hilarious pictures from the MTC

 These are some pictures Anna sent to Jammie after she found out her exciting news!!

she has not changed a bit.

last week in the empty sea! {thanks Jordz!}

Hola y'all ustedes!!!!!!!

 

I got the travel plans mum! Which is good, but now I have just been anxious and such to pack...

 

Padre, Thank you for the spanish e-mail. I understood it! I will try my best to not speak spanglish/tex mex/ pocho??? what is that? At least with investigators.

Madre, You're the BEST!!! I love you sooooooo much. Thanks for taking advantage of those dear elders. I love getting those! I love getting any mail!

Erin, I hear you've gotten a whole lot funnier since I've been gone! Congratulations!

Evan, I have heard little to nothing from or about you. Hope you're doing just swell. Work hard with Tennis!

Rudy, how are the Pupperoni's?? The second counselor in our Branch Presidency runs the company that makes those. I love him - (Brother Menlove)

Maya, I love you too :)

 

So the Taco Amigo Package??!? OH. MY. GOODNESS! I have been saying for at least the past three weeks -- "You know what I could REeeeeally go for right now? A Taco Amigo bean burrito." Oh, yeeesssss. It was the best meal ever! Thank you family for being so thoughtful! I love you all sooo much! I didn't realize how much I wanted some until I opened the box, and smelled the addicting substances. Yikes. I am addicted to TA.... jajajajaja. Bless all y'alls almas.

Also: I will be writing Marge a Thank You letter. But in the mean time Erin, tell her that I really appreciated the Journal, and the $. She did not need to do that! She is such a dulce corazon (yes, dad. I realize this is incorrect. But hilarious to me.) Anyways, Tell her thanks. And I love the game that Bishop Greg came up with. 'Where do you think Marge is right now.' Mercy. I would win at that game! Love that lady!

 

We do some online studying every Sunday, and this Sunday we were able to create Mormon.org profiles. Since I already had one, I did some mormon.org profile stalking? It's what missionaries do instead of facebook stalking. I found: Erin's profile! As well as one of the Spanish teachers. That's about it. Jaja. It was still sweet! Mormon.org profiles- fam, all of you need to make one! They are cool!

 

Also on Sunday we had to fill out our teacher evaluation forms. Elder Tanner Lebaron - SLAYS me. Oh man. So we have this really pretty teacher - Hermana Mullen, who is engaged to one of the 70's sons (Elder Pino!) Anyways, under the suggestion box, Elder Lebaron wrote only three words: Wait for me.

Oh my goodness. So then yesterday we were walking to go teach Hermana Mullen as herself - which was way cool by the way (we got to do it in English because that is her native tongue.) anyways, she was dying! She was like, its a good thing I am engaged because my boss looks at those! And then we all laughed about it. We have the best teachers! Hermano Parke I scared SO bad the other day. We have this peep hole on the outside of our door. And I looked through it before going into our classroom, and saw that he was about to come out. So right as he opens the door, i go "RAWWR!" And his face - hahaha. turned white! So funny! And then he laughed and said "Buenos Dias." Killed me.

 

I have really enjoyed all of my time here in the MTC (empty sea.. jordzz....)!! I have been SO blessed with the people that I have met. Those people I am sure I will remember for the rest of my whole life. My district has just become my family. We have never had unity problems, and I am so grateful for that! I think if there has been anything that I have learned while being here in the MTC is that a) I am here at the right time. At the right place. The experiences and the people that I will meet in Dallas, are especially for me. I can not WAIT to hit the field! It is going to be an incredible experience! and then b) I have learned how important it is to rely on the Spirit. How important it is to help the investigator to recognize the Spirit. The MTC is a special place. I think it is just an extension of the temple grounds. It's really cool to be here, and these past two months that I have had, I will never get back. So I am glad that I have used my time here wisely.

 

Okay family (and frenz), I love everyone SO MUCH! Thank you for all of the letters! You are the best!

 

Te Amo Mucho,

Hermanna Anna

 

Chocolate Leg

Oh, Mi FAMILIA!!!!

