I Guess this is the Last...April 20th, 2015

SO.

I'll be honest. I just typed up a whole email and decided I didn't want to say any of that.  What I want to leave you with, for my very last thoughts and experiences, is what I've been learning lately!

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon, and studying it as the Spirit directs, my heart has been filled and my knowledge has increased.  The Book of Mormon really does contain the word of God!  And it is amazing.  

What I have been learning lately is about obedience to the commandments of God.  As humans, we are carnal---they call it 'the natural man' right?  And something I realized the other day is that the commandments go against the natural man.  That is the very reason God has set them, because as we abide by them, we become more like He is---the nature of God instead of the nature of man becomes us.  That is why they may be so unappealing to some...and why they might seem so hard some days.  The commandments of God kill the natural man inside of us and allow us to become like our Savior. They do not tie us down, they set us free! And allow us to become our best self;  Or, as President Uchtdorf said, our REAL self.  (Women's conference last Oct).

I learned something today that goes right along those same lines...being contrary to the nature of God, or thus, giving in to the carnal man, brings us to a state contrary to the nature of happiness. (Alma 41:11) That makes so much sense! No wonder this world is so miserable.  Because going against God is going against happiness.  Happiness is truly found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by abiding by His laws.  

I know joy.  It is real!  It only, ONLY comes in this Gospel.  Because this Gospel is a way of life.  It transforms, uplifts, and redeems.  It is the only source of hope in this life, the only source of light in this world and the only way to experience true joy.  

I just want to end by saying that I know this is all true because of our Savior.  He makes weak things strong.  I know He does, because I have experienced it first hand.  

Shine on.  (: 

I've Been Dreaming in Spanish...April 13, 2015

Well!  This last week was a good one if I do say so (:
My compa and I are just having wayyy to much fun! I don't know if that's
allowed haha.  We have just been doing to usual...laughing, teaching,
finding, laughing and yes, sometimes crying haha but wow. We have been so
blessed!!!
So I had another MLC this last week, even though we just barely had one 2
weeks before, because 2 men from Salt Lake came down to train us!
Actually, one is the director or something of the Provo MTC (I may be
wrong, ay..no se) But Their names are Brother Tanner and Brother Gonzales.
They basically called us all to repentance in the most bold and loving way!
It was amazing!!! They taught us ways we could be better as a mission; ways
that we never have been as a mission for years and years and years.  It was
much needed and I am so grateful to be a part of it, even for a small
moment (:  I get the pleasure of training a part of it to the zone this
week and...well...we'll just pray that the Spirit will be with me, eh?
The day after that training, I went on an exchange with one of my Hermanas
and wow. We just had an excellent day! It was amazing because I had come to
her area a year ago...and when we were planning what we would do that day,
this girl popped into my head that I had met on that exchange a year ago!
The Hermana that I was with had never met her or heard of her and so it was
apparent that they had not been teaching her.  We decided it was inspired
and that we should look for her!  We found some records, but the address
was incorrect.  We looked in the directory, because her husband is a
less-active member, and we found it, but that, too, had an incorrect
address.  My compa for the day was inspired to get the map and look at it,
and when she did her eyes went immediately to a street and she said,
"that's it!" And so we went...and we found her! She was home. And she let
us right in!  What I loved about the experience was that we were able to
testify to her that the Lord is very much aware of her. If not so, my
experience with her a year ago would not have stood out so boldly in my
mind until it lead us back to her.  I remember meeting her last year and
thinking to myself as I left her house that I would meet her again and that
we were supposed to know each other.  What I thought that meant then is
that I would be assigned to that area...but I never was.  I now know why I
felt that way! And I know we are going to be friends still because oddly
enough, she remembered me too. (:
Our Father knows us! He knows what we need.

On Saturday, after doing some service, digging up a hard dirt ground for a
couple of hours, we were able to head off to the Mesa temple with a recent
convert here in the El Dorado branch!  It was an experience like I've never
had before.  The Spirit was present the entire time.  We were able to bring
the name of her husband with us!  What was so neat was that we didn't have
a man to perform the ordinance...but after my compas faithful prayer, a man
walked in and was willing to do it, even though it would be done in
Spanish.  And so her husband was baptized! And it was so incredible to be
there to witness it and to feel of the spirit that came with that
experience.

