Mama Ball

Hola familia! 

Ok I am just jump into it because you guessed it- its been a crazy week. 

SPIRITUAL:

-Ok our investigator Julia is the best. Our lessons have become so good- like killer real. We plan a lesson but every time we just put our notes down and go with the spirit and it is so good. I love it. Its my favorite part of the day- we teach her every morning and it sets the mood for the day. Best. 

-We were asked in class what we want most in life and I could I think about was you mama and pops. I want what you have. I want a strong education and be strong in the church. I want to keep my best relationships with you, like you have with your parents and in-laws. I want a family that is fun and works hard and is full of love. And I want to be crazy in love. I just miss you and talking with some of the missionaries here who have bad relationships with their parents just makes me miss you more. Oh boy, I love you. 

-I love hearing the sacrament prayer in Spanish. I love it. 

-Oh I have had some crazy experiences with my calling as sister missionary trainer- when I got to the CCM I didn’t have a missionary trainer and it was hard- I was just thrown into it but it was good for me to learn and I am glad the other sisters got a trainer. But with my calling I didn’t know what to really do or how to best help the girls- so I just took it to the Lord then when with it. 

 

My Hma's outside the tienda (store) taking a study break and getting some ice cream.

There is a quote here; ¨pray like everything depends on the lord. Then work like everything depends on you.”  And that’s just what I tried to do. I have seen some true miracles and been truly prompted by the spirit. 

I don’t know how to explain it.  Hms J looked all good and happy and it was her first week and I just felt like something was up so after the movie on Sunday I pulled her out into the hall and just started talking and in the scriptures we are promised if we open our mouths they will be filled. We  just started talking and all of a sudden I was talking about the song we just sang, “God be with you till we meet again”- and I mentioned how hard it is to lose people but how proud they are that we are serving. While I was talking I thought about Gordon, but then she just started crying and hugging me because her friend just passed away and she cant stop thinking about her and she has really been struggling with it. It was amazing and I was so grateful that I was able to explain my experience with death but the joys of missionary work and how we are going to be teaching people just like us who have lost people, but don’t know that they will be with them again. It was a powerful thing. 

Hma H- was crying in the laundry room and even though it was the middle of the day and not p-day (laundry day). I just felt like I needed to see what was up in the room. We then chatted just real heart to heart and it was amazing. 

Or Hma H. has been struggling a lot- and a couple nights ago she just came in my room we jumped on top of my bed and chatted it out. Said some prayers and read some scriptures then she felt better. But 2 nights ago I was going to get in bed and just felt like I should go to the kitchen - which was a ridiculous thought because our kitchen is completely empty- doesn’t even have a table or anything. So I went to get back in bed thinking I was just hungry or something but then felt it again. So I went in and Hma A. was crying and when she saw me she was just like oooh no. So I gave her a hug and asked what was up and I guess she had just prayed for an answer that if no one answered she knew it wasn’t for her. But if someone came in she knew she had to change. This was when I was most grateful I listened and now no matter how crazy it seems I make sure to follow Nephi’s example and just go and do- not knowing before hand why.

These are not even all of the crazy experience I have had this week but I am just so grateful for the spirit in my life. I knew in each of these situations it was not I but that I was needed. 

studying in the back yard

Then the last couple weeks I have been chatting with Elder Wasden about something he’s a struggling with and on Sunday we were waiting for a movie to start so our conversation turned to his little problem- he’s just not getting an answer about something. Then the devotional started and it was exactly what he needed- we were teasing there were cameras and he was being punked because it was that exact. It was power. 

-Then me and my companion Taught a killer 5-minute lesson to two of the workers- 1 was Mormon and the other wasn’t and it was just a quick God loves you, knows you. We know this. Pray and you will know. Solid. 

I am grateful for this gospel I love it. And I do miss you guys- but I know I have literally nothing waiting for me at home. Working here and helping these Hermana’s is the best. I am still really struggling with the language. It is hard for me to know what to say- but not how too. And I am so scared that I only have 13 days left in the CCM. When I think about how fast the last 29 days have been it makes me so nervous- but I can’t wait to get in the field. 

Ok this week has been full of spiritual highs but it also has just been full of full on killer funny moments. I can’t even begin to explain them all.

