11.10.08
Hello My Beautiful Family...November is here and before I know it and you all know it, December will be over. The leaves are beautiful here right now but man we are getting rained on. It rained for like 3 days straight and then it finally let up for a little while. I cant remember if I liked rain before the mission but I might hate if after the mission. Being in the streets all day is already tiring but then when there is loads of rain its just the cherry on top. Sarah needs to serve a mission in northern Spain and then tell me that she loves rain. No it hasnt been that horrible but I must say I dont know how I lived with out these boots. They keep my feet so warm and dry.I have letters this week from Tiff, mom, my trainer, and Aunt Laura. E-mails from POPs and pics. from my sister. Im still waiting to hear from my sisters. They think if they send one letter a transfer they are doing well. Everyone is going to see some major beatings when I get home, especially Dad. He writes me every week but for some reason its just more fun to beat him up. I dont know what I want in my Christmas package. What do you do for Jess? I cant think of ideas right now. I really enjoy the shopping here though. If you want to just send a lil package for Christmas and then put money in that would be great for me. I have something very wonderful to tell you. Remember that girl that I wrote to you about last week, she is going to get baptized. She changed completely after the first visit. She is like my best friend now and asks us when we are going to come back. She has done everything we have asked her to do and I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach her. In about the 3rd visit we left her with the promise from the BOM and asked her to read 3 Nefi 11. When we came back I asked her if she had read and she said yes. We read over it a little together because she had some questions. Then we went to the promise and I asked her to tell me about her experience of praying to know if it is true. She pointed to her chest, close to her heart and she said, I felt something right her that I dont know how to explain. We read in the BOM and explained to her that she felt the Spirit. Then we read another verse from 3 Nefi 11 and I asked her to be baptized in to the true church of her Savior Jesus Christ. I tried what Grandpa wrote to me about in his last letter. The Spirit was so strong. She was waiting for me to ask her. She said yes and gave me the biggest hug ever. I was crying and I just promised her that she just made the best decision of her life. Her face has changed and she just looks better in every visit. We visit with her three times a week and I love her more every time I see her. The gospel of Jesus Christ is really going to change her life. She told us she feels so good that its weird to her. I cant wait to teach her all the commandments and watch her enjoy the blessings that come from living a pure, clean righteous life. Im so thankful for the opportunity to teach her who her Savior is and that His church is restored through a Prophet. Every time I talk to her about Gods love for her she just stares at me like she has never heard that before and if feels so good to her to hear it. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a district meeting with President and Hermana DuVall a couple days ago. We are starting a new focus in the first lesson on prayer. I learned so much. We practiced teaching so that the investigator would have the desire to pray at the end of the lesson. With that prayer they are acting for themselves on faith and will have a spiritual experience. I taught H. DuVall and I felt prompted in what to say. Ideas came to mind in how to teach and what to say. It was a neat experience and I feel really strongly that what they taught is very important. People need to know that they have a loving Heavenly Father that is waiting to hear their voice. I know He will answer any of His children, that ask with faith and a sincere heart. H. DuVall called me yesterday and thanked me for my example. She said it was the best she has heard in the whole mission and that I am becoming a master teacher. I appreciated so much her phone call. I know that I taught with power not because of my own abilities but because of the Spirit who guided my heart, my mind and my mouth. I know the church is true. I have no doubt in my mind. I have a feeling that I cant describe that runs through my entire body as I testify of Gods church restored on the earth today. I know I represent my Savior. I love you all so much. I miss you with all of my heart but I know we will be together soon. Thank you for loving me and praying for me. H. Truscott is here now with me and its wonderful. She is an answer to my prayers. Love, TheSister
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Emily - A Coruna Week 13
11.4.08
Hello my Family...
Dad-Could you please send those pics to everyone. Thanks!
This week I have letters from Tiff and Mom. Also emails from Pops, Grandpa, and a forward from my long lost sister whats her name. Her daughter is really cute and she is getting really big.
It is raining raining and raining. I dont know how I survived the beginning of my mission with out these boots. They keep my feet really warm and DRY.
Mom did you like the secret phone call? I couldnt stop them and I didnt really want to. They wanted to thank you for the medicine and help me by getting the recipe. I could hear you crying and it made me cry a little. Katherin was almost in tears just listening to your voice. Jakelin told me that I have to do the same for her when Katherin is a missionary in the US.
We met a girl this week as a reference from a member. I think its the first reference I have received in my whole mission. We came the next day to visit her. She is a 19 year old girl from Spain. When we arrived she was hiding under a blanket. The member pulled the blanket off her head, handed her a BOM and told her to listen to us. Then he said I got to go, dont leave before I get back. We have some of the most random experiences as missionaries. Anyways you could tell that she was super scared of us. I just started talking to her like we were best friends. Then I pulled a pic of our family out and was like, hey do you want to see my family. Then I plopped myself down on the couch next to her. We talked for a while to help her feel more comfortable and then we began teaching. I love telling people that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. I almost cry every time I tell someone that. I can just feel His love for them. She hasnt talked to her mom in two years and I could tell she has had a hard life. I loved telling her how special she is and how much God loves her. Her eyes were just set on mine as I talked and I realized at that moment that she hadnt heard anything good about herself in a long time. When we left she gave me a hug and I could tell that she felt very comfortable. We invited her to come to church and she said she was really scared to come. She also said she doesnt have a skirt. I gave her one of my skirts but told her its okay if she comes in jeans. I was so excited to see her walk in on Sunday. I sat right next to her like I told her I would. We go back tonight to teach her some more.
