My heart is full!

Sunday we arrived for our meeting as service missionaries at 9:30. Church was from 11:00-2:00... and we stayed for missionary correlation. By the time we got home, it was nearly 3:00! Who ever said Sunday was a day of rest? I almost felt like I needed a Saturday to help make up for my Sunday!

That being said, I am so grateful to be serving a mission. The members in my branch are absolutely wonderful! I am so in love with each and every member of our small branch. There is just something so sincere and wonderful in the sisters as each of them greets you with a kiss and a hug. The brethren are so genuine. The young women... well... I think they are the best! I love the spirit they bring with them each week.

I am learning and growing so much. It is a never-ending wonder to me how the Lord has continued to bless me in this calling. My Spanish has improved - mostly. I still struggle with some things. Like today, Hermana Troconiz (from Venezuela!) and I went visiting teaching together. I was trying to explain the reprocussion of a gun firing... and realized I didn't have the vocabulary to do so! (Generally, I don't talk about that subject... in English OR Spanish, but she eventually got it!) A simple 2 minute explanation turned in to a 10 minute game of charades. =)

I now have my 2 counselors for Young Women: Hna. Silva and Hna. Espitia. They are absolutely wonderful, and I really look forward to getting to know them better. I know they will work well with the girls! I look forward to all the fun things we get to do together... as we grow and work on our Personal Progress.

There is a couple who is investigating the church right now, the Hernandez family. They have the most incredible spirit! On fast Sunday, he got up and shared his testimony, and it is so strong. They are waiting for just a couple more things to happen, and then the will be baptized. I am so excited for them! I know the gospel has changed their lives. I love to see the glow they have each time I see them!

Branch Christmas party!

Friday night was our branch Christmas party. It was absolutely amazing! We invited a ward from Herriman- which recently had been split from the branch- and had a wonderful dinner, program, and dancing. The young men/women were in charge of the decorations, and we had a lot of fun setting up! Zane spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping out. He is really good at keeping things organized... and I know it was greatly appreciated. Santa Clause even came. He must be the REAL santa, because you could see in his eyes that he loved every child that sat on his lap. He even spoke English and Spanish! I had the opportunity to take all the kids' pictures with santa. The magic in the air was absolutely electrifying!

The dinner started at 7:00. I would say we had over 300 people come. It was amazing! What was really incredible to me is the bond that all the members have with each other. The Hispanic culture is different from the culture I grew up in. When a sister greets a sister, she gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Each person entering the event Friday seemed to make it a point to greet all those who were already there. It really was like a huge family reunion - where everyone really wanted to see each member of the family. Zane and I felt so loved and welcomed it was just amazing!

There was music and dancing all night. Zane even joined in the fun and asked one of the young women to get me to dance with him. He actually smiled and laughed! It was a lot of fun. By about 11:30 we were actually coming home. I am convinced it would have been later, had members from another ward not shown up to set up for a wedding reception. One thing I will say about the Hispanic community is they know how to have a party!!

I took more than 200 pictures with Santa. Here are 4 of my favorites!

Young Women!

Last night, I went to my first Young Women's mutual. It was such a blast! The young women are preparing a dance for the Christmas program next weekend. They were learning swing dance, and were having a blast doing it! I laughed so hard with them as we had fun together. I look forward to all the fun times we get to have together.

I could tell all the young women were timid at first, and a little unsure of how to react to me. I think putting away all the chairs and having the girls all sit on the floor with me was a good way to break the ice. =)

I love serving this mission. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, and He is giving me this incredible opportunity to love, laugh and learn. I am so grateful!

A new calling

As service missionaries in our Spanish branch, Zane and I can accept calling in our branch. Acouple of weeks ago, he was called as the youth Sunday School teacher - and the youth really love him! There are 5 young women... and 2 young men. I taught his class for him this week while he was at National Guard, and they are great kids! I also got a calling. I am the Young Women's president. I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! I know this will be a grat experience- I love the young women. I know we will have a lot of fun together, and have a lot of great learning and growing opportunities!!!

Pan de la vida!

Translated, the title means "Bread of life!" My sister works at Pierre Bakery in Sugarhouse. Recently, the owner has had some major struggles in her life. However, every day when there is bread left over that doesn't sell... she donates it to people less fortunate. I know they take some baked goods to the homeless shelter on at least on a weekly basis. Yesterday, my sister asked me if I could use some of the day-old bread for the members in my branch. I took some to my branch today... and you would not believe the amazing reaction they had. Each family was able to take plenty home... and some families took a little extra home for friends and neighbors. It was absolutely amazing. The members were so grateful for all we were able to share with them. I am so grateful to Pierre Bakery for their willingness to give. I know they will be immensly blessed for their generosity.

