Letter dated March 11, 2009
Well, tomorrow we all have transfers (every 6 weeks), where each of us have the possibility of being sent to a new area and being with a new companion.
There are 6 Spanish speaking sisters in the entire Virginia Richmond Mission. One of them, Hermana Comstock, I knew was going home at the end of this transfer. So I suppossed that there would be 5 of us left and one of the companionships would be in a trio.
However, I was surprised two weeks ago when my companion had surgery that one of the other sisters we live with, Hermana Ribera, is going home with honarable leave at the end of this transfer as well. (I'm going to miss her like crazy! She's been an incredible example to me of having a positive attitude and working hard.) She told me that the Mission President, President Millburn, had said that I was most likely going to be the senior companion and be with Hermana Mora (who only speaks Spanish)- and that my companion, Hermana Barney, and Hermana Maughan would be companions in a different area. You can imagine how astonished I was! SURPRISE!!! I wasn't expecting that at all! Nothing was set in stone, and we heard rumors that all of us sisters would still be living together here where I'm currently serving. However, I had a feeling that Hermana Mora and I would be companions and would be serving in another area.
So the past week or so my companion, Hermana Barney, has been doing everything she can to help prepare me to be a senior companion to Hermana Mora. She's such a great missionary and is so diligent in all things! I have really enjoyed being Hermana Barney's companion and have learned so much from her. I just love her to pieces! Both Hermana Mora and I got out here at the same time, and are both "greenies", so I'll be senior companion and somewhat of a trainer at the same time. Holy cow!
Anyway, last night we got the phone call to tells us what was happening with transfers. Hermana Barney and Hermana Maughan are staying here, and Hermana Mora and I are heading to another area! Neither Hermana Mora nor I know the new area and are both brand spankin new to the mission field, but we're still being shotgunned out there anyway. I'M SO EXCITED!!! It will be awesome to go into a new area that neither of us know anything about and to start from scratch- what a great opportunity! How fun this new adventure will be! Everyone is shocked that we're being paired up, (both of us being new and hardly being able to communicate with one another).
Anyway, long story short, I'm SUPER HAPPY and ECSTATIC about this new transfer and all that is going to happen! There's one thing for sure, Hermana Mora is definitely going to learn a lot more English, and I'm going to learn Spanish very quickly (we hope :) )! (It's best to just get thrown right into it- that's the greatest way to learn!)
While I'm not sure exactly where to start in this area or how to be a senior companion, I know that the Lord will guide us and there is a reason for everything. I am reminded of a scripture in 1 Nephi 4:6 which says "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." I know that the Lord always provides a way, and that as I listen intently to the Spirit, He will give me strength in all things, and will guide us to those people who He wants us to find.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Snow
Letter dated March 4, 2009
This past week has been a unique and crazy one! We started out last Wednesday with my companion getting surgery on her wrist to get a cyst taken out. She's doing a lot better now because she's made of rocks- tough and solid to the core :) She needed a few days to recover, so I went on missionary splits with the other sisters we live with and got to teach a bit to a few of their English investigators they have- that was a blast! (Also, I was the designated driver for a few days- my first time driving a car in over 3 months! That was really weird!)
Then on Sunday night, we got hit with a big snowstorm and were told by our Mission President to shut down our cars and get home immediately. (It wasn't a big storm, but then again I'm used to Utah and driving under those conditions.) On Monday the next day, we were instructed that it was too dangerous to go out, and that we were to stay inside the house that day and catch up on paperwork and contacting investigators and members, cleaning the house, and doing lesson plans, as well as language and scripture study. (I thought that was hilarious because it snows about a foot here and the whole city shuts down! School has been cancelled for three days now! :) )
No, it was really good to get caught up on things, but after being cooped up in the house I realized how much I love missionary work! I couldn't wait until the next day to get out and see the people we were teaching and to do something. It was a great experience for me because I realized that the reason I am out here is because I have a great desire to share the Gospel and want to work hard. I want to work my guts out! I'm so grateful for every day that I'm given here on my mission and the opportunity that I have to be guided by the Lord to those people who are seeking the Gospel in their lives. I love this Gospel and I love this work! There is nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here amongst these people and doing the Lord's work in His way. This is not my work- without Him I am nothing. Through Him I'm able to be an instrument in His hands and help His children. It's beautiful! I have learned so much this week about having a desire to work and to dedicate everything to the building up of His kingdom.
This past week has been a unique and crazy one! We started out last Wednesday with my companion getting surgery on her wrist to get a cyst taken out. She's doing a lot better now because she's made of rocks- tough and solid to the core :) She needed a few days to recover, so I went on missionary splits with the other sisters we live with and got to teach a bit to a few of their English investigators they have- that was a blast! (Also, I was the designated driver for a few days- my first time driving a car in over 3 months! That was really weird!)
