Translados

  Well, the time has come. The Time is far spent, there is little remaining....Be fixed in your purpose for Satan will try you, the weight of your calling he perfectly knows, Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh, His arm is sufficient, though demons oppose. (Hymn 226)

Hermana Huefner is being translated, from Hel(Centro) to who knows where. Probably Heaven. The girl's an angel. But I'll be getting another companion tomorrow. It will be weird, but change is a good thing. 

I'm getting more in the hang of this missionary thing. At least I'm learning to love the people, but when have I had a problem with that? ;) We had an awesome lesson with C and B Wednesday on the Word of Wisdom. Obviously I can't go into too much detail, but when C read the pamphlet and saw that living this law was a qualification for baptism, he thought all hope was lost for him. That all of his past and current mistakes had made him the vilest of sinners. It was a beautiful moment to testify to him that no, all hope was not lost, and that Baptism is where those sins and mistakes are washed away, and we are given a clean slate, a chance to start over with God on the path that he wants us to go down. C listened and his overall countenance just relaxed, and he told me that I'd made him feel better. And then he said, "Yes. Yes, I think I will. I will do it." We've been so blessed to know C, and he has so much faith despite his fears. Sadly, he didn't join us for our last lesson, and guilt and Satan and whatever it may be are getting to him, but He knows that this is what He wants, and Heavenly Father loves him so much. I have to say, I feel like I'm Cs's missionary. You know how I told you I feel like I know these people. There were only a few people who I've felt a stronger impression with, and C is one of them. And so I know that C is on the right path, and I may be just a drop into the bucket, but there is a purpose behind everything, and I'm supposed to be here right now, teaching C and his family. 

We had another heartbreaking but good lesson with N and D. We were blessed to find them both at home together. It was a few days after the Supreme Court decision, and so the topic came up, more naturally than it should of. I testified of the importance to families, and the sacred relationship between a man and a woman to create life together and be a part of the furthering of the Human family. I shared my family's connection with Same Gender Attraction and testified of a higher form of love available for those who chose to love someone despite the lack of physical attraction. It broke my heart as tears started to roll down D's face, and honestly I began to feel like the worst person on earth for in a sense hurting her. She got up and left before the end of the lesson, and that ate at me most of the night, and into the next day. But despite that, as I said my prayers that night, I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father for her, and asked for that peace. I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and peace as the Spirit testified to me that I had said what needed to be said, and that Heavenly Father would protect her and keep her safe. So despite how much Satan tried to get me to feel so bad inside, I knew that Heavenly Father was satisfied with the testimony I bore. 

Another cool miracle we had was on the 4th of July. We were supposed to be in our Casita by 6. It got to be 5:00 and we were finishing up a few things. The last few things on our list to do were Pizza and water for the casita. (We have to fill up with clean drinking water, like we did in Ecuador) So we headed over to find the pizza place. We get there are like 5:35, and wait in line for a few minutes and then order. After they take our order and give us the change, it's like 5:40. As we are walking to go sit down, they say, "Oh it will be about 15 minutes..." DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS, we're not going to make it home in time!!! But we waited awkwardly, and tried to fill up the time. I looked at the clock all ticking, and in my head I was like, "Okay Heavenly Father, here's the thing. First off, we are supposed to be home at 6. But we also need food, and we also need water. If there's away we can get all those things done, please oh please oh please let us!" 

 A few minutes later, they call out our name, we book it to the counter, book it to the car, book it too the water place, while obeying the speed limit, and also heaven-sently hitting every green light, and then made it inside our Casita as our clock turned 5:59. Yep, that was a missionary miracle ;) 

Well, this Time tomorrow, I'll have a new companion! Hope all is going well for you! I love you all and hope you are enjoying your 90 degree weather ;) wussies ;) Just kidding, I love you! 

Con Amor,

Hna Howell 
​PS Happy Fourth of July!! 

Where to begin?

Okay, on with my week. Where to begin?? (Is it just me, or do I say that every week?)

So Pdays always go by super fast, and that's tough, but we get back out there and start working again, and we roll with the punches. We actually went out and started stalking, literally, some people that we knew that were out for a walk. While we were doing this, there was a mom pulling her kids in a wagon. she went passed us and we waved at her little kids. I saw the little boy and he just looked grumpy so I smiled, and put my hands up to play Peekaboo with him. As soon as my hand hit my face, I hear Sister Huefner's hands hit her face. We both start busting up laughing, because we realized that we had just done the exact same thing!! "Somos el mismo persona!!" So funny! We still crack up when we think about it.

So remember the man that cried after the lesson? Well we went weeks without seeing him. We'd stop by the house and he wouldn't be home and the lady didn't want anything to do with us and it was just awkward. Well one day we made a split decision to go visit one of our investigators and we pull up and are getting out of the car, and we see him walking down the street. We jump out of the car and go talk to him. We ended up sharing a video with him, and then getting his contact info, inviting him to church, and setting up a return appointment. He didn't go to church, but when we had the appointment with him, he let us come. Turns out he actually didn't live at the house, and was just a neighbor, maybe with some family ties. We brought a member with us, and then we retaught him the restoration. When we invited him to be baptized, he's like, 'Okay, here's the thing.. I actually went to this church when I was 18 for almost a year, and on the day I was supposed to get baptized, I moved here to El Centro..." WOW!! Talk about a tender mercy! How did we find this guy anyways? Truth is, WE didn't. God did. And we just happened to be in the right spot. He's one of those guys that you're like, Why aren't you baptized already? A dehydrated Mormon. The lesson went great and we got a return appointment and are making sure he comes to church. The member bore her testimony and it was great! Love our members here!

We also had a lesson with D. We had her for a date, but she can't make it now cause she's never been to church. When we had that lesson, she actually brought up her doubts and how she knows that she is not good at keeping or making commitments. She has the desire, just can't ever fulfill it. It was really sad, but we shared a video with her, "Hope in God's light", and everything thing that she had addressed was answered in that video! That's the great thing about the Ipads. I had the thought, and was scrolling through the videos during the beginning of the lesson, and had passed over that one, and thought, hmm, maybe. Then she said something, and the Spirit was like, "Okay, now's the time. Show her." It was crazy how the guy in the video said almost word for word what D had said.

The same thing happened in a lesson with C and B. (Also our date people. We couldn't have theirs because we haven't taught them all the lessons yet, but they are sooo great and ready for this gospel!) We taught Chris the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When it got to the repenting part, he brought up a great point on hypocrites, or people that say that they are going to repent, but then still go back out and do bad things. And then he talked about how he prays for his Family, but never for himself, because he doesn't feel worthy of praying for himself to God. Again, just from what he was saying, made me think of the Mormon Message, "Earthy Father, Heavenly Father." It was a powerful finish to the lesson. He prayed sincerely in the end just to have God let him know he was on the right path. C is amazing, and his desire is so strong! He's been sick, and I asked him if he wanted a priesthood blessing. He wasn't sure, but he trusted me and got one, and it is so beautiful to hear his testimony of the blessings he has felt. The blessing was general for overall health, because the giver didn't know the specifics, but then C told us, "I haven't told anyone this yet, but the nightmares have gotten less sense the blessing." God Loves C, and you can feel it. They are going to be so blessed by this Gospel! We had a sister training leader stay with us, and she was there for that lesson, and she was like, "I just love him! Is this a dream? is this real?!" ya, he's pretty golden. And B is so sweet and special.