Im really starting to enjoy myself a lot more as I learn more Spanish. I finally have friends that I can talk to and joke around with. Im thankful for the chance Ive had to learn so mush Spanish with my companions. The two new hermanas will arrive on Wednesday.
We had a ward activity on Saturdays with a huge barbecue. I played basketball with like ten guys and got a bunch of them out. It was so much fun. I was trying to hide how much fun I was having as I slammed the poor things. H. Rafa the ward mission leader tried to give me a brownie but I was having too much fun whipping the boys. He mad a comment about it on Sunday in class. He said he has never seen an hermana play like me. It was really fun and I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. I think the Elders saw another side of me. WOOPS!
I sure love you all and I have to go. The hour always goes so fast. I miss you a lot!
POPs-sorry but I need more money. The boots were 150 euros and the exchange rate sucks. I gave her 100 and didnt want to take anymore out just in case it would overdraw. Thank you and sorry they were so expensive.
I know that this is Christs church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we can be freed from Sin.
Thank you for your love and support.
Love,
The Sister
Hello my Family...
Dad-Could you please send those pics to everyone. Thanks!
This week I have letters from Tiff and Mom. Also emails from Pops, Grandpa, and a forward from my long lost sister whats her name. Her daughter is really cute and she is getting really big.
It is raining raining and raining. I dont know how I survived the beginning of my mission with out these boots. They keep my feet really warm and DRY.
Mom did you like the secret phone call? I couldnt stop them and I didnt really want to. They wanted to thank you for the medicine and help me by getting the recipe. I could hear you crying and it made me cry a little. Katherin was almost in tears just listening to your voice. Jakelin told me that I have to do the same for her when Katherin is a missionary in the US.
We met a girl this week as a reference from a member. I think its the first reference I have received in my whole mission. We came the next day to visit her. She is a 19 year old girl from Spain. When we arrived she was hiding under a blanket. The member pulled the blanket off her head, handed her a BOM and told her to listen to us. Then he said I got to go, dont leave before I get back. We have some of the most random experiences as missionaries. Anyways you could tell that she was super scared of us. I just started talking to her like we were best friends. Then I pulled a pic of our family out and was like, hey do you want to see my family. Then I plopped myself down on the couch next to her. We talked for a while to help her feel more comfortable and then we began teaching. I love telling people that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. I almost cry every time I tell someone that. I can just feel His love for them. She hasnt talked to her mom in two years and I could tell she has had a hard life. I loved telling her how special she is and how much God loves her. Her eyes were just set on mine as I talked and I realized at that moment that she hadnt heard anything good about herself in a long time. When we left she gave me a hug and I could tell that she felt very comfortable. We invited her to come to church and she said she was really scared to come. She also said she doesnt have a skirt. I gave her one of my skirts but told her its okay if she comes in jeans. I was so excited to see her walk in on Sunday. I sat right next to her like I told her I would. We go back tonight to teach her some more.
Im really starting to enjoy myself a lot more as I learn more Spanish. I finally have friends that I can talk to and joke around with. Im thankful for the chance Ive had to learn so mush Spanish with my companions. The two new hermanas will arrive on Wednesday.
We had a ward activity on Saturdays with a huge barbecue. I played basketball with like ten guys and got a bunch of them out. It was so much fun. I was trying to hide how much fun I was having as I slammed the poor things. H. Rafa the ward mission leader tried to give me a brownie but I was having too much fun whipping the boys. He mad a comment about it on Sunday in class. He said he has never seen an hermana play like me. It was really fun and I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. I think the Elders saw another side of me. WOOPS!
I sure love you all and I have to go. The hour always goes so fast. I miss you a lot!
POPs-sorry but I need more money. The boots were 150 euros and the exchange rate sucks. I gave her 100 and didnt want to take anymore out just in case it would overdraw. Thank you and sorry they were so expensive.
I know that this is Christs church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we can be freed from Sin.
Thank you for your love and support.
Love,
The Sister
Logan - Elche Week One
Hey mom thanks for your letter and Grandpa for your email.
Dad dont worry about the shoes they are fine.
