Well....its been an exciting week out hurrr in Virginia haha. First an earthquake then the hurricane. So the earthquake hit on Wednseday (I think). We were just sitting in the apartment and all of a sudden the whole building started shaking...Me and Hermana Balsley were saying, 'is this really happening', yeah it did. It wasnt serious at all where we are, but I did hear it put a crack in the Washington Monument just 5 miles down the road. So then, later the next day, we get a call from president saying that there is going to be a hurricane comming our way and we needed to get a 72 hour kits ready. We went to the store and apperently everyone in Virginia had already been, there was no water..the store had been raided haha. Saturday afternoon, the hurricane was supposed to hit. That morning we went out working and found a lot of people(because everyone was home). Then at about 4, it started pouring and there were some heavy winds, but really it wasnt bad here at all, so we just kept going as if it were a normal day. We were super blessed that day to find a lot and get a lot of lessons. So in all everything is good. Uhm, something I have been thinking a lot about lately is how important it is to have faith, and to humble ourselves. We went to a home Saturday night and someone asked if we had ever seen a literal miracle. I had to think for a minute and I told him of one. And as unexplainable and incredible it was, he still was like 'no I mean like seas parting or water into wine type miracles'. All I could think was man, open your eyes, there are so many miracles everyday. Its just a matter of allowing yourself to see them, to feel them, to open your heart and your eyes. I remember being out in hawaii and looking at the sky and knowing that that was a miracle. I think it is kind of silly to ask God to show you a miracle when he already has shown us so many. I mean we are here, on an earth, breathing, living, learning. That is all a miracle. How great God is. I am finding myself more and more humbled everyday to know that everything I have and everything I can do is through him. Without him, we are nothing. I just hope that I can do my best, that I can be meek enough, humble, peaceful, loving , obedient enough so that he can mold me into what he needs me to be. I know that through him I am able to be here, to be happy, to have a family, to learn, grow, to speak spanish haha, through him all is possible. Through him we find true happiness, peace and love. If we can all just humble ourselves, be kinder, be more giving, less focused on ourselves and more on helping others,more loving. Loving you all, missing you.
Cubo
RR
ps... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!! you are da' best in the entire world.
August 22, 2011
Another week has come and gone...it is so crazy how quickly time goes by out here...haha, there were so many sick things that happened this week. So many miracles everyday. Im sure I have told you all this before, but I am so humbled by every person I meet out here. Every person inspires me to be better, whether it be that they were just really kind or they shut the door in our face, I just want to be better. I have been really trying my best to just become the person that I like, to just be simpler, nicer, patient, all of it. To be kinder, more loving, more giving, more patient, more faithful. Life is so much more fun and better when you are loving others and not thinking about yourself. I cant believe sometimes how selfish I have been in my life, so focused on what would make me happier, what would make me look better...when really it had nothing to do with me! I just am so grateful to know that there is so more, having an eternal perspective really changes everything you do. Anyways, I wanna tell you all about a sweet lesson we had on Sunday. We are teaching this girl Mari. She is so faithful, so intune with the spirit. So yeah, we were teaching her the first lesson and I was talking to her about the Jesus Christ's life on earth. I told her how he was baptized and read with her from Mathew 3:14-18(i think)...in the last verse of that chapter the heavens open and Jesus recieves the Holy ghost and then God says behold this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. I told Mari that I know that when everyone of us are baptized or follow the example of Jesus Chirst, God says that about each of us, because we are his children and he loves us. You could just feel the spirit in the room and she was stoked when she heard it. Its super interesting cause its one of those things where I said it, but it came totally not from me, it came from the spirit. And after it was said it rocked me. It hit me so hard last night, that God is our loving heavenly father. He created each and everyone of us. He love us unconditionally, he crys when we cry and he worries over the same stuff we do, and he wants us to be happy. He wants the best for us and he has a plan for us. I know that. I know that families can be together forever. I know that this gospel is true. I know that we have all been given so much and blessed so much, and I am grateful forever for that. It is interesting how for so long I felt like I shouldnt have to sacrifice my wants for anyone or anything, momma, out here, I am so willing to sacrifice hawaii, friends, home, because I know that I have been blessed. I know that Jesus Christ died for me, for all of us, and I know that not a single person should go on living this life without being able to feel the peace that comes from having faith in him. That is why I am here..although hard at times, it is so much greater than me and I am growing more than I have in a long time. haha. Loving you all, missing you all.