 

What's happenin' family?? Here is a strange tid bit of information: I only have one more p-day in the CCM. So weird! I am so ready to hit el campo though! I am getting better at speaking spanish. We have espanol fiestas all the days. I love spanish -- even though I still am far from speaking like Padre. Mom, I'll probably be sending some stuff home to make my bag lighter for the week after, just so you are aware.

So how is everyone doing? You can tell the Dumas family that I saw Elder Dumas in the cafeteria! That was fun. He seemed very happy to be here, so tell Ann to not worry her pretty little head. We get to host again this upcoming week! Hosting is so much fun. I just try and be like my host. I loved her. She made me feel very welcomed :)

 

So here is a little shout out to BABY HAWKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wasn't sure in the last e-mail if Jammie has been telling people or what was going on, so if you had no idea what I was talking about, lo siento. I am so excited for them though! Oh. my. goodness. I sent Jammie with some pictures that are pretty funny, so you'll have to ask her to bring those over to upload to our computer. I hope you all enjoy looking at them as much as mi companiera y Yo enjoyed taking them. jajaja. You're welcome!

 

So this week was really good! We got a new district which was really fun to welcome them with the Branch Presidency. The Zone Leaders made up this really funny ejemplo about how to not do a comp. invintory. Elder Turley: I really hate it when you wake up in the middle of the night and put your socks on your head and start doing this weird dance..... jaja, I have no idea where that came from. Oh, we have the best branch though! Bless that elder's alma (soul). I really like welcoming the new districts in. I get to hear President Claybaugh talk to them, and hear his testimony. Its a really great reminder and kind of recharges my battery in a way?

 

Also: the Hermanitas sang in church on Sunday. It was scary! I think that is one of my biggest fears: singing in front of people. I didn't take my eye's off of that hymn book. It's one thing when you're singing in english, but Spanish? I was pretty nerviosa. Esta Bien, the elders said it sounded good, so I'll trust them. Oh, It was Grande res tu?? aka How Great Thou Art. Love that himno.

 

Oh my, Thank you for sending the package. That picture of Elder Hayward sits right next to your picture! Love that man. How are the Jazz doing by the way? Evz, I need some updates! The muddy buddies are DEVINE! I'm trying to make them last as long as possible, but Hermana Butt is a bit of a garbage disposal :) jaja. She eats everything in sight, yet is still the size of one of my legs. Love her.

Speaking of legs, funny story: actually two funny stories:

 

story #1: We got our package from Aunt Vicky, (p.s. mom you were right, "you may call me aunt vicky" is from the parent trap)

Anyways, she sent us some chocolate. Someone got some chocolate on the outside of the bag and I was putting them up, trying to tidy up our room a bit before gym. So we go to gym, I'm doing my thing. Finish my little workout, and then I'm over stretching with Hermana Waters, and Hermana Water's goes - "What the HECK is that on your leg??" Oh my goodness, I had this MASSIVE glob of chocolate on my LEG! I have no idea how it got there. But I was like.... That looks like something that goes in the toilet. Gross. Jaja, I hope nobody really thought that. That was pretty embarassing.

 

story #2: I was in the classroom, while the Trio was teaching their progressing investigator. In the classroom was only the Sisters (THANK GOODNESS). But I was at the board standing there trying to memorize D&C 4 in Spanish, and I walk back to my seat and then I feel something drop around my ankles. Yep, Don't worry, my skirt fell completely off. Good thing I was wearing a slip that day, and its a BLESSED good thing that there were only sisters in that classroom at the time. Oh. My. Gosh. It's one of the skirts that didn't have a little latchy thing at the top of the zipper. So I made one. With a safety pin. MERCY! That was embarassing too. Why do I always have embarassing things happen to me??!

 

We are all praying that it IS the prophet coming tonight. We still don't know. All we know is that there are 200 extra guests coming to el CCM, and that we have to get in our seats early so we don't have to sit in the overflow. We made that a district goal this week: NO OVERFLOW SEAT! I might go camp out right after sending this e-mail. Serio!