Okay, I have one more experience I'd like to share! At the beginning of
this transfer, my compa and I found a friend that we started teaching and
she decided to accept the invitation to be baptized.  After that, my
companion and I decided that we would set some goals and make some plans to
bring to the Lord so that He could help us to accomplish them.  One of the
things our friend had said to us was that a man had came up to her in the
street and told her that it was time for her to come home (and he was
talking about coming home to God).  She told us that that is what she hoped
to find.  SO. because we were making plans and setting goals, we were very
specific and said that we wanted our friend to feel like she came home when
she found out this Gospel is true.....well. A week or 2 ago, she called us
and told us she moved to Nogales out of no where!  We had other goals and
plans, and they were going well, but this goal seemed to be out of reach!
Until we met another friend (: She is 76, full of light and life, and she
came to church yesterday and loved every bit of it!  The members were soo
supportive and she even ended up in one of their home's having dinner with
them after church!  We had a lesson soon after that and she told us, "I
feel like I have come home!  I have been looking for this my whole life and
I finally found it. I am home."........*mouth drops* I  just. Heavenly
Father is SO kind. SO good to us!! We don't even deserve it!  She is set to
be baptized my last Saturday here....Very soon! But she is so ready.  I
know her! I have seen her before. The vision of her in white is so clear to
me. I have been there before.  I love her!

I have always wondered why the scriptures always say that "His bowels are
full of mercy." I wondered what that meant exactly...and so I looked it up
in the dictionary and now I know.  It talked about the very innermost
center of something and so I realized...He is filled with mercy to His very
core.  To the very depth of His soul, He is full of mercy.  I know His
mercy is real! His grace is sufficient. And the enabling power of the
Atonement reaches and extends to every corner. I am SO beyond grateful for
the experiences I am having, for the love I am feeling, and for the
miracles I am seeing.
His love is real! I just want you to know that I know that.  And His love
is what saves us, because He loved us enough to redeem us.

Have a beautiful week (: Love!

Come Unto Jesus, Ye Heavy Laden...(hymn no. 117) April 6th, 2014

I started reading a part of my journal this morning... I was so shocked to
see a very real difference in myself! The lines of this song kept going
through my head "I wish you could see me now. I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was!" I was so happy and filled with gratitude and a new love
for the Savior as I realized that it is ONLY BECAUSE OF HIM! And, oh, how I
need a Redeemer.  I am so imperfect, I could never make it if it weren't
for His mercy and love.  I love His love.  I know it is real.  I know you
can find it, partake of it, and let it lift you as you read the Book of
Mormon. It testifies of Him and any person will come to know Him better by
reading it!!!

This last week has been sooo much fun! So edifying and so refining.  My
best friend and I seem to run into a lot of stumbling blocks, but we sure
do so laughing all the way!  We are continually strengthened by one another
and by the prayer of faith! P.S. the prayer of faith is real!  IT WORKS!
I'm serious (:
We've have been having a blast as we talk with everyone, set new baptismal
dates, and get rejected day after day.  I could not be happier. (: I feel
the sweet song of the gospel filling my heart with such joy.  I love the
youth here! I love that I get to work with them again.  This has been a
tender mercy of the Lord. Isn't His love so real? Wow.  He loves me (:

We have a goal to get to the temple this week with a recent convert of this
branch.  She was able to get her recommend last week and we have been
working with her to find names to take to the temple! This has increased my
love for my family and the blessings of the temple! We have been given SO
much in this life!!! And all He asks is that we keep His commandments.

I felt so blessed because we had zone conference Friday and then General
Conference Saturday and Sunday!  What more could you ask for than to be
taught from on high?!
I loved conference so much! It was a fountain of joy that I never wanted to
end! I could not stop drinking and I didn't want to....That is how living
the gospel should be, eh?
That the joy of it fills our souls until it is overflowing and we never
want to stop taking it in.
I am so grateful for moments like this that bring me back to the root of
the gospel. To the sweetness of the gospel!  Stay near the tree!! Don't
leave the tree! haha (:
We even had our lovely friend join us for 3 whole sessions! not including
the women's session she attended last week.
The Spirit is real! It works in the hearts of those that sincerely seek our
Savior.

I love how many of that talks in conference spoke of the importance of
family! I love my family (: They are so good to me! I want to share my life
with them through all eternity...I didn't mean to write the words of that
primary song, but that just seemed fitting there haha (:
I also loved how we were taught to continue to remember the sweet and
simple truths of the gospel. That is the most important thing! All else
will follow and come eventually if we will first root ourselves in those
simple truths.

