Mexico City CCM Photo Update

Theres No Place Like Home For The Holidays

Yes, that was the song that was playing in my mind when I woke up on Christmas morning. But before you all start thinking that I had a "Blue Christmas"  let me tell you it was a Christmas unlike any other I have exprienced so far and I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Elder Holland once said "On this Christmas I send my love to every missionary, every man or woman in the military, every student and every employee and traveler who won't "be home for Christmas" as the carol says. Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. Seek Christ devoid of wrapping and tinsel. You will find that despite external circumstances Christmas -like the kingdom of God- 'is within you'(Luke 17:21)."
One of the CCM counselors here (who all our Elders nickname "Presidente Savaje" (President Savage) and is almost as bad cop as Dad) further said, "For the next 18 or 24 months, every day will be Christmas, because you will be giving the gift, and sharing the love of Christ every day... May you carry the Spirit of Christmas with you every day, and strive to be better, more obedient, and true disciples of Him."
This really hit home for me because my Christmas didn't really feel all that different than any other day here at the CCM... and not just because our Christmas breakfast was literally a ham and cheese sandwich. (the Elders were really upset about it until I told them they should go get a plate of eggs and make it an egg ham and cheese sandwich...) but back to the point, I think that my Christmas didn't feel like a normal Christmas because it's not normal... I'd like to think that I'm living Christmas every day.
That being said the CCM does try it's best to make it special, and I honestly love when Christmas falls on a Sunday. Christmas Church is the best, and CCM Christmas Church is no exception. For sacrament we combined probably 4 branches and the meeting consisted of reading the story of Christ's birth in Matthew 2 and Luke 1 & 2 and singing Christmas hymns in between. It was a really spiritual and uplifting meeting. We also attended a devotional broadcasted from Provo with Dallin H Oaks as the featured speaker it was really refreshing, 1- because I love apostles and 2- because it was in English. After the devotional, for lunch the cooks made honey baked ham, with mashed potatoes, some sort of cheese/flan cake and carrot soup, it was much better than breakfast and definitely got the Elders approval.
After lunch it was time to call families, ay ay ay that was tough!!!! It was so exciting, but I lost it almost immediately when dad picked up the phone. Oh and all my Spanish went out the window when they asked me to bear my testimony so I promise I can speak a little better than what they probably heard, but esta bien. They made sure to tell me that I have so much love, support, and prayers headed my way from Utah and I want to thank each and every one of you for them, I not only need that strength but I can also feel it. The blessings of God are so real, He is so good. I hope that all of us can look around and see the hand of God in our lives and feel the Savior's love for us each and every day. I know that Christ was born in a humble place that He lived a perfectly humble life, and He died in complete humility. I  also know that He lives again and that when He returns all the world will know of His greatness and majesty. That is why I am here, to help prepare the people of Knoxville for His coming.
Which reminds me!!!! I head out of here on January 3!!!! How crazy is that?! Time actually passed!!! Not going to lie there were times I doubted 6 weeks really would go by but here they are ticking away, and I'm going to Tennessee! I am the trip leader for me and two elders, which means I have to report to the reception office on Tuesday morning at 3:00 IN THE MORNING!!!! But wait it get's better: one of my companeras has to be there at 2:00 am... so long story short  I'll be up and at em' dark and early on Tuesday so think of me in your dreams as you sleep warm and cozy in your beds.... Oh well, I did sign up for this didn't I? BUT AY CARUMBA I AM SO EXCITED TO GET TO KNOXVILLE!!!!! On one hand it doesn't really seem real, it kind of seems like I'll live out my life here at the CCM.... which isn't true but it's a surreal feeling, almost like I'm leaving on a mission all over again. However as much as I am heartbroken at the prospect of leaving my beloved Districto 6B I am so excited to get to Knoxville in all its 23 degree Fahrenheit glory!!!
So wow, after ALL of that I still think there's "no place like home for the holidays" but the home I'm talking about is the home I have made here in Mexico. It is a new kind of home, surrounded by a new kind of family that I am so very grateful for.
Please remember I am so grateful for each of you back home home in Utah,
Best wishes and a Happy New Year to all!!!!!
Love,
Hermana Hall
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Hermana Hall

