Last Week in the MTC!

Okay, so first, I keep forgetting to give you an update about which general authorities have come to the MTC to speak. So I wrote it down in my planner to remind myself....

L Tom Perry

David A Bednar and

Russel M Nelson

Omygoodnesss!!! They are all so amazing. They talked about everything and everything and I was able to be part of the MTC choir when L Tom Perry was here, so that was cool, but I forget the specifics he talked about... missionary work though.

Elder Bednar did a Q and A session when he came so whatever people had questions on, he just answered. His wife also got to answer some of them. It was so cute because before they left he bore his testimony, then invited Sister Bednar to bare her testimony after, and she said " I'd feel a lot better if my husband was up here with me", so then he came back up to the podium and it was just about the cutest thing ever! (Either that or I just haven't seen anything too cute in a while..) Elder Bednar also said that as we pray (as missionaries) both morning and night for the gift of tongues, and as we invite our family and friends to pray for that same gift for us, we will be blessed with it. So..... :)

Elder Nelson was great too! His wife spoke first and taught about the importance of desperation. When we become desperate, things get done, our prayers change, as well rely on the Savior. Elder Nelson talked about the importance of building Christ like Character in our lives. He said as we find ourselves becoming more like Christ, and developing Christ like attributes, we lose ourselves. I'm not sure if I said that quite right, but it is so true, and I think that is why returned missionaries are always so WOW! Cause they have lost themselves in the service of the Lord and they aren't focusing so much on me, me, me. Things are clicking here at the MTC, the puzzle is being put together in my mind. 

Last week I started to pray for the gift of discernment. I feel like it is a great gift to have and I search for the needs of each of my investigators. It no later came to me, on Sunday, when my companion was released as District Sister Training Leader (DSTL) to Zone Sister Training Leader. I was then invited to accept the responsibility to be DSTL. At first it didn't hit me that it was an answer to my prayers, but in sacrament meeting it did. This is a blessing from the Lord, he is giving me the chance to reach out to the other sisters in our district, and help them overcome any obstacles that they may be facing right now as we are in the MTC together. Also to be an example to the new sister that just joined our zone.

Hermana Afu and I had a hard day on Wednesday. Our lesson didn't go as well as planned with Claudio, and we felt like we had just hit a plateau in our Spiritual learning, and more so with the Spanish. We were walking back to our classroom after we taught and I brought it up. We continued to talk about it while we sat in the class when our teacher Hermano Brown (who plays our investigator Claudio) walked in and overheard. They took us back into one of the rooms to talk to us about it and asked a couple of questions.

My comp started to get teary eyed, and eventually I did too. We were feeling almost defeated. We told him we are trying so hard to let the Spirit guide our lessons, but we can't seem to find the words to say, so it was just hard the past 3 days at that time for us to have to the Spirit with us while we taught. Gosh our teacher is amazing. First thing he said was we needed to trust in the Lord. Then he said we are doing better than we think. Each Tuesday the teachers for each zone get together to discuss things. He said that Hermana Afu and I are the rocks in our district, and that the other teachers agree. Then he said to us personally that we are the best companionship that he has ever taught. He also shared his feelings and trials that he is going through in his life. Everything he said to us was perfect, and exactly what we needed to hear. 

After we finished talking, and he left to finish up with class, we stayed and my comp suggested we say a comp prayer. I offered the prayer, as she was still in tears. But it was just such a reverent experience. She then went to the bathroom so I had a few minutes to be alone and just pray again myself that I would be able to be strong, not only for my own well-being, but that we would both feel the love and hand of the Savior in our lives, and that she would be strengthened too. After I closed my prayer, I just listened, and heard the most comforting words, which led me to tears again. I will never forget this moment and the way that I felt. For I truly know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers, but not only that, he wants to speak back to us too.

Boy what a great week! For real, super bueno! I love learning! I learn things that have never crossed my mind, like there were 12 apostles in Israel when Christ reigned upon the Earth, but there were also 12 apostles/disciples called in the America´s too! I had no idea! Cool thought, makes sense though.

Love you all lots, and appreciate the letters and support from afar!

Con mucho amor

su favorita misionera <3<3<3<3 xoxoxoxo

2 More weeks!!! (+2 days)

Goodness I feel like I have been gone forever when I think that I haven't seen anyone in a while, but when I think about my time here, gosh, I've still have lots more to learn in the next 2 weeks!!...2 weeks! Where has the time gone?!?!?!

^^^ I know that probably didn't make sense, but it is how my mind seems to function :p

I love my life. There isn't a greater joy than being in the service of the Lord FULL TIME!! This means I get more time to study the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is truly a remarkable experience here. I feel so much love for those that I teach, and especially my terrific companion. Hermana Afu has taught me more so how to love unconditionally, and to slow down and smell the roses (or at least the flowers that my wonderful mama sends me.. which by the way I keep in our classroom so everyone can enjoy them with me.. and also cause it's where I spend almost my whole day) There is always so much to do, but I must enjoy the ride.