Cubo,
RR
ps...I may have accidently bought a cheap guitar out here :) shorry, I needed it so bad haha and let me tell you this much, it has brought so much joy, en verdad. Love everyone of you. Ashley-enjoy utah-be good. David-same to you..love you(need your email). Katie-enjoy being home with mom. Boofy y Seth- be safe in africa. Matty- happy birthday. Lindsay- get buck. Mom- you already know everything:) I love you more than words can tell and miss you siempre. SHELBY WOOD!!! i lost your address :( email it to me rapido por favor, mi amor. love ju
Cubo,
RR
ps...I may have accidently bought a cheap guitar out here :) shorry, I needed it so bad haha and let me tell you this much, it has brought so much joy, en verdad. Love everyone of you. Ashley-enjoy utah-be good. David-same to you..love you(need your email). Katie-enjoy being home with mom. Boofy y Seth- be safe in africa. Matty- happy birthday. Lindsay- get buck. Mom- you already know everything:) I love you more than words can tell and miss you siempre. SHELBY WOOD!!! i lost your address :( email it to me rapido por favor, mi amor. love ju
August 15, 2011
Hey,
I dont even know where to start haha. There has been so much that has happened. I have been speaking a lot more spanish and meeting a lot of incredible people. There are people from all over the world here in Arlington, and everyone here commutes to DC for work. The Hispanics we teach are from all over too, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexica, El Salvador (KANELLE), Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the DR, Argentina...thats all that I can remember for now, but yeah we teach and meet people from everywhere. Uh, so right now we are teaching this man Luis and his wife carmen. He is from Mexico and she is from Peru. They are legit, during lessons, whenever she has a question about the Libro de Mormon, he will sit there and testify that it is a true book, that completes the Bible. Yesterday we were teaching them and talked about covenants, Luis goes to his room and brings back a letter he wrote to God..he wrote it in a contract format, he wrote it this month last year. He wouldnt tell us what was in it but said that He wanted to fulfill the contract. He is so faithful and so humble. We took them to a Baptism last night too, it was the first baptism Ive seen since katie got baptized I think, I dont think I understood the importance of people being baptized truly, until last night. Baptism is that step that brings people closer to Christ and allows them to always have that guidance. Last night I was pondering a lot about it, its so incredible, we have it so easy. Christ did everything that we couldnt do. All we have to do, is follow him, have faith, be baptized, try our best. Anything that we are unable to do, he makes up the rest. We are so lucky to have someone who loves us so much. Another thing I have been thinking about is how lucky I am to be meeting the people I meet. With every person, I find myself wanting to be better. In 3 Nefi, when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas, angels minister to the people and Christ says that these people, the lamanites have more faith so they are able to see more miracles than the Jews. The people that I am teaching have this faith, they are humble and ready to learn. I am so blessed to be apart of this. I love you all so much and miss you.
Cubo,
RR
ps...Matty, happy birthday, hope your face gets better. Lindsay, go to waiamea and think of me...Caroline and Seth, good luck with Affrica...David, call Heylee...Ashley be good in utah...Katie.., yeah, love you haha. And momma, you da best
I dont even know where to start haha. There has been so much that has happened. I have been speaking a lot more spanish and meeting a lot of incredible people. There are people from all over the world here in Arlington, and everyone here commutes to DC for work. The Hispanics we teach are from all over too, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexica, El Salvador (KANELLE), Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the DR, Argentina...thats all that I can remember for now, but yeah we teach and meet people from everywhere. Uh, so right now we are teaching this man Luis and his wife carmen. He is from Mexico and she is from Peru. They are legit, during lessons, whenever she has a question about the Libro de Mormon, he will sit there and testify that it is a true book, that completes the Bible. Yesterday we were teaching them and talked about covenants, Luis goes to his room and brings back a letter he wrote to God..he wrote it in a contract format, he wrote it this month last year. He wouldnt tell us what was in it but said that He wanted to fulfill the contract. He is so faithful and so humble. We took them to a Baptism last night too, it was the first baptism Ive seen since katie got baptized I think, I dont think I understood the importance of people being baptized truly, until last night. Baptism is that step that brings people closer to Christ and allows them to always have that guidance. Last night I was pondering a lot about it, its so incredible, we have it so easy. Christ did everything that we couldnt do. All we have to do, is follow him, have faith, be baptized, try our best. Anything that we are unable to do, he makes up the rest. We are so lucky to have someone who loves us so much. Another thing I have been thinking about is how lucky I am to be meeting the people I meet. With every person, I find myself wanting to be better. In 3 Nefi, when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas, angels minister to the people and Christ says that these people, the lamanites have more faith so they are able to see more miracles than the Jews. The people that I am teaching have this faith, they are humble and ready to learn. I am so blessed to be apart of this. I love you all so much and miss you.