Daily email

If you would like to send an email that will be printed each day and delivered  to Mckenzie that day here is her address. They don't print and send on Saturday or Sunday

mpmletters@gmail.com

In the subject line put:
Sister McKenzie Hall January 3, 2017 Branch 6 District B


Her regular email is: hall.mckenzie@myldsmail.net

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT THE MEXICO CCM (ESTA BIEN)

6:10 Hermana Olsen's alarm goes off, she turns it off, I hit the lights then jump back up on my bed say my prayers, make my bed (while sitting on it because I'm too short to make it while standing:) then hop down open my twelve days of Christmas letter from Ryan and any package from mom
6:25 start getting ready for the day, normally I just leave my hair natural but lately I've been using some heat on it to see how much time it takes
7:00 when we should be heading out the door but instead have last minute accessory needs, or makeup fixes. Esta bien, because even still we make it to breakfast before all of the Elders... go figure that one, you know you're late when girls beat you to places
7:10 walk into the comedor immediately wash hands (they have sinks everywhere and require you to wash hands before and after meals which is a big blessing and should offer mothers around the world much comfort that their children are being taught to prevent colds;) Then I always say hola to my favorite worker and amiga Hermana Bique (the one that loves my bonita nadiz or cute nose) I always eat fruit for breakfast, (putting honey on honeydew is muy bien) then if what they're offering isn't pancakes or if it looks like it should be lunch instead of breakfast I'll go for cereal as my main bfast dish. FYI for my family the cereal choices are: Special K, Bran, Cheerios, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, and Chocolate Frosted Flakes. I usually get either Cheerios or Special K, I haven't eaten any of the sugar cereals yet, maybe because I know they won't be the same, or I'm trying to eat something that will sustain me until lunch, because literally time is broken up by meals here
7:30 we are still around the table with our district telling stories and laughing until we realize we should probably get to personal study time and so we wash our hands and head to our classroom in the John Taylor building (you better believe every building is named after a prophet, my personal fav is GBH Gordon B Hinkley)
7:40 personal study, I have been focusing on PMG and I've also been learning a lot about diligence. I try to think about my investigators as I study which has been really cool and eye opening experience, learning in order to  strengthen not only my testimony but theirs as well
8:30 we have language study out of the famous rojo libres (red books) they are missionary based grammar lessons, it is a challenging and unique experience to learn a grammar skill and then immediately apply it in a spiritual setting, I'm getting used to it though, and it is slowly starting to stick
9:30 we teach one of our progressing investigators (our teacher) this has been such a growing experience for me, when I look back at where  my comps and my lessons started just a few weeks ago to where we are now, it's amazing the growth and the spirit that has come into our lessons. The gift of tongues and the goodness of God is oh so real
10:30 we have Book of Mormon study which I love oh so much when we can all circle up and share our testimonies and gain different perspectives about the same verses. I love my district so much, I have a testimony that my mission report date is just as inspired as my actual call, I know that I am meant to learn and grow with these Elders and Hermanas they are incredible adventures of faith, and laughter, oh my goodness they crack me up!
11:00 So there is this thing called coaching which is basically when the teacher gives us some study tips, and we make goals and talk about how far we still have to go and how close we are getting ot the actual field and all feel frustrated and pressured, but esta bien
12:00 ALMUERZO (LUNCH) lunch is the most emphasized meal of the day, it is the longest time slot and the biggest meal, no cereal is available but mucho amounts of salsa, and really yummy desserts are readily available
1:00 Language study again, but this time personal study, the teacher isn't there which makes it REALLY hard to focus and have self discipline after all the stories and laughs from lunch. All the elders get really depressed after lunch because for some reason it's at around this time that they all remember that they have girlfriends and that they miss them a lot, it's super exhausting to be around but esta bien.
2:10 GYM TIME oh how I love Gym time!!!! District volleyball is the best! Calf raises and squats challenges are the best! wearing pants is the best!!!!
3:00 we have 30 minutes to prepare and chill after gym which is super nice, I usually organize my closet and choose my outfit for the next day and then just breathe and talk with my comps
3:30 we have 30 minutes of "fundamentals study" which is in our "MTC Experience Book" basically they the underlying foundations or fundamentals of how to teach and what steps are neccessary for conversion
4:00 Daily planning, we copy down our schedule for the upcoming day in our planners, talk about our upcoming lessons, decide what our shower schedule is for that night (it's muy importante) and listen to even more stories from the elders
4:30 TALL, a language program on the computer designed by BYU, most people hate it, but I like it because it gives you individualized opportunity to learn what you think is best for you while being guided by an interactive program. And you use headphones with a mic on it like a drive-through worker so that's cool, I also like hearing myself talk and pronounce words so I know how to change and learn, esta bien
5:30 CENA (dinner) is usually pretty good but sometimes it looks like they put what we had for lunch with what we had for dinner the night before and when that happens I opt out for fruit and toast, or just a salad, or cereal, LONG LIVE cereal dinners!
6:30 go back to the classroom to teach progressing investigatos (teachers) again, our district is divided into two groups so if you taught in the morning you don't teach in the night and you study as companionships and vice versa
7:30 Language lesson again more grammar, more gospel, my brain gets more and more tired but esta bien
8:30 demonstrate teaching we are paired up and apply a new studying technique or we do these drills where they put a timer with three minutes on the TV  (we have a TV in the classroom that we watch episodes of "the district" and power points on) and then using the pamphlets which are so so cool by the way they convert me every time I read them... we have to teach an entire
lesson in three minutes to imitate street contacting
9:30 kneel and pray as a district and head on home laughing all the way
9:35 I usually run in and shower first, I have mastered the 7-9 minute shower and dress time esta bien
9:50 write in journal reread letters and open daily christmas advent calendar thought from mom and ornament from G&G
10:25 kneel and pray as a companionship brush teeth "try" to get to bed by 10:30 still working on that one
10:40 I pray for you all and count each one of you as my blessings thank you for your continued prayers on my behalf
Love you all to la Luna and back!!!!
Hermana Hall

