Famine in the Land

May 5th 2010

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

We might be having a little fiesta later here today, and Elder Swanny said he might bring chips and salsa to class. MMMM, speaking of chips and salsa I could really go for some chip and queso from Chili's right about now. Oh and Cafe Rio haha. The food here is....alright. Lol. I'm grateful for it, but lets just say I am absolutely stoked to eat real food again! I miss Alex's cooking :) On another note, my companions and I are getting 3 new sisters in our room today. We've been spoiled and have had the room to ourselves for a total of 4 wks out of the 7 we've been here, but that streak is now over. We have bunk beds and let's just say, they aren't the most convenient things in the world. Plus having 6 girls in one confined space, that is smaller than my room at home....can sometimes be a little clostraphobic. But, if I can adjust to Hermana Miller's snoring I most definitely can adjust to this haha.

Speaking of Sis. Miller, she loves you guys. And Sis. Williams sends her love as well. I am going to miss them both so much, but we have so much reason to rejoice because we are doing the Lord's work! On Sunday, we had mission conference and the MTC Presidency and wives spoke to us. Sister Smith (the MTC President's wife) talked to us about how there is a "famine of the word" out in the world. That there are people out there, searching for the truth but know not where to find it. We are apart of the greatest work out there! I feel so blessed to be here and to be able to bring the truth to God's children. Missionary work is no joke. It is the real deal! As hard as it might be to understand sometimes, this is the eternal salvation of one's soul that we are talking about! It is absolutely critical that I remain intune with the Spirit at all times and not be afraid to talk to anyone, because realistically we are all God's children and we all need to hear the truth and hear the good news of the Gospel.

I'm so grateful to be serving a mission! It has seriously changed my life! Already, I am not the same person I was before I left. Every day I am being molded into the person I have the divine potential to be. I have learned so much! I have grown so much! In a matter of 2 months, I have learned more about myself and seen clearer from an eternal perspective than I have in my entire life. Wow! This gospel is amazing!

On another note, Shiloh left to the Guat Mtc Monday. It was hard seeing him go, but I know he will do work out there and he will do great! I'm amazed at how close we got in a matter of 3 weeks! Lucky for me, since we're cousins, I got to hug him before he left. Ha, we sure got some strange panicked looks from some of the other Elder's not in our zone who were passing by when we did hug. It made me laugh! So funny!

Monday night was one of the best nights I've had here! My district and my comps and I had an amazing spiritual experience. I cannot go into a ton of detail on here, for lack of time and the fact that it was so sacred and personal that it would be hard to adequately put into words, but it was amazing! At the end of the night, after coming back to the residence, my comps and I locked our door and just talked about so many divine spiritual truths for about an hour and a half! The spirit was so strong! I was litterally overcome by the power of the spirit in our room, that I was physically exhausted. I have never experienced anything quite like it before. I can testify to you that the Holy Ghost is REAL! That the teahings and promptings of the spirit are real and that the Holy Ghost is the true witness of truth. I knew this church was true before my mission, but now there is no way I could doubt! I'm so excited to be able to share this eternal happiness with everyone that I come into contact with.

Let's see, oh a cool complement my district received yesterday from our teacher Hermano Airmet, he told us we were "missionaries like unto Moroni". The conviction in his voice was so sincere and it really touched my heart. I later read in Alma 48:11-18, to see some of the qualities Captain Moroni had. He was a great man who was firm in the faith of Jesus Christ. I hope to aquire the same characteristics Captain Moroni had.

Well, truth be told...I battle with the Spanish language every day! It is such an emotional rollercoaster, but the reason I dont mention much about it is because that is my way of attempting to exercise my faith. By focusing more on the positive than the negative. It is hard, don't get me wrong...but it is just another testament to me that if this church wasn't true then there is no way I could learn the language as well as I have in 2 months, nor could I be fluent in hopefully 6 months out in the field. The gift of tongues is real, and I know that by my faith I will be able to speak the language.

I am getting my hair cut today. Prob short-ish. My comps and other missionary friends are trying to convince me. We'll see how daring I get. I dont think I could cut it past my shoulders. TOO SCARY! But I will send you all pictures!

I leave May 17! A week and a half and I am going to the mission field! Ah I am so excited!

I misss you ALL aton but I know that I am in the right place and the right time in my life right now!

The church is true!