#letter6

[melissa-iliana-blog]

Letters to myself: Letter 6

"Me and Mr. jones..." I'm going to Mexico for the weekend. Its suppose to be fun. And a chance to get away. Yet id give anything to bring him along. To enjoy the warm sun together. To feel the sand, and him wrapped around me. Stuffing our faces with cheap booze and under priced seafood. Anything I try and do now feels a little pointless. He's not here for me to enjoy it with...Id do anything to have him to enjoy it with... I know I'm coming off a little..pathetic, to say the least. But damn, I fucken love him. Even now, even scorned, even hurt the way I am. I love him, I'm in love with him. And I don't think this is something that'll go away, ever. I see him everywhere. I think of him over everything. Him and his face has become my conscious. If I really never see him again, him leaving will be a blessing. Did I mention he's going to the Navy? He heads out the first week of June. And good lord, I'm counting those days. I know I wont ever, ever, get over him and everything we went through, but its going to help if he's not around. I have been very good these past weeks, and have not called him, have not gone to his house. Or anything of that sort. I haven't tried communicating in any way, shape, size or form. Which I'm super proud of, I tend to be a little psycho, and being with him really turned that notch up. Regardless, I've been trying. I started sketching again. I can listen to more music now. And I distract myself with old Disney movies. I try to spend time with others, even though everyone seriously pisses me off, I still try though. I went on a "date", it was horrible. Not the guy, whom I don't know very well. Which is good, where I'm from EVERYONE KNOW SOMEBODY YOU KNOW. So its nice to talk to someone who isn't part of the scene. Well he was a gentleman, smooth, sweet, talkative but not annoying, and the whole time I was a fucken zombie. I was so uninterested in what he had to say. I felt so bad after, he seemed to have a good time. I'm glad we ended up at the movies, I didn't want to look or talk to him anyways. I declined getting drinks after, stating I was sick (classic line, always works) and went home. I laid in bed and watched old videos of my Ex being a goof, took my meds, and off to bed. That was daaaaays ago, the guy never hit me up again, I was very relieved. So now, I just have to get through about two more hours of work, and then I'm off to Mexico, I will be intoxicated the whole time, and thankfully I can take my meds abroad or else the whole trip would be a disaster. My family is only tolerable if I'm not in my right senses. Plus their one month anniversary is coming up in a couple days, I don't know how I'm going to handle that. But so far the beach and a lot of tequila will help me find a way. Viva la vida, am I right?

[robertofrance]

Me gusta imaginar... #MyOwnWords #Letter6

[transitar-se]

Sinto falta de apreciar o sol da manhã, de sentir o frio e o calor do início do dia. Sinto falta de tomar banho no lago e de comer porcarias sempre que tenho vontade… Sinto falta de voltar para casa e ter alguém para abraçar. Hoje já comecei piegas, como você pode observar, Emanuel, não por estar triste ou mesmo melancólica mas porque, as vezes é necessário assumir certas fraquezas para poder seguir em frente. Não que eu tenha falado alguma fraqueza, estava apenas constatando fatos, fatos simples, leves, dignos de saudades. A verdade é que sinto que não tenho aproveitado a minha vida da melhor maneira possível e isso me entristece, parece que não consigo sair desse limbo e a história não para de se repetir, todos os dias a mesma coisa. Todas as coisas nos mesmos dias. Eu gostaria de ser diferente. Gostaria de me deixar levar e acreditar que as coisas podem, realmente mudar… ser um pouco mais leves, talvez. Mas eu não consigo. Estou presa ao que sou e isso não poderia ser mais terrível e nem mais maravilhoso. Gosto de pensar que se essa minha encruzilhada foi capaz de de conquistar, bem, tudo pode acontecer. Para sempre, Estrela

Esther Lisboa

[quirksofquito]

Goodbye to my good friends who are going to Honduras.  I am going solo to Ecuador.