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Hermana Hall

Remember Barrabus

During a devotional this week we watched "For This Reason I Was Born" it depicts the birth, ministry, Atonement, and Resurrection of the Savior. During the scene when Christ is brought before Pilot and the people decide to exchange Him for Barrabus, I was struck by the thought: "I wonder how it would feel to be Barrabus..." To know that Christ took your punishment for you, being completely innocent, and gave His life for you, a sinner, a rebel, and a robber. Then the thought came to me: "I am Barrabus" Christ took my punishment. He gave His life for me, I have at times been a rebel against His doctrine and His word, a robber of happiness in the lives of others, and a sinner with many weaknesses. But He knew and still knows that even though I am in no way perfect I am in all ways worth it. And so are each of us. We are all like Barrabus, we make mistakes and sin, but Christ has taken the punishment for each sin and each weakness, and each mistake. "He payed the debt He didn't owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't pay" -Unknown
And all we can give Him in return is a grateful heart and a willingness to follow in His footsteps. Elder Holland said: "the path to salvation goes through Gethsemane" Many times when we face hard things we experience maybe a few moments in Gethsemane, the key is remembering that we are not alone in our hurt, heartbreak, and sorrow, Christ suffered for us first, and He suffered completely alone so that we wouldn't have to. He knows we are worth it. We will always be worth it. And I am so grateful to Him for that trust and that perfect love. So this Christmas let us all remember He who suffered so deeply, so unnecessarily, for us. Let us remember that we are Barrabus' that we fall short, that we are weak, but that we can live with Him because He died for us. He lives, He loves us, and through Him and His light all will be made bright, all will be made well, and all will return.
Feliz Navidad everyone,
I love you, I love my Savior, I love my mission.
Please be safe, please have a wonderful holiday season and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
So much love,
Hermana Hall
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Hermana Hall