This past week as we have taught investigators, I have felt so much more calm and peaceful. I feel like I know enough Spanish to mostly understand what is being said, or at least the concepts and others are able to discern what I am getting across as well. Because of this, I feel like I don't have to make up some lesson where I am speaking at our investigator the whole time; I feel comfortable talking and learning with them. Not worrying about what I should say, because we tailor our lessons more so to each investigator as an individual. It is much less stressful this way.

Each time that I teach a lesson and get asked questions, I find that I learn something new, or think of something in another light. I've been able to rely more on Jesus Christ at these times, and this has helped my testimony to grow as I know that the Holy Spirit is guiding me. :)

So I sent mama and dad and grandma a letter about a James Tagg... yah it was Jim who the guy at the temple was talking about... I saw him again today, and it was cool because he knew that Harlem Globe Trotter road trip story. 

Another wonderful surprise was when I went to the temple today and saw my dear dear great friend MELISSA HOPE!! I was so thrilled to see her, I was freaking out!! I haven't seen her since January, so yay! I may or may not have told her when I was planning on going to the temple today in a previous email...

I'm glad the fama jama is doing well! I've memorized the first vision in Spanish now, and our "purpose" in Spanish. My companion and I are started to memorize D&C 4 in Spanish too! My other goal is to finish 1st Nephi in Spanish before we head out. I am on 1st Nephi 11 right now, every time I read in Spanish I get quicker and quicker and understand more and more. There is no doubt the Lord is helping me learn and understand all this stuff in Spanish!

Well I think I've covered about everything

Con mucho amor!

Your favourite missionary.. (I hope) <3<3<3<3 xoxoxoxo

Nuts about Nuts

Nikki had been missing munching on nuts, so her aunts dropped some off at the MTC for her with this cute little card!

Hey my wonderful family!

So I got all your letters and forgot to bring them with me to write this letter to remind me what I'm responding to. But I still have lots to share anyways.

I'm at the point where I obviously can't speak fluent Spanish, but I'm trying not to write too many notes in Spanish before I head into discussions, because I don't think that is how we should be communicating with investigators. I think it is so important that we assess the needs of those we teach first, so that we can incorporate them in our lessons, and know where to put more emphasis on different points in a lesson. Of course, without the knowledge of the language it can be very difficult to explain, so my companion writes down everything beforehand. But it is the by the Holy Spirit that we can know all things.

Hermana Afu and I had a discussion with our actor Claudio this week, but it was so real. The situation of Claudio is unique and quite sad. He is 18, goes to released time seminary with his Mormon friends, parents are divorced, and his step-dad tried to kill his mom and his whole family.. not in jail. His mom works through some airline and is gone for a couple weeks at a time, so his is left in charge of his 5 younger siblings. This situation isn't made up. The actor who plays Claudio taught this guy in his mission. He wondered how the Lord could help him in his life, and why God would want to help cause he is such a terrible person. I was able to comfort him by sharing an experience from my life and deep in my heart. We pretty much were all in tears, the room feel silent. And it was a testimony to us all that the Spirit is real, and speaks to us. I'm so grateful for that experience we had.

I went to the bookstore and picked up a micarose skirt, and a couple 3/4 length sleeve tops, and a cute other top.. You’ll see them in pictures eventually. I was short in cash (since my debit card wasn't working??) so I wasn't going to buy this one top, when my companion whips out a 20$ bill and insists on paying for me... I was so mad at her! But that is just the way she is and I love her!

Can't get enough of her. She makes fun of my face... I mean because I use facial expressions a lot to explain how I'm feeling when we are in lessons and whatever. I know her pretty well now. I always know when she is joking/being sarcastic and she is so impressed that I can read that. 

Well hopefully I'll be able to come back and finish a few more minutes of writing later today to respond to everyone's questions.

Con mucho amor,

your favorite missionary ;) xoxoxoxo <3<3<3<3

Te Amen

Hello my wonder-bar family!

First I want to thank you all so much for all the support I've received from you all! I got Dear Elder Letters from all my siblings and parents, and it is the best part of my day to hear from everyone :)

This week has been crazy awesome. Everything went well in Vegas on Tuesday, the Lord was on my side down there ;) and by that I mean I got a Mexican visa... I deffs wasn't gambling. (Just wanted to clarify.) 

So my companion and I are BFF's. Haha, like we are so freaking funny together, and get along great! We are able to laugh at each other.. I mean with.. and it's great. I love her. We pray every night together and pray before each meal together, we were literally meant to be each others companions. I try to pray each day that I will be a good influence and positive example to those around me, and she makes me feel like my prayers are answered. She is always uplifting me telling me the most dear things about me all the time. Things from helping her understand Spanish (even though I feel like I'm not much of a help) to making her cry because she feels my love and understand. I can't express enough how great she is. I just want to keep talking about her. She is so funny. I always walk fast, and do everything fast, like showering, getting reading, more walking... anyways she says it's a good quality (as time is limited) and that it is helping her to move quicker. :) And to answer mom's questions Hermana Afu is serving in Guadalajara too, but that doesn't always happen that your comp. in the MTC will serve in the same mission, but it seems to happen more often then not, or at least the same country.