Then on Sunday night, we got hit with a big snowstorm and were told by our Mission President to shut down our cars and get home immediately. (It wasn't a big storm, but then again I'm used to Utah and driving under those conditions.) On Monday the next day, we were instructed that it was too dangerous to go out, and that we were to stay inside the house that day and catch up on paperwork and contacting investigators and members, cleaning the house, and doing lesson plans, as well as language and scripture study. (I thought that was hilarious because it snows about a foot here and the whole city shuts down! School has been cancelled for three days now! :) )
No, it was really good to get caught up on things, but after being cooped up in the house I realized how much I love missionary work! I couldn't wait until the next day to get out and see the people we were teaching and to do something. It was a great experience for me because I realized that the reason I am out here is because I have a great desire to share the Gospel and want to work hard. I want to work my guts out! I'm so grateful for every day that I'm given here on my mission and the opportunity that I have to be guided by the Lord to those people who are seeking the Gospel in their lives. I love this Gospel and I love this work! There is nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here amongst these people and doing the Lord's work in His way. This is not my work- without Him I am nothing. Through Him I'm able to be an instrument in His hands and help His children. It's beautiful! I have learned so much this week about having a desire to work and to dedicate everything to the building up of His kingdom.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Time Flies!
Letter dated February 18, 2009
This week has flown by so fast! Tomorrow marks the 3 months in the mission already- crazy! Being out here on a mission truly has changed me completely and continues to each day- I'm excited to still have quite awhile left and look forward to all of the good things and hard work that lays ahead. There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here on a mission in Virginia, serving the Lord and His children, especially the Hispanic people- they are so receptive and ready to accept the Gospel into their lives. I love it!
The ward here is wonderful! The ward we go to is Spanish speaking. They are so willing to do anything and everything to help out and forward the missionary work here. The members are so important! We also have the opportunity to work with a lot of less-active members. It's been so much fun to see how the ward here does all that they can to fellowship them, as well as those investigating the Church- they truly have a genuine love for everyone.
One way that we have found very effective in finding people to share the Gospel with is by teaching English classes. It's a goldmine! The people who come there amaze me with their desire and diligence to learn and are so humble. They help me out with my Spanish as well!
Every day I think more and more that my companion, Hermana Barney, and I are related! We're both pretty quirky and I love it! She is such an amazing example to me of how a missionary should be. The love that she has for the people and her desires to serve them is so unselfish. She is such a great trainer and I'm thankful for her patience with me. She has such a magnetic and friendly personality that everyone is attracted to, and is a wonderful example of being "real" with the people and not adapting to "robot" missionary mode. I love her to pieces!
I'm not quite sure what else to say... Life is good, the Gospel is true, and I love you!!! Especially during times like this, it's good to know that we have something to believe in and hold onto. I know that as we put our faith and trust in the Lord, and have hope, that all will be well and we have no need to fear. He will never abandon us, and He knows exactly what we're going through. We are all His children and if we strive to do what's right, He will always watch over and protect us.
This week has flown by so fast! Tomorrow marks the 3 months in the mission already- crazy! Being out here on a mission truly has changed me completely and continues to each day- I'm excited to still have quite awhile left and look forward to all of the good things and hard work that lays ahead. There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now than here on a mission in Virginia, serving the Lord and His children, especially the Hispanic people- they are so receptive and ready to accept the Gospel into their lives. I love it!
The ward here is wonderful! The ward we go to is Spanish speaking. They are so willing to do anything and everything to help out and forward the missionary work here. The members are so important! We also have the opportunity to work with a lot of less-active members. It's been so much fun to see how the ward here does all that they can to fellowship them, as well as those investigating the Church- they truly have a genuine love for everyone.
One way that we have found very effective in finding people to share the Gospel with is by teaching English classes. It's a goldmine! The people who come there amaze me with their desire and diligence to learn and are so humble. They help me out with my Spanish as well!
Every day I think more and more that my companion, Hermana Barney, and I are related! We're both pretty quirky and I love it! She is such an amazing example to me of how a missionary should be. The love that she has for the people and her desires to serve them is so unselfish. She is such a great trainer and I'm thankful for her patience with me. She has such a magnetic and friendly personality that everyone is attracted to, and is a wonderful example of being "real" with the people and not adapting to "robot" missionary mode. I love her to pieces!