Con mucho amor (:

ohhh my goodness! I have to tell you one more thing!  At zone conference
they installed these things called a TiWi in our cars! We have to log in
when we drive and they basically monitor our driving! They say "check your
speed!" or "check your seat belt" if you are speeding or not wearing one.
So no worries, I will come home a better, safer driver (; not that I'm not
already (; jajajaja  Hey, but you should know, it's only yelled at me once!
And it was when I didn't notice the speed change on the freeway.  sooooo
yeah! Have a great week! (:

God is Good - March 30th, 2015

oh dear. I am under the air conditioner...it is freezing! haha this Arizona
blood couldn't survive a single December day...hopefully April is not too
bad? eh? haha
This last week was interesting (:
It was SO good! I love my compa! We are seeing so many miracles and having
Soooo much fun! But we are also having random experiences in between that
have created growing opportunities...which is good!  We laugh and cry and
laugh and laugh (:

I have loved sharing the new video 'Gracias a Que El Vive' it has been
amazing! (: We showed to a less active family and then asked why they love
what Christ did for them. The little boy said the sweetest thing that was
exactly what I needed to hear!  He said "porque El siempre esta para ver
como estas" I just loved that! He is always there to see how we are doing.
I keep being reminded that I need to walk this whole journey of life daily
with my Savior! Not just when I am in need should I come running to His
feet, but all the way along the journey.

We were able to have a new friend come with us to the women's conference!
That was the biggest miracle! (she is soo nervous to come to church and
things). She's 19 and wants to come to school in UT one day!  We will be
friends (: hah
We asked her to pray and she was so nervous because she has never prayed
out loud before...after much convincing, she did!  This daughter was
speaking to her Father! I have never felt such a strong spirit during a
prayer.  She poured her heart and she weeped as she did so.  She spoke of
her heartache from problems with her father and it just reminded me to make
sure I recognize at all times that there is always a Father there watching
over us.  And more specifically, our Eternal Heavenly Father (: It was a
sacred moment.
She came to church the next day! That was a HUGE step! She loves herrr
church so much and so to get her to come to sacrament was amazing. It
happened to be fast and testimony meeting!  I am so grateful for our
branch/ward families! I know they touch people's hearts! THEN she even came
to dinner with us in a member's home, which was perfect because the walls
are covered with temples and family! Oh we are so blessed (:

We also had the chance to sing to some elderly women in a care home
yesterday haha. It was so random! We went to visit a member and sing some
hymns with her but then the whole place wanted to hear and so we came out
of her room and sang spanish hymns for everyone! haha (:

Probably one of the funniest moments this week...hmm...We were in district
meeting and President just so happened to come to ours.  The district
leader was talking about...oh yeah...like setting up family mission plans
with families.  He gave an example of making it personal to the family by
telling us about a family where they made something lord of the rings to
get the excited.  I was just sitting there trying to listen and I hear
President (who was sitting right next to me) say in Spanish "Precioso"
hahahhahaha like "precious" I accidentally burst out laughing out loud! And
that was embarrassing because President was there! But he was the one who
made me laugh...good days.

Yep. Just loving life (: it's been amazing! We got to go with a recent
convert to find her husband's name and get it ready to go to the temple! So
that was amazing too! We are hoping to go to the temple with her soon. Just
good things!
Love!

La Obra esta Maravillosa y Bellosa! (:March 23rd, 2015

Sooo I am getting here so late because mi compa y yo estabamos andando por las montanas! (:  We got to go up to Mnt. Lemon this morning and hike around and have a picnic with an awesome member who was kind enough to take us up there!  My compa y yo were talking about how we are kind of done with this whole 'zone sports' thing every p-day and we even set a transfer goal to do something different every p-day!  She is amazing.  Wow. We have such good times. It feels like I have known her my whole life! haha (: It's only been 6 days. I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has given me another best friend to experience miracles with.  And, oh, we have!  

First of all, Hermana Hubert is the coolest! And we figured out that we were probably at some of the same concerts back in the day.  We are almost the same person, but she is a little bit cooler than I am haha.  It's fun (:

But yeah! back in a Spanish branch and so things are going...yep. They're going!  But we have so much excitement to just love and serve these members because that is what they need and that is what we are here to do!! (: 

We had an experience where we had 15 mins before we had another appt and so we decided to pray to know which house to knock on and we ended up thinking of the same house! (go figure (; haha) and it was the coolest thing because it was this hermana, she wasn't even at her own house, and the sisters had been trying to get in contact with her for the last couple transfers.  She was so shocked she started crying and she knew God needed her back.  It was beautiful! AND, she's our age, so it was so fun! (: She came out with us and she's just such a good person, I'm grateful to know her! 