The Real Language to Learn

Ok so first off, I think I am a golden investigator. I become more and more converted each day. Especially when we practice teaching each other in broken Spanish, which it seems like we do a hundred times a day, probably not, but that is what it feels like. But when I am an investigator for another missionary I have a really hard time faking it and being noncommittal. I believe what they are telling me in our preschool level Spanish, and I feel that it is true. For example I had to be an investigator and tell an Elder what my needs were I told him: I'm confused at what my next step in life is, which actually is a real need, I had been/feel confused about this stage in my life and what the next 18 months will bring and the time after that. He looked at me like "really couldn't you just say you feel lonely and then I could just tell you that God loves you and is there always?" but this was a real need and I didn't want to give the standard scenario and receive a standard answer, so I didn't and we were both blessed. He proceeded to share a couple of scriptures with me and testify that I had a plan for me from a Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me. Then he left me with a scritpure to read for the week in Mosiah 4, verses 5-7, I began glancing at it as he was testifying and wrapping at his lesson and the words hit me like a ton of bricks, he finished and I looked up at him and said: "Elder that was a real need in my personal life and you gave me just what I needed to hear." His response was "well I'm glad you didn't tell me that before because I was way nervous, but that is the scripture you told me to use in my lesson last week..." and I said "no it's not I told you to use Alma 32" "he looked down at the highlighted verses and it was definitely not Alma 32" we both sat there and just let it sink in that the Spirit taught us both, the Spirit helped this Elder sincerely assist and help my need, and testified to me that though I have been "awakened to to a state of my nothingness..." if I put my trust in the Lord and am diligent in keeping his commandments and continue in the faith even unto the end of this life I will receive salvation. That is my plan and that has always been His plan, I just need to put my trust in Him... always... cada día.

Which reminds me, to wrap up this email let me just share a quick experience on putting your trust in the Lord, for those of you that know me you know that I'm really so very not theatrical and don't really sing, like ever... So hearing that I sang a duet and one verse solo, accapella (don't even know how to spell that which further proves my point:)  with one of my companeras might come to a shock to y'all. But I did, we sang Señor Te Necesito (I Need Thee Every Hour) in sacrament meeting in front of our branch made up of about 4 districts so probably 50 or so people... I wasn't super nervous because I felt like if I could somehow bear my testimony through my singing voice it wouldn't matter how it actually sounded... I also felt like that song was so applicable, it's always been my favorite and if I have ever needed Him it was when I was about to sing in front of loads of people. However what I did not expect was to feel as though my weakness in singing was made a strength... after singing we had some of our Elders in tears and people swarmed us afterward telling us what a good job we did. So many in fact that we auditioned "got the golden ticket to Hollywood" and again sang at the Tuesday devotional in front of THE ENTIRE CCM, 350 people ish. Ultimately I learned that Ether 12:27 is more and more true everyday I'm humbled and give the Lord my weaknesses and He is kind and loving and trusting enough to turn them into strengths. And in reference to the title the real language I'm learning is the language of the Spirit. One day I hope to be fluent in it. And Spanish, Spanish would be nice to be fluent in too.

Sending many prayers and much love and Navidad wishes from MeXicOXOXO!!!!

Hermana Hall

Address

If you would like to send an email that will be printed each day and delivered  to Mckenzie that day here is her address. They dont print and send on Saturday or Sunday

mpmletters@gmail.com

In the subject line put:
Sister McKenzie Hall January 3, 2017 Branch 6 District B


Her regular email is: hall.mckenzie@myldsmail.net

                                 December 9, 2016

FUN FACTS
Bueno bars and mango juice make for a bueno day (La tienda es mi amigo)
Temple trips are incredible, the bumpy bus ride not so much but other than that yes yes yes
sometimes the shower wont drain so you have to take the plunger in with you
every night we have a christmas thought thank you for the advent calendar mom
I FOUND HERMANA MCKEE!!!! (Ryan´s cousin)
there are steps into most buildings my comp found that out the hard way lets just say the door did hit her on the way out
also found a kid from efy Dillon Stone
Volleyball as a discrict is way too fun
Gym time is the absolute best Travajo Out!
I cut three inches off of my companions hair, AFTER she asked me to, don´t worry
we made one of the elders in our district a bib because he spills every day
The food is actually really good very mexican but very good
I love how they break up the weeks Sunday is a spiritual recharge then full day monday then tuesday the newbies come and we get pizza and a devo then wednesday is full day then thursday is pday then friday saturday are full and you´re back to sunday
The trees rain little leaves that actually kind of hurt when they hit you in the face when the wind picks up
I have unknown bruises on my knees, I´m claiming they´re from praying
when you swirl the sprite around you can see the sugar swirling up
when you have two companions you spend about 1/3 of your day in the baño