Cubo,
RR
ps...Matty, happy birthday, hope your face gets better. Lindsay, go to waiamea and think of me...Caroline and Seth, good luck with Affrica...David, call Heylee...Ashley be good in utah...Katie.., yeah, love you haha. And momma, you da best
August 8, 2011
Dear Family,
So here it is, I am in Arlington, VA out searching for Hispanics trying to teach them the gospel. haha. My companion is awesome. We have so much in common, she likes to surf and we have some similiar life experiences. Her name is Hermana Balsley, from Hollister California. She has been out in the mission for just over a year. Its so sick, we get along super well. This has been quite an adventure. The first night here we stayed with the mission president at his house and he took us to see the Temple and the Lincoln monument. It was all so cool, the temple here is beautiful. Its kind of surreal that im here in the DC area. Anyways, so me and Hermana Balsley are kind of white washing this area, we just go out and knock doors, like crazy. Its so awesome. We work super hard and it is so rewarding when people are like yeah, come back and teach more. The Hispanic people are incredible, they are so humble and so in touch with the spirit. We have had some really sick lessons, its so amazing how the spirit works, its like even though I dont know what is being said a lot of the time, when the spirit is there, I can feel it and the investigators feel it too. Its the universal language. So cool story, we have been praying to find a family, and Saturday night we were going to visit a less active member, we had a GPS but we got lost haha. So we got out and started knocking, we knocked every door and they were all white. Then I saw a 7/11 and I said lets go tract in there. So we did. It was about 8:55, we were standing in the parking lot for like 20 seconds and this car pulls up...its a hispanic family! We talked to them for a little bit (by we I mean i bore my testimony and Hermana Balsley talked). We asked if they would like to hear more and the father said yes. He gave us his address, number, name. So stoked. The milagro of the day. Oh and than after that, we were trying to get home but we ended up getting lost, out by the pentagon and the capital haha..so silly...just a little joy ride. Yeah, so things are going good, just working, looking for people, teaching. Its so crazy the stoke that comes from the gospel. Its like when you have the spirit with you, everything is just good, no matter how many doors are shut in your face, life is still good. The spanish is coming, its slow, but its coming...sometimes i have no idea what is being said haha, its all good though, I can bear my testimony and pray like a PRO. Ive been thinking a lot lately about how I ended up being out here, today I found my answer. I was reading in Moses 5 about Adan. There is a part where an angel appears to him and asks him why he is offering sacrifices to the Lord. Adan humbly responds, i know not save the Lord commanded me. A veces in life, we dont know why we are doing the things we are doing, but as long as we are obedient, and have hope, the Lord will bless us. He guides us always. He loves us so much, and only wants what is best for us, which is for us to be eternally happy, how sweet is that. All we have to do is have hope and follow him. In Moses 6, the Lord says to Enoch, Walk with me. That is all it takes to be humble and to walk with him.
I love you all so much.
Cubo,
RR
ps pictures next time maybe
So here it is, I am in Arlington, VA out searching for Hispanics trying to teach them the gospel. haha. My companion is awesome. We have so much in common, she likes to surf and we have some similiar life experiences. Her name is Hermana Balsley, from Hollister California. She has been out in the mission for just over a year. Its so sick, we get along super well. This has been quite an adventure. The first night here we stayed with the mission president at his house and he took us to see the Temple and the Lincoln monument. It was all so cool, the temple here is beautiful. Its kind of surreal that im here in the DC area. Anyways, so me and Hermana Balsley are kind of white washing this area, we just go out and knock doors, like crazy. Its so awesome. We work super hard and it is so rewarding when people are like yeah, come back and teach more. The Hispanic people are incredible, they are so humble and so in touch with the spirit. We have had some really sick lessons, its so amazing how the spirit works, its like even though I dont know what is being said a lot of the time, when the spirit is there, I can feel it and the investigators feel it too. Its the universal language. So cool story, we have been praying to find a family, and Saturday night we were going to visit a less active member, we had a GPS but we got lost haha. So we got out and started knocking, we knocked every door and they were all white. Then I saw a 7/11 and I said lets go tract in there. So we did. It was about 8:55, we were standing in the parking lot for like 20 seconds and this car pulls up...its a hispanic family! We talked to them for a little bit (by we I mean i bore my testimony and Hermana Balsley talked). We asked if they would like to hear more and the father said yes. He gave us his address, number, name. So stoked. The milagro of the day. Oh and than after that, we were trying to get home but we ended up getting lost, out by the pentagon and the capital haha..so silly...just a little joy ride. Yeah, so things are going good, just working, looking for people, teaching. Its so crazy the stoke that comes from the gospel. Its like when you have the spirit with you, everything is just good, no matter how many doors are shut in your face, life is still good. The spanish is coming, its slow, but its coming...sometimes i have no idea what is being said haha, its all good though, I can bear my testimony and pray like a PRO. Ive been thinking a lot lately about how I ended up being out here, today I found my answer. I was reading in Moses 5 about Adan. There is a part where an angel appears to him and asks him why he is offering sacrifices to the Lord. Adan humbly responds, i know not save the Lord commanded me. A veces in life, we dont know why we are doing the things we are doing, but as long as we are obedient, and have hope, the Lord will bless us. He guides us always. He loves us so much, and only wants what is best for us, which is for us to be eternally happy, how sweet is that. All we have to do is have hope and follow him. In Moses 6, the Lord says to Enoch, Walk with me. That is all it takes to be humble and to walk with him.