 

Okay, my time is just about up. I love it here in the MTC and am so glad I am here!!Thank you all for everything you do! I love you all so much!!!!!

Have an awesome week!

 

Love, HermANNA

 

p.s. Erin, if you see Emily Price from the Dr.'s office tell her I love her! A patient of Dr. Call's that works at the Provo temple gave me a hug from Emily. She's so cute! I gave her one right back and told her to tell the whole office that I love them! It is a very sweet tender mercy to get to see her every P-day. She was my favorite of all the patients :)

 

p.s.s. Ask Nate Hainsworth if he got the note that I wrote on his classroom chalkboard. I hope it was the right classroom. (8M rm. 115???)

 

 

snowball baseball

Hey there y'all! How is everyone doing?!?

 

So mom, in your letter you said that I have 3 more weeks of the MTC???? That is ridiculous. I feel like I am never going to leave the MTC. But I am. Strange. Spanish is getting easier, but hopefully these next three weeks will just click with the language and I'll be able to speak more fluently... Mi companiera y you creemos en SPANGLISH! jajajajaja

 

Evan's Birthday sounded fun! Los Hermanos eh?? Evz, do you know what that means? Hopefully. Diablo Verde drink? That thing is the best. With the key ingredient - avacado! Also Evan, I have one thing to say to you: Go JAZZ! 2nd?? That is pretty sweet!

 

The district gets to be Missionary Hosts this week for new missionaries coming in. I am pretty excited. I loved the host that took me to my room and what not. She was a gem. I did see Ryan Christensen, Erin, and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for Ryan Dumas this week. He's going to love it! Especially TUESDAY!!!!!!! I am pumped for a week from today. First Presidency??? Oh yes.

 

We had Steven B. Allen come and talk to us who is the director of Mr. Krugers Christmas. This man is so funny! He brought all of these Mormon Messages from like the 70's. Oh my goodness, I was laughing so hard! You should Youtube them if you can. I only remember some of the titles, but maybe if you search for these more will come up. You will love them. Trust me! "Sharing is the icing on the cake", "Story Time", and "Portraits". Hilariouuuuuuus. Misericodia! Anyway, I hope you enjoy those as much as I did.

 

Also, this may sound strange, but I have been thinking a lot about BABIES this week.............. not exactly sure why :D :D :D :D :D :D I'm not sure if that's allowed to say via family e-mail, pero :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

ANYWAYS, on Sunday President Claybaugh's Grandkids came to our sacrament and they got up there in front of all of us missionaries and sang us a primary song. Oh, they are stinkin' cute! I love little kids. But yeah, I was just thinking about what simple truths are taught to us in primary. When I was in primary I think my favorite part was singing time. Some of the songs I've been thinking about with SO much truth in them: I am a child of God, I love to see the temple I'm going there someday to feel the holy spirit to listen and to pray, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, I'm trying to be like Jesus, Scripture Power keeps me safe from sin, and then of course there's the favorite in the Spencer household -- Love is spoken here. I see my mother kneeling with her family each day, I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.. I just love that. I remember mom, you would always sing that song to me at night before I'd go to sleep. Not only did it help me build a testimony as a little girl, but I definitely want to do that with my future kids someday. (mine is a home, where every OWW, is blessed by the STRAIN of PRE-SCHOOL FIND ME!) bajajajajajajajajajajajaja! So cool. Every decision that you make in your life you also make for your future children. Isn't that soo true? I pray for my future husband, and future kids every day! It's amazing how much love you can have for some people with out even meeting them yet. That's also how I feel about the investigators I will meet in Texas. I pray for them every single day, and I love them sooo much!

 

Oh ya, also on Sunday we couldn't go to on our temple walk because it was too icy, so our district took a walk around the MTC, found some wood in this construction area, and played snowball baseball. you should try it sometime. We had a blast! Yes, I was playing in a skirt!

