There are super fat little birds here from all the missionaries feeding them, haha. And that's Hermana Nichigushi with how fast we were able to say the first vision in Spanish, each of us saying a word. We started out at 3.5 minutes, haha :)
Hello, my wonderful family!
Alright, now for the really fun stuff.
The temple last week was marvelous as always. Unfortunately, we won't get a chance to go today because we're meeting with the consulate in the middle of our temple time, but I guess it works out because we need to pack anyway.
Speaking of devotionals, the one this week was great as always, and it was another broadcasted one! It was sent to all of the MTCs, and Elder Neil A. Anderson was there! He talked about love and sacrifice, and how "we sacrifice for the things we love, and love the things we sacrifice for." Makes sense, yeah? The coolest part was how he had one of his missionaries from when he was a mission president speak with him at the pulpit. They hadn't seen each other since those mission days (20-ish years!) and they were reunited at the pulpit. Super cool. They talked about the mission and about how hard days and sacrifices are paid off. (I also ran into Kayla Hawes in the choir, super fun to see her!) We also sang my favorite in the choir, "Lead Kindly Light," and one of Mike's media tech buddies shot a closeup of me to send you all a screenshot. :)
We were able to host again this week, and I got to meet more prepared, super spiritual Sisters. And here's something crazy, every single Sister I've talked to here (that's a lot) has known that they wanted to serve a mission before the age change. It just goes to show how inspired the age change was!!
We've had great lessons with our "investigators," and Diana (you know they're all just teachers, right? Haha. The real deal starts next week!) was able to get her husband, "Edgar," to sit in during our lessons this week! That was awesome. We also got to teach "Juan" a hand-game to help him remember the 10 commandments. That was definitely the most fun I've had during a lesson!
I've been reading Alma 26 almost every day this week. It's like Ammon's homecoming talk, haha. That chapter, and Jeremiah 1:5-8 are the best! If I could totally internalize those passages, I don't think I'd ever ever be scared or homesick or worried on my mission! And it's been really cool to see how much Heavenly Father is trusting me as a missionary. He's made it clear to me that there's just no room for doubt on my mission. So many doctrines have clicked together for me while I've been at the MTC, and I've received so many personal revelations on what I need to be doing. I've been so blessed!
I'm going to try to get some letters out in between packing up and everything, but if I don't get a chance, I'll still be getting to call you all in a couple of days! :D
Hey guess what? -I get to talk to you all on Monday! Woohoo!
Guess what else? -Elder Reynolds got his reassignment yesterday to Long Beach California... and then got his visa after dinner!!! Now we all get to fly out together. So stoked.
Ok, some quick items of biz:
-Is everything good with my debit card as far as going to Spain? I'm pretty sure it was worked out before I went to the MTC, but I just wanted to make sure.
-As for sending photos to my district's parents, I've actually just given everyone my blog address so their parents can see them on there. I know I send a ton of photos, but if you think you can get them all on there, that'd be stupendous :)
-Thanks so much for that pumpkin bread!! We feasted this morning on Reeses Puffs cereal from Elder Merkley's mom, and pumpkin bread from you guys, haha. It was a good last MTC breakfast.
-Thanks to Ma and Pa Samuels for the awesome sweets package!!! Those cookies were amazing (though, of course, never as good as those ginger cookies from trek, haha). I love you both!
-And Mom, I LOVED that picture you painted of the Sister Missionary on the sheet of music. That's super cool!! I'm going to have fun putting these things up in my apartments.
-And of course, DearElders and letters make the MTC world go 'round, so thank you Mom, Dad, Mike, FUZ, Sister Webber and Jonathan! The love, encouragement and support goes a long way!
Alright, now for the really fun stuff.
The temple last week was marvelous as always. Unfortunately, we won't get a chance to go today because we're meeting with the consulate in the middle of our temple time, but I guess it works out because we need to pack anyway.