I love you all so much.
Cubo,
RR
ps pictures next time maybe
August 2, 2011
Welp, here we go. I leave tomorrow at 10 am. Heading to DC, a straight flight. I should be there at about 4 pm. Im not gonna lie, Im really nervous, I wish my spanish was better, I wish I was better but I just have to have faith. The MTC has been really good. Hard at times but for the most part really good. I was so blessed here, to be able to learn and grow. Ive been pondering a lot lately DC 4. In verse two it talks about serving with all your heart might mind and strength. Ive been trying to decide what that means to me and I have come to this conclusion: serving with all my heart means to love the people, to devote my love to them and to the savior, to give all that i can to those I teach and to the members in the ward and to become selfless, to charity and to be diligent. Might is to work, to focus myself, push myself even when i feel tired and feel as though i cant go on. Mind is to be thinking about the work, to not let things distract me from the people, right now, nothing is more important than what I am doing now, no person, no place, just doing the Lords work. Strength is to continue walking, to continue knocking. I hope that I can be what the Lord needs me to be. I know what is expected of me, I know what I expect. All i can do now is live up to that which is expected. I love you all so much. I will be calling you tomorrow and i cant wait to talk to you. Hope all is well.
Cubo
RR
Shelby- you are my hero, just so you know. I lost your address but I have a letter for you. I will send it to you from DC i guess. Love you.
KC Barnes- email me maybe if you want to, I need to hear from my favorite cousin
Granny Jo and Papa- I love you both, hope all is well, thinking of you.
Cubo
RR
Shelby- you are my hero, just so you know. I lost your address but I have a letter for you. I will send it to you from DC i guess. Love you.
KC Barnes- email me maybe if you want to, I need to hear from my favorite cousin
Granny Jo and Papa- I love you both, hope all is well, thinking of you.
July 26, 2011
Hola,
A lot has happened this week. We had an amazing talk by an emeritus seventy member and his sweet wife spoke. She bore testimony of how much she loves the book of mormon and how it is an essential tool to life. I honestly can say that I am in love with the scriptures. Its been a new development but I love reading, haha, I love the scriptures.
Something that hit me this week was in Mathew, Jesus is eating with the sick and the sinners and the scribes are saying, why is he sitting with the sick and the sinners...then Jesus says, they that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick basically saying he has come to help those that are in need and are willing to humble themselves and come to him. He truly is my savior, the savior of the world. All it takes is for us to humble ourselves and come to him and he always, always forgives. He has so much love, so much compassion, and faith. I strive everyday to become more like him. Another cool thing that I read was in Mark 10:29-30...I have moments where I miss Hawaii still. When I came across this I knew that I was were I needed to be. I have been given so much, the Lord has blessed my life incredibly and so it is my responisbility to give what I can back, to share with those that are in need. I just am grateful for this gospel in my life, Im grateful for the knowledge that I ahve been given.
Okay, other stuff that happened this week: flight plans are here, I leave august 3 at 10am for DC. So i will be calling home at 7 am california time, keep your cell phone on you; last night at 2 am we got evacuated from our dorm because the fire alarm went off haha, it was the silliest mayhem you'd ever see. All kinds of sisters running around in their robes and garments in panic bahaha, so silly. I just went on the grass and slept, 15 minutes later, we got let back in. Uhm, that is about all the excitement I have for you. Things are just sort of winding up here at the MTC, im trying to learn as much as I can and be as efficient as I can. Im nervous to get to DC, the real stuff begins, Im excited to teach in spanish, I know that me learning this language has been a miracle, I mean 7 weeks ago I knew nothing and now I can teach and talk to people in spanish. I cant wait for the adventures in DC. I love you all and miss you all too. Nonie, happy birthday, I love you, I think of you a lot and hope you know what an example you are for me.
Cubo,
RR
A lot has happened this week. We had an amazing talk by an emeritus seventy member and his sweet wife spoke. She bore testimony of how much she loves the book of mormon and how it is an essential tool to life. I honestly can say that I am in love with the scriptures. Its been a new development but I love reading, haha, I love the scriptures.
Something that hit me this week was in Mathew, Jesus is eating with the sick and the sinners and the scribes are saying, why is he sitting with the sick and the sinners...then Jesus says, they that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick basically saying he has come to help those that are in need and are willing to humble themselves and come to him. He truly is my savior, the savior of the world. All it takes is for us to humble ourselves and come to him and he always, always forgives. He has so much love, so much compassion, and faith. I strive everyday to become more like him. Another cool thing that I read was in Mark 10:29-30...I have moments where I miss Hawaii still. When I came across this I knew that I was were I needed to be. I have been given so much, the Lord has blessed my life incredibly and so it is my responisbility to give what I can back, to share with those that are in need. I just am grateful for this gospel in my life, Im grateful for the knowledge that I ahve been given.