 

Another cool experiencia, I was able to be an investigator this week in a demonstration we were doing. Anyways, I just really think it's cool that you may be thinking you're just pretending and that this isn't how things are really going to be once we get out into el campo. Hermana Mullen (our teacher) was teaching me and she said something SO simple to "Laura", but oh my gosh, I felt so strongly the Love that God has not only for me, but for each of his children. I seriously do not think I have every felt so strongly before exactly who I was. I really love being here in the MTC. I have already learned so much. Sometimes the days seem really long, but these are 2 months that I will never have again. EVER!

 

Okay familia, know that I love you and pray for you every day! You are all awesome! Also: tell mi perritas Hi!

 

Love, HermANNA

 

p.s. mom, I do NOT need any more letter supplies. I think you're trying to tell me something by sending me LOADS of envelopes/stamps/stationary. I do not need anymore. Or anything else for that matter. Trust me, I will let you know if there is something I really can not live with out, but I am doing just fine, okay? No hangers (please), no more bangs, no more candy (PLEASE, no more), but it is very thoughtful. xoxXOXOXOXxoXOoXo

 

MT-Sizzle

 

 

 

 

Hello!!! How is everyone doing?!?!?! Yesterday was a holiday so i don't have your dear elders yet to respond..... SO you'll just get to hear all about every thing without any responses! p.s. i hope you got my memory card. i still haven't heard anything.

 

First off, EVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHN!! HAPPY FLIPPIN' GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on making it to 17 years of age.

 

Okay so the week was pretty amazing. As always here in the MTC. We had some awesome things happen! Mom, Thank you mucho for the chips n salsa to celebrate 1/2 way in the mct! We had a serious espanol fiesta! And an espanol fiesta it was. it truly was (titanic reference). We decided yesterday that our district was going to only speak spanish, no matter how bad we are. At first our d-leader was like.... english fast. Then thought about it, 'NO, It's an ESPANOL FIeSTA!" very optomistic that Elder Connors. and this keyboard is weird so i am sorry for the mispellings and such. Mostly that was directed towards erin :). P.s. Erin, you looked nice on your date wearing MY scarf..................jajaja. esta bien.

 

Also with our espanol fiesta hna. baker decided it would be really awesome if she pulled a napoleon dynomite move with her bottle of diet coke. she had a full mouth and then EXPLODED everywhere! it was flippin HILARious! AND hna waters captured this fine event on film. it is so funny! man. If you pause it at the right moment, you can see mine and hna water's disgusted faces with diet coke spewing EVERYWHERE!

 

Every martes we have a devotional. GUESS WHO CAME THIS WEEK!!! Elder Russell M. Nelson. He gave a very powerful talk. i really enjoyed it. It was about the scattering and gathering of Isreal. So good!

He talked about how we are "swift messengers" -- I'll give more deets and scripture references in my written letter. Deal? deal.

 

Then on domingo, i was asked to be the new coordinating sister. Mostly what we do is go to branch meetings sunday mornings, and then i leave mi companiera on wednesday's and thursday's (which is SO weird) and go with the zone leaders to welcome new districts into our zone. We show them how comp invintory's go and what not. It is way fun, because i get to hear all of the testimonies of the new elders that come in. SO COOL! I love it!

 

I bought a TEXAS shirt WOooOOOOOoO!!!! it says Howdy y'all on it.

 

what else.... ummm the elders had a freaking HILARIOUS perros calientes eating contest. It was gross! Elder Conners: 4 down, Elder Henze: 5 and going strong, Elder Lebaron: barerly getting 3 down.... he was like plugging his nose. It was so gross. And i was in the splash zone.... Good thing nothing happened. At least not while i was around. SO GROSS!

 

On a more spiritual note, both of our investigators committed to baptism this week!! It was really a cool experience! We picked up 2 more investigators this week, which i love. You know what else I love? Teaching the volunteer members according to their own needs in the TRC. You can have some really spiritual experiences while teaching. Not only for the people you're teaching, but for you and your companion as well. oh, i love my comp!

 

Okay, well I love you all very much! Hope you have a great week! Evzster... eat some cake for me! I'll be sure to sing happy birthday for you today in the shower -- speaking of which, there are two sisters who decide to grace us with thier oprah (yes, oprah) sounding voices in the shower to hymns. It is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but serio? jaja. hna. agua's and i are in there belting t-swift..... jaja. anyway.

