9 months in

April 6, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!!!

This week was a busy one! I was confused as to why you were all telling me that I almost had 9 months in the mission when I still had a few weeks until I hit my 9 month mark... but I was wrong! The time sure flies by! 

What an honor it was to have General Conference on Easter Sunday this year. I have always enjoyed General Conference and looked forward to listening the the living prophets, but I think my love and excitement only grows each year! How blessed we are to have living prophets! I know I say that a lot, but it truly is such a grand blessing in our lives! I was so grateful that I was able to watch all of the sessions in English. We had a little room in the stake center for all the gringos to watch it. It is so much better when you can listen to the actual voices of the prophets and apostles and hear their exact words. I thought it was interesting the many talks on staying true to your beliefs and doubting your doubts before you doubt your faith and enduring to the end! We really need to remain strong and true! 

I was reading Lehi's Dream this morning and I loved each phrase used to describe the "fruit", or Christ and His Atonement.... desirable to make one happy, most sweet, fills our soul with exceeding great joy. My thoughts went back to conference when Elder Jorge F. Zebllos said, "If we know salvation is possible through the Atonement why would we expect anything less?" We know of the great blessings we can receive when we come unto Christ, so why dont we do it? Are we like the people in Lehi's dream who became distracted by the worldly things and let go of the iron rod? As Elder Gerald Causse said, "Is the gospel still wonderful to us?" I hope we can all come unto Christ and partake of His great love and Atonement. Don't get distracted. We need to always have an eternal view and endure to the end!... and if we do we will receive eternal life! Sometimes it seems so hard, but the more I think about it I think we just make it hard. I am so grateful for my Savior. He lives and loves each one of us. His hand of mercy is ALWAYS stretched out towards us. Take His hand. Just accept that we need His help in every aspect of our lives. 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for the wonderful examples you have set for me... examples of Christ like lives. Keep working hard and remember the things that are essential!

Les Amo Mucho!

Hermana Monson

Our Greatest Joy and Protection will be found in the Family

March 30, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!

Well, this week can be summed up by saying NO ONE WAS HOME!!! I dont know why but this whole week it was so hard to find people to teach and many of our lessons feel through. But I guess thats just how life is sometimes!

Luckily after a whole day of walking around and finding no one we were blessed with the opportunity to attend the General Womens Conference. Wow. It was great. I loved the song that they shared that says, "God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be". How blessed we truly are to have a family. I am so grateful for the family I have and the many things that I have been able to learn from each one of you  so that I could progress and become a little more like the person God wants me to be. I know I have a long way to go before I become like Him, but through you I have been able to change little by little. I loved how Sister Esplin said that we need to be spiritually strengthened as a family. Only through the spiritual things can we be protected from the worldly things. It takes time and effort from EVERY family member. I hope that we all can focus a little more on the things that really matter, the things that will help us become eternal families. To do so we need to do as Sister Oscarson said, and be defenders of the family!

This week I have also had the opportunity to study a lot about Joseph Smith and the priesthood. While reading Joseph Smith History it caught my attention how many times he used the word persecution. He was persecuted beyond belief, and yet he continued doing the work of the Lord until the last day of his life so that we could have the priesthood and truth upon the earth today. Thanks to Joseph Smith we have the power to be sealed as families forever. What a grand blessing we have! 

Always remember to put the family first. Our greatest joy and protection will be found in the family. Remember to have FHE, family prayer and scripture study, and do your family history! These things will help us to become who God wants us to be!

I love you all so much! Have a great week!:)

Hermana Monson

Baptism Planner

March 23, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!!!

WOW. What a great week! We spent a lot of time helping Hermana Rebeca feel prepared for her baptism. We have been so blessed to have the opportunity to visit with and teach her. She really is such a wonderful woman. Our district leader said he has never had a baptismal interview like the one he had with her. He said she was so sincere. She was so prepared and ready to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Like every baptism it was a stressful day. It was supposed to start at 10 and at 9:50 there werent any leaders there.... only Rebeca, her family, and of course our zone leaders! But it all turned out so beautiful. You could feel the Spirit so thats all that really matters. Hermana Carol helped us make cupcakes for afterwards. And best of all Rebeca was so happy!!! She is a real convert. 

We were also blessed with lots of investigators and menos activos that came to church (nine and nine)! We have two families of new investigators. One family we have been teaching for a while. With Hermana Aranguren we visited the mom, Roxanna, but her husband was never there  (this is the family that we had to do some counseling with). I always thought that we shouldnt visit her any more because no pasa nada con ella! But I sure have learned my lesson to not give up on anyone! Now her husband is always there and they came to church and stayed for all three hours! They have changed so much as a family and individually!

Lately we have visited a lot single ladies (in their 40-50s). They are a little different. One asks me for help to respond in English to guys she talks to from the U.S. on facebook. Another has friends that told her she needs a companion and she said, "WHAT!? Are you crazy!?!" (Hah I thought of Aub). Hermana Molina and I have decided we want to get married quickly once we get home haha. Aub this is why you need to go on dates!!!

