Final Countdown

Well, here I am in my last week at the MTC. I can hardly believe it and now I'm starting to feel like I want to hide under my bed and skip my flight so I can stay here and learn how to speak Spanish and be a missionary. Yikes! But it is time to go. It is hard to believe I have been here for 2 months already. I am going to miss a lot of things here at the MTC, I really had a great time and learned a ton. I finally smelled the cream soda tree last week and they are right, it really does smell like cream soda but you also look like a total idiot sticking your nose up a tree. When in Rome. I also finally cracked one of the really uptight teachers around here with my sweet wit...and my awesome new bible jokes. I'll share my favorite with you. You might want to sit down - Who was the most profitable female in the bible? The pharohs' daughter. She went down to the bank and took out a profit. hahahahahaha. Oh man. That one slays em. Once again keep in mind I have been trapped in the MTC for 2 months, things are super funny now.

 

We were at the gym, walking around the track and practicing Spanish vocab the other day when some of the Elders were sprinting by us and taunting as Elders do. I told the Hermanas the next time they come around lets just start running too. I have no idea why. Again, being in the MTC for 2 months does something to a person. Anyway they came around and were about to pass us when we all started running so obviously the Elders started running faster...and then so did I. I got right up on their heels and they turned around with sheer panic on their faces and picked up the pace...now it was go time! For one full lap I was giving them a run for their money and they were totally horrified. It was so awesome. I probably broke some rule about competition or scaring the Elders. Oops. It reminded me of the time I almost beat Gavin. The look on a guys face when a girl can run just as fast or faster than them is so priceless. hehe. Good times.

 

I just finished memorizing the first vision in Spanish. It was taking me forever, so I decided to put it to a beat and that worked except now when I say it, it's got a sweet rhythm. Oh well, the Latins will love it. And me. Hopefully. Yesterday we taught a returned missionary volunteer and he asked how long I had been here because my Spanish was pretty darn good and I was so excited! I think he was just being nice because I am pretty sure at times I was not making any sense whatsoever and possibly even speaking Italian. Luckily we had a substitute teacher the other day and he taught us all the secrets to Spanish. He finally showed us the magical, conjugating pattern and how all of those tied together. It was like a light bulb went off and I was super excited all day. Now I just have to be able to actually put it into practice...which happens to be the hard part of Spanish.

 

During Music and the Spoken Word this Sunday, the awesome voice guy was talking about taking a look at the world around us. How often do we get out and take 'field trips' to explore what is right outside our door. He reminded all of us to slow down and enjoy the beauties. I really liked this. As I look back just a few months ago I can see how fuzzy things had become to me. I let my eyes be ever so slightly clouded by that jerk Satan. It's clear now as I am about to leave the MTC, how much I can appreciate this place and what it has taught me. I want to soak up all the spirit and knowledge I can because I know things outside these doors are not cozy. In fact, the work we are doing is nothing near easy, but it's glorious. Elder Holland speaks of this work and said it is hard because, "salvation is not a cheap experience." It is certainly true and as missionaries we are to take this non cheap experience and share it with people who have no idea why they need it. It's hard, overwhelming and exhausting, but the rewards are endless. In this work, we are all asked to take small steps towards Gethsemane before we can find the joy and everlasting peace that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. It is like that famous saying whose author I can never remember (if there is a real author and it is not just Mormon folklore), "I never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it." I can add my testament to this now without hesitation as I am being prepared to bring this message to others, my own understanding and testimony has been solidly fortified. There is no greater glory than through Jesus Christ and as we come unto Him and ye shall want for nothing.

 

Wish me luck in Cali!