HASTA LUEGO!

 

Love, Anna

grr blogger is not cooperating... Dos mas fotos y un VIDEO

mtc fotos!! part uno

Hermana Waters (Aguas) y Hermana Spencer

Christmas Tree sent by the AMAZING YW in our ward!

instant BFFs

Hna Baker, Hna Spencer, Hna Waters, y Hna Butt.

Happy Birthday!

week 4 MTC

Hola Family!!!

What's shakin'? So I don't have any time to read your e-mails. You should dear elder me and then I can just read them before my 30 minutes start. Take advantage of those DEAR ELDERS while you can!

 

Alright so Dad, what the what?! You bought an annual pass?? haha that is hilarious. How was riding splash mountain... BY YOURSELF? I am sure that was fun. bahahaha. You kill me!

 

Mom, You asked me a whole slew of questions. So they will now be answered... except, I would think some of them are kind of self explanatory. Nevertheless, here it goes:

 

1. What time do you wake up?

..........6:30. hahahaha silly

 

2. How long do you wait for the shower?

Well I have figured out ways to not have to wait anymore, so it is super bien!

 

3. Where do you go?

I don't quite understand this question. I go to class, and the cafeteria, and the gym, and to the computer lab for TALL (Evan, TALL has a sweet noise when you exit it that sound like the halo theme.)

 

4. Favorite skirts/shirts/hairstyles in the MTC?

I like all of my clothes! Yay! p-day attire is super bien! I like wearing that comfy shirt sister keetch got me. It goes with everything. Hairstyles - I wear my hair in buns probably 70% of the time. Side buns, low buns, high buns, you name it. They're 10 times easier.. and quicker!!

 

5. Free time?

No such thing. Except for P-Day! Only can write letters on tuesdeees mama

 

6. MTC choir deets?

I joined it until the temple opened. But out time slot to go to the temple is during choir practice, and I would much rather spend it there. Provo Temple is so pretty!!!

 

7. What is usually for lunch (my bowels?!.. is that bad?!)

my bowels, my bowels... haha. I was just trying to be funny. Don't worry, I don't have any bowel problemos........ hahahaha awquie question.

 

8. Have you taken a "point to the map" picture yet?

Indeed, I have.

 

9. Do the elders Dominate?

YES! Holy smokes. 80% are Elders.

 

10. What time do you usually go to sleep?

in bed by 10:30. usually after about 10 minutes I am out like a light! (hermana butt likes to speak espanol in her sleep... haha it is hilarious!)

 

okay! so there you have it. Now the fun stuff!

 

My spanish is coming along. Still don't speak it very well, but I can get by. I have TERRIBLE grammar. In sacrament meeting a member of the branch presidency calls up 2 people out of the 45ish in our branch to give a 5 minute talk in spanish. Our entire sacrament meeting is in spanish. So this last sunday Brother Menlove stands up...

"we have a very great program for you today..." first we'd like to hear from............. Hermana SPENCER! baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It was scary. It was also 100% in espanol. I talked about el plan de salvacion. People said that they could understand me. But I could hardly understand myself :) Then in R.S. sister Doxey, from the General Releif Society Board (we have a speaker with ALL of the sisters in the mtc), she stands up and said, I attended a sacrament meeting this morning, and HERMANA SPENCER, where are YOU!!? She gave me a very nice compliment over the pulpit in front of all the sisters. That was extremely nice of her.

 

Dad, We learned a RAP to remember command forms! It goes like this:

Bring it to the "YO"

Drop the "O"

Add the ending opp-o!

 

ejemplo: tener - tengo - TENGA = command form! Boo Ya grandma!

 

Also, we were walking up to the temple the other day, and we met a Nativo elder from Mexico City, so we started talking to him in spanish. He is learning English and is going to Kentucky. Hilarious Elder. He was like -- teach me something cool to say...So we taught him, "Hello, I am Elder Swag. Where is the house of Colonel Saunders. I like cheeeekin", "Where's the colonel, I like my cheekin!" Also, "teach me how to doogie",Oh my, I was dying!! SO funny! He was the coolest. He taught us some nice espanol lingo as well -- Guapo, Cheedo, Suave... That was fun!