Que mas?...we basically just laugh all day and talk to people and see miracles (: haha okay, so it's not that easy...but wow. I don't know how I got so blessed!!

AND. okay! Wow. I just remembered this...so on top of that, I got some incredible calls this last week! 2 of which were about someone I have taught before who got baptized recently! The other will be in April so I will be able to attend! And the other call was a cute hermana who I became very close to and she just got her mission call! (if you remember, she was the one I got to have the experience with when she was first deciding to go or not).  She got my new number and called me! I was so honored haha (: I knew before all of her friends! 

Other than that...we're just running this race!  Actually, we run every morning...but we're sprinting to the end! Mi compa is a runner and so she likes to tell me that she's sprinting to the end with me.  I love it (:

It is so easy to feel the spirit with her and I feel like I am continually being taught from on high.  We are SO blessed! 

I just want to say that if we ever feel like we're not good enough, or not worthy enough to repent, then we're letting satan win...Of course he would want us to think that the Atonement only covers those who are worthy or anyone but us, but it covers everyone! if we will let it; if we will choose it.  Accept Christ (: and let Him define and refine you.

I love you!

(sorry, forgot the cam)

Change is Exciting! March 17th, 2015

Well, I guess I'll just get right into it! I got transferred! I am so sad
and SO excited! I get to end it all speaking Spanish (: My new compa is
incredible! I love her so so much already! We were talking about our
interests and we are SO alike it's hilarious! I can't wait. I already feel
the spirit so strongly with her and all we have done so far today is talk
about the couple lessons we will teach tonight! I am so blessed that my
Father knows better than I!
I'm coming into a branch se llama El Dorado.  It is in the East of Tucson.
Wow, I will miss my friends from YSA so much! And the people I get to meet
on campus! haha but I have the greatest feeling about being here for my
last transfer (: I am so blessed!!!

This last week was really bitter sweet. I had the feeling I would be
leaving and so I was sure to say goodbye to everyone before they all went
every which way for spring break!  (Not the greatest time to leave haha).
But it went well. I have so many friends here that I love so much! (: I am
SO Grateful for the time I get to serve and love and become.

As this last transfer was coming to an end, I was rreally praying that we
would be able to at least find one more new person before I left.  I had
the most amazing experience yesterday as our day came to an end.  We were
walking back to our apartment and all of the sudden, seriously without even
thinking, I just turned into the leasing office!  I had no idea why, but as
I did, a man that we had met last week was right there to greet us.  He
said, "I just knew I would see you today!  I had a feeling to come over to
the door. Come in, I am free right now. You can share your message with
me!" /.....What!!! It was like a dream! (: It was amazing! He had agreed to
meeting with us sometime, but we weren't able to specify when and when we
contacted him to set up a day, he didn't respond! So seeing him so willing
was incredible.  We had a very positive experience. his heart is open and I
know he will find truth in the message of the gospel! (:

I came across this scripture the other day that I just wanted to share:
"...and thus doth the Lord work with His power in all cases among the
children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their
trust in Him." Mosiah 29:20

I just love that! Because His arm is ALWAYS extended! It is just dependent
upon our willingness to take hold of His open arms and allow them to lift
and transform us! (:

I am SO excited for this upcoming transfer! I know it will be full of
miracles! Heavenly Father is so good to me! And I know it is because of His
Son that I can do all things.

(as for now, I just have to get ready to stretch my stomach out again!
Welcome back to Spanish branches!...haha!)

Love you(:

Cafe Rio (: March 9th, 2015

Well we had a realllly fun week! (: 

It started out with getting to clean some sisters' apartment because they replaced the elders living there previously...and I'm not going to say anything bias...but...haha yeah. That was interesting! And actually really fun (: I love them! It is so great to get to see the sisters I get to work with whenever we can!  The next day was our zone meeting and so I got to do a training on obedience. It was something the Spirit had really been working with me on.  I felt so impressed to share the things I have been learning.  Like the way we receive and retain a remission of our sins is by service and obedience to the commandments! So as missionaries, we should constantly feel that if we are doing it right.  And wow.  Being obedient is just so important! It is a pattern of life that will follow us forever and it is the means by which all blessings flow!  Really, everything happens in accordance to our faith, diligence, and obedience which are so beautifully connected! I have learned that the greatest unhappiness only comes through disobedience. I challenge you all to just ponder what that really means...and how that applies to you.  