 

xoxo,

Steph

Emergency Exit

Well this week was something. Our teacher has informed us that we are only to speak in Spanish all the time...so that is fun. Sometimes I cheat and spell out an English word. I probably shouldn't cheat, that's not going to help me, but I'm a cheater. Whatever. I have learned again the super handy nature of sound effects. As the twins recall, mine are super good. Especially my gun sound affects, but I never really need those here. I have also been beefing up my miming skills. Most of my investigators chuckle at me when they figure out what I'm saying with my waving of hands and random sound effects. It works though. One of the Hermanas in our room received this crazy, ridiculous and totally old lady, Victorian sign with flowers and medallions and all kinds of flashy objects that says "Everyone smiles in the same language." You see this sign the moment you walk in our door and it reminds me that even if everything else fails me, people can still feel my spirit in my smile. Thank heavens or I might end up leading the children of Lehi off a cliff. Oops.

 

Speaking of our room, we are getting two new sisters today. They won't be in our zone, but we are told they are Spanish speaking and this will mean there are now 6 girls in our tiny 4x4 space. I had to pack up most of my stuff last week because I was using 3 closets. hehe. So I felt generous letting them have two of mine. I also made their beds which are the last two top bunks. Making a top bunk is the hardest thing in the world. Each one took me 30 min. I had to climb up, climb down, shake the bed, pull from underneath - I broke a sweat! I hope they appreciate my sacrifices. ha.

 

Yesterday I had to take my 'sick' companion to the Dr so I figured I'd make use of my wait and see if they could check my poor eyes out since I can't read 'EXIT' signs anymore. They don't have an eye Dr here at the MTC so they had to send me off campus. I got called to the front office after lunch and was told to wait for a shuttle, but first I had to sign my life away saying that I'd be good while off campus and I wouldn't buy any food/drink for me or anyone else and that I wouldn't rendezvous with anyone. I never thought about doing that until they mentioned it. Anyway, we got in this dark van and headed to downtown Provo. I felt like a dog going for a ride - I stuck my head out the window and enjoyed all the flashy signs and fresh air! It was so weird, but being locked up in here for 2 months it was amazing how cool PROVO looked to me. We had a blast at the eye Dr. He was the funniest, most laid back doctor I've ever been too in my life. Who knew that taking a 10 min drive to the eye doctor would be such an adventure. Oh how it was.

 

We are told the MTC is at full capacity right now. I guess it's busy season - and we can certainly feel it. The Devotional last night was packed and lots of missionaries had to go into the overflow rooms. My companion and I were a bit late, but we got the cushy seats near the front reserved for the senior couples, but just after a few minutes an usher came up and offered us front row seats! It was so exciting! I felt like a VIP - front row seats for a General Authority - I'm so fancy! Well about 10 min into the talk my companion starting some freaky convulsions. I couldn't figure out what she was doing, was she going to spew right there? Was she about to pass out? Was she dying? She blubbered, I have to go NOW. So there I stood in the very very front row of a full auditorium of 3000 missionaries, in front of a general authority, making a b-line for the exit. Once we got outside she just had to cough. Um. No comment. But then came running around the corner all the MTC security guards and the organist because everyone thought my companion was dying and EVERYONE could see us leaving in a hurry. Pretty sure we were on camera. How embarrassing. I'm pretty sure I'm banned from the front row for life.

 

With my companion being 'sick' so much this week, I've spent a lot of time by myself studying. That's been super weird and I'm shocked I don't fall asleep. That's a miracle in itself. I've had a lot of time to read the scriptures and talk to Heavenly Father in prayer. I never noticed how similar Moroni and HeMan are. It's true, go read about it. Anyway, I've am continually realizing how important the Holy Ghost is in the work of the Lord. It's very obvious here at the MTC the role he plays in conversion - not just the investigators, but each missionary. It's super clear to me that with the Holy Ghost, I would have nothing to say in Spanish and nothing I say would carry any weight to any one else. The Holy Ghost is the teacher and he sanctifies us. As we are sanctified by the Holy Ghost our entire perspective on everything changes. We long to be closer to Christ, to learn more, to feel more, to serve more and to hope more. As I look back on the past 5 years of my life I almost want to go back in a time machine and punch myself in the face for not taking advantage of the teachings of the Holy Ghost. His lessons centered on Christ, pointed directly at our own hearts, are absolutely beautiful and life changing. The MTC is a special place where missionaries are protected and sheltered so they can learn how to utilize the tools the Lord has given all of us because once we get back out in the world, that's all we have. I've been struggling with regret the past week about my slow realization of the teaching power of the Holy Ghost. I'm saddened that it took the Lord pushing me to go on a mission for me to realize what treasure I'd become so lazy with. It is only now that I can feel the power so strongly it's impossible to deny, that I can see so clearly what was missing before. That realizing, like poor Zeezrom's fever, is very painful. Please don't let the guiding, comforting, and teaching spirit of the Lord drift from your hearts. I promise that as you draw closer to Christ and cling to the sanctifying spirit you will find true joy, direction and purpose in your life, for it has truly saved mine.