We also had an awesome lesson with C. We went to her store and it was slow and here whole family was there, and we just started talking about gospel subjects. We showed them the "Other Prodigal Son" and then talked about family unity, the sacrament, baptism. We also introduced the Book of Mormon through Lehi's story, while she braided my hair. They just love us. We had actually given her husband,  a pamphlet, and he flipped out because someone had almost thrown it away! "The Seesters gave it to me!!" We tried to get him to pray with us, but C ended up doing it this time. Still was super awesome.

 I don't know what will happen with this next transfer, but I feel like I am staying in the Valley. Sister Huefner feels like she is leaving. But who knows. We shall see.

I love you all! Thanks for the love and the Support!

Con Amor,

Hna Howell

Messed up dates

Sorry the past few letters are mixed up, date wise. They are the correct dates as posted, just not in the right order.

You know it's hot when.....

                                                                                           (week 8 in the field) June 9 2015

...your sunscreen melts off your face like wax. And if you don't wear sunscreen, then it's just your face melting off your face... And "It's not even Hot yet!"  At least that's what they keep telling us. Yay.... Haha, Welcome to El Centro ;)

Haha, I'm sorry I give you nerve-wracking titles. Hopefully that was a little less. But really, It's hot. Almost got to 110 yesterday, and we made the mistake of deciding that was the perfect day to walk 10 blocks to a house that the people had moved, the same people that when we got back to the car and looked at their address to write down that they had moved--had a note that said, "They've moved..." Yay for updated data. Haha. We had to stop half way back to the car and get a Respada. It's like a snow cone, but they add fruit in it, or ice cream, and have crazy toppings. It's was a needed reposo. (break, rest, etc...) It was HOT! But we had fun joking about how hot it was, and being super greatful for trees, shade, and clouds. Hey, at least we were getting exercise!

Yep, I sang a solo. We had 2 firesides on the same night, one in English. One in Spanish. It has been hard to go without chocolate, and I think we've been compensating it with other junkfood. I think I gave myself a food como headache the other day. Not good...

Doing this compromise has really made me respect those people who do give up their guilty pleasures too. It is hard cause sometimes people make us desserts, and we can't eat them because they are chocolate. But every time I think about giving in, I think of them, and how hard they are trying too. They are a lot stronger than me! But because they can do it, so can I!

Haha, maybe give the letter to Kenneth to translate. He might be able to understand what I was trying to say a little bit better! You spell Nephi like Nefi. I think that's super funny that you couldn't figure it out at first, and poor Maria couldn't help you there! I hope it helped her. Do you want me to write the letter to your Primary class in Spanish? ;) Sounds like You've been really busy! Please show me pictures! I need to get in the habit of taking more too! I just don't think about it!! I really want to take pictures with the ward members and my investigators too!

Okay, I guess it's my turn now... It's always hard to think about what to say!

We had some really great, feeling-like-a-missionary moments this week! But there is a back story to the first one. Last week we were up in Holtville looking for a referral. When we went it was late, and she either wasn't home, or didn't want to answer the door. So we started to walk away and we see this lady unloading groceries from her car. Hna Huefner calls out, "Hey can we help you with those?" The lady turns around a bit startled and says, "Oh, lo siento, no hablo ingles!" Hna Huefner reverts into Spanish and says, "esta bien! Puedemos ayudarle con eso?" The lady seemed really happy we spoke Spanish and let us help her take in the groceries. And then she introduced us to her family, and they invited us to come back and were just super nice, treating us like we were part of the family. The lady's name was G. S.

As I walked away from that, and on our way home, I just got the strong impression that these were people that I knew and loved. I've talked about this before, and how I don't really understand these feelings or promptings, but I do feel like I knew them. Seen their faces before, been with them, loved them, I don't know. A lot of dejavue moments here.

So we went back this week on Friday. Just G. was home this time. (I can't remember the date, but we went back before and taught her and her daughter-in-law, and then met the husbands a little later...) We went over the Book of Mormon with her. We talked about how the gospel has blessed our lives, and we invited her to be baptized. She understood what we were asking, and talked about how she's thought about it, and how big it is to make the switch from one religion to another. It was amazing, because she has been considering what we taught her about the restoration, and then came the really cool part, that was really special for me. She pauses and says, "You know, this might sound really weird to you, but I have dreams a lot. I once had a dream where my brother was in an accident, and he got in an accident. So sometimes me dreams happen. And I've dreamed about, being here with you. Being taught by you and listening..."

And I'm thinking, just you wait until that baptism dream comes along! But I honestly wasn't surprised. The feelings that I got were just as strong and powerful, probably more so when she said that. I fasted this Sunday so that she would remember, that she would get one of those dreams again, and not be afraid, and know that this is meant to happen. So yes.. Cool missionary moments.

The other one I wasn't as well prepared for, so it came as more of a shock to me. We were going to visit N. and D., but on our way we saw a family outside taking in the shade. We started talking to them, and they actually let us in to come talk to them. We taught them the Restoration, and at the End we challenged them to pray specifically to know. The man didn't feel comfortable, so the woman prayed instead. When we looked up at the end of the prayer, there were tears running down the man's cheeks, and when we asked if we could come back, he gave a firm, without a doubt Yes. (well, technically "Si!") But it was cool for me to see. I didn't think it was going to go anywhere, nor did I actually participate too much in the lesson. But I left being in awe of how the Lord works in mysterious ways, that "seem small unto the understanding of men."

I've also been studying patterns of faith in the Book of Mormon. It's been really cool to see the faith of Nephi and the Brother of Jared, how they went, "not knowing beforehand the things they should do." This is something  that I want to learn how to do as a missionary. To have the faith in God that my faith becomes my knowledge, like the Brother of Jared, "who had faith no more," but a pure knowledge of God. This is His Work. We try so hard to figure it out ourselves, but just like that Family we found, and I had no idea what results would come from it, He did, and it is just humbling to know that I have no idea what I'm doing!

Well, I hope you are all doing well! This work is going forth. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. It is definitely hard, but I am understanding that all He is asking us to have Faith, and let Him work miracles through us. Keep the Faith. As my companion says, See Miracles!

Con muchisimo amor,

Hna Howell

My Companion has a Word of Wisdom Problem  (week 7 in the field)

June 2,2015

So my companion started drinking and so they have now made me the designated driver. Not that that is any safer. There should probably be a state law in California that says that Hermana Howell can't and shouldn't drive. Okay, so she's not drinking, unless you count water. And who doesn't out here? But I am driving, and California is in danger. Haha, the Elders killed over when they were being nice and tried to back us so Hna Huefner could just get in the car instead, but instead of backing up, I went forward. Elder Myler thought it was Hilarious, but he was a champ, and I don't think he made a big deal of it to the others. Even if he did, I was laughing too! I hadn't driven in 3 months! Gimme a break! 