I'm not quite sure what else to say... Life is good, the Gospel is true, and I love you!!! Especially during times like this, it's good to know that we have something to believe in and hold onto. I know that as we put our faith and trust in the Lord, and have hope, that all will be well and we have no need to fear. He will never abandon us, and He knows exactly what we're going through. We are all His children and if we strive to do what's right, He will always watch over and protect us.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Finally Here
Letter dated February 4, 2009
So... VIRGINIA IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely breathtaking here and the people are incredible, especially the Spanish people! I couldn't be any happier! But first of all, let me back up a bit....
On Wednesday, January 28th I left the Provo MTC at 5 a.m. and headed to the airport. I was able to call home quick before our plane left around 8ish and we arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were supposed to have only about an hour layover, but because of the bad weather, we ended up staying there for a total of 4 or 5 hours longer! Crazy! But that's alright, it was great! There were 15 of us traveling in our group of missionaries. All of them were English speaking missionaries, except for me and a cute Spanish sister missionary from Mexico. I looked in the airport to try to find Spanish people to talk to and test out my "butchered Spanish" :) , but didn't find many. But we had the opportunity to go and contact a lot of people, and share the message of the Gospel with them- it was great! I'm a pretty chatty person and usually talk to everyone, but I'm not going to lie- I was a bit nervous, but excited, to talk to people about the Gospel. It was awesome! Yes, I fell flat on my face many times, and continue to do so, but that's all a part of missionary work! It's good to just get thrown into it, even if you're not sure of what you're doing, and you'll get the hang of it and it will be fine. I'm excited to keep on making mistakes and being rejected and feeling a bit dumb- it's great- it's the best way to learn! We learn from our mistakes. Just keep on trying!
We finally got in Virginia around 8:30 or 9 p.m., and met the Mission President and some other missionaries in the area. They had planned for us to attend a baptism that evening, but our plane was a few hours late, so that didn't exactly happen. But that's alright- what an adventure!
I couldn't see much of Virginia because it was dark outside, but there were a lot of trees.... yay!!! I was excited to see it in the morning! We spent the night at the President's house and the next morning headed to meet my new companion. Her name is Sister Barney!!! How ironic!!! She's amazing!
So... VIRGINIA IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely breathtaking here and the people are incredible, especially the Spanish people! I couldn't be any happier! But first of all, let me back up a bit....
On Wednesday, January 28th I left the Provo MTC at 5 a.m. and headed to the airport. I was able to call home quick before our plane left around 8ish and we arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were supposed to have only about an hour layover, but because of the bad weather, we ended up staying there for a total of 4 or 5 hours longer! Crazy! But that's alright, it was great! There were 15 of us traveling in our group of missionaries. All of them were English speaking missionaries, except for me and a cute Spanish sister missionary from Mexico. I looked in the airport to try to find Spanish people to talk to and test out my "butchered Spanish" :) , but didn't find many. But we had the opportunity to go and contact a lot of people, and share the message of the Gospel with them- it was great! I'm a pretty chatty person and usually talk to everyone, but I'm not going to lie- I was a bit nervous, but excited, to talk to people about the Gospel. It was awesome! Yes, I fell flat on my face many times, and continue to do so, but that's all a part of missionary work! It's good to just get thrown into it, even if you're not sure of what you're doing, and you'll get the hang of it and it will be fine. I'm excited to keep on making mistakes and being rejected and feeling a bit dumb- it's great- it's the best way to learn! We learn from our mistakes. Just keep on trying!
We finally got in Virginia around 8:30 or 9 p.m., and met the Mission President and some other missionaries in the area. They had planned for us to attend a baptism that evening, but our plane was a few hours late, so that didn't exactly happen. But that's alright- what an adventure!
I couldn't see much of Virginia because it was dark outside, but there were a lot of trees.... yay!!! I was excited to see it in the morning! We spent the night at the President's house and the next morning headed to meet my new companion. Her name is Sister Barney!!! How ironic!!! She's amazing!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Get Ready Virginia!
Letter dated January 21, 2009
I can't believe that I will be in Virginia in one week! The time is flying and every time I blink it gets a day closer! You can imagine my excitement! I leave here on the 28th to head to the airport. First I'll travel to Ohio. I think there's only an hour layover (perfect timing for some contacting :) ), and then on to Richmond, Virginia.
My time here at the MTC has been amazing and I can't believe all that I have learned and gained in such a short amount of time. It's true what they say- while here, they fill you up with knowledge as if you were being fed with a firehose! It's incredible! The study skills that I've learned here and the things that I've learned, both with knowledge and most important, spiritually, have gained. Every day I continue to learn and grow more and more, and continue to hunger for more- not feeling as though I can get enough!