This week it has rained almost every night. It rains in the night and then during the day it is so hot! It has also been sooooo humid. I didnt really notice it until we were in the air conditioned mission office and walked outside. Its the worst. You can feel a hot vapor all the time. We want to be transfered to Cajamarca (the only cold part of our mission) haha. 

This week Hermana Molina and I have been studying a lot about the conference talk "What Way do You Face?" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. This talk is so good! I was reading today in Mark 14 and this chapter is about when Judas Iscariot betrays Christ. He forgot which way he faces. But how? He was a disciple of Christ. He spent much time with Him. He saw the many miracles He performed. Why then did he forget which way he faced? How many times do we forget which way we face? In a world full of temptation and all sorts of evil we need to be truly converted to the gospel so that we never forget which way we face! The gospel of Jesus Christ is so true! 

I hope you all have a great week! Love you! 

Love,

hermana Monson

Preparing

March 16, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!

Wow. This week has been great!! Really things have turned around for me. Monday we had a slumber party with some hermanas that had to stay with us before cambios...then Tuesday we had cambios!!!!!! I have the best companion ever! Hermana Molina. She is from Santa Cruz, Boliva (I think Im supposed to learn Spanish or something because the other hermanas from my group have had practically all north american companions). She was campanions with Hermana Rasmussen the four months anterior. We have a lot of fun together. Really its totally different working with her. She is such a great missionary. I wish I could teach and explain things like she does. 

This week we have been preparing Rebeca for her baptism (which is this Saturday!). She is so prepared. I love visiting her. Our visits are more of a review than teaching her new things, somehow she knows everything! She really is the greatest!

I have also taken the role of family counselor, so if anyone needs one let me know! We visited this family (the husband never received us before) and the wife just went off on how her husband doesnt care about the family and how he just leaves them to drink and this and that and how he is never going to change because he has said he would change for 8 years. By the end of the lesson the husband was crying and things were a little tense still. We have visited them a few times this week and it is so great seeing and feeling a difference in their family. We think they can really progress. 

This week has been hotter than any other week here in Remigio. I thought by now they weather would start to change and cool down, but no! It has rained a few times, making it humid and even more hot. It rained yesterday making the streets such a muddy mess. We went to pick up some investigators in the part of our area that is a little more humble and ended up with high heels by the time we got to church because of all the mud. Also because of the rain we have had many worms crawling into our room for shelter. It is so gross. I was laying on the floor doing core and turned over to find a little worm an inch away from my face haha. 

Yesterday I finally had to give a talk in this ward. We found out Saturday afternoon so we didnt have any time to study and prepare. The 2 missionaries that spoke before me didnt take up much time and so I was left with a lot of time and I didnt even know what I was going to say before I got up to speak. I had the ensign and my scriptures. Dad you would be impressed because I dont think my legs were even shaking. I have improved a lot:)

This week we have eaten so much food! I always feel so sick. People here get offended if you dont eat their food. I cant wait until I can eat what I want and how much I want haha. 

Sorry this week my letter isnt very spiritual. This week I have been reading the conference talks to help prepare me for this upcoming General Conference (I CANT WAIT!) I am so grateful to have a prophet who leads and guides us in these latter days. I love the words of the prophets. I know they are the words of God. We truly are so blessed to have the help and guidance of men who talk with God. I hope we all can take a little bit of time to help us prepare for General Conference and learn and love the words of the prophets! I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Les amo!

Hermana Monson

Baptisms

March 9, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!

Wow. This week has been so good but again hard at the same time. It started out amazing... but by the end of the week I just couldnt handle it.... but then it ended on a good note. We have cambios tomorrow. My companion will be leaving the area. Although I think I have experienced the hardest time in my whole life I have learned so much. I have learned that I have so many weaknesses and need the Atonement 24/7. I am sooooooooooo grateful that we have a loving Savior who was willing to suffer for all of us. Never take that for granted. 

I read a quote this week that really helped me change my perspective and my attitude and continue on.... President Monson said, "So much in life depends on our attitude. They way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment." I love this! Its so true. We cant change our circumstances, but we can change how we react to our circumstances!

Wow. Really this week I have seen so many little miracles. First, we were teaching one of our investigators, Rebeca, and she was telling us about how she is different, she now lives a different life. She said, "We (her and her daughter) have changed. They way I think, act, ponder...I pray for you everyday that the people wont shut the door on you like I did, because my heart was so hard." We asked her if she prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true and she said, "I learn more and more everyday. I think pretty soon I will be baptized." She had a huge smile on her face. I was SO happy. I think I even cried a little bit. I was on cloud nine! Then her daughter came into the room and asked us if her outfit was modest enough to wear to a youth activity. We helped her put some things together so it would be more modest. Now she dresses more modestly... and she is attending seminary!!! But it gets even better! Hermana Aranguren were teaching the gospel principles class and at the end Rebeca said, "Hermanas, I want to be baptized." I was like WHAT!!?!!!!! Seriously it was the greatest happiness ever! She now has a baptismal date for March 21st! She is the greatest!!!! I love them. They are so prepared. 

