Be Still And Know That He Is God

Hola Familia,

Go and get a ruler...do you have it ready? Now just hold on to it... we´ll get to that part later!

About the homecoming solution... HALELUJA! I love the idea about having a before the block brunch--I am all on board! We can visit, get to our meetings and have no regrets. And as for that... I hope you´re not stressing about food or anything. I say that it just be oh so simple. Like instead of a million options... three things. Could be a veggie tray, little sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies. Done. Just my suggestion. I´m sure you´ve got great ideas about how to get it all done without being too stressful. I´m a fan of that. Nata – wonderful idea. I´m so grateful for your support and concern in helping me resolve such an inner dilemma. It is so great to have other people find the answers! Yehaw!

Random stuff that you can help me with:

Daddy – do you have plans of putting me back on car insurance? I will be needing that right away, or a ride to job interviews. Whatever you think is perfect with me.

Mommy – I´ve heard that on State Street there is an Argentine store that sells Alfajores and stuff. Could you make a trip and take meticulous notes about the brands and prices and flavors of all the goods. I want to know if I need to bring home cases of Alfajores or if it´ll be just as easy to buy them when I get home. So yeah, it would be great if you could tell me what is available there. If you want to send pictures of what they sell that works too. Thanks... it´ll help me pack.

Mom – how did that Cyprus cheer go that I always made you do? I want to do it for Hermana Pruner because she is a cheerleader, but I can´t remember it for my life.

We did super trunky service last week hot gluing ribbons to wedding cake pedestals... I decided that I would have done it sooner than the day before the wedding, but whatever, it was fun!

Great news! Osvaldo Miguez was baptized on Saturday and his

joy was incredible! It was a wonderful service and we had a great time. I´ll send pictures soon. He had such a change of heart. He thanked us immensely and another family has been completed. Looks like that is what I do rather than find, teach, and baptize families. I just help complete them.

There was this super sad old man that had had too much to drink and he kept falling off of his bike the other day and crashing to the ground. We tried to help him, but he just kept getting on it and then falling again. He was almost run over by a car too. It made me so sad.

For Zone Conference we had a picnic... it was super fun and President Benton and Sister Benton let Hermana Pruner and me design the Sister’s Conference soccer jerseys for our last meeting-- in honor of us. They are going to be so cool!

I was super sick on Friday and was given a 3rd priesthood blessing in the last month – and before the third train stop on the ride home I already felt 80% cured. I was so impressed with the power of the priesthood that I started to pray and give thanks. But suddenly it all came back, all the pain and sinus pressure and I wanted to cry. I tried to tell myself that my body was being healed by the power of God, but I was suffering terribly. We got off the train and I took an Airborne, 2 Ibuprofen and 2 Allegra D and we went out in the rain because I was not about to miss an appointment with a complete family that I was so sure we were going to baptize (sadly it didn't work out) but that´s beside the point... we went out, taught them and prayed with them. It was incredible and I felt better and better. We practically swam through the street puddle

and my companion fell in the mud, but it was the best afternoon of the mission. We did 3 contacts, taught one lesson and returned soaking wet but full of the Spirit and hope and faith. The next day I was 90% healed and I know the Priesthood is real.

I am sad that Sister Pruner and I aren´t on the same red-eye. We had planned to keep each other happy instead of crying on our flight home, but I am going to be a solo sister with Elders on a 10 1/2 hour red-eye.

We went to an abandoned theater and found 4 families living there. We taught 2 of them and haven´t been able to find them again, but it was fun. It is like one of those things you can only do as a missionary... walk into an abandoned theatre and find various families living there and teach them the gospel. I liked that day.