 

xoxo,

Hermana Hall

 

P.S. Mom, you mentioned loving the new LDS videos. I can't get over the accents. Every time I watch one, and we've seen them all a million times, I picture Zoolander or Ben Stiller from Dodge Ball. I can't stop it now.

The MTC Musical

I thought I should let everyone know that I've started a production of "MTC: The Muscial". It's gonna be huge when I get off my mission. I'm pretty sure everyone is going to love it. Basically I just burst into song about my daily activities. Sometimes I get looks, but I know they are looks of approval. We are so music deprived here, things have started to really go bonkers. Elders have been whistling the mocking jay tune from the Hunger Games. It's pretty hilarious, it just travels throughout the cafeteria all day, sometimes you even hear it throughout campus. I don't think it will ever stop. Speaking of the cafeteria, crazy things happen in there every day. The other day an Elder was challenged to drink 12 glasses of OJ. Now, those of you who have been here know what I'm talking about, but for those that don't - let's just say the OJ is some powerful stuff, like drano. Anyway, mid his 6th glass an old lady came up and scolded him. It was not missionary like. We all judged him. That's not missionary like either, but it's what happened. We repented. Sort of. Also, I have become besties with the cafeteria peeps. I've discovered they will give you secret stashes of food and they won't load your plate with groady beans and slimy, unnamed sides if they like you. Luckily they all like me. Phew. It's probably my amazing hair, just like Rapunzel's.

 

We finally had time to sing in the choir this week. That was much more fun that I thought it would be. We sang for the devotional last night so we had super awesome seats and I could see myself on the big screen and I had to try with all my might not to stare at myself. It might have been the hardest things I've ever done. Oh also the soprano I sat next too looked just like Mel from Flight of the Concords. I could not get that out of my mind the entire time, I was laughing so hard inside. That was probably the second hardest thing I've ever done in my life. On Sundays we get to watch Music and the Spoken Word and I have come to love that so much. I also love watching it because Seretta plays the trumpet in the orchestra and every time the camera zooms by I announce to my row that she is my cousin, she's famous. This Sunday they had a beautiful patriotic presentation in honor of Memorial Day. It was so good, it brought tears to my eyes. There were so many trumpet intensive songs, I was so excited to burst with pride seeing my cousin, but she wasn't there! It was so sad. I'll look forward to seeing her next week.

 

Sunday was a busy day for me. I got called up from the audience to give a talk. In Spanish. Surprise. So there I stood at the podium, speaking about baptism for 5 minutes...in Spanish. I prayed the whole time I was saying real words. I think I managed to get my point across, I read some scriptures to pass the time - well and because they are real good, I bore my childlike Spanish testimony and I quickly sat down. That was hard. Then I remembered how in 3 weeks I'm going to have to do this all the time and I about had a heart attack. Oh Spanish, I love you - please love me back. Later that day, my companion and I were in charge of the district lesson, I guess that is like Sunday School although none of us have really figured out the point of it. Anyway, we came up with a Pac-Man analogy. I love me some Pac-Man. It was the Pac-Man of baptism and it was amazing. My art-minded companion cut out an Elder and Hermana Pac-Man and some 'temptation ghosts'. We also had 'power pellets of faith' and 'fruits of strength' all to help investigators make the steps, have the faith needed for baptism. We ended up having an extra district join us so we were teaching about 15 Elders and 2 Hermanas. I think the Elders really loved it and I think we actually got some real spirituality out of it. Brother Monson took a photo of us on his phone and said he'd email it to you, Mom, hopefully he will. I'm sure I looked awesome. Later that night we watched Legacy in the auditorium. It's so funny to watch these churchy movies here. We watch a ton of them and every time there is ever the slightest romantic scene all the Elders, in unison, make a 'sssshhhing' sound at the screen. It's the funniest thing ever. I don't get it, but I love it. I usually have involuntary commentary as well and before I know it my entire section is laughing so hard they are crying. I pretend like it wasn't me that caused such a disturbance, but I'm not going to lie, it was and I enjoyed it.

