WEEK 3 of being a missionary :)

 Hello! 

This week probably had the best and the worst days since I've been here lol.

At the start of the week I was about ready to give up I'm not going to lie. I was sooo overwhelmed and stressed about learning Spanish and felt so behind and so unqualified but then some things this week helped me feel better about everything and now I am so much happier and doing so good!

Some highlights: (get ready for a lot of shoutouts)

• First of all, comp and I decided we are going to stop being stressed and we hung up Jesus photos and quotes around our room to make it more fun and not so sad and boring.

• Something else that helped a lot was our Sunday devotional (I'll talk more about that)

• Shoutout mom and dad for sending me packages with my fav snacks  my district also enjoyed :)

• Tbh it's hard to complain when it's SO gorgeous outside. The sunsets are MUY BONITA

• I've loved hanging out and talking more with my district they're so fun and awesome  I have laughed so much this week. Shoutout district 10F

• We had a family history workshop and I found out one of my roommates is my 3rd cousin!?!? Shoutout Hermana Hansen 

• Found out some people (most my district) didn't know Harry Styles was in One Direction?!?

• Elder Franco played guitar for us and I didn't realize how much I missed hearing Ethan (brother) play guitar 24/7, so shoutout Elder Franco and Ethan!

• We are only on week 2 but apparently my district is super smart or smth so we started Solo Español already, and let me tell you, I do NOT know Spanish. BUT! I need to think about how much I've learned since I got here and not how much I don't know!

• The mountain next to the CCM has been exploding these past few days, apparently it's fireworks for an upcoming holiday but it is LOUD. It was also on fire the other day... Not sure what that's about but alright

• We've been doing a ton of role play practice lessons and they are going ok but not great (especially if they're in Español) but it will only get better hopefully 

• Went to the temple again today! So so pretty

 Spiritual thought:

Back to the Sunday devotional, Elder and Sister Eyre came and spoke to us! Their talks were sooo good and made me feel so much less stressed about everything.

Susan Eyre gave a list of things that helped me so much:

1. This is not our work to begin with (the Lords) - we are just a guide!

2. Lean into your strengths - the Lord knew what He was doing putting us where we are

3. Have an optimistic attitude and rely on the Holy Ghost - you have the right to tell your negative thoughts NO! Don't let that be the loudest thing in your head

4. Stop comparing!!!

5. Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies (President Monson)

Some things I liked from Birk Eyre's talk:

• We can be the best missionaries we can be by having JOY!

• We are authorized representatives of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ IS JOY!

• The Lord only wants you to give what you have. Bring what you have and He will do the rest! 

• We want to be happy now, but God wants us to be happy forever - He knows what's best for us, trust in his timing!

Sorry this was kind of long but that's all for now, love you all! ️

Google Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eDNwxNdqsoMqRSXYA

Hello from the CCM! - CCM, Mexico City, Mexico

Hello! My first email yay!  

We got to the CCM late Thursday night because our flight was delayed 4 hours :/ so I didn't get much sleep the first night but that's alright. My district is pretty fun! We have 4 Hermanas and 4 Elders- all the Hermanas are going to my same mission (Nevada Las Vagas East) and 2 Elders are going to Nevada Henderson and 2 to Chile Santiago. My companion (Hermana Steele) is so awesome and sweet I love her. It's a little overwhelming and stressful learning Spanish but it's also really fun and sooooo pretty here. The weather is so nice and its so gorgeous.

I don't have much time so I'll just make some bullet points to summarize my time here:

•Learning español and memorizing Preach My Gospel lessons is hard

•I've sung Jesús es mi Luz about a thousand times

•Theres no way I haven't been here for a week yet

•Dropped my pasta in the cafeteria 

•Feels like FSY but more intense but also better

•Bed isn't comfortable but I'm so tired so I'm sleeping great

•Not used to this sleep schedule but it isn't too bad!

•Palm trees, sunrises, birds, warm weather 

•Power went out one night and didn't come back until the next day so we had to get ready in the dark in the morning

•Apparently we had an earthquake but I didn't feel it or hear the alarm lol

•All the Hermanas and Elders are so nice here

•Went to the temple today! We did service in the laundry room then did baptisms :) 

•I love Jesus! I am having an awesome time here learning so much about the gospel everyday. I never thought I could have so many classes and devotionals and not only not get sick of it, but also enjoy it a lot (It's only been 5 days but let's hope it stays that way!)

Spiritual thought:

"Anything that does not draw us closer to God takes us away from Him"

Join my google photos if you'd like!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eDNwxNdqsoMqRSXYA

Thanks for all the love and support I love you all and Jesús te ama!!!️

Airport Goodbyes - Salt Lake City Airport, Utah

Farewell Talk and Open House