Ok, do you all still have your rulers? Good, get it in your hand and take a good look at just how big 3 inches is. Did you all look? That is the diameter of the spider that I found in the corner of our ceiling last night as I sat

brushing my teeth and talking to the other sisters. I looked up and started screaming and pointing like a terrified girl. We grabbed my camera and recorded the entire process of trapping it (the brave soul was Hermana Pruner) and taking it outside where she released it to... LIVE. I was afraid to let it go and have it just come back, but nobody had the courage because it was literally SO BIG. When I first saw it I didn´t scream because I thought it was just too big to be true. I though it had to be a prank... it couldn´t possibly be real, but when I realized it was I began to scream. Hermana Gurr hid and it was up to Hermana Pruner and Hermana Godfrey to catch it and get it out of our pench. I was panicked and couldn´t calm down to sleep after that. My heart didn´t slow down for about 20 minutes. I thought I had overcome my fear of spiders, but that one was literally as big as the palm of my hand... and it wasn´t just a skinny legged daddy long leg with a tiny squish-it- body... it was like HUGE. The legs were almost as thick as a sucker stick – and his body was so big you could see teeth and pinchers. I will send a picture of that too if I can soon. I was literally losing it. We watched the video of it this morning and laughed and laughed at our screams and comments, but I´m telling you it was terrifying--but awesome. I love the mission!

So basically we had nobody in church yesterday and we lost _______ because she is getting pressure to not listen. We are working as hard as my strength permits us, but once in a while I just fall asleep... not in lessons, but in Sacrament Meeting yesterday... it was sad... one just lacks physical stamina at this point. The sad thing is that I prayed to finish the mission huge and baptize at least 6 or 7 people during my last transfer and it looks like the miracle of miracles that we could even remotely possibly reach would be 4: Osvaldo (one already down) and then Pabla, Marcos, and Liliana. So much for my dream of going out strong, but I guess the Lord has another lesson He wants me to learn through it all. It´s ok, I accept it, but I sure did want to baptize a family...but I will remain faithful and work as hard as I can because it does no good to lose faith over something that you simply just don´t understand yet.
I love the mission with all of my heart and cannot wait to share every joy, trial, success, failure, and moment with you. I have the pictures and the journal accounts to keep us talking for the next 7 years. So get ready to have me talk your ears off!

I know that Christ lives and that this is His church. I know that this is His work and that He is in charge. He has a plan and it is perfect. I trust in it, even when I can´t see all the parts of it or my role in it. I pray that we all may lean on Him through every change in our lives.

The faithful will remain! Be still and know that He is God.

¡Wubba, muchísima!



The happiest sister missionary in all the world!

Hey Fantastic Family,

Well, this is the THIRD time I have written this email. The first 2 times the computer froze. So, as you can totally understand I am beyond even wanting to write this all a third time. Nevertheless, I know that you deserve to hear from me, so instead of giving in and saying forget it I am here, still writing, the same thing that I have already written you twice before!

Last week I didn´t have a mini, nor was I training. I´m still with Hermana Godfrey until the end. Hermana Pruner (who yes, does, go home with me in November) and Hermana Gurr (who goes home one transfer after us) moved in and they are heading up the work in Navarro. They are working with ______ towards her baptismal date set for the 14th of November and with her daughter. They were able to set the same date for both and bring them to church yesterday.

Nata – I loved what you said about finding a rock and so I will make it my special quest these last 5 weeks to seek out a truly stellar rock to cherish forevermore.

Fun stuff:
I was reading in a Liahona and found out that Joseph F. Smith was so meticulous that he ironed his money. Hmmm...who have we seen do that? Oh yeah, the Sister missionary that is writing you!

Did you all hear that they are changing our flights and sending us home a day earlier? I bet you´re excited as all get out, but that Mom will fight with the blog counter to make it accurate again. He he. It seems like it will make the experience much smoother for all of us involved. After transfer meeting we will go to the mission home and that night they will take us to the airport. I can´t believe that my mind is really starting to accept that I will be leaving this country. It seems too crazy.

I have been assigned one last time to do divisions with the Sisters of Navarro, and the Sisters of Mercedes. I don´t know why in my last transfer I will be spending so much time in trains and buses… it feels so much like precious time lost in travel.