I can't believe that I will be in Virginia in one week! The time is flying and every time I blink it gets a day closer! You can imagine my excitement! I leave here on the 28th to head to the airport. First I'll travel to Ohio. I think there's only an hour layover (perfect timing for some contacting :) ), and then on to Richmond, Virginia.
My time here at the MTC has been amazing and I can't believe all that I have learned and gained in such a short amount of time. It's true what they say- while here, they fill you up with knowledge as if you were being fed with a firehose! It's incredible! The study skills that I've learned here and the things that I've learned, both with knowledge and most important, spiritually, have gained. Every day I continue to learn and grow more and more, and continue to hunger for more- not feeling as though I can get enough!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Christmas
Letter dated December 31, 2008
This has been one of the greatest Christmases of my life! On Christmas Eve we had a surprise visit from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! It was absolutely amazing!!! :) He talked a lot about the symbolism of Christmas. Afterwards we were all able to go and shake his hand- it was awesome! The Spirit that was there was absolutely incredible.
Afterwards our District went back to our classroom, read about the birth of Jesus Christ and shared Christmas memories and opened one present each. Yeah, we're pretty cool, we set up a Christmas scene in our class with two small shrubby trees & ornaments, put out all of our presents, and hung up socks on the wall- I hung up one of my knee-high nylons! It was great!
On Christmas morning the four of us in our District came down to the class in our pajamas, stole some couches from out in the halls, and had our own little Christmas celebration! It was the best! I absolutely love my District and am so thankful for the unity and love that we all have for each other!
Later on in the morning we were able to have the opportunity to hear from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! You can imagine I was completely overwhelmed having been able to have the chance to hear from two amazing apostles in just two days! It was absolutely incredible!!! I'll have to send some of the notes that I took from their talks. They were powerful and absolutely amazing! Christmas was absolutely incredible having the both of them come and I feel so honored and privileged to know that the general authorities care about us missionaries that much to spend Christmas eve and Christmas with us!
The rest of the day we had more devotionals, a scripture marking workshop, played Christmas songs with chimes (which was really cool), and watched Mr Kruger's Christmas and had popcorn. people from all around utah county donated money to the MTC to buy us missionaries Christmas presents which was extremely nice of them- we all got a cd, a cool scripture marking pen, a pearl necklace (the elders got ties), and candy. people amaze me with their generosity!
It was so nice to be so focused this year on the gospel and our savior. After all, he is the reason we have Christmas. :) I love missionary work and the chance that I have to be here. This truly was a Christmas I will never forget!!
This has been one of the greatest Christmases of my life! On Christmas Eve we had a surprise visit from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! It was absolutely amazing!!! :) He talked a lot about the symbolism of Christmas. Afterwards we were all able to go and shake his hand- it was awesome! The Spirit that was there was absolutely incredible.
Afterwards our District went back to our classroom, read about the birth of Jesus Christ and shared Christmas memories and opened one present each. Yeah, we're pretty cool, we set up a Christmas scene in our class with two small shrubby trees & ornaments, put out all of our presents, and hung up socks on the wall- I hung up one of my knee-high nylons! It was great!
On Christmas morning the four of us in our District came down to the class in our pajamas, stole some couches from out in the halls, and had our own little Christmas celebration! It was the best! I absolutely love my District and am so thankful for the unity and love that we all have for each other!
Later on in the morning we were able to have the opportunity to hear from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! You can imagine I was completely overwhelmed having been able to have the chance to hear from two amazing apostles in just two days! It was absolutely incredible!!! I'll have to send some of the notes that I took from their talks. They were powerful and absolutely amazing! Christmas was absolutely incredible having the both of them come and I feel so honored and privileged to know that the general authorities care about us missionaries that much to spend Christmas eve and Christmas with us!
The rest of the day we had more devotionals, a scripture marking workshop, played Christmas songs with chimes (which was really cool), and watched Mr Kruger's Christmas and had popcorn. people from all around utah county donated money to the MTC to buy us missionaries Christmas presents which was extremely nice of them- we all got a cd, a cool scripture marking pen, a pearl necklace (the elders got ties), and candy. people amaze me with their generosity!