First Week in Mexico City CCM

Hermana Hall arrived on a Tuesday and was informed that her P-day would be Thursday. She was not able to take her first Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) P-day. Her family heard from her on Thursday December 1st.

November 22, 2016 Departure Day

Hermana Hall's flight left Salt Lake City at 10:05 A.M. Her family took her to the airport and bid farewell. A few tears were shed and her service has begun.
 

She was able to fly with a group of missionaries direct to Mexico City.


Her family heard from her late that evening that she had arrived safely.

See You Later!

Thank you to all who came and supported me this weekend! I am overwhelmed and so very grateful for the love and encouragement I have felt and will continue to feel during my 18 months of missionary service. Below is a copy of my talk and I want to thank everyone for such positive feedback regarding it. I know that while writing it there were times when it wasn't me that was typing it, it was the Spirit guiding me, and I am in awe at the power of the Holy Ghost and the way the gospel is for and about everyone. I love you all and cannot wait to hear from you and have you be a part of the spiritual adventure I am about to embark on.

Y'ALL BETTER KEEP IN TOUCH!

Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters,

Wow, I have imagined this day for as long as I can remember, and I am so grateful and excited that it is here! Many of you know of the deep desire I have always had to be called to serve as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Well, in August I opened a letter that has made that desire a reality. I am called to serve in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. I report to the Mexico MTC on Tuesday, which yes that means I will be preaching in Spanish, and no I do not know what Spanish with a Southern flair will sound like. I assume something like hola y’all.  

In the Women’s Conference this year there was one talk that stood out to me in particular and I am so grateful that it is my topic for today, it is titled “Fourth Floor Last Door,” by President Uchtdorf. I had a past Sunday school teacher who ranked his favorite apostles and general authorities in what he called an “apostle all-star team” and I would have to say that personally on my team President Uchtdorf would be my MVP, and this talk is one of the reasons why. 

The basis of his talk is to address women who sometimes feel that they are not women of faith. He testifies about what faith is, how it is received, and what blessings come when it is acted upon. Faith is something that is so important to me, and when I think of it a few things come to mind. I remember that it is the first value we learn and recite in the Young Women’s theme, it is the first value I completed in my Personal Progress book and it is the reason why I stand here today. Faith is a motivator, it is an action word, and because I have it I want all around me to have it too. I remember sitting in a Sunday school class one day when the teacher walked over to the light switch, flipped it off and then taught something simple yet profound. He asked the class “Class what will happen when I flip this switch?” 

Of course when you are in Sunday school it’s not possible or cool to answer very quickly so after everyone studied the carpet for a minute someone finally spoke up and said, “The lights will turn on.” My teacher said, “How do you know that? You can’t see that they’ll turn on, yet you know they will?” He then explained that it takes faith to flip a light switch. You can’t see that lights will come on, yet you act, you flip the switch, and they do. That was such a simple example of faith but it honestly flipped a switch in my mind and helped me apply and understand what faith is. It is something you cannot see… yet you believe in it, you act on it, and soon it becomes second nature. After all, I would doubt that many of us walk into a room and hit the light switch while thinking “Man I don’t know if this will work this time…”