Last Sunday in Navarro I forgot to tell you that there were 8 of us in the kitchen making pizza and everyone gathered around to watch Mariso light the burners… she didn´t have to light a match to do so. It was like a stove top in the states, but it caused such awe and joy that they all came over to watch her do it again and again. It reminded me again that I´m not in Kansas anymore. And the other day this woman talked about not coveting and she said that she doesn´t live all day thinking, “I´d sure like to have a new bike.” It was like “bike? Don´t you mean car?” Not in Kansas anymore…

We recently stopped to talk with 4 young people and one of them extended his hand to offer me some marijuana. He said, “do you smoke marijuana?” Ready to find out how your oh so polite daughter responded? I said with a confused look on my face “no… but thanks.” Yep, I was a little clueless in the moment...obviously it is not necessary to express gratitude for an invitation to do that....but hey, I´m polite.

Yesterday we street contacted an 80 year old lady who had in her hands a loaded sling. She was shooting the dogs. We asked her if she was a good shot and she said something like, “you better believe it.” I couldn´t stop from smiling… this 80 year old woman was cloaked like the young David from the Bible ready to attack the foe of her day and age… stray dogs!

Yesterday was Mother´s Day in Argentina and we were blessed to be able to attend the Miguez Family's ASADO. My companion tried morsillo – it´s made with hog's blood, raisins, pine nuts, oregano, and mint and put together in a giant hot dog form. She even liked it. I can tolerate it, but in small portions and with great effort to not think about what I´m eating. She took it really well too, just like I did when I first tried it in Castelar.

In the ditches here there are mosquito fish. It makes me very giddy. There are also tons of tiny, tiny polliwogs. I think about my Daddy when I see them.

The other day we went to Navarro to the house where we have church to lay ceramic tiles. It was super fun, with the grout, smoothing tools and all that jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Well had I not lost 35 minutes writing the first 2 failed emails, I would have told you a wonderfully spiritual experience about how yesterday I really learned more about what the Atonement is like, but it will have to wait until we are together again. Just know that this last transfer has literally been the key to my testimony being what it is. I see with new eyes and understand with a new heart and mind. What our Savior did… we can never grasp completely, but as we come to capture a glimpse here and there, it is truly a beautiful experience. To love as He loved. I am learning it!

I know with all of my heart and soul that Christ really loves us. He gave all because He wants us to return. He is the way, the truth and the life. I will serve Him all my days. I will soon be with you again, but until then, may we all do more and more to thank Him for His infinite sacrifice and atonement. He lives. Find someone who doesn´t know, or isn´t sure, or has forgotten… and testify!

Love Always,



your polite daughter... "no, but thanks." :)

I Survived... Rejoice With Me!

Hey awesome family. I´m just curious if you all had a tough week too, because I had a doozie! But as you read this letter, you should all rest well-assured that I am now filled with peace, light, joy, excitement, and energy. I´m a daughter of God and I re-learned that truth this week. The road to the Celestial Kingdom has to pass by Gethsemane.

Little stuff... think about this… how many people do you try to save? Why do people want to be a doctor... to save lives. Saving lives... I have so much I would love to write but so little time. Read Mosiah 28:3 and Alma through the twenty verses where it talks about Amulek... he was the best member missionary.

Mom – to explain, those are the Elders from Lobos. They are our designated train bodyguards, so we were pretending to be all clueless in that photo while they keep us safe.

I do have one more CD of pictures, but I don´t see a point in sending it to you, when I´ll be home before we know it.

I´m so excited to see this blog... I have heard amazing reviews about it. Did I mention that a few weeks ago I found out one Tuesday that Megan Glauser, (friend from Bingham High), Emily McKee (roommate from BYU) and Christina Willey (neighbor from BYU) are all getting married? It was like the day of getting letters saying that everyone is engaged!

It was a long, tough week. In fact, I´m not going to lie... it was the worst week of the mission, but rejoice with me... I survived and it´s behind me. Let´s just say that things went very wrong and I was very attacked (not physically, just verbally) by someone. Luckily your comp is your witness that can back you up in all things. Through this trial I learned how to ask for help, receive it, and just plain keep going. I was brought to the very depths of sorrow, but that doesn´t matter because I have already climbed back out and hiked to the top of a mountain. I´m fine, I´m more than happy, I have peace, and I know that all experiences teach a lesson. My Father in Heaven knows the truth, so that is all that matters.