I have also been learning a lot about faith and the prayer of faith.  I know that it is through faith that we can do any and all things.  What an amazing gift we have been given to be able to have the capacity to believe in something so wonderful that only can empower and uplift...that being our Savior, Christ and His gospel.  Not to mention that it is through His sacrifice that we are enabled to do these things in the first place!  I just am full of gratitude and feel like I am really learning to pray!  To really seek and to find answers.  I have been asking and I have been receiving.  I know it is real.  Prayer is real and it works! (: I learned in Sacrament meeting a principle that i decided to apply directly to my life.  A member of the 70 came and spoke, Elder Lawrence, and he told us: "Be humble enough to ask, and then be faithful enough to act!" I love that! He spoke of sincerely asking the Lord what we can do to improve or to ask what is holding us back from progressing.  He promised us that if we asked sincerely, we would receive a direct, clear answer from the Holy Ghost, but we needed to be faithful enough to act!  So I did this. And I invite you all to do the same (: It could be a scary thing to consider, knowing that there is always room to improve.  But if we could know the little thing that is holding us back from continuing on, wouldn't we want to know and change it?! Why wouldn't we want to be better? Sure it is new and maybe scary because it is different or it hurts to change....but only beautiful things lie ahead for those who are humble enough to follow the Lord's will.  He knows best! He created us! How exciting is change (:

So...we had the greatest privilege ever this last Saturday of being able to go to the Mesa temple with our recently baptized friend! (: We got to go out of our mission! haha and to the temple! And with our friend! And the ward (: it was just soooo much fun! We even got to go to Cafe Rio!!!!! That's right! After alllll these months...I had Cafe Rio! ah. God is so good!  It only went up hill from there! (and a little down...but then right back up!) Because I watched His hand unfold answer after answer and tender mercy after tender mercy, (miracles, if you will). And when I felt a little down, it all went back to how I could be better and so I learned to pray, yet again! I love these teaching/ learning moments.  

It has just been so wonderful lately! Although we have been striving sooo hard to find more people to teach and haven't been able to find many, we have been blessed in abundance! (: I am so grateful! (:

Love!

Ay no time! March 2nd, 2015

This last week was fun! I felt like I was gone for half of it haha from
exchange to MLC to a dinner we had at the mission home with the other
stls...it was so good (: I love weeks like that! They just do you some good
every-now-and-then!
We had a member missionary training center the other day, too! The MMTC. We
talked about the why and how of member missionary work and it was really
fun! (:
I ran into one of my old compas, too! Hna Lagunes! She was just visiting
and I randomly ran into her! sooo fun (:

We were walking on campus the other day and there were all these people
dressed in black with purple glow-in-the-dark wrist bands! We talked to
them and found out they were playing a huuuge game of capture the flag! So,
fun things on campus! haha gotta love student life.

Other than that, just a normal week (: Our recently baptized friend bore
his testimony yesterday and that was a beautiful moment! He spoke later
that night at a "Why I Believe' fireside we had at the institute.  It was
about just that, why he believes.  It was such a touching moment to hear
him bear his testimony and I loved it! (:
Good things.

I ran myself out of time.

Love!

What We Make It. February 23rd, 2015

We have had probably one of the longest weeks, this last one haha (: but
doesn't it just go that way sometimes?  I like to think that I'm being
refined, right? So I can be confident that it is necessary for me to remain
in the fire a little longer.  oh...but Tucson burns sometimes (;
I got to speak in Sacrament meeting ayer and allllso teach Relief Society!
This singles ward is preparing me for something or something...? But it was
fine! I was asked to speak on continuing in our conversions and so I quoted
the Pops, of course (: I talked about how there is no arrival in life and
the constant need to progress. And also, the trap of feeling "content" in
life. I love in Alma 37 when Alma tells Helaman that when Lehi's family was
apathetic or lazy, they did not progress in their journey.  There is so
much truth to that!  If anything, being on a college campus has helped me
to desire to be more self-motivated and to strive to accomplish!  So I am
grateful for each experience.  We have someone watching out for us who
really knows what they're doing. (:
I have been learning throughout the months the constant necessity to follow
the Spirit and the crucial importance of following what the Lord has in
mind...not us.
I love the Book of Mormon.  I have been finding that the more we take the
time to read it with non members and less active members, their desire to
improve and follow God increases.  The Spirit speaks and it speaks directly
and plain.  What a gift we have!  Read the Book of Mormon.  There is such a
spirit when you do and you will find the things you need to either improve,
find comfort, feel peace, or be enlightened!