Growing up in the area we do it was not unfamiliar to be asked the question in primary: “what is your favorite scripture story?” I remember being very young and answering that question with “I love the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis.” After thinking about it and experiencing teaching primary I now understand why that may have been a shock to my teachers that out of all scripture stories that one was my favorite. It’s much more common to hear: Ammon because he cut off a bunch of dudes arms, or Nephi when he broke his bow and they almost died, or Abinidi when he burned at the stake. I guess it is also puzzling after knowing my dad and his career path how a story about burying weapons in the ground could be my favorite, but it’s not the literal act it’s the principle that inspires me. The story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s was and continues to be my favorite because I admire their incredible faith. For starters they were brought to the knowledge of the gospel through an amazing missionary named Ammon, who yes is the same guy that cut off a bunch of dudes arms. I respect Ammon and his strength, endurance, and willingness to put his trust in the Lord when he decided to put his life on the line and teach a people who seemed to have no need for the missionaries or God in their life.  But the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s did need God in their life and it was the missionaries who flipped the switch and added light into their lives. The Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s weren’t just converts though… they were active, they were motivated, and they were faithful to the gospel they knew to be true. So much in fact, that they buried their weapons in the ground and covenanted that they would never again fight and shed the blood of their brethren. The faithful people literally buried their old ways in order to live a better life, a more Christ centered, faithful life. Alma 24:19 says: “And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to the truth, they were firm and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace or they buried their weapons of war for peace.” I cannot imagine the amount of faith a promise like that would take, to put your life on the line in a covenant with God. However at the same time it applies today. When I head to Tennessee I will be asking the people there to put their life on the line. The behaviors that are a part of their lives that aren’t aligned with that of the gospel I will ask them to sacrifice, to bury them deep within the earth never to be dug up again. I hope I can use the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s to inspire them and testify that it may not be easy but it will always be worth it. Because the faith of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s was most certainly tested… when their brethren the Lamanites came upon them to battle they had to submit to the Lord’s will and remember their covenant to not fight, even when swords were drawn and the Lamanites began slaying so many of their people. Likewise when the people I teach decide to remove and bury bad behaviors in their lives they will encounter opposition. Their sacrifices might seem crazy, it might seem life ending, and they might wonder why they ever thought it was a good idea, but it is and always will be the right choice. Finally I can’t forget to mention the incredible posterity of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s, the two thousand stripling warriors. Those young men were amazing examples of faith due to the conversion of their parents. They too put their lives on the line to defend their people and their religion. Alma 56:47 reads: “Now they never had fought yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives, yea they had been taught by their mothers that they did not doubt, God would deliver them.” further in verse 27 Helaman in talking about these young men said “Now this was the faith of these whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually” This causes me to think of my many amazing friends who I cannot wait to join out in the mission field. We too are young, but our minds are firm, and our trust is in God continually. I want to take a minute and speak to those preparing to serve missions I know that it isn’t always an easy choice to make, and sometimes the choice is made for you. I am lucky because I have always wanted to serve however I also can relate to conflicting feelings about serving. You might feel like a mission is too big of a sacrifice, or that you won’t be good enough, or that there are so many other things you’d rather do at this stage of your life. But I can stand here and sincerely testify that even though I’m not even gone yet I already know I’ll never, ever, ever, regret this decision. Because I’ll have the chance to find people like the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s who are looking for the truth but do not yet know where to find it. I’ll be able to be like the stripling warriors who fought for their families and beliefs. And I’ll be able to rejoice in the friends I have made, both in this life and in the life to come. So after all that I hope you now see why I love the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s… because ultimately what I love from this entire story is that faith changes lives, faith changes families and faith has changed me.

Which brings me back to a portion of President Uchtdorf’s talk titled: Just Keep Knocking. 

He says “faith comes to those who pay the price for faithfulness.” He tells of two Elders serving in Europe who were tracting through a multiple story apartment building.  The first floor they knocked at every door with no luck. However when many would lose their faith and hope and decide to move on, the elders decided instead to move up. They knocked all the doors on the second floor, with still no success. They moved up again and knocked on all the doors on the third floor, not one was opened. Finally, at the very last door on the very last floor, a little girl opened the door and invited them in telling her widowed mother that these young men were very nice and deserved to share their message. The young mother promised to read a little bit of the book they gave her and ended up reading it cover to cover within a few days. That young family was baptized and when they went to their ward in Frankfurt Germany one Sunday, a young deacon noticed the dark haired little girl and thought to himself: “wow those missionaries are doing a great job!” That young deacon was President Uchtdorf and Harriet the dark haired little girl grew up alongside him and eventually became his wife. The power of faith that those two elders had as they continued to knock changed lives. It united families, and contributed to the success of the church. We simply cannot underestimate the influence our actions and our faith can have on the lives of others, both now and forever. I know that I am going to devote my next 18 months to knocking, seeking, and sharing and that there will be times when my faith will be shaken, when I will reach the first floor with no success and have to decide to move on or move up. I want to commit to my family, all those who are here supporting me, and to Heavenly Father, that I will not give up I will continue seeking until I have reached the fourth floor, last door.