[quirksofquito]

Letter#6 - Moving to Ecuador - 2.11.2015

Hola everyone!!! Well guys, this is my last and final time that I will be talking to you from Mexico City. Next time I talk to you I will (hopefully) be in Ecuador as long as everything works out! Yes, that is right. I am moving to Ecuador next week. Can you believe it? I am really excited! A little nervous because I will be flying down there alone, but I am excited to get down there!!! Wish me luck! This week has been another amazing week. I love it here and will miss the CCM so much. I have learned so much about myself, about the gospel, about a new language and so much more while I have been here. It has been an incredible experience. Open Your Mouth I learned a very valuable lesson this week and that was whenever you have an opportunity to testify of the Savior, take it. I have had instances in my life where I have been scared or worried to stand up and testify. Maybe I will forget what I am going to say when I get up there, maybe I will not be able to say it in Spanish, what if this or what if that. Last time that I had an opportunity to testify I did not stand up and I felt so awful afterwards. I promised myself that I would never do it again. Well, guess what this week I did again. We were doing a demonstrating teaching activity and our teacher asked for a couple of volunteers that would join in on the lesson and testify. It was not a real situation, but just practice. The Elder next to me kept saying Pemberton, Pemberton, but I just sat there while everyone else sat there. No one spoke up even though I know that every person in that room had a testimony of the Savior, the Atonement, and the Plan of Salvation because I have heard it. I felt awful, NEVER should there ever be a moment that goes by in silence when there is an opportunity to testify. I should have jumped up, begged, fought to be in that chair to testify of WHAT the Savior did for me, my family, and for everyone. I am not perfect. I make mistakes. I have weaknesses. HE is the one who makes those weaknesses strong, that gives me a second chance, and suffered for me even though he did not have to. He helps me when I do not deserve it. HE made it possible for me to return to live with the people I LOVE most once again. I love my Savior so incredibly much and it kills me that I did not fight for an opportunity to not only share my gratitude for everything that he has given me, but also that He lives and I have felt his love for me and for other people. My prayer is that I will never forget how I felt after this situation and that when we have an opportunity to share how we feel about the Savior that we stand up proudly.  We all make mistakes and will continue to make mistakes because we are not perfect. The Savior knows that and that is why he so willingly did what he did for us. It is ONLY through him that we can find TRUE and LASTING happiness. I know He lives and loves each and everyone of you, probably more than you can comprehend.

Never Give Up During the time that I have been at the CCM I have learned soooooooooo much, but what I have learned is much more than learning a second language or learning how to teach...the most important thing I learned here was developing Christlike Attributes. Patience is often referred to as the "gateway" attribute. The Savior exemplifies PERFECT patience. It is difficult to wait and have patience for the blessings that come from obedience especially when now a days so many things are given to us instantly. We need to be patient though and have faith that when we do the things we are supposed to be doing, God is bound to His promises. Do not ever ever EVER give up, even if you do not see the fruit of your labors. Press forward, keep working, and be diligent. Our Heavenly Father will keep His promises. I testify of that. "Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of as more serious nature.There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."----President Monson Patience means staying with something until the end. It is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge, and understanding and transform ordinary men and women. It means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings.It means holding back an unkind word. I have learned while I have been in the CCM that patience can and will better our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness if we practice it in our lives. My challenge for you guys this week is to evaluate and ponder how you can improve on being better at being patient. That when you feel like saying an unkind word, instead you will serve them. That when you have not received an answer to your prayer yet, you will trust in the Lord and his timing. That we will always remember the Lord is patient with us, so we should be patient in all things and patient with each other because we are all imperfect. We all make mistakes, but everyone wants to be given the benefit of the doubt. Never give up on anyone and that includes not giving up on yourself!!!