To finish off such a lovely week full of growing and prayers, one of our investigators decided Saturday afternoon that she wasn´t going to be baptized. Shot though the heart! We returned to the pench and started prepping the place for the new sisters who are coming in to help us handle the work here with 3 branches. We eventually finished up and went out to work and got caught in a rain storm like you have never seen before. The funny thing is that all that day I didn´t shed a single tear. Not even when the baptism slipped right through our fingertips. I felt totally numb and past feeling as the scriptures say. Later that night after we dried off from the rain it dawned on me that you never know... maybe it didn´t go through for some reason we can´t see. Like one of those, “what if we would have had an accident in the train? Or What if someone would have been robbed on the trip?” For all we know the Lord was mercilessly protecting us from something much worse. I felt such a calm stillness as that thought dawned on me and I was totally at peace with it all.

That was part of the news that Elder Woodmansee gave us when he called to see how I was doing and find out just what had happened. He said that the President was entrusting me with the responsibility to lead and divide the work and handle all the details and plans and that they were sending us two sisters... another companionship to be primarily Navarro missionaries. I was thrilled and we spent hours working hard to receive revelation and figure out how to divide it all and do what is best for the work without trying to keep all the good investigators and future baptisms. We finally got it all on paper and today in the transfer meeting my mission-long dream basically came true... They sent Sister Pruner!!! and Sister Gurr to come help us out. I´m going to get to be almost companions with Sister Pruner – my first comp in the MTC for the next 6 precious weeks! I´m so excited, but I cried when it all came to light because I feel like I don´t deserve to have that dream come true.

As a mission we had 188 converts this transfer. It is just so tough to not hit the 200 mark again... we are so close and giving all we have, but the adversary is also fighting with his armies and all he has. Let me just tell you that this past weekend 41 people that were supposed to get baptized... didn´t make it. He is fighting too. During that chaotic week, we also had divisions with the sisters in Mercedes so to start and end it each companionship had to invest about 4 hours in trains. It is hard to lose so much time, but I got to see Mercedes and was reminded just how much I love Las Heras... I was so ready to be back on my own turf.

I was in the branch in Navarro yesterday with a member from another ward that did divisions with us and I was so touched in the fast and testimony meeting (with 8 other people) that I was crying. Micaela – my temporary companion - said that she had prayed and prayed for the rain to stop so that she could get to Las Heras to help us out because she had committed to come and wasn´t going to let anything stop her. The sun came out and shone through the windows of the living room aka chapel of Navarro and we saw the power of God made manifest. I also cried when a new convert stood and said that they were going to the temple the other day and it was a long way getting there, but they couldn´t bail or turn back because it was like, “Heavenly Father was waiting for us.” I heard that and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Our Heavenly Father literally is waiting for us. He wants us to come home. He wants us to make it back safely. He is worried and looking out the front window to see if we´re about to pull in the driveway. He is waiting for me, He is watching to see me come home. He is waiting for me to finish the mission strong. This morning in my personal prayer I promised the Lord that with these precious 6 weeks I wanted to become and be and serve and work, and give and love each day. I wanted to do all with no regrets and I have tons of ideas about how I am going to keep my word on the promises I made Him. It is all up to me. I am responsible for all I do. I have 6 more weeks to serve, and the rest of my life and the eternities to think about it. What am I going to do? I am going to give all that I have and do the very best I can. I´m going to be so totally lost in the work that they have to send out a search party to find me and pack my bags and take me to the airport. It is all up to me.

I testify with all of my heart that I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and is here upon the earth. His church is led by a living prophet and the keys of the Priesthood are not found anywhere else. I know that Christ lives. He literally lives. He is the way. Heavenly Father is waiting for us. He is watching us. He cries when we fall and rejoices when we get back up. I testify that this is His work. I am a humble servant and a faithful witness of the truthfulness of the Gospel. The Book of Mormon is true. It is perfect and teaches pure doctrine.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

With love and unfailing trust in His plan... until next week!