THis Morning I am in ELche! My companion is from COlorado SPrings Elder Ramsey and He looks like a fun kid. WE have been called to white wash this area. Which means we are re opening an area where there hasnt been elders for a while we both arrived this morning and will be living witht the Zone leaders. The train ride was beautiful as I came down the coast this morning with the sun coming up. The piso is nice and big so I am excited about that as well. My new adress is
Elder Gogarty
C/ Martin de Torres
14,1 der
03202
I am very excited to be here the city is beautiful with a ton of palm trees. WE ended our last week in Valencia very strong and I am going to miss those guys there. I learned a lot from them even though it was a little rough at first. I had a funny experiance this week lol I was praying for a family that we had just finished having a cita with and I thought the wife said her name was destiny but it turns out that was the name of her baby that is still in her stomach. So as I am parying I give thanks to destiny for her hospitality and love for us. Everyone was laughing when I finsihed praying it was great. WE had a great week though and got to work with demion who is a 16 yr old in the ward a lot. I am going to miss him a lot. THere are a lot of people I am going to miss its hard always saying bye. You leave friends and family at home then make new ones and then have to do it all over. It is fun to get to know so many people though. WE had a great eating cita with a man that has one leg. He woke up at 5 to prepare us all the food. IT was incredible, We brought an investigator and he had printed out litle tabs for each of us to sit and for the investigator he had a tab that said investigator lol I thought that was funny we use a lot of lingo in the church that seems normal to us but to the rest of the world it is not. The love and charity that man has though was just amazing. He was so willing and happy to get up at 5 and roll around all morning with one leg cooking us lunch. I will really miss some people form Valencia. Well I dont have much to say I am excited and nervous to work this area, we have to start from scracth and really work hard. I am expecting on seeing amazing things happen here. The church is true, if you want to know then live by some of the principles and see the difference it makes in your life John 7:17 I think it is. Well Love you all I hope to get lots of mail here shortly. The spanish is going well I feel comfortable with it. I want to learn another language after the mission that is latin based. Love you all take care
Love
Elder G
Dad dont worry about the shoes they are fine.
THis Morning I am in ELche! My companion is from COlorado SPrings Elder Ramsey and He looks like a fun kid. WE have been called to white wash this area. Which means we are re opening an area where there hasnt been elders for a while we both arrived this morning and will be living witht the Zone leaders. The train ride was beautiful as I came down the coast this morning with the sun coming up. The piso is nice and big so I am excited about that as well. My new adress is
Elder Gogarty
C/ Martin de Torres
14,1 der
03202
I am very excited to be here the city is beautiful with a ton of palm trees. WE ended our last week in Valencia very strong and I am going to miss those guys there. I learned a lot from them even though it was a little rough at first. I had a funny experiance this week lol I was praying for a family that we had just finished having a cita with and I thought the wife said her name was destiny but it turns out that was the name of her baby that is still in her stomach. So as I am parying I give thanks to destiny for her hospitality and love for us. Everyone was laughing when I finsihed praying it was great. WE had a great week though and got to work with demion who is a 16 yr old in the ward a lot. I am going to miss him a lot. THere are a lot of people I am going to miss its hard always saying bye. You leave friends and family at home then make new ones and then have to do it all over. It is fun to get to know so many people though. WE had a great eating cita with a man that has one leg. He woke up at 5 to prepare us all the food. IT was incredible, We brought an investigator and he had printed out litle tabs for each of us to sit and for the investigator he had a tab that said investigator lol I thought that was funny we use a lot of lingo in the church that seems normal to us but to the rest of the world it is not. The love and charity that man has though was just amazing. He was so willing and happy to get up at 5 and roll around all morning with one leg cooking us lunch. I will really miss some people form Valencia. Well I dont have much to say I am excited and nervous to work this area, we have to start from scracth and really work hard. I am expecting on seeing amazing things happen here. The church is true, if you want to know then live by some of the principles and see the difference it makes in your life John 7:17 I think it is. Well Love you all I hope to get lots of mail here shortly. The spanish is going well I feel comfortable with it. I want to learn another language after the mission that is latin based. Love you all take care
Love
Elder G
Monday, October 27, 2008
Logan - Valencia Week 13
10.27.08
Jenny thanks for your letter and Mom thank you as well. The week has flown by once again. Please dont send anymore mail to the valencia address after today. I have a week more here and the next time we talk i will be in a new area with a new companion. Dad please post this blog today so people know not to send mail here anymore. Just hold onto it for a week untill I get my new adress. The week has been great we had a very inspiring zone confrence and I learned a lot. President compared us to the Rescuers of the Martain and willy hand cart companies. He explained the story in great detail and then related everything they did to us. He talked about their obedience in following President Youngs council, the sacrifice the went through and how they didnt stop until they died, and also the help they recieved from on high. The zone confrence was great and I felt like it was especially related to me as I thought about Daniel W. Jones one of My ancestors who took part in the rescue group. One of the quotes President used while he was describing what happened was from Daniel W. Jones and he used the one where he said I told them that we were better then angels becasue we had what they needed. I felt the spirit very strongly as he described the efforts of the heroic group that saved a lot of people. The spirit was felt very strongly and I felt greatful to be related to such a great man that set such a good example for all of us. We have been working hard with a lot of people this week but had to change both of our baptismal dates becuase no one showed up for church yesterday. That is probly the most frustrating thing for me. One of the kids we are teaching is 17 and we just started teaching his family. We had a great lesson and I felt like I had a ton of hlep with my spanish as I was able to describe everything needed without problems. Its amazing to see how much help I have recieved with my spanish. I know its all been from the Lord. We are going to relax today and get things ready for the transfer. Its crazy to think I will be living with a new person new piso new people new place nect week and I wont know till sunday, the day before. I like the thought of that. I love change and suprises. Thanks everyone for your letters please wait till next week when I post my new address. Love you all Elder G