Christmas Gifts

I know it's impossible to believe, but I went to an activity without my camera. =( Our Spanish branch had an activity where the Relief Society got together, and we painted some small gifts for neighbors and friends. It was a neat experience. I have to say- I learend a lot of new vocabulary today! I have never talked about paint brushes or painiting in Spanish... and my mind surely was overwhelmed at times - but I did it! It was a lot of fun.

2 sisters also showed us how to make traditional dishes from their countries. I love cooking, so it was fun to see and learn something new. One of the recipes was pan dulce (sweet bread) from Argentina. We all got the recipe, and I just might make it as a neighbor gift. I love to do unique things, and what is more unique than making a traditional food from another country?!

Some of the children in the branch were there today also. There is a 3 year old, Amy, who just sat on my lap and let me hold her. She is so beautiful! She has the deepest brown eyes- almost black- and it was neat for me to be able to just be with her. (She has 3 sisters, and her mom was there with all 4 of them!)

One of the sisters had her camera at the activity, and hopefully I will be able to get a few of her pictures to put on my blog. I would love for everone to be able to see my branch. What a wonderful group of people, I love them so much!!

A Thanksgiving Treat

Our branch had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner the Friday before Thanksgiving. Brittany was out of town, so Zane went by himself. There are 3 or 4 sets of American missionaries serving in our branch. The tradition of cooing a turkey for Thanksgiving is something that is new to the Hispanic culture, and last year there was some difficulty with the thanksgiving dinner. This year all the American missionaries cooked the turkeys.

I was asked to do so - but being out of town, had to deligate the responsibility to Zane. The sister that had asked me to cook a turkey asked "Can he really do that? Or should I just cook an extra?" I assured her all would be well... and it was! Zane's turkey (according to his very unbiased opinion) was one of the juiciest there!

The dinner was a great success. Nearly 300 people attended! (The membership of our branch is only abou 175.)

A beautiful day!

Today we went to the meetings in our Spanish branch. The brethren asked Zane to help them bless the sacrament. He said he can't remember ever doing that before today... he has done baptisms and confirmations... and today was a first. I thought that was neat to share.

We also started our choir practice for the branch Christmas program. That was fun! We had 4 brothers and about 6 sisters... and we went through and sang all the Christmas hymns. Hopefully in 2 weeks we will have a little more "animo" (excitement) about singing in a choir. Only one sister had heard "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" so we sang that one a few times. I definately think we should use that for the program. I am also going to have the young women and young single adult sisters sing "Mary's Lullaby" and would like to have the young men and single adult men sing also - but we will have to see how they feel about that the next time we meet!

In our gospel principles class we were talking about the signs of the second coming of Christ. There are a few non-members in the class, and that is always neat - to hear the questions they have. As members, we are taught to be prepared for that day. It seems like it is such a part of our lives and who we are, we really don't take the time to truly reflect on what it will take to be ready to meet the Savior. The question that was asked was "How do I know when I am prepared to meet Jesus?" Thought provoking. The answer was "I don't feel I will ever be fully prepared to meet Him".

It was a great opportunity to learn, and to see things from a new perspective.

A busy week!

This week has been a busy week. Wednesday night I met the Elders at the home of a beautiful couple who are investigating the church. We had a great lesson from the Elders, and it was a neat experience. Thursday night we had the Elders come for a dinner appointment... and what better dinner than pizza?! We had a great time... and even carved out some jack-o-lanterns. It was Elder Gordillo's first time ever ~ since he is from Guatemala, and that is not a tradition they have there. We had a few good laughs!

Saturday there was a family from our branch sealed in the temple. What a blessing! We also had a missionary open house that afternoon, followed by a baptism ~ followed by a reception for the family that was sealed! It was a marvelous opportunity to be able to participate in all the blessings of the gospel!

I had the opportunity to teach the gospel essentials class today, and the lesson was the law of chastity. That was a really neat class to teach. I loved seeing the people in the class as they began to understand the principle of the lesson - and how they realized it could change their lives. I am so blessed to be a part of this incredible work!!

What an incredible experience!

Today I went to my branch alone... Zane was sick. I went to the welfare meeting, then met with a few of the sisters in the branch, just getting to know them.