FUNNY. 

-Ok my friend in a different district Elder A. got a hair cut and I wouldn’t say it was bad. I just wouldn’t say it was good. It is just a super short army cut. So he was feeling all bad about his haircut and we were kind a teasing him. I’d just go into the army stance and salute when he went by- but he’s a way funny and fun guy so he can talk the little jokes. But he told me this after- we were in the lunchroom and I guess he was waving at me and I was just zoned out walking by then his comp was like ¨dude you know your haircuts bad when the nicest girl at the CCM wont look or wave at ya. ¨ So funny. Now it’s the joke- classic. 

This picture is my Hma getting her hair cut and we did not know how to talk to them. If they had asked about the gospel we could have answered but we didn't know how to explain hair. It was stressful. 

- Oh so sometimes the food here is really good- and sometimes it isn’t. And sometimes you just get bored with it. So we make something new of the lunch we are given. Oh man- we have made some gems. Just mixing and mashing and microwaving stuff. Our thing this week was baby food we made. Ok I know that sounds nasty when I say it that way but we just mixed peanut butter and honey and mix it in a cup then mash bananas in it and just a lil bit of milk. Oh my gosh. It is so good. We usually just eat it with a spoon- but we put some on toast or an apple and oh man- it is gold. Some of the other stuff we have made is good and some is straight up nasty but this banana mix. - ohhhhh boy.

-So I am still Hma Sunshine but the newest name in my house is Mama Ball. And I love it. Every night the girls get in bed or gather around and I stand up and make up a story about the day and us. So funny. I crack myself up- but it is a good stress reliever and we always end up just crying from laughing so hard. Last night was how we were an ancient tribe and what each of our spirit animals are. Then I pretend to tuck them in and give me a lil kiss on the forehead or a hug and turn the light off. Love it- this is the first week I haven’t had any of my girls cry themself to sleep so that a huge thing. 

Umm the Sunday night movies are always cheesy terrible 90s church flicks and they are the worst- we love it.

Oh there is an elder and sister who are both so sweet- but they just love their smeagul impersonation voices and it is so creepy and they chat to each other in them and its hilarious. A little bit of nerd love but it’s the best. 

Oh so this week we played volleyball everyday and sometimes I mess up but people think I am just skilled. Like I have tripped so many times but people think I am diving for the ball. Ha-ha they just think I’m into the game- hah wasden and my comp- spencer are the only ones who know I am just a screw up and it’s so funny. 

Oh then lastly we were in the store here and they got a new shipment of ties- so the Elders all rush over and it’s like a frenzy of 20 elders in one little corner. So wasdens like “hey where hma spencer?”- then just starts busting up laughing pointing to the elders because she is stuck in the middle yelling for me to help her seriously elbowing and fighting her way out. So funny. We couldn’t even help her because we were laughing too hard. And all the elders are just fighting over the 5-dollar ties. Hahah. 

Ok then the best of the week. Oh man my fingers hurt from typing. But this week was just tooo good. 

BEST.  

Ok our night teacher. Hermano Mendoza is the BEST. Seriously. So he is just a natural teacher and has the perfect amount of fun and spiritual and work and everything. I think I have a little crush on him. Ha-ha. But he went to high school here so it so cool. Like when we were learning about taking our investigators to church. He took us to the room he had sacrament when we went here and we had the lesson there and it was so spiritual and just cool. Or he will take us to different places that meant something for him then or for him now. Cool. When I grow up I want to be like him. 

-Ok my Elle Black- who was one of my favorite people at byu in my singles ward is here- and not just here. But in my branch! It is the best.

-I love praying all day. I love it. 

- Gym. Best. Sand volleyball in 75 plus weather best. So we do volleyball everyday but for a little bit before it I do something else. Like one day I did jump rope with all Latinas and it was so fun. Or I was on a team with the girls from the Dominican Republic. (Which their accent is crazy so we just end up laughing and doing charades to try and communicate. best) or we have stationary bikes in the gym so I was racing the Latino elders. So fun.

Love studying in the sunny sun. I am so tan. Megan babe. You would be hating right now. That how good it is. I’ll take an awkward selfie of my arm to show you- it prob. wont do justice.  And the Latinos tease me that if I get anymore sunburned or tan and I will look Latino. 