So another crazy story. We were at Junior and Martha's the other day. (Juinor is 17, RC, and Martha is his Mom. We LOVE them. She's our 2nd mothers.) They are not very well off, but Martha has such a big heart. She always just feeds us and gives us their food--think the "Widow's mite story." So we had been at her house, and she had signed up to feed us, but when we got there there was no food, so we didn't say anything because we didn't want to make her feel bad, or force her to feed us. We just taught them a lesson and So we were getting ready to leave and she's like, "Ah! Hermanas! Why didn't you remind me?!" She starts warming up the food and then fills us up a plate. She'd made this soup with noodles or lentils shaped like tear drops and then some type of spicy meat. She put it all on one plate (not a bowl, so the food kind of mixed together) I was a little hesitant but I didn't want to be rude, and I was hungry, so I started eating it, saving the meat of last. It looked questionable. I get finished with what soup hadn't mixed in with the meat, and then start poking at the meat. I asked her what type of meat it is and she says it's just beef. So I was okay, I'll just have to deal with the spiciness. And so I flip the meat over, trying to get a better go at it, and I freeze!!! Momentarily I begin to GAG! It was a MOUTH!!! There was a bone and a whole set of TEETH AND EVERYTHING!!! I start to ask Martha again, "ahhh, Martha, qual tipo de carne es eso???!!" And then I start laughing, chorteling and the whole shabang because as I look at it longer, I realize it's just the soup, with those tear shaped noodles, lined perfectly up on the bone of the meat. Oh my goodness, it was the funniest/scaried moment of my life! We were all sobbing by the end, because I just was laughing and trying to tell them, "Estaba pensando que fue una boca!!!" between breaths and en spanish. When they figured it out, they started laughing uncontrollably too!! 

Oh man, what a night!

This last Sunday was the Mission President's fireside in Imperial Valley. I actually did a solo of Nearer My God to Thee in front of a lot of people. When I am in a room by myself I can do it super fabulously, but when I'm up in front of people, for some weird reason I get super nervous. So I was super hard on myself and disappointed, but honestly, It really did go well, and It wasn't about me anyways. A lot of people came up later and thanked me. I had orginally auditioned to sing it in Spanish, but she asked me if I would do it in English because they needed one more in the English. And the English fireside had more people show, which was both good and bad ;)

You know that one paper that I send home to you guys with the checklist, the missionary quicknote? Well I think that there should be a box that says I am a good learning experience for my companion. She really puts up with a lot of my craziness and my down days. We're learning how to work together. It takes time, and lots of long conversations, but she is definitely getting longsuffering and patience brownie points. 

Speaking of brownies, we made a compromise with one of our Less Actives. If they don't get starbucks, we don't get starburst or chocolate!! It's killer, but we only have to do it for a month. She actually brought cookies to FHE as a treat and tried tempting up with them ;) It was funny. We are all doing good. 

One of my companion's good friends was the sister missionary from Georgia that passed away in that car accident. She just found out today, so please keep both my companion and her friend's family in your prayers. It is weird to think about how short time really is. It makes us so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. 

A few other funny conversations.

We were talking to Elder and Sister Rielly this morning. They let us use their computers  and do our laundry and feed us gourmet breakfast foods. Anyways they were talking about this sister missionary they know and he's saying, "Oh she's kind of weird. She wants to go to Ireland and places like that. Their into Renaissance and acting, and Warthogs. Stuff like that."

"Oh like Celtic stuff? Cool... Wait... Warthogs? What's warthogs? What does warthogs have to do with anything?"
'You know, like, Warthogs. Warthogs. Oh, I mean, Hogwarts. Like Harry Potter." Ohhhh buddy, I started laughing so hard! It was just too funny! I got up and wrote it down so I'd remember it!

Another one, we were at a baptism for a guy that had basically been Mormon, but finally decided to be baptized. Brother Drury, our ward mission leader was like, "Man, You're dehydrated Mormon. All we need to do is just add water."

Imagine the Lables: Dehydrated Mormon. Just add water.."

Okidoke, I think that is about it for me today! You're all great and I love you!

Con Amor,

Hna Howell    

Transfers?

(6 weeks in the field)             Now to my week? I still don't know where to begin, but I guess I'd better start somewhere. We didn't get Ipads...But, we will! Last Tuesday we had Elder Clarke and President Donaldson come and talk to us about using technology as a proselyting tool. They talked about how the San Diego mission will not become an "Ipad-Mission" because It is not about the Ipads, it is about the work. They also talked about the proper use of technology for doing good, and the evils of it considering pornography and the like. It was really an awesome meeting, because it talked about changing habits and becoming something better than what we were before. I think having this technology will be both a blessing and a challenge. We will get to use Facebook to proselyte in the future too and they have an amazing vision for hastening the work through technology. It is going to take a lot of spiritually strong and safe missionaries to make it work though, and that is why there needs to be so many safeguards set up to help us protect ourselves. But by the middle of June, we should be able to start using the Ipads. It will be both our planners and our Area books, as well as have access to videos and digital pamphlets. It will be such a great resource, and as I said before, a weight off my back ;)

Since this Mission Conference, we have tried to implement a lot more of the suggestions given at the conference. It's been good and we've seen more success. 

One thing we've done a lot more of is street contacting. We will park our car at one end of the street and just walk and if we see people outside in their yards or in the streets too, we'll go strike up a conversation with them. We've met some really cool and ready people, they just don't know it yet. One day we were walking down the street and we see this guy on the other side, sitting in a law chair outside in the shade of this tree, so we go over and try to talk to him, and he just shrugs his shoulders, and gestures his figure across his throat, telling us he can't talk! He was really sweet though, and it's very funny to have a conversation with him, mostly because he speaks Spanish, but can't, nor can he speak ASL. So mostly he just gestures and shrugs, or lifts his arms up in the "I don't know" way. I made friends by asking him about his tree, and he got really excited and gave us some of the fruit that grows on it. They are sort of like Pea Pods, and inside is a soft meaty fruit with a little black seed. You pick them when they are read, and that's when they taste the best. So he was all excited to share. We thanked him and then went on our way. 