Just before sacrament meeting started, I looked around the chapel and wanted the opportunity to meet a family I hadn't yet. On the back row was a beautiful couple with 2 children. I wat down next to the sister and we started talking - they are not members, but were visiting with the elders. We became instant friends, and I look forward to growing with her in the gospel.

As I looked around the chapel, I had a really neat experience. I realized that every single member of the branch was familiar to me. I realized that my spirit was recognizing each person in the chapel - as a spirit brother or sister whom I had know before this earth. I know the calling Zane and I have been given is inspired. I look forward to the opportunity we will have to serve and spread the love of our Savior!

Our first Sunday

Today, Zane and I put on our missionary name tags for the first time, and met with our new Spanish branch. We are so excited!

All the adult members of the branch actually fit in the Relief Society room - and what a beautiful branch we have! For the block meetings, we had sacrament first, then the last 2 hours were combined. The lesson was about missionary work - talking about the responsibilities of the members. This wonderful branch is starting an initiative where the members are going to be finding people for the full time missionaries to teach. Every Thursday and Saturday for 2 hours, the branch presidency want members that can to go out seeking families. We are having a missionary open house on November 1st, and at that time they want to have a "full house". It's really neat to see the efforts that are being made to spread the gospel. I am sure the Savior is very pleased!

It was an amazing feeling today to put on a missionary name tag again. My heart is so full of love for the people in this branch... and I hardly know any of them. I know what kind of spirit is always present in Spanish branches. I felt right at home as soon as we walked in the door. Hearing the hymns in Spanish (singing them in Spanish...) brings the spirit so strongly. It is impossible to explain the feeling to anyone unless they have experienced it - but being among the Lamanite people is just an amazing experience.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve the Lord. I look forward to serving in this beautiful branch!!

Come Follow Me

This weekend, I was inspired to write a poem.
The messge, I feel, is very important. I wanted to share it!



Come Follow Me

There is a place within our heart
A man will sometimes go
A place so deep, a place so dark
We feel no other knows.

The lonliness we go through there
Pulls down our hearts
Drags down our minds
To the very depths of deep despair.

There was another, once,
Who felt the salf-same pain:
Gethsemane He faced alone
So eternal life could be our gain.

The friends with him sat idly by
While kneeling, praying
From every pore he bled -
And to His father He did cry
To remove this cup instead.

We cannot ever comprehend
The pain He had to bear:
Nor the agony He faced on Calvary's hill
He struggled through
To comlete our father's will.

So when into our hearts we go
To that place of darkest night
Our Savior wants us to recall
He paid a price already -
To make our burdon's light.

The simple invitation of
"Come follow me"
If we will just accept
Will fill our hearts with joy and peace:
And remind us of His love.

Our mission call

As many of you may know, Zane and I have been called to serve a mission with the Inner City Project here in Salt Lake. We are both so excited to serve! Since we both served our full-time missions Spanish-speaking, we have the incredible opportunity to serve this mission together in Spanish!

We spent the last 2 days in a training with other missionaries for the inner city. Many of the other couples will be serving with refugees from places such as Somalia and Iraq (among other places). We were unaware ther are over 19,000 refugees living in the Salt Lake area. I feel it is absolutely amazing that this inner-city project has been put together - to help all those in need of help. Not all the people being served by the missionaries are members of the church, and this is an incredible opportunity to share the love of the Savior to those who are in great need of being spiritually lifted. Most of the other couples serving in the project are retired, or older couples. One sweet couple had their 38th wedding anniversary today - and I'm not even that old! We feel extremely blessed to be able to work with these senior couples and learn from their wisdom.

After our training today, we went and met our branch presidency and a few other members of the branch also. There are approximately 80 members in the branch, and each of the members that we met have a beautiful spirit about them. As we stood there waiting, the spirit was so strong! I couldn't help but feel the love of my Savior as I saw these beautiful families - and tears filled my eyes.

To think, we have been given so many resources with which to help them! There is a way to help them further their education, find doctors that charge less (for those without insurance), find housing, assistance to pay the bills, legal aid... the list goes on and on. Our assignment is to help the families in our branch to become more self-reliant by teaching them how to set and reach goals, as well as better understand how to live within a budget, or get more education for a better job security. There are so many opportunities to teach, this almost seems insurmountable! We know that as we serve, the Lord will guide us in all that we do, in order to allow us to best serve the members of our branch. We are very excited to have been given this marvelous opportunity to serve the Lord.

We hope to write about some of our experiences as missionaries. We were asked to keep a journal. We thought it might be interesting to others to learn about our mission experiences as well, so we decided a mission blog would be a good idea. We hope to write at least once a week!