Okay, other stuff that happened this week: flight plans are here, I leave august 3 at 10am for DC. So i will be calling home at 7 am california time, keep your cell phone on you; last night at 2 am we got evacuated from our dorm because the fire alarm went off haha, it was the silliest mayhem you'd ever see. All kinds of sisters running around in their robes and garments in panic bahaha, so silly. I just went on the grass and slept, 15 minutes later, we got let back in. Uhm, that is about all the excitement I have for you. Things are just sort of winding up here at the MTC, im trying to learn as much as I can and be as efficient as I can. Im nervous to get to DC, the real stuff begins, Im excited to teach in spanish, I know that me learning this language has been a miracle, I mean 7 weeks ago I knew nothing and now I can teach and talk to people in spanish. I cant wait for the adventures in DC. I love you all and miss you all too. Nonie, happy birthday, I love you, I think of you a lot and hope you know what an example you are for me.
Cubo,
RR
July 19, 2011
Hey everyone,
I dont even know where to start right now, mostly because the weeks here seem to fade into one and i feel as if I have forgotten everything that has happened here (meanwhile the clock for my time to write is running, gullp). I miss you all and hope you are all doing good. Im excited for David and Ashley to get to go to Utah. Im stoked that KC is back, miss that lil' guy, although now im sure he weighs twice as much as me. Tell him he has 18 months to get better at ping pong than me, im sick of beating him at everything haha. So this week I was thinking a lot about priorities, about what is most important in life. I've decided to try and make some changes that have really helped me and will help anyone who implements them. I have been looking at everything that happens in my life and finding the good things in them. Some would say finding the light amongst hard or dark things. This has helped me so much, things become easier, and more beautiful. There is so much light in the world, so much good. It can be found in books, music, being with family, trials, sadness, happiness all of it has light, all of it has good to take from. Its just a matter of recognizing that good, seeing it, and storing it. It gives a whole new perspective on life. There are so many things in life that are more important than myself, and that is something that I am starting to see. Mom, people are so much more important, you all are so much more important than what I want and what I need. I would give anything for you all. I keep thinking about dad, about his quote "...If i have the love of this people than that will be enough". I've been thinking about what kind of missionary I want to be. I dont want them to feel that I am pushing baptism on them because that has nothing to do with why I came out here. I am here because I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. That he died for us so that we can be whole, so that we can find comfort, so that this life doesnt have to be as hard. I have felt the Atonement in my life, I have felt myself sadness before and then be snatched by the Saviors hand. Everyone deserves to be able to know that, to feel the love of the Savior. I hope to share that with them. The biggest thing I want coming away from this is to have gained a love for the people. I once heard that to love another person is to see the face of God, oh how great that is. I love you all, I think of you all and pray for you all.
Cubo,
RR
Kerissa- write me
I dont even know where to start right now, mostly because the weeks here seem to fade into one and i feel as if I have forgotten everything that has happened here (meanwhile the clock for my time to write is running, gullp). I miss you all and hope you are all doing good. Im excited for David and Ashley to get to go to Utah. Im stoked that KC is back, miss that lil' guy, although now im sure he weighs twice as much as me. Tell him he has 18 months to get better at ping pong than me, im sick of beating him at everything haha. So this week I was thinking a lot about priorities, about what is most important in life. I've decided to try and make some changes that have really helped me and will help anyone who implements them. I have been looking at everything that happens in my life and finding the good things in them. Some would say finding the light amongst hard or dark things. This has helped me so much, things become easier, and more beautiful. There is so much light in the world, so much good. It can be found in books, music, being with family, trials, sadness, happiness all of it has light, all of it has good to take from. Its just a matter of recognizing that good, seeing it, and storing it. It gives a whole new perspective on life. There are so many things in life that are more important than myself, and that is something that I am starting to see. Mom, people are so much more important, you all are so much more important than what I want and what I need. I would give anything for you all. I keep thinking about dad, about his quote "...If i have the love of this people than that will be enough". I've been thinking about what kind of missionary I want to be. I dont want them to feel that I am pushing baptism on them because that has nothing to do with why I came out here. I am here because I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. That he died for us so that we can be whole, so that we can find comfort, so that this life doesnt have to be as hard. I have felt the Atonement in my life, I have felt myself sadness before and then be snatched by the Saviors hand. Everyone deserves to be able to know that, to feel the love of the Savior. I hope to share that with them. The biggest thing I want coming away from this is to have gained a love for the people. I once heard that to love another person is to see the face of God, oh how great that is. I love you all, I think of you all and pray for you all.