Jenny thanks for your letter and Mom thank you as well. The week has flown by once again. Please dont send anymore mail to the valencia address after today. I have a week more here and the next time we talk i will be in a new area with a new companion. Dad please post this blog today so people know not to send mail here anymore. Just hold onto it for a week untill I get my new adress. The week has been great we had a very inspiring zone confrence and I learned a lot. President compared us to the Rescuers of the Martain and willy hand cart companies. He explained the story in great detail and then related everything they did to us. He talked about their obedience in following President Youngs council, the sacrifice the went through and how they didnt stop until they died, and also the help they recieved from on high. The zone confrence was great and I felt like it was especially related to me as I thought about Daniel W. Jones one of My ancestors who took part in the rescue group. One of the quotes President used while he was describing what happened was from Daniel W. Jones and he used the one where he said I told them that we were better then angels becasue we had what they needed. I felt the spirit very strongly as he described the efforts of the heroic group that saved a lot of people. The spirit was felt very strongly and I felt greatful to be related to such a great man that set such a good example for all of us. We have been working hard with a lot of people this week but had to change both of our baptismal dates becuase no one showed up for church yesterday. That is probly the most frustrating thing for me. One of the kids we are teaching is 17 and we just started teaching his family. We had a great lesson and I felt like I had a ton of hlep with my spanish as I was able to describe everything needed without problems. Its amazing to see how much help I have recieved with my spanish. I know its all been from the Lord. We are going to relax today and get things ready for the transfer. Its crazy to think I will be living with a new person new piso new people new place nect week and I wont know till sunday, the day before. I like the thought of that. I love change and suprises. Thanks everyone for your letters please wait till next week when I post my new address. Love you all Elder G
Emily - A Coruna Week 13
10.27.08
Hello my dear family...Can you believe that October is over. Im calling home in about two months and I cant wait to hear your voices. I got letters from Mel, brother and mom and emails from Pops, my trainer and my dear Grandma. Thank you all, I love you so much. A couple funny things...Im pretty sure that Im loosing my mind. The other day while I was eating something right out of the fridge I blew on it to cool it down. My comp. was just staring at me like I was crazy and then I realized what I was doing. There are so many things in my mind all the time, its crazy!Another funny story or random I guess but normal in the mission...We went to teach the first lesson to a really nice Brazilian lady on Saturday morning. She opened the door and it was obvious that she had just woken up. We wanted to watch a new DVD with her called Finding Happiness. We went to the living room and the DVD player didnt work and so she told us to follow her into another room. Well she turned on the light and there was a man asleep in his bed. I was like oh its okay we can let him sleep and instead we will just talk in the sala. Its so funny to be in random peoples homes all day. At first it was weird but now its weird that its not weird...hope that makes sense. Carmen my friend from Cuba was on my mind again a lot a couple of days ago. We stopped by and her eyes were full of tears. She has a lot going on right now. I just gave her a big hug. She has like three pages of registro and has never come to church but she knows its all true. We stopped by for her yesterday and helped her and her mom get ready and they came!!! It was fun to walk with them to church. The mom is kind of loosing her mind and she is so funny. When I was fixing her hair she told me she was going to find a boyfriend for herself in the capilla. We walked with our arms hooked together to the church. She always tells me the most random things also because she cant hear and she just wants to talk. Sometimes she doesnt know when Im praying and she pats my arms during the prayer. Then she just talks during the whole prayer and every once in a while I look up at her so she doesnt feel left out. I really love those women and I pray that Carmen felt loved and comforted at church on Sunday. We went to the Brazilians house again on Sunday. Ediluza the mom needed a Book of Mormon and asked me to bring her one. I handed it to her and then she came running back and said hermana you didnt write in it. Its funny how all the converts and accustomed to having a blue covered BOM with the testimony of a missionary in the front. I sat down on her couch and wrote her a little note with my testimony. We taught them the story of Nephi going to get the golden plates with pictures. We have to be really creative when we teach because we teach a group of like ten people of all ages. Josinaldos and his wife didnt come to church and it made me sad. Their kids are singing the hymns and praying and I pray that their parents will see the need to change and raise their family in the gospel. After the lesson the kids were really excited for me to hook more links on to their chain. I told them that they could hook them on while Im gone but their mom said that its my job to decide how many to add. I love them so much and I feel right at home with them. I feel the Spirit so strongly as we pray, sing, and talk about the gospel together. Yesterday we sang Families Can Be Together Forever and I was almost crying. Brother told me he is on the verge of tears like all the time and I feel the same way. We are like old people that cry about everything. It really is amazing to be so set apart from all the crap in the world. Katherin is