Moving to Ecuador I leave for Ecuador on Monday at 2230. I will be flying through Columbia and then onto Ecuador. I will get there around 1030. I am not sure if I will be able to email so it might be a couple of weeks till you hear from me, but do not worry...I will tell you everything. I am sad to be leaving so many great people behind and this beautiful place, but I am excited to start serving people in Ecuador! I will be flying solo down there, so it will put what I have learned as far as Spanish to the test!

Experience at the CCM There are 3 things that I pray for consistently since I have been on a mission. 1) How thankful I am for the Savior and what he did for me 2) My family 3) How grateful I am for the opportunity to serve a mission. My CCM experience has been a roller coaster yet one of the best experiences that I have ever had. I have gone from being so frustrated about the language at the beginning to seeing the miracle of learning a second language. I have seen the miracle of the Gift of Tongues. I have cried several times. Sometimes from missing my family, frustration over the language, and feeling inadequate to crying because I am laughing so hard. I have days where I have wondered what in the world I was thinking when I decided to get on the plane and then days where I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet. What I learned is we are always going to have bad days and good days, but the good days ALWAYS outweigh the bad. That through the bad days we grow and learn. That sometimes we just need to "keep on swimming" because it cannot rain forever. I will honestly miss this beautiful place. So many things have happened here that I will always remember and cherish. I will miss the beautiful weather. I will miss seeing all the amazing people that work here and talking with them. They are always so happy and friendly. They are so patient with all of us Americans as we try to speak Spanish. I will miss the Elders at meal times saying HERMANAS and then letting us get food first even though there is really long line. I really have felt like a princess here at the CCM because of how the guys treat us. They carry our chairs, they let us eat first, and always open the doors for us. I will miss having the time to study and learn as much as I have at the CCM. I know that sounds weird, but seriously when else in our lives do we have this much time to truly dedicate to learning about the Gospel and learning a second language. Life is busy and that is just how it is. I am grateful for the 12 hour days of classes and study time. I will miss all of the amazing people that I have met especially my district, my teachers, and the Hermanas in my zone. I really feel very lucky to have been able to get so close with a lot of the people here. They truly are amazing people. I will miss the teachers here. I have to say one of my favorite things about the CCM are the teachers. I honestly feel like I got the best teachers here. All three of them have made such an impact on my life. They have taught me so much and have made my experience here incredible and fun! I am grateful for their willingness to put so much time and effort into teaching us. I will miss Sundays and pizza Tuesdays. Sundays are always a happy happy day and a day where the Spirit is so strong. All day Sunday is inspiring, uplifting, and amazing in every way from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed. I will miss the devotionals we have here and the inspiring words that we always get each week, twice a week! I am probably missing more, but you get the point. I will miss it! I truly feel very lucky to have come here! I love you guys! Be safe! Have a wonderful week! Kendra and I are both moving this week to a new place, it is going to be a big week! Mom and Cakes have a wonderful time in Hawaii!!! Nicole, we will be close next week! Whoop, Whoop! Dad, Connor, Phil, Whitney,Kate, Luke, Ellie and Boston....I love you guys!! Until next time, Hermana Pemberton

[westrivetodowhatsright]

JSH,

Thank you again for taking the time to read and respond to these emails, by the way. I actually have an incredible experience yesterday. I’m working on catching up with my scripture journal for mission prep. I’ve never been able to keep up with any sort of journal before, I just haven’t been really able to see the point on me keeping one. I have the attitude of ‘who would ever want to read this?’ which is silly but that’s again, just how i think. I found that while I was working on said scripture journal, I was actually able to do it well, and it was actually super helpful in organizing my thoughts into actual words instead of chaotic spaghetti. I mean, seriously, I wrote like six whole notebook pages in my cramped, messy scrawl. It was great. I think it has to do a lot with my frame of mind. I feel like I actually care and when I care, good things can happen.