Cubo,
RR
Kerissa- write me
July 12, 2011
Hey family,
I now have 3 weeks left...not that Im counting down or anything haha. This place is incredible but Im not gonna lie, Im ready to get out into the field and just start working. This week has been really good. Ive been learning lots of spanish, speaking lots of it too. Another thing that I have been doing a lot of is beach volleyball, minus the ocean, esta bien. Its so nice to be able to get outside after being in class for 6 hours. Uhm, lets see, Ive been thinking a lot about a lot of different things this last week. The first thing is the idea of trial of your faith. I was reading in Ether 12 about faith and how you recieve a witness only after the trial of your faith. I think throughout my life I have had many different "trials of faith" each one I seemed to handle differently,the times when I turned to Christ, when I stayed strong were the times when I was able to handle these trials. They were the moments when I found myself being comforted. Mom, you always have told me that its not the trials that we face but the way that we face them, I feel like I now truly understand what you meant when you would say that. I remember that night in Hawaii when you and I were sitting at Temple Beach looking at the moon and just talking about life. I was so lost then, and I remember expressing to you how angry I was about dad and grandpa and life. Your answer was to stay faithful, while I ignored your advice at that time, it has always been something that has stuck with me, no matter what stay faithful. I think that is the thing that eventually got me back on track, was your faith. Another thing that I have been thinking about is perserverance, not just perserverance but patient perserverance. Grandpa was always an example of this to me. I feel so honored and lucky to have been able to be so close to such a strong, humble patient man. He truly was so giving, and so patient. Anytime when I start to think that I cant do something, I think of grandpa and I just grin and do it and always it ends up strengthening me. Mom, I just want you to know how much I love you, your faith, how grateful I am for grandpa everyday of my life, I am not lying when I say sometimes I feel so close to him out here. The gospel is true, there is not a doubt in my mind. I will can not deny it. I love in JS History verses 1:24-25, although I did not have the same experience as Jose Smith, I feel as he does, that I cannot deny the truthfullness of this gospel. I cannot wait to get out to the field, to help others have the same joy that I have recieved from living the gospel. I am a personal witness that the Atonement can make you whole, and make you free. I have found peace in this. I love Jesucristo, I love you all. Thank you for being there for me. Next week I will be getting my travel plans so I will let you know when I will be able to call you at the airport, hopefully Boofy is there. Matty and Lindsay, I love you both hope all is well. tell parker baby that I love her. Granny Jo and Papa Wally, I think of you both frequently, I hope you know how much I love you. Granny Jo, Happy belated Birthday. To everyone else, I love you all.
Cubo,
RR
Kanelly y Cloudia- por favor me escriben, les amo
Kerissa- baby gurl, where are you?
I now have 3 weeks left...not that Im counting down or anything haha. This place is incredible but Im not gonna lie, Im ready to get out into the field and just start working. This week has been really good. Ive been learning lots of spanish, speaking lots of it too. Another thing that I have been doing a lot of is beach volleyball, minus the ocean, esta bien. Its so nice to be able to get outside after being in class for 6 hours. Uhm, lets see, Ive been thinking a lot about a lot of different things this last week. The first thing is the idea of trial of your faith. I was reading in Ether 12 about faith and how you recieve a witness only after the trial of your faith. I think throughout my life I have had many different "trials of faith" each one I seemed to handle differently,the times when I turned to Christ, when I stayed strong were the times when I was able to handle these trials. They were the moments when I found myself being comforted. Mom, you always have told me that its not the trials that we face but the way that we face them, I feel like I now truly understand what you meant when you would say that. I remember that night in Hawaii when you and I were sitting at Temple Beach looking at the moon and just talking about life. I was so lost then, and I remember expressing to you how angry I was about dad and grandpa and life. Your answer was to stay faithful, while I ignored your advice at that time, it has always been something that has stuck with me, no matter what stay faithful. I think that is the thing that eventually got me back on track, was your faith. Another thing that I have been thinking about is perserverance, not just perserverance but patient perserverance. Grandpa was always an example of this to me. I feel so honored and lucky to have been able to be so close to such a strong, humble patient man. He truly was so giving, and so patient. Anytime when I start to think that I cant do something, I think of grandpa and I just grin and do it and always it ends up strengthening me. Mom, I just want you to know how much I love you, your faith, how grateful I am for grandpa everyday of my life, I am not lying when I say sometimes I feel so close to him out here. The gospel is true, there is not a doubt in my mind. I will can not deny it. I love in JS History verses 1:24-25, although I did not have the same experience as Jose Smith, I feel as he does, that I cannot deny the truthfullness of this gospel. I cannot wait to get out to the field, to help others have the same joy that I have recieved from living the gospel. I am a personal witness that the Atonement can make you whole, and make you free. I have found peace in this. I love Jesucristo, I love you all. Thank you for being there for me. Next week I will be getting my travel plans so I will let you know when I will be able to call you at the airport, hopefully Boofy is there. Matty and Lindsay, I love you both hope all is well. tell parker baby that I love her. Granny Jo and Papa Wally, I think of you both frequently, I hope you know how much I love you. Granny Jo, Happy belated Birthday. To everyone else, I love you all.
