with Sister Algood I believe, as well as Sister Sowards, who is one of the greatest missionaries in the Virginia Richmond Mission- she is really gun-hoe about the work and with the Lord's help, as well as her companions and many others, they're making miracles happen. I'M SO EXCITED but a little sad at the same time to be leaving my little Hermanitas- it will probably only be for 4 weeks then we'll see what happens.
Busy, Busy
Letter dated June 3, 2009
YOU'RE ALL SO SPECIAL AND I LOVE YOU TO BITS AND PIECES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, now that we got all that out in the open, lets talk a little bit about this week....
Where do I even begin? For those of you who may think that we as missionaries only sit on our caboose and teach lessons all day long, I am here to enlighten you a bit. This week has not only been full of teaching, but planning and preparations to help people obtain passports, marriage licenses, planning for weddings, trying to help "hook people up", apartment hunting for others, locating runaway teenagers again and helping rekindle family relationships, and helping out the police once more with a break in front of our house. What a busy week, but it was one of the best! Oh yeah, and we were supposed to have transfers tomorrow, but almost all of the missionaries in the MTC are sick with the flu, so they're not sending any missionaries out for at least two weeks. That doesn't influence us much because we didn't have any new sisters coming in. Sister Maughn is coming to live with Sister Mora and I for two weeks, and then we're not sure where we'll all be after that. Yep, living on the edge is what we missionaries do best!
Fernando is progressing rapidly and is so excited for his baptism at the end of this month! :) He's the greatest! It's been so amazing to see how his life has changed dramatically in the short amount of time that we've known him. The other morning he called us out of the blue to tell us that he was more sure about his baptism than anything else in his life and was willing to give up everything for the Lord. You can imagine the joy that we felt!
We've also been teaching Esmerelda who is living in a hotel right now and helping her with preparations to marry her boyfriend who is a member that just moved here. She's awesome and has great interest in learning about temples and the eternal nature of families.
Things are great and life is good. The Gospel is blessing the lives of so many here in Virginia. I love this work and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing and nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here among these people.
Use the power of prayer in your life and see the miracles God will bless you with.
YOU'RE ALL SO SPECIAL AND I LOVE YOU TO BITS AND PIECES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, now that we got all that out in the open, lets talk a little bit about this week....
Where do I even begin? For those of you who may think that we as missionaries only sit on our caboose and teach lessons all day long, I am here to enlighten you a bit. This week has not only been full of teaching, but planning and preparations to help people obtain passports, marriage licenses, planning for weddings, trying to help "hook people up", apartment hunting for others, locating runaway teenagers again and helping rekindle family relationships, and helping out the police once more with a break in front of our house. What a busy week, but it was one of the best! Oh yeah, and we were supposed to have transfers tomorrow, but almost all of the missionaries in the MTC are sick with the flu, so they're not sending any missionaries out for at least two weeks. That doesn't influence us much because we didn't have any new sisters coming in. Sister Maughn is coming to live with Sister Mora and I for two weeks, and then we're not sure where we'll all be after that. Yep, living on the edge is what we missionaries do best!
Fernando is progressing rapidly and is so excited for his baptism at the end of this month! :) He's the greatest! It's been so amazing to see how his life has changed dramatically in the short amount of time that we've known him. The other morning he called us out of the blue to tell us that he was more sure about his baptism than anything else in his life and was willing to give up everything for the Lord. You can imagine the joy that we felt!
We've also been teaching Esmerelda who is living in a hotel right now and helping her with preparations to marry her boyfriend who is a member that just moved here. She's awesome and has great interest in learning about temples and the eternal nature of families.
Things are great and life is good. The Gospel is blessing the lives of so many here in Virginia. I love this work and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing and nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here among these people.
Use the power of prayer in your life and see the miracles God will bless you with.
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