Also, I can not contact someone in Sign language...that's been fun to
learn! I stiiiill need to learn patience! haha I have such a hard time with
these signs, but I am getting it down. (:
Fun days.

Love you much (:
Shine on.

Welcome to Summer - February 16, 2015

So there's this place called Tucson Tamales and I love it (: You could only guess why (; but it has the best tamales! Yay. That's a positive thing.

Other than that, I think I just came off the roller coaster and we're coasting in to a beautiful week! Life is grand.  I love these refining moments. 

I was reading in Alma 37 about how Alma was reminding his son, Helaman, about the Liahona that guided Nephi's family in the wilderness.  He said it was such an easy thing to do and so they were lazy and forgot to exercise their faith.  It hit me hard that I cannot forget my God when things ARE going well! Because He is the reason that I can even get through the hard times and that constant faith is what will allow me to be guided and directed from Him.  It is SO simple.  Live the gospel, keep your faith in Christ, and you will be guided and led.  

Alma 37:44 "For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word to Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land."  It is that easy.  (: 

Alma 37:46 "...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us.  The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."  So look! It is just so amusing that it really is that simple, the way is prepared, and yet we get lazy, because it is that easy...so why would it matter?  But it does!  Life is hard, not the gospel.  (: 

I have learned that it is when you put your trust in the Lord and faith in Him that you find success.  In any realm of life.  

Our recently-baptized friend got the Priesthood this Sunday! He is wonderful and I feel so privileged to know him.  The other day in our lesson, he told us that he received revelation and it made him cry and he didn't know why!  He said he really felt the Holy Ghost and he cannot deny these things.  Ohhh I have never known such a joy.  We talked about sharing the gospel and how he will return to Africa soon and his response, with a smile was, "well, I guess I have a lot of work to do!"

Other than that...Valentine's day on campus... interesting time.  I didn't even know it was Valentine's day last year haha but that was surely not the case this year! Oh the days. 

I just want to say that I know it is through the comfort and enabling power that Jesus Christ offers that we can feel whole and at peace.  Alma 38:8 "...behold, I did cry unto Him and I did find peace to my soul."  I know that anyone who cries unto Him will find that same peace.  I love that. I am so grateful to know that.

I love you (: 

God is SO good. February 9th, 2015

Well, life is beautiful (:
I feel like, looking back, I can really see how the Lord has made my
weaknesses strengths! And I still have weaknesses...but I just love that I
can see the truth in the scripture that tells us that as we come to the
Lord, He will make weak things strong! I put all my confidence in that
scripture, because I am a weak thing.
Our friend was able to be baptized and confirmed these last two days!! (:
He is a shining light.  I am SO grateful for the opportunity I have to know
him and to learn from him.  He is an example to me.  God speaks to man if
they will listen! And He makes of us new creatures.  I love something that
our friend said as he was bearing his testimony after his baptism.  He
said: "I feel like I left the old L. in there" (pointing to the baptismal
font).  His testimony was bright.  What joy filled my soul!! (: It is like
nothing before.  I also got to sing at his baptism.  He asked if I would
speak but I asked him if I could sing instead because I love music and feel
that I could best share my testimony through it.  That was a lovely
experience for me!  I could hear my voice echo in the baptismal font and I
was just filled with the spirit.  (haha don't get me wrong, I'm not trying
to tell you I was amazing or anything) I was just very grateful for the
opportunity!
I want to end with a poem I recently wrote about God's love.  It is so
abundant and overflowing (:

God's Love

To me,
God's love is in the morning sky
When the mountain peaks reveal the first ray of light.
Or when the air is crisp and all the world is still,
This is when I can feel my God is near.
To me,
God's love is in the willow tree
That bows to the earth just to greet me.
Or in the fallen leaves of the shadow days of fall;
They remind me I'm noticed, when I feel so small.
To me,
God's love is in the summer rain
That sings to the earth it can be clean again!
Or in the white snow on a gray December,
The love of my God I always remember.
To me,
God's love is in the fading sky
When the stars outside paint our canvas eyes.
Or when the moon and her smile are bright,
I feel God's love in the quiet night.