Cubo,
RR
Kanelly y Cloudia- por favor me escriben, les amo
Kerissa- baby gurl, where are you?
July 5, 2011
Hey everyone,
As of tomorrow I will have been in the MTC for about 5 weeks...let me just say this, the MTC is amazing, the spirit is so strong here, I have learned a lot, but I am so ready to get outta here haha. I just want to go to DC and start teaching people, start speaking spanish, start loving the people. I am stoked for that. So this past week was really cool. On July 2, we had a patriotic fireside, we had a speaker(one of the District Presidents at the MTC) he has served as an advisor under 6 presidents. He talked to us about how the spirit of the Lord is in liberty. He spoke a lot about how special our country is, how lucky we are to have a nation founded on religious freedom, a nation where the restoration of the gospel could come to past. After his talk we got to go out and watch the fireworks from stadium of fire. It was kinda funny cause we were all caged in the MTC walls, watching the outside world haha. When I really think about this place, we are in a safehold, a place where the spirit is so strong, a place where we can learn a grow, a place where we are able to come closer to Christ, to follow him, the outside world is going to be a reality shock for me in that regard. Another really neat thing this week was Mission Conference, the MTC presidency spoke to us. One of my favorite talks was by President McIff, he shared a poem with us, ´Calf Path´ by Sam Frost. Its about a calf who treads a crooked path through a field, people see a clear path so they continue to walk this crooked path, for years and years, this path is walked, eventually it becomes a road, paved, and people continue to drive the road. I think that life is a lot like this, we see a paved crooked road, we see others walking on this road, so we decide to walk it instead of seeing that there is a faster straighter path, and that to me is following the example of Christ. It is an easier path, a happier path. Through Jesus Chirst, through faith, we can be changed, and a changed person can help change lives, can help change the world. Ive been thinking a lot about pride, about this gospel, people can know without a doubt that the gospel is true, but if they are not willing to have faith than that knowlegde easily becomes nothing. Faith is essential, humility is essential, not spending all of our energy on the things of the world is essential, and following the straight path is essential. The gospel is either true or it is not, there is no middle ground, there is no crooked path that you can walk, it is a straight pathway that can be followed through faith, repentance, humility, patience and perserverence. I love this gospel, I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ died for my mistakes and for my shortcomings. As I put my trust in him, I know that he will help push me the rest of the way, when I feel I that I cannot walk any further. I am grateful for you momma, for your unfailing faith and obedience, for your example. I love you all, I pray for you always.
Cubo,
RR
Clark S.= I dont know if you will see this but I always see Espen and the other Kid that went to your high school and I think of you and then I think of Ping Pong...hope you are doing good.
Kerissa= baby girl where you be?
Heyleeee= I need you address, write me.
Love you all
As of tomorrow I will have been in the MTC for about 5 weeks...let me just say this, the MTC is amazing, the spirit is so strong here, I have learned a lot, but I am so ready to get outta here haha. I just want to go to DC and start teaching people, start speaking spanish, start loving the people. I am stoked for that. So this past week was really cool. On July 2, we had a patriotic fireside, we had a speaker(one of the District Presidents at the MTC) he has served as an advisor under 6 presidents. He talked to us about how the spirit of the Lord is in liberty. He spoke a lot about how special our country is, how lucky we are to have a nation founded on religious freedom, a nation where the restoration of the gospel could come to past. After his talk we got to go out and watch the fireworks from stadium of fire. It was kinda funny cause we were all caged in the MTC walls, watching the outside world haha. When I really think about this place, we are in a safehold, a place where the spirit is so strong, a place where we can learn a grow, a place where we are able to come closer to Christ, to follow him, the outside world is going to be a reality shock for me in that regard. Another really neat thing this week was Mission Conference, the MTC presidency spoke to us. One of my favorite talks was by President McIff, he shared a poem with us, ´Calf Path´ by Sam Frost. Its about a calf who treads a crooked path through a field, people see a clear path so they continue to walk this crooked path, for years and years, this path is walked, eventually it becomes a road, paved, and people continue to drive the road. I think that life is a lot like this, we see a paved crooked road, we see others walking on this road, so we decide to walk it instead of seeing that there is a faster straighter path, and that to me is following the example of Christ. It is an easier path, a happier path. Through Jesus Chirst, through faith, we can be changed, and a changed person can help change lives, can help change the world. Ive been thinking a lot about pride, about this gospel, people can know without a doubt that the gospel is true, but if they are not willing to have faith than that knowlegde easily becomes nothing. Faith is essential, humility is essential, not spending all of our energy on the things of the world is essential, and following the straight path is essential. The gospel is either true or it is not, there is no middle ground, there is no crooked path that you can walk, it is a straight pathway that can be followed through faith, repentance, humility, patience and perserverence. I love this gospel, I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ died for my mistakes and for my shortcomings. As I put my trust in him, I know that he will help push me the rest of the way, when I feel I that I cannot walk any further. I am grateful for you momma, for your unfailing faith and obedience, for your example. I love you all, I pray for you always.
