So first of all Im going to have a LOT less time than I did in the CCM but Im going to try really, really hard to get everything in and then respond to personal emails from everybody!! I wish I could just chat with you about everything but "Que sera, sera!" or "What will be, will be!"
ANYWAYS!!!
I'm in the field!!!!!!!
TRANSFER MEETIN:
So my flight from Houston to here was delayed like an hour on the tarmac because there were some screws loose on the pannel so I ended up getting to the Transfer Meeting like just as it was ending! The senior missionaries who picked me up told me to go sit on the stand in front of everyone and so I was like "ok cool all the newbies are probably up there!". Nope. Just me. And President Orgill was talking and then once he finished what he was saying he invited me to go stand up there with him and told me that I had already been introduced by him with some of the information that they have from my mission papers and that everyone was so excited that I was there! Then he told me who my companion*S*(yes I am in another trio) were and I ran down to meet them!!! The funny part of this story is that I was informed later that President doesnt ever do that and bring people up to the stage so Im sure everyone felt very awkward(including myself) hahahahah But he and his wife are soooooo nice and kind and welcoming!!!! They told me that we should take a picture with companions and with them to send to you guys when I sent that email saying I was there!! They're so amazing.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS HERMANA CHRISTENSEN:(sing like Carmen San Diego theme song)
I live in Mission Viejo right now and the weather and everything is soo gorgeous and I LOVE IT!!!! We live in an apartment with two english speaking sisters and they're awesome and very nice. Our apartment is two bed, two bath, livingroom and kitchen and its very nice.
So my ward is the Mission Viejo 5th Ward!!! The people are soooooo soooooo soooooo nice and awesome and I love them already!!!! The bishop's name is Bishop Cambell and he looks almost EXACTLY like Uncle Kent. Like even the way he talks and his mannerisms are like Uncle Kent's and is crazy!!! He also has a niece or nephew(cant remember) who is in the Walnut Creek Ward in our stake! He is very,very,very nice and when he met me he was very excited and told my companions to get me in some lessons!!!!
FIRST LESSONS/ARE YOU SURE IVE BEEN CALLED SPANISH SPEAKING?/AM I STILL IN CALIFORNIA?
So my first full day I was nervous because my spanish isnt super great yet and they teach the lessons a little differently than I know how and I was scared BUT THEN!!!! The first lesson we taught was in ENGLISH! We went and visited a less active young women named Diana and she prefers english! She was AMAZING. She reminds me so much of my PAL my senior year and I love her so much! She told me I looked like/remind her of Jeannette McCurdy (from iCarly/Sam & Cat) hahahaha Then after that we went to have dinner at an english speaking members house in a different ward because they dont have sisters and they like to feed us once every transfer and they live in Covenant Hills. GUESS WHAT WE HAD???? BBQ. And Im not talking about like Utah BBQ( hotdogs, hamburgers) Im talking huge ribs, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn on the cob. It was like being back home!!! They were incredibly kind and we shared a short message with them and talked for a while and it was a pretty amazing first day!
We've also taught other lessons in english to other young women who are inactive. I love teaching them, no not because they're in english hahaha,but because I feel like I can relate to them and they all are so amazing and have such strong testimonies of the Gospel. We just need to get them to church so they can feel of the amazing spirit that is there. They're all sooo awesome and it reminds me of all my PALS and its so fun.
ESPANOL ES LA MEJOR...CASI/ SPANISH IS THE BEST...ALMOST
So I've been doing really good at spanish even though its not the best yet I still have been being able to express myself a little bit and bare my testimony. My companions keep telling everyone we meet that my spanish is really good for five days and the members have been giving me compliments but I still struggle with tenses and certain things but its the best! Almost!
However I understand pretty well. So story: We were teaching one of our investigators(Margarita, who is actually supposed to be getting baptized in two and a half weeks). And we were talking about the Plan of Salvation. So we discussed that the purpose of life is to try to become more like Christ so that we can return to live with Him and Heavenly Father again. So,I thought Margarita said (in spanish) something along the lines of that she had faults and wasnt perfect. So then a couple minutes later I asked, "So you said that you had faults right?" and she goes "no, I didnt say that" So I'm sure at this point my face/ neck started to blotch like it does when I freak out, because how awkward is that??? I basically just told her, Im assuming you have faults even though I just met you and Im a jerky teenager blah blah blah. <- my thought process during this whole thing. BUT GOOD THING IM
REALLY GOOD WITH AWKWARDNESS. Because I just kept talking and explained to her that all that's important to God is that we try and make our best effort to follow Christ and keep our covenants we've made with God. And it actually turned out really well!!! So then the lesson ended and we went to the car and I told my companions that I was so sorry and that I thought I heard her say that but Im glad I recovered my own fumble and then they told me "No!! She totally said that!!!! I dont know why she said that she didnt say that because she totally did!!!" So point of the story, puedo entender Espanol!!!!!! (I can understand Spanish!!!!!) Also! In that same visit, a friend of Margarita's walked by and Margarita asked her if she wanted to join us and she did! Her name is Aris and she speaks english and is in her twenties and told us that she has been feeling a void in her heart and like she needs to go to church but doesnt know what to do. I wanted to raise my hand and go "I KNOW I KNOW!!!!!!" because this Gospel has brought so much joy and fullness in my life and I just wanted her to feel that so bad. So hopefully we'll be able to visit her soon!
WE WILL RISK OUR SENSE OF SMELL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
So one night we were going to visit a lady in the ward who cant come to church because her boss wont let her get off Sundays. So we really wanted to see her because she fasted and we wanted to follow up and talk to her about fasting and stuff. So we go to walk up to her house, and there is A FAMILY OF SKUNKS. Not one, but A FAMILY. Luckily after a couple minutes they walked away/ the cat chased them away(only time I have loved a cat ever). So we got to visit her!!!! It was very hilarious and scary at the same time hahahaha
ANOTHER AMAZING DISTRICT
So my CCM district was amazing and now I have another amazing district/zone!!! Theres only one Spanish speaking zone in the whole mission so everyone is really close. So theyre all really nice and awesome. Our district leader looks like Coach K(I believe the Duke basketball coach) so when we had our first district meeting one of the elders announced our name and our favorite numbers like it was a basketball game and it was hilarious.
I've already seen soooo many miracles with contacting people who are interested in learning more about their Savior, with being blessed with amazing people around me, with feeling the spirit SO strong, all the time and especially while we're teaching. I love the people so much and they desire this Gospel and the joys, that I KNOW without a doubt in my heart, this Gospel brings. I love all of you so so so so much and Im so sorry that I might not be able to respond very in depth or to everyone but I appreciate all the emails and support and love from all of you. I pray for my family in every prayer I say and I know that the Lord will be blessing you all!!!!
P.S. Happy belated birthday Kendyl! I love you sooooo much and I hope that you had an incredibly amazing day!!!!!!! Say hi to Gimlie the chicken for me!!!
P.S.S. EVERYONE GO LISTEN TO "An Unlikely Mormon" by Glen Beck AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We listened to it in the car and its amazing and so inspirational!
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