One of my favorite scriptures is in Doctrine and Covenants 59:18 "Yea, all
things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the
benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the
heart;"  And that is how I know God loves me. (:

Love!

Rainy Dayz February 3rd, 2015

Well, it looks like I am staying at the U of A!!! (: I am pretty excited
about that. I am ready to do better than we did last transfer. Of course,
that is always the goal, right? To be better than you were before?
Things have been going really well.  We've been having a lottt of member
support and that is what it's all about! That is what gets us rolling. I
love it (: I am so grateful. Plus, we really have been needing it
considering I have been gone so much lately! I keep having to send mi compa
off on splits so I can go to meetings haha good thing she is patient with
me! (:
Patience. That's something I'm still learning.  But WOW. I am so grateful
for these experiences we have each day that mold us and shape us into the
people we are supposed to become.

This last week, also, I ate something called the 'Devil Taco'...it is not
nice. Don't do it! haha This member in our ward makes them for missionaries
he wants to kill haha just kidding. But I had to literally sign a waver to
eat it. I don't really know why I was feeling so bold that evening! But so
far, I am the first sister to try it! (perhaps a little prideful? haha) I
only could eat 3 bites!  Let me tell you. It was an adventure.

So something that has been constantly brought up lately in my life as well
as in lessons and in conversations is God's love! It is something that I
have become more and more aware of.  In my last training I gave, I asked
the missionaries what is one of the things they love to testify to people,
and I think that the fact that God loves us is my favorite!  (: Everything
ties back to it.  We have what we have, we are who we are, we are where we
are because God loves us! And He is constantly reaching out to us to show
us that.  Oh, but do our eyes always see?
Sometimes we need to look through heavenly eyes to see the perspective that
God has.  His vision is so much more!  I love God's love.  I love that He
shows it to me in the smallest, simplest ways.  I think I might say this a
lot, but I love His mercy! So much.  And I know that it is only because of
Christ that we are given mercy.  God is love.  We love Him, because He
first loved us.
I love you!
Que tengan una linda semana (:

oh, and get this! Elder Hurst is going to be in my district now haha so no
more letter mix-ups, eh?


pics) Rainy days haha

Words January 26th, 2015

I practically just wrote to you! haha but I'm back! 

This weekend ends up our transfer so fingers crossed I'm here for our friend's baptism!!

Hmm.

I read 2 Nephi 3:5 today which talks about how a branch of the house of Israel will be broken off and then it says, "nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing them out of darkness unto light..." And it really hit me!  And I had this moment where I flashed back to my ancestors and realized that they were a part of that promise, that they made the choice to follow, and that I am the beneficiary of that decision.  It was very humbling and I got a little emotional...Yes, I was born into this Gospel, but only because of them!  And that promise was kept that the Lord made which said that the knowledge of the Messiah would be brought to them; that they would not be forgotten. And they were not. And we are not.  And I love that.

I had a weird moment yesterday where I saw a familiar face who introduced me to his friends as 'Karlee' haha I was like whoa!! That's not my name! It threw me off.  But it was cool to get to see a friend. Super random! Out of no where.  Kind of freaked me out a little haha but it was cool! it was my friend Spencer.

I just want to share a poem about my life lately (: How much I LOVE this. (:

'Joy'

I never knew I'd be the one,
To live under the Tucson sun.
But here I am on my two feet
Walking in the desert heat.
And I've never known a sky so wide
That held such beauty locked inside.
But in this air I can clearly see
The reasons why God needed me.

I never thought that my two eyes
Would find a deeper joy in life.

But as I've followed my God above,

I've found a better way to love.

And I never thought my heart could grow
More full than I have ever known.

But this desert light fills my soul
And suddenly, I find I'm
Home.

John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

 Love you.

A couple Weeks. January 22nd, 2015

Well, it's been a little fast and crazy lately, but I am here now (:

We didn't get to email on Monday and we went to the temple Tuesday and had exchanges yesterday haha and the list goes on!

hmm... The last 2 weeks:

-I did a training in zone meeting and it wasn't too bad doing so alone!

-I have been seeing miracles on the daily (which should be expected in anyone's life!) and they have really taught me to be aware of God's constant hand in my life.  Also that I should never get too comfortable and think that just because I am receiving blessings now that I don't need to keep working and continuing to do the things I am supposed to.  Whether we are receiving blessings or not (but we always are!), we should still continue in the path of the commandments.