so appreciative for the medicine. They are like my family here too. We taught her the law of chastity the other day and it was awesome. She is so firm and confident in her beliefs. Its fun to watch a young girl take hold of the gospel and be filled with confidence. We had a good chat and we talked about what her friends tell her. She is a good girl and I feel kind of like her big sister. I talk to her like I talk to Sarah. I hope that I can help her more and that she can continue to be strong in the gospel. They gave us some cookies and hot cocoa after the visit. The mom always gives me the I love NY cup to drink out of because she thinks it helps me feel closer to home. So sweet!!Mom and Dad-I love your letters and I love you both with all my heart. Its raining a lot now and my feet are always wet. I guess we are allowed to wear boots right now because of the weather. My comp. bought me some and I need to pay her back. They were 155.00 dollars...ahhh sorry. Could you please put some money in my account. Thank you so much. Just go ahead and put 500 dollars in for every trip dad has taken since I left. Wow we have a lot of traveling to do and a lot of shopping when I get home. Dad is going to pay me back either with beatings or vactions, your choice!I love you all so much. I know this is Christs church because the Spirit testified to me that its true. I love feeling the Spirit. I love representing my Savior. I know that He lives and that He died for me. I love you all soooooo much!!!! I miss you!!!!Love,The Sister
Hello my dear family...Can you believe that October is over. Im calling home in about two months and I cant wait to hear your voices. I got letters from Mel, brother and mom and emails from Pops, my trainer and my dear Grandma. Thank you all, I love you so much. A couple funny things...Im pretty sure that Im loosing my mind. The other day while I was eating something right out of the fridge I blew on it to cool it down. My comp. was just staring at me like I was crazy and then I realized what I was doing. There are so many things in my mind all the time, its crazy!Another funny story or random I guess but normal in the mission...We went to teach the first lesson to a really nice Brazilian lady on Saturday morning. She opened the door and it was obvious that she had just woken up. We wanted to watch a new DVD with her called Finding Happiness. We went to the living room and the DVD player didnt work and so she told us to follow her into another room. Well she turned on the light and there was a man asleep in his bed. I was like oh its okay we can let him sleep and instead we will just talk in the sala. Its so funny to be in random peoples homes all day. At first it was weird but now its weird that its not weird...hope that makes sense. Carmen my friend from Cuba was on my mind again a lot a couple of days ago. We stopped by and her eyes were full of tears. She has a lot going on right now. I just gave her a big hug. She has like three pages of registro and has never come to church but she knows its all true. We stopped by for her yesterday and helped her and her mom get ready and they came!!! It was fun to walk with them to church. The mom is kind of loosing her mind and she is so funny. When I was fixing her hair she told me she was going to find a boyfriend for herself in the capilla. We walked with our arms hooked together to the church. She always tells me the most random things also because she cant hear and she just wants to talk. Sometimes she doesnt know when Im praying and she pats my arms during the prayer. Then she just talks during the whole prayer and every once in a while I look up at her so she doesnt feel left out. I really love those women and I pray that Carmen felt loved and comforted at church on Sunday. We went to the Brazilians house again on Sunday. Ediluza the mom needed a Book of Mormon and asked me to bring her one. I handed it to her and then she came running back and said hermana you didnt write in it. Its funny how all the converts and accustomed to having a blue covered BOM with the testimony of a missionary in the front. I sat down on her couch and wrote her a little note with my testimony. We taught them the story of Nephi going to get the golden plates with pictures. We have to be really creative when we teach because we teach a group of like ten people of all ages. Josinaldos and his wife didnt come to church and it made me sad. Their kids are singing the hymns and praying and I pray that their parents will see the need to change and raise their family in the gospel. After the lesson the kids were really excited for me to hook more links on to their chain. I told them that they could hook them on while Im gone but their mom said that its my job to decide how many to add. I love them so much and I feel right at home with them. I feel the Spirit so strongly as we pray, sing, and talk about the gospel together. Yesterday we sang Families Can Be Together Forever and I was almost crying. Brother told me he is on the verge of tears like all the time and I feel the same way. We are like old people that cry about everything. It really is amazing to be so set apart from all the crap in the world. Katherin is so appreciative for the medicine. They are like my family here too. We taught her the law of chastity the other day and it was awesome. She is so firm and confident in her beliefs. Its fun to watch a young girl take hold of the gospel and be filled with confidence. We had a good chat and we talked about what her friends tell her. She is a good girl and I feel kind of like her big sister. I talk to her like I talk to Sarah. I hope that I can help her more and that she can continue to be strong in the gospel. They gave us some cookies and hot cocoa after the visit. The mom always gives me the I love NY cup to drink out of because she thinks it helps me feel closer to home. So sweet!!Mom and Dad-I love your letters and I love you both with all my heart. Its raining a lot now and my feet are always wet. I guess we are allowed to wear boots right now because of the weather. My comp. bought me some and I need to pay her back. They were 155.00 dollars...ahhh sorry. Could you please put some money in my account. Thank you so much. Just go ahead and put 500 dollars in for every trip dad has taken since I left. Wow we have a lot of traveling to do and a lot of shopping when I get home. Dad is going to pay me back either with beatings or vactions, your choice!I love you all so much. I know this is Christs church because the Spirit testified to me that its true. I love feeling the Spirit. I love representing my Savior. I know that He lives and that He died for me. I love you all soooooo much!!!! I miss you!!!!Love,The Sister
Monday, October 20, 2008
Emily - A Coruna Week 12
10.20.08
Hello my dear family...
