Hola!
This last week went by extremely fast, I feel like I was just writing an email to everyone. I hope everyone had a lovely Easter and that you were able to feel your Saviors love as much as I did.
I always have so many things I want to share with you all, but when it comes to actually sitting down and typing up my letter, I never know what to say. So I hope my letters don't bore you too much and that I can convey how much I am enjoying my missionary experience in my letters. :)
This last week was incredible. I was able to host again, I love being a "mission mom" for an hour! I feel so much love for those new sisters coming in, I love being a part of their first interaction with the MTC and I am so proud of them and their decision to serve. I feel like I have learned so much this week, not only about myself but of my Savior, the Book of Mormon and how I want to be as a missionary.
La Pascua (Easter) was amazing! It was a nonstop, all day lesson of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. We did not hear from Elder Holland but we were fortunate enough to hear from Elder Ballard. I love him, I went to a BYU devotional about a year ago and he became one of my favorite apostles. He's just so genuine and I love his sense of humor. Also, fun fact, Elder Ballard has 7 children, 45 grandchildren, and 75 great grandchildren! Imagine remembering all those names ;) In his talk, Elder Ballard said "Mormonism is obsessed with Christ." I loved this, because it is so true! We are so obsessed with Jesus, and I am proud to say that! he is the center of our beliefs! He is everything for us. We have the Book of Mormon, which is another testimonio of Christ! We have the most correct book and it is the keystone of our religion. AND I get to share that special gift with the world for the next 18 months! :) Also, something way cool....Elder Ballard bestowed a blessing of good health and strength to all the missionaries! After the devotional I listened to the song "This is the Christ" again by James E. Faust, if you haven't heard it, I recommend going to Youtube right now and listening to it. It is so powerful. One of the lyrics is "How many drops of blood were spilled for me?" I love how we can be reminded through hymns and other songs that Christ is our Savior. We finished our Easter Devotional with "He is Risen" and some words that really touched me were "Death is conquered, man is free. Christ has won the victory." I love my Savior, I know He lives. I know that Jesus Christ can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy and peace! All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Christ. Mé encanta.
Spanish mess up of the week: We had just finished a lesson and we were discussing how we thought it went. I had a hard time with the spanish, and I ended up saying "La leche es real" instead of "la lucha es real." Basically, I said the milk is real, instead of the struggle is real. Haha yay for learning a new language, literally the STRUGGLE is real. I also am at the awkward stage of struggling with english now too. I sometimes forget how to spell words or how to even say words because I always want to pronounce the vowels the spanish way, I have terrible grammar and I talk like a hick. Its great!
I also never fully announced that I am in a trio, but yes I am in a trio! I was added to a companionship in my district. I struggled in the beginning getting used to the change of having two companions instead of just one but I love them. Their names are Hermana Kump and Hermana Rasmussen. Hermana Kump is from Washington. She is a little younger than me but she is so smart and knows so much about the book of mormon. She also knew some spanish before the MTC so she is pretty good with the language! She is so kind to always help Hermana Rasmussen and I. Hermana K loves the Lord immensely and sets such a great example for our companionship. Hermana Rasmussen reminds me of Anne of Green Gables :) Not just because of her beautiful red hair, but because she is so caring about others. She can also be a little sassy, I love it hahah. Hermana Rasmussen will always go out of her way to help someone, she is always thinking about others before herself. We are all just a perfect mix of personalities, AND we are all going to the same mission so we will be able to fly over to DC together!
One last thing, we went to the temple yesterday because of conference. My companions and I did sealings. I felt the spirit so strongly! All I could think about was my future investigadors, That is where I want to see them. Baptism is incredibly important, it is our first covenant with God, but it shouldn;t stop there. I want to seem them in white at the temple. The promised blessings you receive in the temple are so beautiful. I couldn't get the song "Families can be together forever" out of my head yesterday. I am so grateful for God's plan for us and that this life isn't the end. God loves us, he made an indiviudal plan for each of us. I really studied 2 Nephi Chapter 2 this week, where it talks about the Plan of Salvation. I know this life was meant to be enjoyed. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" God knew we wouldn't be perfect, that is why he gave his only begotten son. Christ loves us so much that he was willing to sacrifice for us, and feel so much pain so that we don't have to.
It is basically Christmas here at the MTC this weekend! I am so excited to listen to conference, I know that the words shared today and tomorrow are words of God. I encourage all of you to listen to conference (you can watch it on LDS.org), and to go into it with a question(s) in mind because I know your question will be answered!
Tenga buen semena!
Much Love,
Hermana Harley
Sorry, all of my pictures are the same. Hahah the only time we really have to take pictures are at the temple... These pictures are all from Easter, the group picture is of our zone before they all left!