Be Thou Consistent!

Wasn´t conference just celestial! We had nobody as far as investigators go on Saturday, so we peacefully enjoyed watching it in English. But on Sunday we fought tooth and nail to get 3 there (and Miguel brought his mom whom we taught in between sessions… so 4 )and then we watched 5 children for a bit of it until we went back to watch it in English again. We had to make the trek to Loma Grande - a good 7 train stations away, but it was awesome!

Here are the things that most got my attention:

Elder Holland´s intensely powerful declaration of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. There was nothing like the Spirit as he spoke and bore witness of it.
Elder Oaks saying that God´s love does not excuse us from obeying His laws.
Elder Bednar admonishes all to be consistent!
Elder Scott saying the Lord will not force you to learn.
Brother Osguthorpe saying when a call comes you always accept it, no matter how inadequate you might feel.
Elder Uchtdorf saying that love should be our walk and our talk.
Brother Watson talking about temperance… that word we always just read over, but not anymore!
Brother Burton and the attributes and virtues that end in –"ity."
Sister Debb inviting us all to get a grip on the iron rod and not let go.
President Monson reminding us that unless we lose our lives in the service of others there is little purpose in it.
Brother Nielson saying that with the mission efforts we have only scratched the surface.
Elder Christofferson – the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of truth.
Just a few of the tidbits I loved!

It is crazy to think I am about to start my last transfer. Like this will be my last week 1, my last Zone Conference, my last, “what might happen to me” transfer meeting. It´s weird, but one´s mind starts to accept it. My mind is already little by little accepting the truth that I will finish and fly home. I think it is a healthy way for me to get over it. Maybe it´s just the exhaustion sinking in that helps you be OK with it.

So much to your chagrin and mine – I am battling a spring allergy cold. I was just dealing with it, but when I developed a cough I quickly got a Priesthood blessing from the first pair of available Elders. The next day my cough was noticeably better and today almost completely gone. My runny nose is improving, but as long as I´m not coughing, I´m in little danger of a relapse and “living in the mission home” excursion.

So one of my mission goals was to “walk through a pair of shoes” and I have done that. My 'Born' shoes now have holes in the soles that let water and dirt in. If you hold them up to the light, the light shines through the shoes. How about that, but such bad timing if you ask me. 7 weeks more and I can´t believe I have to buy another pair of shoes. I´d just try to let it go and tape them, but the left shoe has the wiring springing out and cuts my heal. I am going to try once more to mend the hole in the right one and cover the wire in the left one, but if it doesn´t work I will just get another pair. I can´t use the old Sketchers I was saving to show you the wear and tear because they are so uneven it hurts your hips and back and makes you trip and fall because your balance is all out of whack.

Guess what else… I woke up this morning to the sound of a good downpour and thought to myself “I´m so lucky to have such a great pair of rain boots… and I won´t get cut today by the wire because I have no choice but to wear the rain boots. Life is good.” Then when I was eating breakfast in the dark (because we woke up to no power in the apartment) my companion opened the kitchen window and guessed what we remembered? My boots were OUTSIDE on the patio and totally SOAKED. As she tipped them over about 6 ounces of water spilled out of each boot. No worries, I can wear the “it´s kind of raining today” ankle boots made of leather I brought and I still won´t get cut. But wait, they were outside too! Lame. But it was probably one of the funniest things that has happened to me in Las Heras. I laughed and laughed. I made do today with a pair of my companion´s shoes that are too big and I was falling all over the place. I mention that the power was out, because that eliminated the option of blow drying them. Wouldn´t you know it? My rain boots were outside in the rain. That is a lesson I think I will only have to learn once!

We spend a lot of time in a train or in a bus and it´s getting hot outside. That drains your energy at the speed of light. I love it though.

I prayed a ton for Trevor. How is he doing?

I love you all so much. I testify that I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives. I have not seen Him, but when I do I will not know any more then, than I know now that He is my Savior.
I know this is His restored church and that it is led by His prophet. I will work until I collapse and preach until my voice fails. This is the truth.

Wubba!