-I have been able to see my dear friend Isaac from my first area many times because we are teaching his neighbor! Sooo great! (: tendermercies.

-I have eaten 2 dinners in one night (almost back to Hispanic style haha but one meal was African and one was Chinese! and neither were by choice hahaha got to love those investigators!)

-Our investigator from Africa is progressing so well! (: He understands everything he reads and he teaches me more as well! He bore testimony to us that he knows these things are true and when we invited him to pray about the word of wisdom, he said, "I don't need to! I already know it's true. It just makes sense!" It was awesome (: We told him to continue to strive to receive that witness for himself.  He will be baptized in 2 weeks! 

hmm...other than that! Just here learning away.  I love the mission. I am so grateful for this time I get to spend to draw nearer to my Savior by helping others come unto Him! (:

The Book of Mormon really is another witness and anyone who reads with a sincere heart really will come closer to their Savior! I know it! (: It's such a beautiful, perfect gospel (although we are not....we will become!) 

Keep shining the gospel light!

Blessings!!!! January 12, 2015

I ran myself out of time...but I just want you to know that God knows us!
We have been seeing miracle after miracle. I know they come after we
exercise our faith! (: Wow. we are just so blessed.
The most important things to know in life are that God loves you and knows
you! And that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,  we can be new. We can
be whole. We can be cleansed. I know this with everything in me.
Nothing brings more happiness than this knowledge.
Have a great week! (:

New Year's Week! January 5th, 2015

This last week has been fun (:
The weather has almost been as bipolar as UT!

It snowed! What...haha love it!

On New Year's day the entire mission got together and we had what we called a Mission Unity Day (M.U.D.) as our President liked to refer it as haha.  It was so fun! We got to play games and see all of our old companions! Not that I saw many...considering they're all home except for Hermana Dominguez and my current companion...but I saw all of my friends (: We had a good ole time!  We played a giant mission-wide game of Simon says...and guess who won! Yep (: Before they started they said the last 2 standing would be the next APs (almost perfect) haha small joke...but it ended up that a bunch of people got out at once and I was the last...so you know what that means...(; just joking!!! I am learning much of humility out here, do not worry.  The mission does well to teach you that you really are lower than the dust.....but also that the enabling power of the Atonement is what lifts us back up again and encourages us to keep improving.

I got to attend another Mission Leadership Council.  My favorite meeting in the mission!  It is full of inspiring leaders (who are my friends (: ) and a spirit of desire to learn!  And oh, what we do learn (: It is joy.  The longer I have these great experiences, the more I learn that everything goes back to love!  And how appropriate because everything is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who is love.  

I got to train in district meeting last week haha that was a little random! And I get to train solo in this upcoming zone meeting since I am now a single leader haha pray for me! This is the only thing that makes me nervous in life!  (:

One sad experience and then a cool one, okay?:

So we talked about baptism again with our Chinese friend.  He has many fears of what would happen if he is baptized.  They are very realistic and it would take immense faith to overcome them! I do understand...but when he told us this again, I couldn't help but burst into tears.  I was so sad.  

I spent the rest of the night (as this was our last appointment) pondering why...why it is like this in some places of the world and why it is so trying for our faith to accept.

I came to 2 conclusions.  #1. we HAVE the Gospel here and we can accept it in its fullest here so I better share it with EVERYONE who has the blessing of freedom to freely accept if it be the desire of their hearts.  #2. God's timing is perfect.  We are here to become and one of those things we learn through the journey of becoming is patience.  We do not need to be discouraged because God loves us! He has promised that if we are faithful, we will be lead to the promised land....and that promised land for me will be when the Gospel fills the whole earth. (: I can't wait!!! 

 SO trust in God, who is mighty to save.  In His wisdom, and not man's. 

The cool experience we had happened because I am just haha me.

I smiled and waved at this guy walking in a crosswalk as we drove by.  A couple days later we were eating with some members at inn and out burger haha and I looked up to make eye contact with this same guy! I could tell that he recognized me as well.  I wasn't sure at first why he looked familiar, so of course I got up and talked to him.  He did remember me! And because of it, we were able to invite him to learn. 

~a testimony of waving (:

Have a beautiful week (:

(sorry I have been wanting to send pictures, but I can't figure this computer out and so next week?? like I said, still learning patience) (: haha