A few days later we parked and walked again, and then all the sudden, there he is again!! We just rain into him. He wasn't by his house, and then we tried to ask him where his house was, cause we couldn't remember, and he started gesturing some more. It was like a fun guessing game at what he was trying to say! I don't think we got it right though! Haha. While we were talking to him, there was this punk guy riding around on his bike and smoking a cigarette. He rides up to us, and he's like, "Is that guy bothering you?" And we're like, "No, he's our friend!" and then the bike guy is like, "Oh yeah, what's his name?!" Well, that's a good question! We ended up telling the bike guy off and kept talking to our mute friend. Next time, I'm going to have him write his name now for us! He had some kind of cancer or tumor or something above his heart, and because of that, his vocal cords got severed. We said good bye to our mute friend and went to go contact some people. We didn't find who we were looking for so we started to head back to an appointment down a different street, and low and behold, who do we see?! Our mute friend :) He was back at his tree. He actually has a tool that he uses to get the really high fruit from the top of the tree. So, he waved us over and gave us some. Who knows, I think there is some potential here :) 

Can you believe that I have been out in the mission field for 6 weeks, 1 full transfer, and a total of 3 months total? Ok, ok, baby steps, but that's a long time! It's definitely been hard, but a whole different kind of hard that I am used to. I have definitely come to appreciate the small moments here in the mission. Those are what get you through. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. One example of a small thing, I was having a bad day, and Hermana Huefner asked me who we should go see, and I wasn't really "up for receiving revelation" at that moment, but I prayed anyways and looked at our less active list and decided to go see these people we'd been meaning to go see for a while. When we went there, we finally were able to meet this member's non-member wife and sing them a song. But the cool part was there was this little Chihuahua there that wanted me to pet it, and so I did and it just was pretty much like a rag doll the whole time. When I put it down, so we could sing, it scampered over to me and placed it's paw on top of my foot. The member smiled and said that the little dogs like that can sense our infirmities and when we are feeling bad and they comfort us. I thought that was pretty cool. When we started singing, the dog went over to wife, who is sick and bed-ridden, and put his paw on her foot too. Tender moment, I guess. Chihuahuas are weird ;)   

Well, guess that is it for me today! Love you all! Thanks for the package in advance! 

Con Amor,

Hermana Howell

Here comes the sun, little darlin'

Here comes the Sun, little darlin'....    June 16, 2015  (9 weeks in the field)

Ha, ha! you guys make me laugh. This "too hott" thing that you keep saying? I do not think it means what you think it means...#princessbride

So It got up to 117 today. Too Hot? Nah... just getting started. It's funny because this is like the norm for us. We see 100s everyday, so it's not that outrageous. I mean yah, it's hot, but we've acclimated or something. Very weird, but I guess that's Valley life for you. I told people, since I was "born in the Valley" everywhere else I go will be a vacation!! I do love it here though. There are days I don't, but the majority makes me love it. The people are awesome, and it's a small town, and just enough space on the roads so I don't crash! 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!! FELIZ DIA DE LOS PADRES!!! You are awesome Dad! Thanks for your letters!  I'm sad I Dad, I must confess. You know our handshake? Well, there is one sweet little mexican boy who has mastered it! At least it makes me remember you! His name is Israelito. (His dad's name is Israel, so he's little Israel. Hence, Israelito.) We go work in his Mom's store. I'll tell you more about that in a bit.

This past week has been one of miracles and struggles. 

Satan is really trying hard on this companionship of ours, for one thing. Some days we will be doing awesome and then one little thing, and it's just awkward or contentious. It's been weird to be sitting there and both of us knowing this whole thing isn't going to work without the spirit, but we've talked about it and we can't even pin point the problem. It's almost like we are looking for something that's not even there? We joke that it's like Heavenly Father is just sitting up there watching us with a smile

saying, "Girls, you're just not getting it..."But we talk, and we work it through, and we refocus on our people and things go back to normal again. But it's really easy to tell that Satan doesn't want this to work out, and so that's what makes us try harder to make it. This is God's work. Not ours. We are learning to do it His way. 

We like to throw Satan big curveballs though. Just when he thinks we are breaking, we utilize the Atonement, and wham, we get 4 people with a date!!! (This has not happened the whole 9 weeks I have been in the field!)

We had a lesson with Nancy and Daniella on Thursday, and brought Sister Juarez, who gets along really well with Daniella. We taught the Restoration again, and this time focused on the importance of the Book of Mormon, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost after Baptism. And then we invited them to be baptized. The Spirit was so strong, and they agreed to be baptized on July 11.

The next day, we went to Chris and Blancas, and brought Marcus Garcia and his wife with us. We taught, again, the restoration and emphasized the importance of the Book of Mormon. Chris said something along the line of, "Well this is the first time I've heard about this Smith Guy, but it just feels right to me." They agreed to be baptized on June 27!! Chris is Awesome! He only will speak in English, and Blanca will only speak and can only understand Spanish. So when Chris talks about his feelings about the Church, Blanca doesn't understand...

Now here comes the other struggles. Here's the thing, and it's what I've heard before, but never fully understood before, is that once people are set for a date, all Hell breaks loose. And it's true. 

Sunday, only Blanca and Chris came to Church. Nancy had hurt her arm and was on medication, and Daniella had stayed at a party too late. We went by their house twice trying to get them to come, but to no avail. Blanca came up to us and told us she wants us to give Chris more time, and she wants the lessons to just be taught in Spanish... pow pow pow...here come the fiery darts of the adversary. 

But we are learning to be like Samuel the Lamanite. We didn't let that stop us, and on Monday, we had a lesson with just Daniella, where we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Cuevas Family and Bishop and Sister Rolfe. It was powerful and the Spirit was there. And in the meantime, Daniella met new friends to help support her in her decision. 

We just learn to roll with the punches. When things don't go the way we plan, we have to hope that God's "Back up Plan" is really the Blueprint, and that His ways seem small unto the understanding of Men.

As for Guadalupe and the man that cried, we haven't been able to meet with them again. It's been a struggle, but we again just have to go with it. Try our best, and let God do the rest. We really want those families to hear about the gospel, and we know that Heavenly Father does too. It's all in His Timing. There are hearts that need softening there, but we need to be there and prepared when they are. 

Hna Howell

It's Raining Men!! Week #11

 

May 18 at 1:02 PM

No, not really, I just thought it would be a funny subject line. But really, the rain really kept a tumbling down here! And we doubted! Oh us of little faith... The dirt here has not seen moisture for many moons and that being said, it either makes ice skating rinks or quicksand! No joke. It's like a magic trick. Ok I'm rambling. But needless to say, my Tom booties are now graced with the dark desert muds of El Centro California. We also went out running in it before it actually starting coming down too hard, and it smelt amazing! And it has been a blessing because it has cooled us down these last few days. Can't complain. 

We've been really busy doing nothing here ;) After last Monday's MTEs (where yes, I stayed overnight in Brawley, and forgot to take a pillow and blankie, so I used my wet bath towel. #missionarylife) We started implementing our new teaching tactics. AKA shorter lessons, more directed, using pamphlets, etc... But, we are still working on the shorter lessons part. The Hispanic people love to talk. And the only option in most cases is just to listen. Frustrating, but the only option. It's definitely part of Satan's plan. We plan a lot of mini lessons throughout the day and if we get stuck at the wrong house, goodbye to the schedule. But Hey, we look for the silver linings all the time. 

We have been getting back to our house really late each night and then we still have to start planning, we get behind on the planning, I get behind on journal writing and just have like little bullet points on all the pages, but otra vez, #missionarylife. 

