May 15, 2013

 

HOLA TODOS!!!!

NEWS FROM THE MTC: Ok. You will not believe my good fortune this week. Are ya'll ready for this? Apostle #2!!: Russel M. Nelson. He spoke a devotional last night. He and his wife talked a lot about family history work. It was really cool. He told us that the people on the other side of the veil are a lot more involved with missionary work than we are aware of. Isn't that the coolest thing? He said that we should pray for help from our ancestors. Sister Nelson encouraged us to pray for help and ask for them by name. Isn't that so great? It really hit home for me. I know my family on the other side is helping me. It's so special.

So, LAST WEEEEEK! I leave in 5 days. I can't believe it. I feel a little paralyzed. When I got my travel plans. I was just like "ok. let's do this thing." The Elder in our district that is going to Florida was basically having an epileptic fit. We fly out at 6 AM, so that means I have to be at the travel office at 3AM. We had a zone leave this week, so we got to help the sisters get to the travel office two mornings this week. If you were awake at 3:45 on Monday morning and 4:45 this morning, so was I. That means I've got a lot of practice. So, I'll be getting to the airport SUPER early in the morning. BUT, I get to call home. I know it's really early...if you don't want to get up that early, I'll be fine. Just let me know in a Dear Elder what you want to do. If you decide to be awake, I'll probably call from 4:30 to 5ish. I won't be able to talk for long, but I'd love to just talk to you for a second.

OOOOOO ya!!! I almost forgot. Janice Kapp Perry spoke to the Relief Society (aka all the sister missionaries in the MTC) on Sunday. She is so cool. We sang a medley of her songs and I wept like a child. We sang all of her really popular songs. Two of them got me though. Remember how you'd always be playing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" when we got home from school, mom? Well, I cried when we sang that. Then remember when Cade would want to sing "Love is Spoken Here" for EVERY family home evening? Well, I cried when we sang that. Also, we sang "Armies of Heleman". Sobbed when we sang that. She also is remaking "As Sisters in Zion". It is going to be called "The Sisters of Zion." We were the first to ever sing it. It's all about sister missionaries and it is beautiful. I can't wait for you all to hear it. Well, I cried when we sang that too. I guess that is what I get for trying to be strong and not cry for 5 weeks at the MTC. The flood gates burst, and now I'm crying at the drop of a hat. Bring it on.

The Spanish is coming. We talked to a lady from Chile on Skype yesterday. I'm never going to learn Spanish here because native speakers don't speak the Spanish I am learning. It is crazy fast. I may just bear my testimony everytime someone speaks to me in Spanish because I'm not going to be able to understand a word they say. At least they'll get a little truth.

 

Here are a couple pictures. The first is of Hermana Foster and one of our roommates, Sister Prater and me. Second is of our district Hermanas. I'm sending a third of our zone. They are all characters.

Well, I better go. Lots to do. I miss you all so much. One preachy/missionary thing per week. Here it comes: I just want you to know how real Heavenly Father is in our lives, how real Christ's love is, and how much the Holy Ghost will help you. God will help you, if you ask. Christ will help you with anything, if you will let him. The Holy Ghost will guide you and comfort you, if you do the things you need to be worthy of Him. I know it. I've felt all those things here. They are all real. Yo se. I know it with all my heart. Love you. Miss you.

Hermana Gardner