Oh my goodness is October really almost over? I am in a time warp and its r=
eally weird. Anyways guess what I finally received that package that you =
sent when I started my mission. I LOVE THE GRANOLA! I dont know if it jus=
t tastes better because I know that it was made be moms hand but man I su=
re have enjoyed eating it for breakfast, Thanks Mom! I also got the camer=
a...yaaaa! I loved looking at the pics that were left on there. I think i=
t might be possible that sister Sarah has more pics with the baby than Je=
ss. The baby is so beautiful and its weird that she is just growing and I=
ve never met her. I saw a baby the other day that has 6 months and she is=
big. I want Brenna to be small still when I see her so tell her to stop =
growing. I got a slip in the mail for the other package for Katherin. I w=
ill pick it up today. Thank you so much for sending that medicine, they a=
re very grateful.=20
Other news that isnt as uplifting, two of our Elders got hit by a car on Fr=
iday night. Remember Elder Fowers my comp. from the MTC. He is in my dist=
rict now and he and his comp. got hit by a car as they were crossing a cr=
osswalk. They people drive like maniacs here. They dont wait until you cr=
oss the whole way. I have felt cars brush by my legs so many times its sc=
ary. Anyways its a miracle that nothing was broken and that Elder Fowers =
the bigger of the two was on the inside. His head went through the windsh=
ield. They will stay in piso for about a week and werent able to come to =
conference.=20
The weather is staring to change again and Im getting a little nervous for =
the rain to start again. In the mornings the city is full of fog. I dont =
know if Im ready to attack the streets with my umbrella again.=20
My new comp. is here and her name is H. Albi and she is from the Islands. H=
er Spanish is really different and she told me that her culture is very d=
ifferent from Spain. Her Spanish more sounds like she is from Cuba. Anywa=
ys she is 26 years old and super sweet. We only have two more weeks toget=
her before two more come. We have a lot to do in the piso to get ready.=
=20
Elder Sterry from the Area Seventy came to our conference on Saturday. The =
leadership meeting and the conference were incredible. He gave us five qu=
estions and told us he would probably never see us again so we should fee=
l comfortable and answer truthfully. The zone leader was not normal throu=
gh the whole meeting but I was grateful that immediately after he said th=
at I felt really comfortable and was able to share my feelings. Elder Ste=
rry really just wanted to know what we need help with and how he can help=
. He and President spoke directly to the hermanas after talking to the El=
ders about their responsibilities. President told Elder Sterry that the h=
ermanas make up forty percent of the numbers they turn in every week. The=
re are only four hermanas in the whole zone. They thanked us for our exam=
ples and the work that we do and I really felt their appreciation and it =
helped me a lot. It was neat that because of attending that meeting I fel=
t prepared for the conference and learned more.=20
The conference was amazing. I learned so much that its impossible to tell y=
ou everything. Elder Sterry was an amazing teacher. I felt really comfort=
able because he is just a friendly guy and it helped me learn. Its also a=
lways really neat to be with all the missionaries because it helps me to =
realize what I am a part of. H. DuVall talked to us about how we are agen=
ts of the Savior who created all, cant remember the verse. Anyways it is =
amazing to always feel the Spirit so strongly even just listening to a hy=
mn.=20
On Sunday the Brazilians all came to church. I started an activity with the=
m to help them read, pray and come to church every Sunday. There is a mem=
ber family and non member family that live together and we teach them all=
. Anyways we put a picture of the temple up and every time they pray, rea=
d or attend church they have loops of paper that they staple together, ea=
ch color representing each category. Once the chain reaches the picture o=
f the temple we are going to give them a pizza party. I cant really expla=
in to you how much I love these two families. They all came to church on =
Sunday and I felt so much joy when I saw Cristina come into RS. I sat by =
them in gospel principles too and they have thee cutest lil boy. Anyways =
we stopped by later on after church to see where they are at with the act=
ivity and they are struggling but are trying. I just loved seeing them at=
church. In the visit on Sunday I really focused on the temple and what t=
hey need to do to get their family there. I think they kind of feel like =
its impossible because they arent married and they dont have their papers=
so they have to travel to Portugal. I think Im going to just give them m=
y month money so then can go. I just love them so much and Im not leaving=
A Coruna until I can help this family get married so they can get baptiz=
e and work towards going to the temple together. The Moms are like my sis=
ters. I felt really guided in the visit by the Spirit and Cristiana opene=
d up a lot afterward. Her husband also told me that he doesnt work on sat=
. or sun. now and they can come to church. They seemed excited again, to =
start working towards bringing their family into the gospel. I have got t=
o figure out how to help them. Cristiana doesnt speak a ton of Spanish bu=
t somehow we communicate and I just feel so close to her. I feel like thi=
s family is the reason I am in this city. I pray with all my heart that I=
can do what I need to do to help them. Ok dont know if any of that made =
sense but dont have time to read over it.=20
Dad-I loved this part of your letter it made me laugh soooo hard. Thank you=
for always knowing what to say. "Im also certain that your companions ar=
e benefiting from being with you and your example. They better be, becau=
se it would really piss me off if we dont get to be with you and then the=
y dont appreciate you!!"