One of the reasons we are having such a problem here in the Valley getting the work to progress is because we don't know who should teach who and where they should be baptized and what ward they should go to. The way that they have explained it to me is that there are three units: 1st Ward, 2nd Ward, and the Spanish Branch. The Spanish branch is dependent on 1st Ward, so the YW/YM classes are done through the 1st Ward in English because the majority of the Youth speak both Spanish and English. And parents who speak Spanish want their kids to learn English. English Sacrament is first, followed by language classes of SS, then RS/EQ, and then Spanish Sacrament is held. This work fine, and is ok. But now we bring in the 2nd Ward. There are Spanish speaking parents who live in 2nd ward boundaries that want their kids to go to English wards. There is no dependent branch to 2nd ward, so English speaking youth who have Hispanic parents are supposed to come to 1st Ward so their parents can attend the branch and so they can attend the ward in English. This takes a blow on the Membership of the 2nd ward because as we try to build up the Branch, we diminish the size or potential membership of the 2nd ward, and increase the size of the 1st Ward and Branch. (This basically gives the 2nd ward missionaries no purpose in their area aside from giving us referrals... kind of awkward...)

First, we got together as missionaries to try to work out the problem, and see what would be the best solution, but really, what can we do? So yesterday, we took all this and many more problems to the Stake President. Together, we got a vision on how we want this to work out now. Yes, the 2nd ward is going to take a blow, but we want to build up the branch fast enough so that their will be enough members in the branch to split it and then give 2nd ward a dependent branch of their own. 

We have kind of trampled the 2nd ward Elders, but in order to get this work going, it's going to have to be this way. Even though it was a tough thing to work out, we think we at least now have a pretty good vision. President is going pray for some more direction on His end, but it was super helpful for the Missionaries. 

So now, our goal is to focus on and reactivate the Less Active members! And also get our investigators too! The Spanish Elders worked way hard and put together a spreadsheet with addresses and specific info. It's going to help us out so much. That was another thing we spent most of our time this week doing, just getting organized.

Haha, phew, now that I've shared that exciting news, here's another: We're getting IPADS tomorrow! So hopefully, we'll get to be even more organized! We are leaving tomorrow morning at 5:15 to go to San Diego to a meeting where they are going to train us on how to use the IPads and then probably some more spiritual stuff, you know how that goes... ;) But I'm super grateful, that will literally be a weight off my shoulders. Scriptures are heavy!! ;) 

Well, Con amor a todos!

Hermanita Howell 

Long time no see

  about week #9

May 12 at 12:55 PM

Well, I don't really know what all I can tell you this time! I feel like I told you the most exciting stuff on Sunday. You are all looking great. You should send me video messages or something more often. It was fun to see you all.

So I guess the exciting news of the week. Yesterday, we had what are called MTEs. Missionary Training Experiences. I packed my bag Sunday night and then in the morning, after a training meeting, which was super awesome and made me super pumped to be a missionary, I hopped in a car with two other sisters and headed up north to Brawley, California. Literally, not that far away, but the climate is still a little different. El Centro is all supply yards and dirt and fields, and Brawley is more houses and suburb type streets. It's pretty there, but it was super hot. It really didn't get theometerly hot, but it sure felt like the sun was beating down! But it was a good experience. Since what I have is the gift of interpretation of tongues, and not the gift of tongues, I had the good experience of sitting and watching the other Hermanas teach. It was really cool. I was a little sad I couldn't participate, because I couldn't speak,not because they wouldn't let me.When I did get to speak in English though, they said I knocked it out of the park. Haha, it was almost like they were surprised that I had it in me ;) Their names were Hermana Jones and Hermana Benevidas. It was Hna Benevida's area, and Hna Jones was the sister training leader. I love both of them. They are great friends and great missionaries! It was fun to get out of my area for a bit and see how other missionaries do things. It made me really grateful for what I have, for my little casita next to the bishops house and the fact it is clean and not roach infested, and that the members here feed us. So if I learned anything, it was learning to be grateful. Obviously, I learned a lot more lessons, but hey, it was cool.

I had an epiphany the other day, during one of our other training meetings. It was about pass-a-long-cards.

I was sitting in a meeting listen to our stake president talk about these cards, and I was grumbling a little inside my head, feeling like, I've given a lot of these cards away, and I know that they just end up in the trash or on the ground the minute we turn our backs. What good can that little card do in their lives? It's just a piece of paper. (I don't feel too guilty here. I know I'm not the only one who has had that thought before, so keep reading...)

The thoughts that came to my mind next were really cool. "They were just stones." Think about it. The Brother of Jared went before the Lord with just stones. But instead of just skipping them across the water and hoping for a ripple, The Brother of Jared prayed over those stones. He's like, "God, these are just stones. But I believe that they have the power to light up the inside of these barges. I believe that if you touch them, you will give these stones power to illuminate."

They were just stones. But with God's light, they were able to illuminate the dark barges. These pass-a-long cards are just paper. But with God's power and direction, they have the power to illuminate the lives of those whom they touch. We, you and I, just need to have the faith that they are more than just stones, that they are more than just paper. That they are an instrument in God's hands to bless his people in a darkened world, amid the torments of tumultuous sea. So for me, I will hand those cards out with purpose. With faith. TO believe and to know that God now has the power to show His finger in the lives of those people.

So yeah... That was cool. A big Light Bulb (or stone, if we are continuing the analogy...) moment!

Pues, Con Amor! 

Hermanita Howell 

Week #4 40 days

Press ? for keyboard shortcu

40 days

Hola mi Familia!

Wow, a long crazy week.

Firstly, awesome conference, right? Admittedly, Saturday session was hard to listen to, for everyone and their companion! Marriage and Family is a great subject, but makes missionaries get a little trunky. I had to listen really hard to get the messages that were meant for me! But they were there and they were very powerful, so I am definitely going to have to go back and re-read and study them. And The 2nd session?! I was so sad about what happened, and to watch President Uchtdorf seem so sad, it was hard to watch. Satan has sick tactics. But God has GREAT ones! Did you pay attention to the songs that were sung? I mean, how amazing were they, that those songs had been picked weeks ahead, by some lady who not many people even know, and she just thought she'd give the YSA an easyish song to sing. But it was "We thank they oh God for a prophet!" How inspired was that moment? And the other song? I can't remember it, but every Member was on their feet singing it with pride! We BELIEVE. 

Sunday was great. It was like one powerful smack down talk after another! I got the topics of Discipleship, destiny, and perspective that really hit me hard. And Holland and Uchtdorf's testimonies of the savior were powerful! And then at night, we got to listen to a "live concert" of VOCAL POINT! (also made the few of the sister...ok, most.... very trunky!) A very good bad idea! But it was all okay in the end. The guys are awesome. 

Monday was mostly spent trying to discern how Hna McCarty was feeling. She was struggling for a bit, but by Wednesday, it all got fixed. Like I said before, Hno N. is very perceptive and he had some individual interviews with us where we were able to address our concerns and he gave us advice. He talked to me first because we have a similar understanding when it comes to reading people. I was for a while the mediator between my companions and he wanted to get some insider knowledge. After that, I left it up to him, and he did great, Halleluja. 