 

Okay and lastly I will leave you with a spanish joke:

 

Que hace un pez?

NADA!

 

jajajajajajajaja

 

Como se llaman los hijos de un bombero latino?

Jose y Jos-B!

 

JAJAJAJAJAjajajajajajajajajajaj!!!

 

Okay family, I love you SOOO Much! You are the greatest!

 

Love, Hermana Anna

 

 

 

**note**

for those of us who don't speak spanish... 

the jokes are:

1.  What does a fish do?

Nothing! 

2. What do you call a hispanic fireman?

Jose and Jos-B!  (hose A and hose B.)

an email to sister

Erin,

 

I pray everyday that you will find a hottie while i'm gone :) hahaha. So get cracking on that. I like that you all drove past and did a HOLLA out the window by the MTC, nice. Everytime I walk up to the temple I'm like... that would be so weird if my family drove by right now. So I'm glad I wasn't out and about. Usually I am in a classroom. Studying. Lots and LOTS of studying. Usually espanol phrases. I have rolls and rolls of flash cards for words. I now say JesucruistOOOO not JesucristU. haha. Nice. And also, have you heard anything from any of my friends that DON'T decide to write? Like has Dave been back around? Jo-Makin? Losers! ahahahaha..

 

Also for Christmas, I got a lovely package from Jake :) It was very thoughtful. He started this quote book for me. Its a white leather book with the salt lake temple stitched into the front. He wrote a letter on the first page. Then a Glossary of Topics. Then wrote down 60 quotes. Yes, 60! His hand must have been quite tired. But it was extremely thoughtful of him. Now to everyone I'm like, "what's your favorite quote?" And I add to it. Sweet no? Anyways thank you for all of the Christmas supplies. I got SOOOOOOO much food. You are all trying to fatten me up it seems! I put most of it in a box and took it to our classroom to share. There is no way I could have consumed all of it. Plus we get fed here at the MTC like nobody's bidnissss. Surprisingly though, have not gained anything yet! Hopefully I keep that up :)

 

Okay, This is all for you. The rest will be in the family e-mail because I only have 17 minutes to write that.

 

Peace OUT, Rah Rah!!

week dos!

Hola Familia!

 

Okee, I have about 16 minutes to write, so we will see how much I can get on this here e-mail.

I am in the process of developing some pictures.. I can't send pictures via e-mail unless I had a usb cord, which I do not. And the picture developer was broken for like a week... but just so you all know. SOME ARE COMING! :)

 

Okay so that is way great that you found a T.A. check! Hallelujah! (speaking of which, I got to hear the MOTAB sing that song on Christmas. It was a Christmas Miracle!)

I haven't even thought about my car! Yikes. Thank you Dad for turning it on every few days! Very kind of you.

 

Christmas evening we had another fireside and then watched Mr. Krugers Christmas. Oh, Mr. Kruger... and the little girl Clarissa... AWEEEeeeee. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Stat. Before December runs out!

 

So Brother Stephen Allen came and spoke to us Christmas evening. He told us a pretty funny story of a time that he was at a drinking fountain in a church and this young boy came up to the smaller drinking fountain. Just as he came to take a drink, Brother Allen let his fountain stop, which made the water pressure of the little boys more powerful therefore squirting him in the face. (We've all done it. jajaja). Then he was like.. don't worry this story has a moral! The moral was that he was pushing this young boys buttons. And that we can not let Satan push our buttons. It was an interesting fireside. Very relaxed. He had someone stand up and start reading Alma 26. I think if verse 27 it says: and when their hearts were depressed and they were about to turn back, they were then comforted. He talked about how we all get discouraged, and all feel like turning back at times, but as we press forward and lean on the Lord, that we will be comforted. He was like.. I need a volunteer. Right as he said that I looked up, and he was like: YOU! Sister, that just looked up. Come here! I was like... oh my gosh. He wants me to get up and talk to 2,100 missionaries.. *heart pounding out of chest* yikes. Then he was like.. you in the green sweater. Sigh of releif! I was wearing a read sweater! haha... but he had her row get up and share something that they have given up. One kid was like: my bed. pfffff. And was completely serious about it. Then the other lame one: I gave up my job at Chic Fillet. Serious?? jaja. That was funny.