-So I taught Julia about the word of wisdom- and she said she was addicted to cocaine. So I was just shocked for a minute trying to think how I was going to explain this in Spanish and my companion is all chill. And just chats. Then it turns out she was addicted to caffeine and coffee. Ha-ha it was so funny and when I told them what I thought she said they just bust up laughing. Hahah. 

So our next lesson I grabbed some herbal teas from the breakfast and gave them to her as a gift for when ever she wants to drink coffee- just drink them and think about us and gods love and her strength and I made it all sappy and cheesy and Julia and my comp just starts busting up. 

Oh last night we heard a full on crazy street race and police and all this stuff it was so cool. Sometimes we hear gunshots and cannons, which sometime we think, are lil bombs. But then there are also a lot of fireworks so it’s a game to see what it is and our teachers help us if it’s a firework or not ha-ha. 

Ok the NOT BEST of the week.

- Mom I am all out of my supply of chocolates and good and plenty’s from the airplane. But I am surviving. 

-Only 13 days left. Crazy.

-Some people stress me out. Ha-ha but it keeps it interesting.

-And I don’t know what I am going to do it Chile when it is quite and when there are not police sirens all day.

RANDOM. 

Ok so I went to Hma Jones house- the cutest senior computer lady. And she let me use her phone because my credit card isn’t work- dad can you get my pin and try to email me the numbers of it today. Because I need it bad. But I used her phone and when I picked it up I almost called you. No joke. I wanted to but I didn’t. 

Umm I have had so many mtgs and classes and leadership mtg but it’s the best. I am so tired but in a good way.

Ok I have gotta go. Its lunchtime and I missed breakfast this morning so imma starving. But I love you so much. Keep on keeping on and listen for the spirit. 

xoxo hma sunshine. 

Hermana Lioness

Mexico City Temple

Yummy tangerines we bought 

Ok I know I say this every week- but this week was CRAZY. 

First I’m more than half way done with the MTC. Crazy. Can’t believe I’m half way there (cue mom) “oooooh living on a prayer.” 

But we just got back from the Mexico City temple- we couldn´t do a session or go inside but we got to leave campus and tour the visitor center. Seriously the best morning ever. Mexico City is crazy. The temple is crazy, this gospel is crazy. I love it. 

Ok spiritual. Where to begin. 

Thank you for fasting with me, I could feel the love. Especially in my lessons with Julia, Arturo and Elias (my investigators). 

The yummiest things I have found yet.  Not sure what they are.
Some kind of cookie.

-We had the best lesson yet. It was with Arturo Monday night. So good- it was the first time here I have truly taught. Before, I went in I just prayed that I would be able to understand and teach and I simply was given the gift of tongues- it was amazing. I don’t know why this time it was different bc I have been praying every time, but it was solid and beautiful. One of those experiences where after I just had to stand in the hall and say a prayer of     pure gratitude- best.

-Then Thursday night we were told we had 2 minutes then we needed to teach this investigator. It was crazy we didn’t have any notes or preach my gospel- just the book of Mormon and the spirit. It was so good. Man I love the spirit. 

-Then with Julia we committed her to baptism- (its fake) but it’s for Feb. 18. This was cool bc we have committed 5 investigators to baptism. But this one was almost real and so spiritual and just the best.

I am sorry if I am just going in circles with these stories- I don’t know how to explain myself- but just know there’s a lot of love and joy.

-Ok. 1 kings 19:20. This is you mom and dad. I was reading it and so grateful for yáll. For me the scripture is that you ask your parents for advice- then you just go and do it. Love.

-I am so grateful today for my testimony and my knowledge of the book of Mormon, joseph smith and this wonderful gospel. I was chatting with some of the elders and they are just unsure- they ¨know” it’s true but sometimes question what the spirit feels like or can’t say for a surety they know something is correct. Man I have been so blessed. One of them is struggling bc he doesn’t know what the spirit truly feels like but he’s trying to teach his investigators- I am just so grateful.

-Ok I LOVE singing hymns in Spanish. Usually me and Elder Wasden only get about half of it correct or even close and were way off pitch but it is the best. It brings the spirit so quickly and I love it.