Tuesday, I had to give the invocation in front of 2000 people for the Tuesday night devo. Let's just say I was nervous, but I am glad the speaker wasn't a General Authority. At least not one of the 12. Haha, after I finished, the deaf missionaries busted up laughing. I guess their interpreter had translated what I had said wrong. She was beat red and they were all trying to contain their laughter. It actually made me feel less nervous cause the attention wasn't on me by that point. 

Thursday I started PACKING! I should have taken a nap though, because by class time at night, again with Hno Norton, I was going to cry! Just exhausted and feeling down about the language. Firstly, before that story though, on our first day here, Hna W. had us write a letter to ourselves. I told you about that in one of the letters, but it was good to get some advice from "an old friend" haha. Okay, now back to night time and exhaustion. I felt a little overloaded and didn't want to play the language game, and he was a gem and didn't make me, but once again he's perceptive, this time weeks in advance and for everyone! After the language game, he pulled out his phone and showed us a recording device on his phone. He had RECORDED ALL OUR OUR LESSONS WITH HIM!! Talk about perfect timing too because I was feeling bad about my language skills, but me and Hna McCarty were able to listen to our first lesson and kill over because we were laughing so hard. this one time I was just rambling some incoherent phrase, about what?--I know not!! But laughter was seriously the best medicine that night. He is actually going to send us this at our 6th month mark, when we hit a wall, just to show us that we are progressing and doing great! I still have a long way to go, but hey! Progress is great! 

Yesterday was infield orientation. aka the longest day of my life... but i was tired and had a bad attitude. By the end, we were having a good time though. And it did get me a little bit more excited about the field. what was great though was just going and during companion study just talking with each other about our hopes and fears for the mission field. I love these girls a lot and our relationship has grown so much, even in the past few days! it's pretty beautiful I think. 

Haha, sorry I said SHORT letter, didn't I??

Once a blogger, always a blogger. 

Next time I write, I will be in Cali!

I love you all, and I am excited for the sunshine! 

Con Amor,

Hna Howell  

Week #2

  

It's P-day once again.

Thanks for the package and the Dearelder letters. Those are seriously great. This week has been long, hard, and good at the same time. The days literally blend together. We had a few good companionship inventories and Hna Mccarty and I have grown closer because of them. There were little things that I was letting bug me, but she likes me to be blunt, so I worked cause I am learning how to successfully express my emotions. We compromised and worked out a good system. She was way sad this week because Elder R. left for Spain on Monday. We all miss him, but from what we've heard, he's doing great. 

I like days when we have gym time. One day, I biked for 10 miles with alternating resistance. Most of the time I do the elliptical. It literally helps so much for the rest of the day. It helps me stay positive and alive. I think my clothes aren't fitting well either, like they are all too big now, so hey, there's something!  We exercise right before lunch. I hate the food here, so I just get a salad and some type of soup every day. It's pretty great. I really do love the salad. And the soups are fabulous. 

(How come I didn't a St.Patty's day package?? Haha.)

March 18 was the year mark since Ecuador. It's crazy to see how far I've come. I get to use the Atonement a lot in my life, and I am so grateful. The following day, actually, I had to use it a lot. It was really rough. I will send you the copy of the letter I wrote my Branch President, so I don't have to write it again.

Sorry the Blog and email and bank stuff are crazy. I just laugh when I read that though. Hopefully it isn't all in shambles when I come home. 

Hna Mccarty is going to San Antonio Texas on her mission. So she is  "The District- 1" and I am "The District- 2" If you don't understand that, Ask Scott. 

My Scripture for my plaque should be Ether 12:27. But once Jeremy gets done with the pictures, I want to see them and then decide on a picture. 

Typical Day? I'll send you a hand written one. 

I was hoping you'd get Sabrina's info because Her friend is leaving Monday, so she'll just miss her. If you do talk to her, tell her that this girl used to work at the Ice Rink and was friends with Ty Mortensen. She has red curly hair and her name is Hna L.
 Spanish is coming good. I still understand a lot more then I speak, but I am learning conjugation and how to form logical sentences. I do personal study as well as in class. My teachers are great help. We also teach them as our "investigators." then they give us advice afterwards. It is really fun and we feel the spirit. we do a lot of it Improv. 

I can't believe Erin come home this week. Give her my love, and my contact info ;]

Will you get on my email and email me 2 emails that Erin and Natalie wrote to be a few days before I left. They will be down a few dates. Crazy how time flies. 

Keep sending me dear elders and I'll try to send some handwritten ones in reply. I think that's all for now! I'm excited to see Sabrina!

Ciao!

Con Amor,

Hna Howell 

.

Another beautiful Day! Week #3

 (Sis. Howell wrote us an entire letter in Spanish)  Haha, I'm glad you liked it! I am understanding Spanish a lot better, and I can write it  a whole lot better than I can speak it. But tell Kenneth thanks for the complement. I can't english anymore.( it shows!) sigh... Ya I like being a sister training leader. it gives me the opportunity / responsiblity to focus on other people rather than myself. We get to watch the RS meeting next week during preisthood. Tomorrow is Fast Sunday for us. we will see how that goes. I can't believe I've been here as long as I have. Next week is my 5th  Wednesday.  Oh I love Shandee! If you see her, let her know that! There are a lot of girls I know that are going to the Phillipines here, that I've met while i've been here and we share gym time. Thanks for sending the pictures. I don't know when they will get here. Probably monday. is it bad that I think I need more clothes. after 4 weeks I'm running out of outfit ideas...   Gracias! (Hope the temple is great! I get to go today too!! Enjoy the RS meeting!)

Hola Mi Familia!

 

Haha, ok, this one won't be in spanish. Spanglish maybe, just cause it's deficil to translate back and forth when so many palabras are running through my head. haha and funny story, when you say "they were running" you say "Corrian" which sounds like "Korean." We had a good laugh at that. Hmm, where to start this week...

I think the last time I wrote, I brought up that we were again having some unity issues with the Elders in our district, and that the Hermanas were feeling like they weren't accepted or liked by the people they had to be around for 18/7 hours of the day. But I had a good, hard talk with my district leader, and we worked it out the next sunday, to where everyone was keeling over laughing at each other. (it's a good thing, promise!) We just learned more about each other and why we are the way we are, and it changed everything. We are a lot happier. 

It is spring here! So beautiful, and it smells FANTASTIC!! There are blossoms everywhere and literally look like popcorn balls that smell so sweet ;) 

   On Sunday as well, there was this good fireside/devotional. The brother that spoke talked about Satan's ability to push buttons. It reminded me of the letter I wrote the president about the Picketers and other memories that Satan kept bringing back to my mind all through that day. It's just good that we can recognize those feelings are not from God and we can pray and overcome those obstacles that get put in our way. We also had a few good lessons on Enduring to the End, and let's be honest, I really love/need those. 