Then at the end he talked about how he served his mission in Guatemala and how he would always watch the international flights leave, and him and his companion would put their hands over their hearts when they saw the american flags on the plane's wings. And how his companion would snicker at him and say, "Elder, when you are on your way home, we probably won't even use plane's any more." Anyways. After two years had gone by, and as he was in the plane he says he remembers looking down on the valley that he remembered looking up at the plane, and offered a prayer to Heavenly Father. He asked if his mission was acceptable to him. When he closed the prayer a very comforting feeling came to him and the thought -- You've served me well, Elder.

Then I thought of the song, "I wonder when He comes agian". The primary song. One of my favorites. The very last line in that song says, You've served me well my little child, come into my arms to stay.

A mission is a lot like our time here on earth. We leave our home, our parents, we go and teach, and learn, and grow, and my time is up..................................... boo.

 

Okay, Love you family!!!!!!!!!!

Te Amo, Hermana Anna

Christmas in the MTC part II

Silly Elders...haha

 

okay SO Elder Bednar. OOOooooh, it was a great talk.

 

He based his talk around Mosiah 3:19

about putting off the natural man.

When the natural man turns in, and thinks about only himself, then that is when Christ turns out.

He talked about how our testimonies are not enough, but that we need to be converted unto the Lord. To be converted unto him means to be consistant in doing of what I know to be right.

 

I wish I could type more on his talk. Every five seconds the computer is freezing, so I'll have to write out in more detail and then put a STAMP on it, and SNAIL mail it to you.

 

I love you all so much! Hop you had a very Merry Christmas!!!

 

Love, Hermana Anna

Christmas in the MTC part I

Querido Familia!!!

 

You are all AMAZING!!! I have been a very spoiled missionary, that is for sure. So, it is Christmas here at the MTC, and they told us to come e-mail family. So lucky you, you get to have 2 E-MAILS this week!!! YAYAYAY!

 

So last night was Christmas Eve. We went about our normal day until the evening. We had a Christmas Fireside and had a live nativity while reading Luke 2. That was awesome. It included lovely musical numbers, and then one of the MTC presidents grand daughters played Silent Night on her violin. It was beautiful. I could have listened to her all night long. **side note** hna. Agua's and I rented out a violin yesterday after eating a quick lunch. It was SO fun! Too bad the MTC only has 1 violin, otherwise we would probably come up with some sort of duet to do... but oh well :) Still fun to get out the violin.

Afer the Fireside we got a special treat and got to watch The Christmas Carol (not the Muppetts, but almost just as good!) Haha we were sitting around a few asian sisters, and then also some new Elders from Mexico. When Jacob Marley appered on the screen, all of the Asian Sisters were getting pretty scared and covering up their faces! Then the Elders from Mexico were taunting it on by getting close to their ears and saying.. OOOOooooOOOoooooo! hahahahahaha, Hna Aguas and I laughed pretty hard over that.

 

Another funny story:

So we are all pretty new with the whole espanol thing. But one elder in my district seems to struggle with it more. Anywyas, he was giving a closing prayer yesterday and this is how it went:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this.

Thank you for that.

Feliz Navidad

Amen.

Bless his good Christian soul. I think he meant to say bless us to have a good Christmas, but instead just wished God a Merry Christmas. Which I guess He deserves to have a Merry Christmas too. :) hahahah, that was awesome.

 

This morning we woke up, I waited in line for a shower.. Then we came in our room and Hna. Baker sang us a Christmas song that her family sings every Christmas. Pretty funny song. Then we all opened up PRESENTS!! Oh, it was a fun morning.

Then we went to our Chritmas Sacrament Devotional. Guess who spoke?!?! I totally called it.

DAVID A. BEDNAR!