This week’s readings were Helaman 13 - 3 Nephi 6 and I loved it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a particular fondness for the chapters with Samuel the Lamanite and the prophecies that he gives. I think the idea that Samuel the Lamanite is a lamanite preaching to the nephites when it’s usually the other way around has really stayed with me. It reminds me that righteous people can come from anywhere. I know that is something that will be important for me to remember when I’m on my mission and even when I’m not on my mission. I need to remember not to judge people but instead love them.

I think that one of my favorite verses from this week’s reading are Helaman 14:2 and 13 which says ‘And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name’ ‘And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.’ I feel like these two passages both emphasize the Savior’s role and what we need to do. I love the part that talks about ‘if ye believe on his name, ye will repent of all your sins’. If we truly love the Savior, we will do what he asks, namely repent of our sins. It emphasizes the promises that are given to us. If we repent, we will have a remission of our sins. I know that repentance is a wonderful gift. I am so grateful for the opportunity to take this class and hope that these verses and my thoughts help you in some way. :)

Love,

Rae

[chileconcepcionsouth]

Letter #6 - "I'm Leaving For Chile on Monday!" 12.10.2014

My time in the CCM has come to a close. It was an absolute blast living in this little missionary community. I am so excited for you Jessica. Don't you even worry about anything in the CCM it is a great place, there is nothing to worry for here. 

  I leave the CCM on Monday at 4 pm. Then my flight to Santiago Chile is at 7 pm. I am not sure if I get to email you again before I leave. 

  Things stay the same for the most part in the CCM we just study Spanish and the Gospel of Jesus Christ all of the time. I believe that I have learned more here in 6 weeks than I did in 3 years of High School. 

  The Feeling Before Going into the Mission Field

Before I even knew it, my time was up here. Then the realization set in that no one will speak English to me anymore, which is a bit scary. But our Branch President talked to us on Sunday and just said don't worry about the field until you are there or you will be wasting time worrying instead of learning Spanish which will help you there. So that's what I've been doing.  The only thing I am honestly worried about is packing without you all and without a luggage scale. But it'll all work out. I'm so happy that's my only worry right now. 

  David and Goliath

 This week we were studying teaching skills. Our teacher told each companionship to study different parts in Preach My Gospel. He told me and my companion to study Listening. I immediately became so so sad. Because it talks about how if you do not listen to the needs of the investigators then you can't be an effective teacher. The hardest part is understanding Spanish for me. I was sad because I realized that I can't listen to my investigator and see their needs when I can't understand what they are saying. I asked our teacher, Hermano Cardenas, "What can I do if I do not understand Spanish?"  He said, "What happens in the story of David and Goliath?" I said, "David Beats Goliath." Then he said, "What is David's tool to beat Goliath?"  I said, "His stones?" Then he had me turn to 1 Samuel 17:45 which reads "Then said David to the Philistine Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come  to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." 

It was exactly what I needed to hear, because I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I can teach his Gospel in English, but he knew that I could do it in Spanish, too. 

The same goes for you Jessica. 

    Guess What?

So, i guess I've been knocking on the door for all of our lessons in a way that is equivalent to flipping someone off in Latin culture.... so yeah I've been doing that everyday without knowing it. Glad our teacher finally told us though... 

  Scripture Stickers

I got some of these little wonders here in the CCM and they are amazing you stick them over whatever verse it says to and then you can find that verse again. I know they sell them at deseret book. Jess i recommend them!

  Gym Time

During gym time last week a few funny things happened. We were all in our gym clothes juggling a soccer ball together when a few elders in their missionary clothes were walking by and an elder in our group yelled Elders! and waved.  Then I yelled LOOK ITS THE MISSIONARIES... so excited. 

Sometimes we forget we are missionaries. 

  Then we played a game with juggling where after 5 hits you throw it at someone to get them out. An elder was walking by and hermana Jakob accidentally nailed him in the gut it was so funny. So much pain involved. 

  We played soccer and beach volleyball almost all morning today with our district. I'm trying to learn how to spike. My companion is giving me singing lessons because she is almost a professional I believe. I don't know if she can help my cause though. People have taught me all kind of skills here, like how to split an apple in half with my hands and how to make bird calls. It's quite the learning environment here. 