It was so nice to be so focused this year on the gospel and our savior. After all, he is the reason we have Christmas. :) I love missionary work and the chance that I have to be here. This truly was a Christmas I will never forget!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Testimony
Letter dated December 24, 2008
I want to bear my testimony to you that I know that God knows each and every one of us individually. He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, all the things of our hearts and souls, and knows exactly what we're capable of. I know that as we put our faith and trust in Him, He will help us become everything that He wants us to be, and will be able to fulfill all that our earthly ministry has in store for us. I am so grateful that He has a Plan for each and every one of us, and that He hears and answers each of our prayers. He loves us so much and wants to pour blessings out upon us. He's always there waiting to do so, if we choose to let Him in. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the center of His Plan and that He provided the precious gift of the Ultimate Atonement for each and every one of us. He did not just take upon Himself our sins and overcome physical death. He also took upon Himself each of our griefs, pains, sicknesses, weaknesses, temptations, and our trials. He truly does understand all that we go through and is there to heal us, to help us through it all. We need to go to Him. We need to apply the gift of that everlasting Atonement in our lives each and every day. I am so grateful for my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the perfect life that He lead and strive daily to pattern my life after Him, the Son of God. I know that as we do so He will deepen our joys and give us the strength that we need to overcome anything and everything in our lives. Trust in Him. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church today, with the fullness of the restored Gospel. I know that through the Prophet Joseph Smith the Priesthood was restored, as well as Christ's true church and Gospel upon the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and truly did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Through the power of God, he was able to translate the golden plates into what we know as The Book of Mormon. I know that by reading, studying, and applying the teachings within the Book of Mormon into our lives, we will receive direction, peace, and answers to all the questions that we have. I know that these scriptures were truly written for our day and time. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we have a prophet today who is called of God, and that Prophet is Thomas S. Monson. If we heed his counsel and understand that he truly speaks the word of God, we will never be led astray. I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I want to bear my testimony to you that I know that God knows each and every one of us individually. He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, all the things of our hearts and souls, and knows exactly what we're capable of. I know that as we put our faith and trust in Him, He will help us become everything that He wants us to be, and will be able to fulfill all that our earthly ministry has in store for us. I am so grateful that He has a Plan for each and every one of us, and that He hears and answers each of our prayers. He loves us so much and wants to pour blessings out upon us. He's always there waiting to do so, if we choose to let Him in. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the center of His Plan and that He provided the precious gift of the Ultimate Atonement for each and every one of us. He did not just take upon Himself our sins and overcome physical death. He also took upon Himself each of our griefs, pains, sicknesses, weaknesses, temptations, and our trials. He truly does understand all that we go through and is there to heal us, to help us through it all. We need to go to Him. We need to apply the gift of that everlasting Atonement in our lives each and every day. I am so grateful for my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the perfect life that He lead and strive daily to pattern my life after Him, the Son of God. I know that as we do so He will deepen our joys and give us the strength that we need to overcome anything and everything in our lives. Trust in Him. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church today, with the fullness of the restored Gospel. I know that through the Prophet Joseph Smith the Priesthood was restored, as well as Christ's true church and Gospel upon the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and truly did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Through the power of God, he was able to translate the golden plates into what we know as The Book of Mormon. I know that by reading, studying, and applying the teachings within the Book of Mormon into our lives, we will receive direction, peace, and answers to all the questions that we have. I know that these scriptures were truly written for our day and time. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we have a prophet today who is called of God, and that Prophet is Thomas S. Monson. If we heed his counsel and understand that he truly speaks the word of God, we will never be led astray. I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thanksgiving
Letter dated December 10, 2008
Pretty much every day here is like Thanksgiving! It was so neat- on Thanksgiving we did a huge Humanitarian Project putting together first aid kits (I think we did over 10,00 kits) for those in Cuba, Cambodia, etc. It was wonderful to do something for others on Thanksgiving and truly realize all that I'm thankful for and how much I've been blessed. I definitely plan on doing something like that with my family some day for Thanksgiving!
This week has been really busy, and keeps getting busier. But it's great! I'm realizing that I am on the Lord's time, not my own, and want to do all that I can to make sure that I'm devoting all my time to His work and know that as I do, He will make me an instrument in His hands. I love this Gospel- I love missionary work- I love this opportunity that I have been given to go share His message with those who need that light in their life! Yay for missions!!!
Pretty much every day here is like Thanksgiving! It was so neat- on Thanksgiving we did a huge Humanitarian Project putting together first aid kits (I think we did over 10,00 kits) for those in Cuba, Cambodia, etc. It was wonderful to do something for others on Thanksgiving and truly realize all that I'm thankful for and how much I've been blessed. I definitely plan on doing something like that with my family some day for Thanksgiving!
This week has been really busy, and keeps getting busier. But it's great! I'm realizing that I am on the Lord's time, not my own, and want to do all that I can to make sure that I'm devoting all my time to His work and know that as I do, He will make me an instrument in His hands. I love this Gospel- I love missionary work- I love this opportunity that I have been given to go share His message with those who need that light in their life! Yay for missions!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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