hola familia!! Que ONDA!?! It has been so good to read the emails (from the past couple of weeks--since they didn't come in Dear Elder, I dunno what happened). But sounds like everyone is livin the life of the OGDEN VALLEY!! wa-hoo! New Bishopbric? New camera for Clint & Rach? B-Ball win? -yeah that's what's up! oh, and an update of FB status?? mmhmmmm wo. Now the question is: Jed, have you updated yours to hers and have you linked each others names to each other's pages?? That's the real clincher :) Oh, and Dad- two thumbs up for the work-outs and tax season (best of luck to ya) and Mom, I'm sorry I wasn't there to hear your lesson, I'm sure it was SUPERB! By the way, I did get the package of love you sent to me..perfect timing. Thanks so much for getting all that stuff gathered up and sent. I really appreciate it. Definitely some answers to prayers!
And before I forget: My scheduled date to leave the MTC is Feb. 21. And I'm leaving with the Hna. Young and Elders Thomas and Philpott to "conce" as I hear everyone cool calls it. Our new teacher Hno. Adams (the one who dated Emma- and who's good friends with James McKeen and went to highschool with Jane Nelson, etc) also went to Chile. And he LOVES to tell us stories. It gets me so excited! He tells us all the slang words they use and how the work is going there. It makes everything a little more real, which is always appreciated since here in the MTC role-playing and studying is considered "keepin it real." I guess I'm in for a treat with all the little abuelitas (grannies) and friendly, loving people! BRING ON THE MAYO! haha Also, word is that there was another earthquake there?? yikes. Guess I better be ready to rock and roll! (haha okay, really bad joke. I swear, the times that we aren't in class our district just feeds off of the really cheesy, dorky, sarcastic kind of humor. Like, in Sphanish you would type "haha" like "jaja" since the "j" makes an "h" sound. So when someone drops a really dumb joke we all break out into "JAW-JAW-JAW"---any way to make 9 hours of class go by quicker (at least that's what it was once this week)).
As for my companeras (compas), I still have one of them! Hna. Rios left this morning at like 5 for the Guatemala MTC and then on to Nicaragua, but Hna. Benavides is still here. She was supposed to leave last night, but her connecting flight in Georgia got canceled because of an icy airport. We just heard word that she'll be here until Friday. She is pretty bummed, but she'll get there sooner or later! I'm really sad to see them both go! They are both such fun-loving girls with such strong testimonies. They really inspire me to be a better missionary. But, by Friday I should be back in with another trio- this time Hna Young and Hna Wirth. Both of them are killer teachers and hilarious, so the change will be good to.
Today I actually got to go do sealings at the temple today for the first time. It was such a neat experience. It made me SO very grateful for the opportunity I have had to grow up in a family that is sealed together forever, and that I know I can live with you all FOREVER! It's such an amazing promise, and I can't wait to tell people in Chile about what they need to do to have those same promises. They really are the crowning promises that God gives us and that we can receive in the church! I really feel so blessed because of all of you! I love you all so much! There are more missionaries than you'd think that are here without any family support. Or, who have a struggling family at home. Even though there are constantly missionaries going and coming in the field, you get to know a lot of them pretty well, and their stories are all so unique and inspiring. The spirit is so strong here, in part, because of the amazing people that I am surrounded by.
On our temple walk this past Sunday Elder Spencer Jensen and I took some photos and hugged (SCANDAL!) haha and also, I ran into Sister Meagan McAdams (from BYU, who is in here with her brother after all. So jealous :)
As for the studying and language learning, it's coming slowly but surely. I think this week it's SPANISH only. GAH. It's hard not to focus on everything that you're NOT, since you're always trying to improve myself. But, I've learned that patience and perserverance is the key in times like these: Trusting in the Lord's timing that it's all going to be worked for your good! I definitely need to be more grateful! Couldn't we all??
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to live your life! It's the only way that we can be truely happy and understand what this life is all about! I have learned so much about this gospel, and my testimony is strengthened everyday. Even though there are so many good, inspired people and churches, we are the only church that has the whole truth with the authority and Book of Mormon. I am so grateful for this book--my testimony of it is growing in leaps and bounds. I've started to really build by foundation in my Savior and it is amazing what He can do for all of us!
I love you all! Tell everyone hello for me!! (including all of the couples) xoxo until next week!!
Hna CHILD! (kiki)
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