Cubo,
RR
Clark S.= I dont know if you will see this but I always see Espen and the other Kid that went to your high school and I think of you and then I think of Ping Pong...hope you are doing good.
Kerissa= baby girl where you be?
Heyleeee= I need you address, write me.
Love you all
June 28, 2011
Hola,
I have so much to tell you all about and so little time gahhh...this week was amazing, I felt so spiritually uplifted. We had some incredible people visiting the MTC for the New Mission Presidents Seminar. Mom, remember Elder Sybrowsky? His dad came and spoke, the spirit was overwhelming. He spoke about why we are here on missions and with the strongest conviction in his voice and tears in his eyes he said, "Dont you ever hold back, never, ever hold back. Even when you feel discouraged, keep knocking, keep walking and the Lord will guide you." It was incredible. I know that I was sent here for this time, for this purpose, to serve the Lord in this mission, this is my time, my time to come to know Christ, and to walk with him. Another amazing thing was we had a devtional in which 7 apostles sat up on the podium...Holland (my man), Scott, Oaks, Nelson, Anderson, Ballard, and Bednar. Elder Bednar talked, the neatest part about it was at the end he told us, all 3000 missionaries in the MTC, "I envoke upon you every spiritual capacity that you will need to perform this work". To hear an apostle of the Lord, promise that, to give that apostalic blessing, it has given me added strength. As I continue to do all that I can, to give all that I can, to work as hard as I can I the Lord will help me and bless me. This week has helped me come to recognize more Eternal Perspective. There is so much more to this life than here and now, there are eternities. I remember how back in hawaii, it was so easy for me to caught up in "my life, in ME", but all of that means absolutely nothing because there is so much more. (Read DC 76 if you all get a chance) The only thing that has brought me true, happiness, even joy is being obedient, forgetting myself and thinking about others. This life is not, nor has it ever been about the "things" that matter, it is the relationships that matter. I cannot emphasize that enough. It is the relationships in life that are important. I love you all, miss you all.
Le amo,
RR
Kevo and Jman-I saw Brother Martins at the mission presidents conference....he said, "kimberly werent you in my eternal marriage class? I thought you were getting married haha" gulllp, thought you might laugh at that.
Wes-I miss you, love you thankd fro writing me.
Momma- you are the sweetest in the world.
I have so much to tell you all about and so little time gahhh...this week was amazing, I felt so spiritually uplifted. We had some incredible people visiting the MTC for the New Mission Presidents Seminar. Mom, remember Elder Sybrowsky? His dad came and spoke, the spirit was overwhelming. He spoke about why we are here on missions and with the strongest conviction in his voice and tears in his eyes he said, "Dont you ever hold back, never, ever hold back. Even when you feel discouraged, keep knocking, keep walking and the Lord will guide you." It was incredible. I know that I was sent here for this time, for this purpose, to serve the Lord in this mission, this is my time, my time to come to know Christ, and to walk with him. Another amazing thing was we had a devtional in which 7 apostles sat up on the podium...Holland (my man), Scott, Oaks, Nelson, Anderson, Ballard, and Bednar. Elder Bednar talked, the neatest part about it was at the end he told us, all 3000 missionaries in the MTC, "I envoke upon you every spiritual capacity that you will need to perform this work". To hear an apostle of the Lord, promise that, to give that apostalic blessing, it has given me added strength. As I continue to do all that I can, to give all that I can, to work as hard as I can I the Lord will help me and bless me. This week has helped me come to recognize more Eternal Perspective. There is so much more to this life than here and now, there are eternities. I remember how back in hawaii, it was so easy for me to caught up in "my life, in ME", but all of that means absolutely nothing because there is so much more. (Read DC 76 if you all get a chance) The only thing that has brought me true, happiness, even joy is being obedient, forgetting myself and thinking about others. This life is not, nor has it ever been about the "things" that matter, it is the relationships that matter. I cannot emphasize that enough. It is the relationships in life that are important. I love you all, miss you all.
Le amo,
RR
Kevo and Jman-I saw Brother Martins at the mission presidents conference....he said, "kimberly werent you in my eternal marriage class? I thought you were getting married haha" gulllp, thought you might laugh at that.
Wes-I miss you, love you thankd fro writing me.
Momma- you are the sweetest in the world.
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