-Sundays here are dreamy. I love them. The last three sacrament mtgs have been so good. The first week was fast Sunday- I bore my testimony and its crazy to think how much I’ve learned in three weeks. Then the second week I gave a talk and it was pretty good I guess. But it was nerve wracking bc the mtc president and his wife were there with the senior couples and all these people but it was good. Then this week was just solid. I love it.

-Ok I love fasting while taking the sacrament. It just makes it more. Man love.

- I got a blessing bc I was quite a bit ill. It was one of those blessing that I knew was not coming from my cute little dorky district leader but right from the lord. Completely inspired and completely real and true. 

FUNNY
-ok so so much funny has happened I literally can’t remember it all. 
 -But I am pretty sure everyone here is making fun of me all day. But I deserve it bc I am just a dork. But seriously, in one of the prayers this week, one said they were grateful for Hermana ball for keeping everyone on their toes and laughing. Which was hilarious.

-Then I started this thing in the cafeteria.  When someone is praying, I will take big hunk of meat on their plate, or watermelon, or make a smiley face or something.  Then when they open their eyes its a little surprise. The first time I did it the elder literally looked up the ceiling as if it were God. We were crying we were laughing so hard. But now everyone gets nervous to say a prayer. ha-ha

-umm I pulled out a little supply of good and plenty’s in TALL (our computer lab with the language) and an elder thought they were pills. And got really worried about my health. Then it just turned into how TALL makes us crazy so we have to take crazy pills.

WORST-
-ok my hair is huge. Seriously everyday it gets bigger. And I know every week I tell you the new nicknames people give me but everyday I get 1 or 2 more. My favorite this week was Hermana lioness. That how big my hair is.

- We are having a lot of girls who are struggling, which I hate. But I’m now the mama and pretty much a therapist but I love it. Seriously every night its someone new. 
-Ok so in the mornings it smells like raw sewage right. Well the other morning it was full on reeky burning raw sewage smell- so much so we had to cover our faces with our shirts. But it went away so it’s good.
-Umm the tile here is so cold. It makes getting out of bed impossible. And the class rooms gets really cold. We started having part of our classes outside in the sunny sun and its dreamy.

- I got really sick the other night. I’m good now but it was bad. I threw up and the whole class is just chilling there then the nasty cat that bit me came over and was trying to lick my leg and the garbage why I was throwing up. It was sick wrong. But I am doing much better now. I went to the doc and he was a gem. Pumped me full of stuff and pepto so I’m good.
-When I flew here I left one of my notebooks with pictures in it on the plane. Worst. So when I get to Chile send me pictures if you want me to remember you. 

RANDOM. 
-Ok so we were asked to be investigators for the Latinos who were leaving and when they were talking to us I had a stress out bc I am pretty sure they were not speaking Spanish it was so fast. But it’s all good.
-I run into so many people I know here. I love it. And its just bc I lived in UT valley and went to byu but its so good.  Every day I see like 7-8 friends.

-This week we played ton of volleyball. I love it. And I actually am not that bad, which makes it so fun. The elders still are pulling all the ¨ball” jokes and I don’t think they realized I went to junior high and have heard them all. But they think they are creative. It’s hilarious.

-In class we learned how to grammatically spell and correctly say the “nacho libre” quotes. 

-Umm my night class teacher is the BEST. Seriously. Like to the point where I love class. And where when we tell the other teachers who he is and they all tell us he is the best. Best.

-Ok can we talk about the french toast just for a minute- cinnamon and sugar french toast with nutella. Dreamy. It makes the other meals a little more ok.

-Ok I got a calling. I am the sister missionary trainer for all the new girls. I love it. Love these girls and helping them out. Love being mama.

Ok but are you ready for the BEST NEWS. The ccm is not dedicated bc it was being all finished up but they are going to dedicate it! so cool. And they are doing it the day before I leave and elder oaks is coming and I get to do this interview thing for it and speak Spanish or something I don’t even know but they asked if I would be part of it and I was like oooh heck yes. So I am pumped. Seriously. 

I know there were so many more spiritual and best moments and I will just write them with the pictures but my brain hurts and I can’t think anymore. And I gotta get to work- today when I opened my mail I had 38 emails. Oh my I am feeling the love. 

xoxo. 
 doubt not, fear not. 

-Hermana sunshine.