Mom-thank you sooo much for the package. I was waiting for you to pop out a=
nd you never did. The whole package made me laugh because it was just ran=
dom but I understood your thinking process as you put it together. Your a=
mazing and I love you soooo much.
Well I better go my time is up. But I want you all to know that I know that=
the church is true and it was restored through the Prophet Jospeh Smith.=
He saw a pillar of light exactly over his head above the brightness of t=
he sun. It was the Father and His son Jesus Christ. I know that families =
can be together forever and that eternal life is possible.
I love you all sooooooo much. Thank you for loving me!
Love,
The Sister
Hello my dear family...
Oh my goodness is October really almost over? I am in a time warp and its r=
eally weird. Anyways guess what I finally received that package that you =
sent when I started my mission. I LOVE THE GRANOLA! I dont know if it jus=
t tastes better because I know that it was made be moms hand but man I su=
re have enjoyed eating it for breakfast, Thanks Mom! I also got the camer=
a...yaaaa! I loved looking at the pics that were left on there. I think i=
t might be possible that sister Sarah has more pics with the baby than Je=
ss. The baby is so beautiful and its weird that she is just growing and I=
ve never met her. I saw a baby the other day that has 6 months and she is=
big. I want Brenna to be small still when I see her so tell her to stop =
growing. I got a slip in the mail for the other package for Katherin. I w=
ill pick it up today. Thank you so much for sending that medicine, they a=
re very grateful.=20
Other news that isnt as uplifting, two of our Elders got hit by a car on Fr=
iday night. Remember Elder Fowers my comp. from the MTC. He is in my dist=
rict now and he and his comp. got hit by a car as they were crossing a cr=
osswalk. They people drive like maniacs here. They dont wait until you cr=
oss the whole way. I have felt cars brush by my legs so many times its sc=
ary. Anyways its a miracle that nothing was broken and that Elder Fowers =
the bigger of the two was on the inside. His head went through the windsh=
ield. They will stay in piso for about a week and werent able to come to =
conference.=20
The weather is staring to change again and Im getting a little nervous for =
the rain to start again. In the mornings the city is full of fog. I dont =
know if Im ready to attack the streets with my umbrella again.=20
My new comp. is here and her name is H. Albi and she is from the Islands. H=
er Spanish is really different and she told me that her culture is very d=
ifferent from Spain. Her Spanish more sounds like she is from Cuba. Anywa=
ys she is 26 years old and super sweet. We only have two more weeks toget=
her before two more come. We have a lot to do in the piso to get ready.=
=20
Elder Sterry from the Area Seventy came to our conference on Saturday. The =
leadership meeting and the conference were incredible. He gave us five qu=
estions and told us he would probably never see us again so we should fee=
l comfortable and answer truthfully. The zone leader was not normal throu=
gh the whole meeting but I was grateful that immediately after he said th=
at I felt really comfortable and was able to share my feelings. Elder Ste=
rry really just wanted to know what we need help with and how he can help=
. He and President spoke directly to the hermanas after talking to the El=
ders about their responsibilities. President told Elder Sterry that the h=
ermanas make up forty percent of the numbers they turn in every week. The=
re are only four hermanas in the whole zone. They thanked us for our exam=
ples and the work that we do and I really felt their appreciation and it =
helped me a lot. It was neat that because of attending that meeting I fel=
t prepared for the conference and learned more.=20
The conference was amazing. I learned so much that its impossible to tell y=
ou everything. Elder Sterry was an amazing teacher. I felt really comfort=
able because he is just a friendly guy and it helped me learn. Its also a=
lways really neat to be with all the missionaries because it helps me to =
realize what I am a part of. H. DuVall talked to us about how we are agen=
ts of the Savior who created all, cant remember the verse. Anyways it is =
amazing to always feel the Spirit so strongly even just listening to a hy=
mn.=20
On Sunday the Brazilians all came to church. I started an activity with the=
m to help them read, pray and come to church every Sunday. There is a mem=
ber family and non member family that live together and we teach them all=
. Anyways we put a picture of the temple up and every time they pray, rea=
d or attend church they have loops of paper that they staple together, ea=
ch color representing each category. Once the chain reaches the picture o=
f the temple we are going to give them a pizza party. I cant really expla=
in to you how much I love these two families. They all came to church on =
Sunday and I felt so much joy when I saw Cristina come into RS. I sat by =
them in gospel principles too and they have thee cutest lil boy. Anyways =
we stopped by later on after church to see where they are at with the act=
ivity and they are struggling but are trying. I just loved seeing them at=
church. In the visit on Sunday I really focused on the temple and what t=
hey need to do to get their family there. I think they kind of feel like =
its impossible because they arent married and they dont have their papers=
so they have to travel to Portugal. I think Im going to just give them m=
y month money so then can go. I just love them so much and Im not leaving=
A Coruna until I can help this family get married so they can get baptiz=
e and work towards going to the temple together. The Moms are like my sis=
ters. I felt really guided in the visit by the Spirit and Cristiana opene=
d up a lot afterward. Her husband also told me that he doesnt work on sat=
. or sun. now and they can come to church. They seemed excited again, to =
start working towards bringing their family into the gospel. I have got t=
o figure out how to help them. Cristiana doesnt speak a ton of Spanish bu=
t somehow we communicate and I just feel so close to her. I feel like thi=
s family is the reason I am in this city. I pray with all my heart that I=
can do what I need to do to help them. Ok dont know if any of that made =
sense but dont have time to read over it.=20
Dad-I loved this part of your letter it made me laugh soooo hard. Thank you=
for always knowing what to say. "Im also certain that your companions ar=
e benefiting from being with you and your example. They better be, becau=
se it would really piss me off if we dont get to be with you and then the=
y dont appreciate you!!"