So this week we taught our actor investigator Rogelio. We have the funniest times with him because I suck a talking.. but it is okay, cause the Spirit is there! I said "ridiculous" instead of "verse" in Spanish. *rediculo*- *verticulo* Then another time I think I was asking him about praying and tacked on "eh" so I said "oraeh" instead of "ora". Anyways like die hard laughing cause with the "eh" instance he totally noticed, pointed it out, then mentioned how I was such a Canadian. My companion and I were able to get Rogelio to commit to baptism, then the next day we got him to commit to getting married before he got baptized. We were the only ones in our district that got him to commit to it! Made us feel like we were doing a good job. *side note: This means I know how to say "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority from God" in Spanish!!!! SCORE!

I get about 7.5-8 hrs of sleep here at the MTC. This week I have been feeling better energy wise. Last week was a gong show since the week before I have little sleep.

One of our teachers was telling me how he read the Spanish BOM in 3 months on his mission. Not mind you he had taken 6 years of Spanish before hand. He said that Pres Hinckley once said to the missionaries?? not sure where, but he definitely said that if you read the BOM in you mission language that by the time you are done reading it, he promises that we will be fluent in the Spanish Language. Reminds me of that movie the other side of heaven. Boy do I just want to take a week off of classes and just study the BOM in Spanish. It would make learning much easier. But it's okay, I've already noticed that the Lord has blessed me with the gift of tongues and that my Spanish (slowly) is coming along.

Some of the things that I learnt this week is that asking questions doesn't mean that you are doubting, in fact we are encouraged to ask questions, as it is one of the ways we allow the Holy Ghost to teach us, and then from that our testimonies are strengthened. I thought that was cool. My only trouble with that is that I don't know what I don't know exactly, so I have a hard time finding questions to ask.

Things that I miss: raw unsalted mixed nuts from costco, and air frenshener cause the Elders stink up the bathroom in our classroom (one of the Raintree apts) and in turn stinks up the classroom! GROSS! Anywho, don't forget that I will be calling tomorrow afternoon at 1:45pm and I only have 30 mins.

Con mas amor,

your favorite missionary <3<3<3<3 xoxoxoxoxoxox

Again... not reading this over, probably never will read over my messages :D

First Email!

Hey fam jam, here is a quick look at what my daily schedule looks like...
We have breakfast, learning/studying time, then lunch, more study time/learning, and dinner, then more study/learning/paid actor-investigators if that makes sense. Then devotional with our zone and then be back in our apartments, get ready for bed. 

It is amazing how much I have learned being out just a few days! I pretty much know how to pray, with some minor adjustments on pronunciation, and how to bare my testimony too! Saturday is my P-day here at the MTC if you didn't guess already. My district and I all went to the temple together this morning, which was fantastic, minus my companion and I were so tired, haha she said she was falling asleep. I just closed my eyes again. We took a nap later today :p

My companion is from Cali, she is also a poly, and super slow at walking, and getting ready, and I am not at all!! But she is really sweet. She is 28. She had a hard time leaving her family on the first day, so she was really late getting to the MTC. I'm glad she is my companion, we think alike, and she is sincere, and focused. She told me that she really believes that I was supposed to be her companion because we had a heart to heart last night about being here, and why. I told her I wanted to be a good example to my little brother, and bring the joy in others’ lives that I have, and that alone is reason enough to be here. I know that I can bless the lives of others, and in turn it will bless my family. :) Also we had another lesson today, even though it was our P-day, so we weren't able to do much of what we wanted on our own because we needed to prepare a lesson... 

Honestly, we have zero time! Like writing in our journals, that has barely happened.  Still getting in the groove of things, figuring out our schedule for each day. 

Anyways that is about all I have for you today. This counts as my first week though :). Oh, and I have a return date... Oct. 26th, 2015. Oh and I also get to call home or skype on mothers day after all between 1:45-2:15 I think. Anyways just be on the radar for that. :)

Whew isn't time flying by already?? haha Oh man I keep remembering things I was planning on telling you. I fly to Vegas on Tuesday.. haha, gonna see if the Lord really is on my side, hehe  kidding!! It is only regarding my passport to Mexico. I have to be at the bus ready by 4:30am to drive up to SLC to fly to LV.. what the heck! Sooo early! I'll probably sleep on the plane :) Unless some crazy missionaries just want to talk the whole flight there! (Hope not)

Thank you for the flowers, my companions love them, and I plan on wearing one of them in my hair tomorrow to church :) 

Also I just sent this to Mom, dad, and Cherisa, make sure to forward it to whoever wants it :) And tell them when they send me dear elder letters, to tack their email at the end so I can respond back to them. 

Con mas amor, 
your favorite missionary ;) <3<3<3<3

ps. I'm not reading over this, I dislike reviewing what I've read #nofunedittingyourownwork #takestoomuchtime #Iknowyouwillallstilllovemeanyways #andunderstandit