Oh man, it was AMAZING! I was surprised as how funny he was. In the middle of his talk he quoted cookie monster - complete with the impersonation of him.....

 

shoot. looks like i'm getting kicked off for a minute. I'll send more of what he spoke about soon............

LOVE YOU!

week 1!

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!

You all are so wonderful! I have gotten a TON of letters and packages. The Birthday packages ROCKED! Erin, thank you for the "style guide". It will come in handy. I LOVED the foto album, and the earings!! Ooooooh, you guys know me well. vaNIElla squared cupcakes? I could not of asked for a better birthday! Also: I taught the Hermana's in my room the -- "Why were you born so beautiful, why were you born at all?" song. (they sang to me this morn :D)

So the first week at the MTC has been amazing! Remember how nervous I was to find out who my companion was? Well, after I went through the little line where they take your picture, and give you your name tags and such, I looked down at who my companion was, and seriously started flipping out! KAITLYN WATERS!!!! So awesome. I went to high school with her, and we both played the violin together in orchestra. We have so much fun together. We laugh a lot... probably too much :) My favorite was the other night when Hermana Baker (our coordinating sister) recieved a package from her family. It just had a list of things she can be thankful for and I was like.. "You know what I'm thankful for?? I'm thankful that I even have knees, so I can get on them to pray...... Some people don't have knees and have to get down on their nubbs to pray." Hahahaha, oh man. I think we are going to make a quote wall for our room.

There are 4 sisters in our Branch. Hermana Baker y Hermana Butt... yes, Butt. Then Me and Hermana Waters AKA Hermana Aguas. Hna. Baker y Butt are going to Chile and then Hermana Waters is going to Arizona. There is one Elder in our District also going to Dallas. Elder Henze. He is pretty hilarious. Our District Leader likes to be in charge..... We call him Zacharias. :) Then All of the other Elders in the District are very fun. All of the companionships work extremely well together. They all have strengths and weaknesses that help eachother out in different areas. My teacher went to Argentina on his mission, so insead of saying "Como se llama", he says "Como se SHama" which can get a little confusing at times, but He is awesome too. Hermano Parke is his nombre.

The YW in our ward sent me this cute paper tree and ornaments with little messages on all of them. It was fun to hang on the wall and decorate. And then Hermana Baker had some Christmas lights so we strung them on our little paper tree. So cute! Oh, and I cut out a few snowflakes to add to our decor as well.

So the food is very good. The wraps I probably eat every day. Key ingredients include (but are not limited to):

-feta

-cinamon almonds

-y sprouts

If you are really wondering about how it is, then you can read Jeramiah 4:19

Espanol is pretty neat. I am surprised of how much I already know. I know how to meet someone, how to pray, how to testify, and that is about it. I memorized "Our Purpose" en espanol, and the baptism prayer (habiciendo sido commicionado de Jesucristo....(having been commisioned of Jesus Christ)) Still have a LONG way to go though. Hermana Waters and I have an investigator named Fernando. He speaks ONLY espanol. It is interesting to see how teaching him works. I think I will be teaching more people of who I am, rather than what I know. I don't speak spanish, but He does.

Sunday's we have temple walks! It is the BEST! We would normally go to the temple for a session on P-day's, but the temple is closed for a couple of weeks for cleaning/christmas. Kind of bummed about that, but that is fine. This way I can just take a nap--because naps make the world go round. Love.

I am very excited for Christmas. I hear that the MOTAB choir is coming to sing to us a few times. That should be sweet. There is also rumor going around that on New Years Day the First Presidency is coming to celebrate the 50th birthday of the MTC. How flipping SWEEEET will that be?!?! I wil definitely let you know!

Okay, I am out of time. I love you all sOOoooooOOOOoooOOooo much!!! Hope you all have an amazing Christmas.

I am very grateful that I get to spend Christmas in the MTC and that all of my focus will be on what Christmas is truly about.

I was thinking about how I would feel if I was Mary, and if I was to hold the Savior in my arms. How I would feel. So don't forget to think about Him on Christmas. I love you all again. MUCHOS GRACIAS!!

Hermana Anna