Oh what a week

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I definitely felt the love here at the MTC. Yesterday, the mail room was complete chaos, there were over 1400 packages just in one day! This week we all indulged in generous amounts of chocolate, sugary goodness, more sugar and anything and everything pink or red. After all of that, now just the thought of sweets makes me sick, but at the time of my indulging my sweet tooth thanked me for it! YUM. Holidays are fun here, or at least Valentines Day was fun! There was nothing out of the ordinary, we just told each other, "I Love You" more times than the normal day and exchanged love notes but it is just exciting to see everyones eyes light up when they get packages and letters. Long story short, People Watching just gets better during the holiday season. 

So just a little thought that I've learned this week and wanted to share with you guys. One of the quorum of the seventies came to speak to us on Tuesday night! (By the way, I decided that Tuesdays and Sundays are my favorite days of the week because we get the BEST speakers!) He was awesome and gave me a lot of new perspectives on my missionary service and how I can best reach our to those people that I will serve in the mission field. However, I also could see how this message can be applied in our everyday lives aside from the mission. That's right! LISTEN UP PEOPLE. One thing that I loved, and which I have conveniently been struggling with this week, is when he told us to "Give of yourself by forgetting about yourself." This is obviously something that every good missionary must do as they serve a mission, because it is a completely selfless service, but there are times where it is easy for our personal fears become a focus. I have seen this especially with learning a new language! I have to put myself out there to speak to strangers, in a language that I am not yet comfortable in, who will most times reject me (I'm just being real here, not pessimistic. If it was an easy work, then the good times would not be as sweet), it can be intimidating. We have been taught that where fear exists love and faith does not. So as we strengthen our faith in the Lord, knowing that he will bless us according to our faith in him, we can overcome those fears. I read a scripture that talked about this concept perfectly in Doctrine and Covenants 67: 2-3, "Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you and the heaven and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give. Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in you hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive." As my companions and I pray to have the gift of tongues and to be blessed with the Spirit in our lessons, we also need to practice the language and seek out opportunities where we can be uplifted by the Spirit. We also need to have complete faith that the Lord is aware of us and the work that we are doing. He will make up for the areas that we lack, and make sure that we are on the right path. And what a great blessing it has been for me as I've felt real love for those "strangers," aka soon to be life long friends, in Chile. I feel that because of this love that I have for them, I will not fear those times that will normally be intimidating for me. I am not going to Chile to convince people that they should join the church, I am going to Chile to help facilitate a change in their lives that will bring them Happiness and Perspective. I have a testimony that Heavenly Father loves us so much and he wants us to be happy in this life. If we just have faith in him and do his will, we will be able to accomplish the things that are asked of us. Our burdens will be made light, and our weaknesses will be made strong. My purpose is to help others draw closer to Christ. How great is my calling!

I love the work that I am doing here and am so grateful to be a missionary at this time. I have never been more happy and am so excited to go to Chile in just 4 more weeks! What?? Life is so Rad. Thank you so much for your love. I love you guys so much! Keep in touch. xoxoxox


Picture 1: Brisbane. My precious Australian friend

Picture 2: Lipstick Party!

Picture 3: Going all around the world!