Mom-thank you sooo much for the package. I was waiting for you to pop out a=
nd you never did. The whole package made me laugh because it was just ran=
dom but I understood your thinking process as you put it together. Your a=
mazing and I love you soooo much.
Well I better go my time is up. But I want you all to know that I know that=
the church is true and it was restored through the Prophet Jospeh Smith.=
He saw a pillar of light exactly over his head above the brightness of t=
he sun. It was the Father and His son Jesus Christ. I know that families =
can be together forever and that eternal life is possible.
I love you all sooooooo much. Thank you for loving me!
Love,
The Sister
Logan - Valencia Week 21
10.20.08
Emily thanks for your letter. I havent got the mail today yet I am pretty sure Moms should be waiting.
This week has been great. Our piso tension finally got so high that everyone snapped! Lol the week was crazy but everyone is on good terms now. I was messing with one of the Elders and he had had a hard week and then I was the needle on the hay stack he finally snapped and tried to fight me. Needless to say I got him in control and he apoligized. Working out very morning paid off. I wont go into anymore details but we are all working a lot better togther now. Living togther with a bunch of people you love but may not neccesarily like to much is a new experiance. I have definetly learned a few things for the married life.
This weekend my Comp and I spoke at a baptism and I felt the spirit so strongly. The whole weekend has just been very edifying. Church went very good as well. The spirit was also present in the meeting. Its so hard to describe the Holy Ghost to people, but is vital because the people we are teaching have to know what it feels like in order to become converted. It is the only way we can know of truth without having to see it. I have been studying a lot and my understanding of things has grown immensely. I know that its not because of me though it has all happened through the holy ghost. As I am studying I really feel like my mind is just illuminated and I learn exactly what I need for the day. As well with the Spanish I just realize that I could have never learned it by myself. I am very greatful for the help we recieve through the Holy Ghost in all that we do.
I have started learning another language. Its called pigeon! The africans speak it and its basically just degenerated english with no rules what so ever. There is no written ttt for it. I am understanding it now though and I want to start speaking becuase we run into a lot of Africans on the streets.
Thanks for all your love. Dad I was a lil jealous reading your email, you are traveling a lot without me. I want some surf trips when I get back. Please also send some more family pictures of all of us. Everything is going well here yesterday was my 7 month mark crazy! Have a great week cant wait to hear form you next week. I will be getting Transfered the 3rd Of novemember its almost 100 percent sure but then again I did say that last transfer. Love you !
Elder G
Emily thanks for your letter. I havent got the mail today yet I am pretty sure Moms should be waiting.
This week has been great. Our piso tension finally got so high that everyone snapped! Lol the week was crazy but everyone is on good terms now. I was messing with one of the Elders and he had had a hard week and then I was the needle on the hay stack he finally snapped and tried to fight me. Needless to say I got him in control and he apoligized. Working out very morning paid off. I wont go into anymore details but we are all working a lot better togther now. Living togther with a bunch of people you love but may not neccesarily like to much is a new experiance. I have definetly learned a few things for the married life.
This weekend my Comp and I spoke at a baptism and I felt the spirit so strongly. The whole weekend has just been very edifying. Church went very good as well. The spirit was also present in the meeting. Its so hard to describe the Holy Ghost to people, but is vital because the people we are teaching have to know what it feels like in order to become converted. It is the only way we can know of truth without having to see it. I have been studying a lot and my understanding of things has grown immensely. I know that its not because of me though it has all happened through the holy ghost. As I am studying I really feel like my mind is just illuminated and I learn exactly what I need for the day. As well with the Spanish I just realize that I could have never learned it by myself. I am very greatful for the help we recieve through the Holy Ghost in all that we do.
I have started learning another language. Its called pigeon! The africans speak it and its basically just degenerated english with no rules what so ever. There is no written ttt for it. I am understanding it now though and I want to start speaking becuase we run into a lot of Africans on the streets.
Thanks for all your love. Dad I was a lil jealous reading your email, you are traveling a lot without me. I want some surf trips when I get back. Please also send some more family pictures of all of us. Everything is going well here yesterday was my 7 month mark crazy! Have a great week cant wait to hear form you next week. I will be getting Transfered the 3rd Of novemember its almost 100 percent sure but then again I did say that last transfer. Love you !
Elder G
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