Yesterday our pensionists husband was also baptized. He is about 65 years old. After 22 years of his wife being a member he was baptized! He was the only non member in his family. He was so happy and so was I. He has faced so many challenges these past couple months, the greatest was having his leg amputated, but he was a completely different person after he was baptized. The gospel truly changes people. It is so true!

I love you all so much! thanks for your love and support!

Love, 

Hermana Monson

Blessings

March 2, 2015

FAMILIA!!!!

Wow. The time just flies by! This week has had its ups and downs, and I have felt so tired and like an old granny because my whole body hurts, but I love being a missionary!!!:)

Because February is the month of love I tried to study a lot about acts of love in the scriptures. I enjoyed learning more about the greatest act of love- the Atonement. I was reading in Matthew 26-28 about the crucificion of our Savior Jesus Christ. He has such a grand love for every single one of us that He was willing to give His life for us. I love this quote from Elder Andersen, "We sacrifice for the things we love and we love the things we sacrifice for." The love the Savior had/has for us only increased when he preformed this marvelous act. I am so grateful for my Savior. I know He lives. He is the only one that is always there for us when we need a little extra boost in our lives. I love Him. 

This week I have been able to feel the Spirit stronger in my life and in the lessons. It is the greatest thing ever because really I cannot teach without it! We have one investigator named Flor and with her it was like love at first sight. I felt so much love for her. She is so confused and just wants to know the truth but it is so hard to help her notice her answers or the Spirit. 

We also had a great FHE with Rebeca and Katy. Mom I tried to do your salt and pepper thing as an object lesson for repentance (I tried it all out in our room before) but as I was explaining repentance and started rubbing the spoon over the plate nothing happened. Hah I rubbed the spoon really hard on my shirt and then my hair and said sometimes it takes LOTS of time and effort.... hah but it still didnt work. It still was such a beautiful night. We had to leave but the members that came with us ended staying for about 2 more hours to talk with their family! But the best part is both Rebeca and Katy fasted on Sunday azing and pretty much members already.... now they just need to feel and know that the church is true. Really being a missionary is great because you get to see so many people change.nd paid their fast offerings! We havent even taught them about the law of the fast yet!!! They are amazing! I love being a missionary and seeing people change!

Whenever we dont have many lessons and the week isnt good numbers wise, my companions solution is always SPLITS!!! But she always choses to tell me the moment of, i dont know she calls the members while Im in the bathroom or something. Then I she always assigns me to visit people I have never met so I dont know where they live. Ya whatever.... haha but nothing ever happens when we go on splits. Hermana Lourdes (a member who is great and has a daughter serving in California) and I visited at least 15 people and no one was home! Pretty much I have felt like these last couple of days were a waste of time when we could have been doing something better, but thats okay. Theres always room for improvement!:)

I love you all so much and love hearing from you. Im glad Goldies blessing went well. We had three baby blessings on Sunday and it made me think of you all. I wish I could have been there. I have never felt too home sick or been too bumbed that I wasnt home to see my first niece, but yesterday I did. Im glad you all could be together though. I love all the pictures! You all are so cute!:) (also the decorations are darling!)

Love you lots!!! Have a great week!

Hermana Monson

Lord, Is It I?

February 16, 2015

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!

Well, this week has been such a roller coaster for me. I have tried so hard to be happy and positive but sometimes it is so hard. I have never felt so much sorrow or loneliness within myself because I just want to be a better person and be happy. But the other day I was reading the talk Lord, Is It I? by President Uchtdorf from last conference and it really helped me out. This week I want to focus more on me... the things that I need to change about myself because I am definitely not perfect. President Uchtdorf said, "Im not sure why we are able to diagnose and recommend remedies for other peoples ills so well, while we often have difficulty seeing our own." I cant change my circumstances, but I can change how I react to my circumstances. I know that its me that needs to change.... but I am so grateful for hymns! Hymns have definitely saved me this week. I havent said much this week because everything has just annoyed me, so I have probably looked like Aub as she walks down the hall in school talking to herself because I just hum or sing hymns as I am walking down the street. 

We also had a ward blitz type thing this week and the hermana I went on splits with really helped me out. She said so many things that I needed to hear about companions. The Lord really places people in our way when we need them!

Chocolate has also saved me! Thanks so much for the package for my birthday!!!! You are the greatest!!! Although I will probably become fat because of it it makes me feel good for the moment. I have also come to love my language study time. I can just relax and have some alone time. 

This week I have learned so many things. I have learned to really talk to my Heavenly Father. He will always be there for us no matter what! I am so grateful for prayer!

Love you all! Sorry my letter this week is short and not the best, but I love you all so much! I hope you had a great Valentines day! I am so grateful to have you all in my life!:)

Hermana Monson

Oh what a view!!

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