   We had some really great lessons with our Investigator, Hely, this week. We love her so much! We teach her in the Teaching Resource Center (TRC) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One lesson we both walked out feeling like we had no idea what she wanted or needed, but the next one, we sort of decided to go a different direction. She loves the bible and she was sort of hesitant to read the book of mormon. We explained to her that many plain and precious truths were taken from the Bible, and she wanted to know where, or how we knew! We told her we needed to do some more studying because we didn't know where in Spanish. So in our studying for the next few days, we spent time on the computer looking at talks and scriptures comparable bible and b.o.m. that could help prove that. We had given her a book of mormon on Tuesday and told her to read the 1st chapter in Nephi.

I'll write what I wrote on Thursday. 

   Backstory: Yesterday during comp/personal study we decided to search for answers to prove why there was a need for a restauration, because Hely didn't see it. I searched for plain and precious truths that were taken from the bible. but during a different personal study time, I had searched for How God answered prayers and how we can maintain a relationship with Him. During both times of study, I came across a Scripture in Acts 10:34. I got a strange impression each time. During the study for plain and precious truths, I was prompted to watch a Bible video about Pauls revelation to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It had the Acts scripture in it, and actually explained it a lot better. But I still didn't know why I needed it, or why it had come up twice in one day!! I showed it to Hermana Mccarty, and she loved it, but again, it didn't really apply to what we were studying...

Today, during the lesson, we talked to Hely and asked her how her reading was going.  1st off, we only assigned her the first chapter. She read to CHAPTER 8!!! WHA--WHA-WOOT! Happy Dance in my head. Then I asked her what she thought about the way God anwsered the prayers of the Family of Lehi. We ended up talking about this until she brought up, "But I'm not a Prophet!"

BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!! Acts 10:34 is "GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS." And I finally understood it! First off, personal revelation is something I had been studying personally, and it was also a question Hely was having as well! We didn't even teach Hely the lesson that we had gone in there prepared to teach. We didn't need to! The SPIRIT totally controlled that lesson! WE didn't even teach her! And WE came out so Happy!! We said a long prayer of gratitude, personally and as a companionship. Such a great moment to realize that God is in control, and He will guide us. HE knows Hely. He knows me, and He loves us all. NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. 

So yeah. Great experience. She LOVES the book of mormon! It is so real and relatable to her, you can tell!! 

   I am also learning more about my missionary purpose, and my purpose in life in General. Invitar a las personas a venir a Cristo al ayudarlas a que reciban el Evangelio restaurado, mediante la fe en Jesucristo y Su Expiacion, El arrepentimiento, El bautismo, la recepcion del don del Espirtu Santo, y la preserverar hasta el Fin. The beautiful thing about the doctrine of Chirst, is that Christ knows we've sinned, but He loves us anyways, died for us, and still wants us to come back to Him. "For such I have laid down my life." He gives us every opportunity to repent, and then repent again. I am here on a mission, because I can repent. I'm living proof that people can overcome their trials and difficulties, amidst even more trials and difficulties. Because, with Christ, all things are possible. 

   Also, Romans is probably my favorite book in the Bible. I literally have so many underlines and notes in the sides. Especially chapter 8. Read it. Study it. Also, look up "Brightness of Hope" by Neal A Maxwell, I think. And Listen to it. Firstly, his voice is enchanting. Secondly He has an amazing way with words. and Thirdly, it's a great message! Ya, I'm a Fangirl. 

   I'm glad Kenneth thinks that I am getting better at Spanish, but the beginning of this week, I did a language assessment and I am back to square one. He basically told me everything I knew i was doing wrong. He's a linguistics major and was super, shall I say, OCD? I felt pretty small, but I started working on conjugation as soon as I got out. And saying softer "Rs" and clearer "Cs".   

   Sabrina is here, and doing beautifully, so you can tell her Dad that. I don't know when her P-day is, but She's thriving ;) (Sabrina is member of our home ward)

   I got a funny compliment on Dad's Birthday. I got a baked potato and took it to the Salad bar so they could "Load" it. The guy behind the bar was a little surprised at the request, but conceded. As he was putting some spinach and meats and cheeses and other stuff that I requested on the potato, he's like, "So I have a question for you. Are you from Idaho?" I said no, I'm actually from Logan, and asked why/if he knew people with my last name, etc.. He shakes his head no as he says, "Oh, well, I just think you really know how to work a Spud." HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Get it? Idaho--Potato---Spud... Yeah, good one, Cafeteria Man. Good one. 10 points for Gryffindor. 

Haha, well that is all for now I think, folks. Times up!

Con amor,

Hermanita Howell 

Re: sun is shinning!  Mar 7

 

HOLA MI MADRE Y FAMILIA!

So Saturdays are my Pdays now. it's been a crazy couple of days and this key board is awful. pero, esta bien. Gracias for checking out my bank statement. 

So the first day was good, but then it got rough. my companion never showed up, so I was just with my "elder brothers" all day and was a SOLO sister without a tag that said solo. i felt really lost and alone, but I also knew that whatever that i had to experience that for was for a reason and for my good, so that brought me some peace. i was passed around from companionship to companionship and didn't have a solid base to call 'home'. i did have a room, but I didn't get to meet the sisters until later in the night. the first night we had "teaching experiences" where we were all in a big room and were teaching an investigator (we did 3 of these things) and they passed around a microphone if you wanted to comment. there were a bunch of people, so not everyone had a chance to comment. but the spirit was there and you really felt the love of Heavenly Father for them. 

But the first time I made a comment, I slaughtered it. It was pretty hard. The man brought up the Trinity and I got stumped. So stumped. And it stung. Because he had a really hard story and needed the atonement, but didn't believe in Christ, who I wanted to testify about. And when I finally met mi hermanas they were nice, but not very open or accepting. They were really great at Speaking their language. I understood a lot, but I couldn't reply yet. so i even felt more lonely and on top of the feelings of disappointments in myself for the first investigator appointment, that made the first night a little rough. But there were definitely really great moments too. I felt the spirit and that gave me comfort. 

The next morning I looked back and the day before, or thought back to it and saw how I could have done things differently. Instead of wanting to press on with the thought that i had, i should have stepped back and admitted that I didn't have all the knowledge to answer his questions at that time. So having that opportunity to look back and see what I could do differently, on a new fresh morning, was very helpful/therapeutic.  The sisters walked me to my classes, and I just hung out with my Elder brothers again for the morning. They were really great. One is going to San Diego too! But 1/2 way through study period, they finally called me (I thought they'd forgotten!!) and had me go to scheduling. They switched me Districts and Zones and found me a new companion and a new room! (I had unpacked most things already... esta bien...) My elder brothers were sad to see me go, and I still see them around campus and they all say "Hermana!! We MISS YOU!!" It's so funny. They were great guys. Solid. I will see Elder N. in SD. 

