Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Sister SanDiego

"hmmm where to start... I've been here a week yet it's felt like a
month but at the same time everyday feels like 30 minutes. When ya'll
dropped me off that cute Polynesian sister showed me around and sent
me into a few rooms where I received a TON of paper work, keys, tags,
books etc. I felt so shell shocked I just smiled and responded to
everyone that said "WELCOME TO THE MTC!" They give you a little bright
orange dork dot to put on your tag the first day so everyone knows
your lost and that they need to talk to you... At the end of my little
tour my host dropped me off at my class room and that's where I met
sister Cortello. She's like this bright been of sunshine that's super
spunky and can't stop giggling (from salt lake, going to San Diego).
We both watched orientation videos, laughed, then where escorted back
to class where I met my companion! SISTER WHITCOMB!!!! I thought she
looked a lot like Jenny when I first saw her! I thought "dang.. I just
left my family and here lies my new best friend" and she really is! We
both hit it right off :) she's the best. I'm so thankful no joke. We
have so much in common and we both have the same sense of humor, It's
great! (she's from Massachusetts, going to Sand Diego with me)  The
last sister in our district (room) is sister Parker! She's soooo
sweet. And she knows ASL! :D (from... Oregon, going to Washington DC
North Mission)"
My first words home ;)
Hmmmm, the love for my MTC sisters is never ending, it keeps growing.
Love, LOVE them.
Sorry time!



N. Once upon a time there was a man with this name. Back a few
months ago, Sister Stewart and I were on splits with Hermana Short and
we went to one of our YSA's homes for dinner. Long story short we had
this EXTREMELY spiritual lesson with this older Jewish gentleman named
N. Fast forward to last week!
Sister E and I received an unexpected impression to go see Spencer (our YSA).
Who was there? Nick.
He stopped us as we were about to leave, and said "sisters, I know you
are here for me, now share the message you were sent here to give."
Had we prepared a lesson? Nay. SPIRIT!
We shared what we had learned from General conference. Sister E talked
about sanctifying oneself and I talked about the atonement and Jeffery
R Holland's talk. Nick then goes on to bluntly say that he knew this
Church was true.
...what?
20 minutes prier to us arriving, N had canceled on the Carlsbad
missionaries because he was too tired and too scared. He said he was
scared of commitment but having missionaries just come by exactly when
he needed it... He knew it was true. He told us that he had actually
watched General conference and the way I spoke reminded him of Jeffery
R Holland.. And then I died. There is no better compliment. Funny that
I should receive it twice in one week.
Well. That's N. I'm a fan, he's a cool guy that knows the church is
true and committed to take the leap of faith and be baptized.
Exchanges this week! Here we are speaking of my MTC sisters and BAM! I
had the privilege of being in the presence of the wonderful Sister
Cortello! We had good times here in Poway and Ramona. G was
extremely sick but he told us some pretty fun stories. I've said this
a bunch, but G is my dad--young version. I don't know what it was
that G was talking about, but I told him that my dad liked to do
similar things and he told sister Cortello: "I am looking forward to
the day that I can meet this girls father. I don't think I've ever
said to anyone HA". Greeeg. We met this cool woman named Gidget in
Ramona. Prepared. Loved the restoration and has family that's Mormon
:)
President Schmidt, wife and two of their four children.

Mission President's devotional was fantastic. I sang a duet with Elder
Sanchez and there were probably 500-600 people there. Not enough room
in the church! I was fortunate enough to get a seat by sister Starr
and my heart sang just as much as my voice. Good night! One of our
returning less active members, Jessica, came  I would love to tell you
more about her... But alas. There is no time. Next week!
Some of my studies this week:
Obedience (of course) and faith. How the two are tied together as well
as happiness.
Some Hughes from my studies:
D&C 6 33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that
shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good
for your reward.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
To even first try to do good: 24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and
charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
"We just need to be doing the good things long enough"
Prophetic promise:
May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith
which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the
adversary--a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and
will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go
nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals.
Our mission goals!
Mission song: "Faith hope and charity, virtue, humility, qualifies you
for the work. Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God
and great shall be your joy!"
I re-read some of my mission prep notes and found this:
Mission prep: be happy and fun! Let others see you being happy.
Increase of faith=increase of happiness.
To increase our faith, we must increase our faithfulness ;) obedience!
It all ties together so one of the first small simple things I'm going
to focus on is increasing my faith.
I would commit you to do the same :)
Have a good week!! I love you all.