I found myself thinking a lot about Grandpa Mason while I was there last time. I know for sure now that he's doing the same work that I'll be doing in Spain, just on the other side :) It's such a blessing to know that we'll all be together again. In a devotional this week (I don't remember which one), they said how on a mission, "the family is geographically divided but spiritually united." It's the same for this life and the next :)
Speaking of devotionals, the one this week was great as always, and it was another broadcasted one! It was sent to all of the MTCs, and Elder Neil A. Anderson was there! He talked about love and sacrifice, and how "we sacrifice for the things we love, and love the things we sacrifice for." Makes sense, yeah? The coolest part was how he had one of his missionaries from when he was a mission president speak with him at the pulpit. They hadn't seen each other since those mission days (20-ish years!) and they were reunited at the pulpit. Super cool. They talked about the mission and about how hard days and sacrifices are paid off. (I also ran into Kayla Hawes in the choir, super fun to see her!) We also sang my favorite in the choir, "Lead Kindly Light," and one of Mike's media tech buddies shot a closeup of me to send you all a screenshot. :)
As we walked back from that devotional it was "pouring" (in the words of everyone not from Florida, haha), and I realized how it really doesn't take much to excite missionaries, haha. We had way more fun than was normal running back and getting soaked. Good times!
We were able to host again this week, and I got to meet more prepared, super spiritual Sisters. And here's something crazy, every single Sister I've talked to here (that's a lot) has known that they wanted to serve a mission before the age change. It just goes to show how inspired the age change was!!
We've had great lessons with our "investigators," and Diana (you know they're all just teachers, right? Haha. The real deal starts next week!) was able to get her husband, "Edgar," to sit in during our lessons this week! That was awesome. We also got to teach "Juan" a hand-game to help him remember the 10 commandments. That was definitely the most fun I've had during a lesson!
In the last few lessons we've had, I've really noticed a change in how I've taught. I love these people so much! Even though it's just practice, I've grown to care so much about our investigators. Because of that, I've gotten so much more comfortable during lessons, and the Spirit helps me with the language so much more. However, I've noticed that it can only take you so far, haha. I was talked to Diana and Edgar, and then started getting way into what I was talking about. I was on a roll, and going on about the covenants we make at baptism and how awesome they are and how great the sacrament is and then WHAM, haha, I hit a wall with a word I'd just never learned before. You've got to put the words into your head at least once before the Spirit can call them to your remembrance!
But the Spirit's been so strong during our classes and lessons with investigators. I can't even tell you how much Hermano Ball's inspired us! We had a really cool experience the other night where our lesson with Hermano Ball ran late because we just kept asking him to tell us more about the field, and by the time he left, none of us could speak because the spirit was so tangible in the room. We all said a prayer together, and then just wrote down some thoughts and sat there enjoying the peace and strength we were feeling from the Holy Ghost.
I've been reading Alma 26 almost every day this week. It's like Ammon's homecoming talk, haha. That chapter, and Jeremiah 1:5-8 are the best! If I could totally internalize those passages, I don't think I'd ever ever be scared or homesick or worried on my mission! And it's been really cool to see how much Heavenly Father is trusting me as a missionary. He's made it clear to me that there's just no room for doubt on my mission. So many doctrines have clicked together for me while I've been at the MTC, and I've received so many personal revelations on what I need to be doing. I've been so blessed!
And of course, it wouldn't be the MTC if we weren't constantly learning about faith. Sister Carol F McConkie of the YW presidency talked about Matthew 14:25-31 this past Sunday. She said that we may often feel like we're stepping out into turbulent waters (the mission field!), but the Lord knows we can stand - He wouldn't have called us out of the boat if He didn't! She encouraged us to show faith that He alone will sustain us by casting aside any burdens, fears, or distractions that we might otherwise be relying on.
I'm going to try to get some letters out in between packing up and everything, but if I don't get a chance, I'll still be getting to call you all in a couple of days! :D
It's been great to hear how you all are doing! Brad and Kate: I want to hear from you two! Mom and Dad have been keeping me updated, but I want the scoop from you guys, too ;)
I love you all so, so much! I pray for you throughout everyday and I can't wait to talk to you soon!!
Love,
Hermana Grover
PS- here are pics of my marvelous companions :) I'll send a bunch more, too.
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