Entonces, mi companera es Hermana Emily Mccarty de Kansas City Missouri :) I love her so much already! And my district is great. Hermana Mccarty's companion as well as mine never showed up. She got put in a 3-some but I only had elders in my old district, so I had to be alone. I learned the importance of a companion the first day, and I am so grateful for her! She is a gem! We get along great! I speak/understand the language the best out of my district, so sometimes they give me more credit than is due. They all had spanish classes, aside from the two other Hermanas, S. y P., who took years of French and Chinese. They are great girls too, but sort of keep to themselves sometimes, probably because they have more focus then we do. The Elders are fun. Elder M. is sadly, Samoan, not Tongan, but he got made out district leader and he is the bomb! so much respect for that kid. His companero Elder R. is solid too. I actually thought he'd be district leader, but Elder M. handles it humble and like a champ. Next are Elders T. and D. They are great kids too but struggling with the language a bit, but hey, it's only the 4th day. D. had ADHD so a bit of a hard time focusing. He chucks candy at me, so that needs to be stopped... Tanner is super humble and has an arm that is shorter than the other. He relys on his companions for help, which they take opportunities to serve him so great and I adore them for it. He is humble because he accepts it humbly. 

The second day was sooo much better because of my Companion. The days all blend together though!! Classroom time is long, and mostly without a teacher so we have to learn to govern ourselves. Good lesson to learn. Yesterday as a companionship, we taught our first investigator. His name is Javier and only speaks spanish. He is from Spain. It was actually really fun. I understood a lot and could talk to him as best as I could. At the end of the lesson though, he's like, "I thought I was just here to speak spanish with you, but not be taught the gospel." AWKWARD.... haha, oh well Javi. You will be taught the gospel anyways... That night, me and Hermana McCarty studied how to teach him again. A spanish teacher came in to help us, but by the end of his "lesson" we were almost sobbing because we were so overwhelmed!!! It was funny because he was talking so fast and we couldn't answer back, or understand. for one, we were super tired!! and then they other, It was a lot to take in. He felt super bad because I started to laugh/cry/be hysterical and Mccarty felt the same way! He finally said good bye and we told him it really wasn't his fault! But funny crazy story though! 

My and Mccarty are a little sick today, opposite stomach problems. We said we should switch gutz or something! No worries, hopefully we both get better!! I am not a fan of the food here. But definitely I go for the Salad and wraps. Elder M. hates it here too. (He's from Arizona though. Not born in the islands.) still a growing Samoa boy though! Haha. 

 

Well,

I love you all. El don de languas es verdadera! It so cool how well I understand (haha, aside from last nights' fiasco!! too fast! couldn't process!!) I am going too like it here. There really is an extra spirit of peace. The mission president said this is the only place, aside from the temple, that you have to have temple recommend to be here, so it truly is holy ground. The blessing that the stake president gave me the night before I came definitely gave me that sense of peace that I needed. I also had an interview here with the 2nd counselor in my branch presidency and he said that he had a lot of confidence, even after I told him about my depression and things like that--confidence that I would do well on my mission, and be spiritually feed here, and be one who would spiritually feed. ( He didn't say that last part, but it is how It made me feel.

Lo siento for the spelling mistakes! My grammar ghost really hates this computer keyboard! pero, esta bien! I am also going to send you a hand written letter soon, probably today. 

Con Amor, Hermanita Holly Howell

PS the elders were judging me for not putting paragraphs, so I fixed it. hahah

 

This is Goodbye

I was officially set apart tonight as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As would be obvious, my emotions were a little near the surface today. Beginning the day, I wasn't sure what to feel. As mentioned in a previous post, I wanted to try and live 95% of my time in the present, but it was difficult when I was packing my life away in a few tiny suit cases for the next 18 months. So many thoughts about past and future were running through my head and it was hard to concentrate. But after a good heart to heart, tear to tear talk with my older sister who I love so much, I was able to start thinking clearly again. It was good to get those emotions out and put away were they belong.

Then came the night. With my favorite pizza and a visit from my sweet grandparents, I got ready to be set apart as a missionary. I sent a prayer heavenward to ask for continued clarity and peace to my soul. God is good. He gave me that and more.

I went to my stake president's house and after a short interview, He gave me a blessing in the presence of my mom and dad. The blessing was beautiful and filled me with that love and peace that I needed. I am so grateful for priesthood holders and their ability to speak the words to my heart that my Father in Heaven desires me to hear.

Preach My Gospel pg 4 talks about the power and authority that comes with my call. It has been humbling to feel the extra strength His spirit brings in my life. I hope that I can live worthy of this call and that I will be able to learn all that the Father has in store for me.


I am in the MTC, or the CCM, until April, but then,
CALIFORNIA, HERE COMES HERMANA HOWELL 😍🌎

Con Amor,
Hermanita Holly Howell

In case ya just miss my face... (And Clothing Tips for Sister Missionaries)

Sometimes all you need is a sheet up inside your room and a state flag...? Not that classy, I know, but hey, a photo shoot really did make my day better!

 I know what you're thinking. "YOU HAVE 1 DAY LEFT, AND YOU DID A PHOTO SHOOT??!!" Ya... No. I did this weeks ago. Packing is just stressing my brains out, and blogging helps relieve it. I will probably regret it later but hey... What is life without a few regrets? I am learning to live in the moment. 95% of the time is spent in the moment, enjoying the present, making memories, and 5% is leftover for worrying and fretting about the future or dwelling on the past. Good motto I'm going by for the next little while. 

Ahem. Anyways. Moving on.

So Clothes, mi chicas! I got mine from a large variety of stores. Mostly second hand, like DI or Savers (store in SLC. Check it out. Amazing!! Like Plato's Closet mixed with DI prices. #thebomb.com) I literally took about 100 pictures, but only really had 8 skirts and about 10 shirts. 

Don't freak out!! I'm not going to put them ALL on here! But just for fun, here are a few!

Cardigans are where it's at! They compliment so many outfits and keep you warm and looking classy. Light weight or short sleeve ones are a great option for Hot Climates like San Diego...

Don't be afraid of COLOR! Have fun with it. Let there be a little bit of a pop here and there! I could tone this down with a darker cardigan or scarf. Will I? Depends on my mood ;)

SCARVES! And button up blouses. The skirt I got at the Sister Shoppe is supposedly the best for riding a bike in. We shall see...

Accessorize! Light weight scarves for warm climates and heavy scarves for cool climates. Blazers, like cardigans, tone down the outfits and make you look professional.

A few pieces of statement jewelry can't hurt to dress up an out fit.

Let's be real. These are the funnest ones to buy! You can dress modest, look cute, and exercise at the same time! Getting fun colors and comfy clothes can help motivate you to work out!

REPRESENT! My California Flag and my joggers. Total Class. Oh, and I got the clothes at Walmart. No Joke.

HAVE FUN WITH IT!! It can be challenging to find modest clothes, for sure. But when you have them, make them unique and make them yours! The mission doesn't take away your personality! It improves it!

Okay... I better get back to packing now! Eeeeek... No suggestions there yet!!

Con amor,
Hermanita Holly Howell