  Sitting with Latinas

We try to sit with the Latinas a lot. The other day they were talking with us and trying to teach us how to say peanut butter.  The word starts with caca and Hermana Jakob said it so loud that all the Latins around looked at us, oh it was funny. I told them all of the different embarrassing things we've been doing in Spanish & they loved it. Especially the one when me and Hermana Jakob were singing a hymn and instead of saying pecados which is sin she belted out pescados. Its so fun to make these mistakes it is the best part of the CCM. 

  We had to say goodbye to the district who came a week before us in our zone this week. I'll send you a bunch of pictures of all of us. I love them so much. They are all serving in Mexico Cancun and Merida. 

  Kendra, I have an invention Idea for you make a clear sticker kind of thing for your scriptures that you can write on then one day you can take it off if you need . lol, or just use sticky notes. 

  My Testimony In Spanish

I know I said I wouldn't do this but I am. I will translate though too. I want to see in the future how it's improved. 

  Mí testimonio es la razón yo estoy aquí. En el CCM yo crece mucho. Yo se que vive mí Señor. El Expiacion de Jesucristo tiene tres cosas que son muy importante para mí. Primero el poder a cambia personas. Segundo comfordado no se la palabra en español, pero esta ayuda me en mi vida mucho. Ultima El expiacion darme la abilidad a servir una mision en una differente Páis. Yo se que el Espiritu Santo es verdad. Yo siento le aquí cada dia. Yo se que soy representante de Jesucristo y que esta obra es la mas importante que otros en el mundo oy. Estoy muy agradecido por mí familia. Esta iglesia bendice las familias. En el nombre de Jesucristo Amen. 

  My testimony is the reason I am here. In the CCM I grew a lot. I know that Lord lives. The atonement of Jesus Christ has three thing that are very important for me. I know the grammer was wrong there but whateva. First the power to change people. Second comfort, I don't know the word in Spanish but this helps me in my life a lot. Last the atonement gives me the ability to serve a mission in a different country. I know the Holy Ghost is real. I feel it here every day. I know that I am a representative of Jesus Christ and this work is the most important that others in the world today. I am grateful for my family. This Church blesses families. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

  The Spanish is a struggle but one day. 

  The next time I email you I may be in Chile. Scary stuff. Thank you family for fasting for me. Your support means the world to me and thank you for the letters. I will keep sending a bunch to you every p- day in hopes one will get to you. Oh,  I did see the Christmas Devotional.  I've never felt the spirit so strong at a Christmas Devotional in my life. I was wondering if you were all watching it. 

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY this past week Whitney!!  I'm sorry i didn't tell you beforehand. Feliz cumpleaños a tí. 

  Weekly Challenge

First of all... I'm going to follow up, because I learned to follow up this week. 

For my family members, I want to receive an email telling which challenges of these you did

Kneeling for one prayer a day

Praying over your food

Reading the introduction to Jesus the Christ,  who is going to read it with me?

There were more but i don't have time to check what others let me know

  This week will you all say one prayer together every night? I know it is a struggle but I'm checking up next week. if you can't keep my commitments then who will. lol guilt trip. Please pray for me to learn the scriptures better and to have a patient kind trainer who is a native. 

  Spanish word of the week

Salud

This is what they say here when you sneeze it means health.   

I Love you all!  

Scripture:  Mosiah 2:21 in the Book of Mormon 

  Have a wonderful week. You're all in my prayers. Have a marvelous Christmas season! 

  Hermana Nicole Pemberton

[fleurfaneex-blog]

01/06/14 9:01AM

I'm not sure if it's the coffee, but my stomach feels so weird right now-anxious. You're finally home. And I am in the best mood ever. I'm ecstatic. I'm overjoyed, thrilled, elated. I'm happy.