I want to add that I know and understand that sometimes serving a mission is all about planting seeds. Referring back to the book of Alma the well-known verse in chapter 32 states that faith is like unto a seed. In primary we sing: “if planted it will grow” Going back to President Uchtdorf’s talk, one thing I love is that he focuses a portion of it on the power and limits of faith. He says there are two things that faith cannot do. One is it cannot violate a person’s agency, and two is it cannot force our will upon God’s. I have seen many examples of agency and the consequences of it throughout my life. I have a testimony that you cannot pray it away, wish there was more defined boundaries, or use it for someone. I know that instead we can pray for better discernment, base all our decisions on a foundation of faith in Christ, and hope and pray that those around us will make right choices. But there will be disappointments, and we cannot let those disappointments deter or sway us but rather touch us to assist and help as much as possible. I also know that our will is selfish, flawed, and so very imperfect but God’s is selfless, flawless, and so very perfect and that when we align our faith and our wills with His we will find that we are headed down the right path and that our faith is strengthened and is what is motivating us to keep moving forward. Because of these limits of faith I know that my mission might not be measured by baptisms and or temple trips but instead by seeds planted, visits made, and love extended. For after all that was Christ’s mission, He taught and planted seeds of faith, and then always let the people choose whether to act on his admonitions and teachings. I have seen in my own life that conversion is a process and that agency is always involved. I do not know if I will see when the people I teach make the choice to be committed to the gospel and committed to finding and strengthening their faith. What I do know is that I will never regret the time I spend completely devoted to Christ and His gospel and that my faith will grow when I put my trust in Him and align my will with His. I want to bear my testimony that I know this church is true, I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of his people in whatsoever land they may be in, and that He is certainly mindful of me. I know that my call to serve in Tennessee is perfect even though I am not. I know that there are specific people that I am meant to cross paths with, both for my benefit as well as theirs. I am so excited to get out and share the knowledge I have with the people I do not yet know, and that through my faith they can see the light and build their own faith. 

I am so grateful for leaders who taught me lessons on faith and demonstrated their faith by the lives they lead. I am grateful for friends who strengthen my faith, encourage me to press on, and love and support me no matter what. I am grateful for my family who has taught me to embrace the gospel, count my blessings, work to achieve my goals, laugh things off, and be a good Hermana. Most importantly I am grateful for Christ, it is on His doctrine and His sacrifice that my faith is grounded, and I know that when the storms come, the tempests swirl, the language is hard, doors are slammed, people seem faithless, I will be faithful to Christ who has never lost faith in me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.   

It's Go Time!

Another Step Home

September 17 was the day I was privileged to receive my endowments in the Bountiful temple. Surrounded by my family, I was amazed at how at home I felt while there. It was surreal to have the workers check my recommend and lead me back to places I had never before seen. I LOVED IT! All of the people there were so sweet, helpful, and congratulatory. The best way to describe my experience at the temple is "overwhelmingly good." Among the many emotions I felt while there comfort, overwhelming peace, love, understanding, promise, hope, faith and goodness stood out the most. It felt right, it felt good, and it felt like home. God is so good. I know He cares about me individually and wants me to return to His presence. That is what the purpose of temples and the endowment is all about. My favorite quote regarding the temple is from Brigham Young: 

“Let me give you a definition in brief. Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell.” 

That is what the temple is all about, it is about returning home and helping each other back home. The temple is such a treasured blessing in my life and I cannot wait to share my testimony of it with the people of Tennessee.