 

I'm continually amazed here at the dedication and individual motivation the missionaries have here to study the Gospel. It blows my mind how hard everyone works here when there is no test, no grades, no money at stake. They are all working because they want to learn more so they can be the best missionary they can to help others. It is truly mind blowing to watch 19 year old boys work so hard on something so completely unselfish. I have such respect for Elders more than I ever have. Sure, they are 19 a lot and I'm continually reminded of that, but when they put their missionary hat on, the things they can do are truly indescribable. I'm so grateful to be able to watch it happen. It makes me beam with pride knowing that all my brothers are just as amazing and the twins right now are so awesome. What a blessing it is to me to have such awesome missionary brothers!

 

At the Sunday Fireside, the speaker talked about landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier. He met an ex navy pilot on a plane and asked him to tell him about it. He shared all the detailed measurements, hundreds of them, the angles, the speed and the account for deviations that must occur in order to not die. He then made a powerful analogy as to how we must be as exact as possible in all things as missionaries. If we are to wade through this mission and life, with such odds stacked up against us - like a moving ship, rough waters and wind gusts not to mention a teeny tiny landing deck - we have to trust our instruments and we have to watch for and quickly adjust for deviations. I loved that. I've noticed this here in the MTC more than anywhere else in my life, which makes me a little sad for all the time I wasted and so grateful for the clarity I have now. They talk about exact obedience here a lot, it's a big deal but it's so interesting because the deviations here at the MTC are little, little things but they sure make a huge difference. It's remarkable, everything here is like powered-up, it's intense, we become more effective the more obedient we are. It is when we learn to quickly adjust for those deviations, to correct ourselves, to humble ourselves and come unto Christ even more, we can see the results of the precision of our efforts in the love and blessings we receive. I know that as we strive to look for and quickly adjust the deviations in our life, we will see the great rewards our obedience, for our effort and our willing commitment to the Lord. The blessings are far greater than just safely landing, it's landing in the exact right spot at the exact right time. Just as I would imagine there is no greater feeling for these pilots to hit that deck, there is no greater feeling in the world knowing you're exactly where you wanted to be.

 

I love getting mail. It means so much to me, I had no idea. Thank you so much to all for loving me so much. I could not do this without you.

 

xoxo,

Hermana Hall

Who burnt the popcorn?

MTC life is back to normal now that I'm over the 'plague of confined quartered living'. I have to say there were some perks for being sick. My roommates totes did my laundry, I didn't have to go to a long, boring meeting and I got to ride the elevator for like 4 days! I made sure to cough real good before I got on so everyone would know I had a pass to use it and they would also stay super far away from me. Win win. ;) I finally had to visit with the doctor and he gave me a sweet prescription, but they forgot to deliver my meds so I had to walk across the street to the BYU Health Center. It is a short trip, but just as we headed back , the heavens opened up and dumped a whole lot of wetness on our heads. As I walked as quickly as I could (which everyone knows is about the same pace as a snail) I thought how pathetic this must look to passersby and I was glad I had sympathy. No worries, I'm all better now and I'm sure I'm better for the experience...at least that is what people around here always say. Optimisticers.

 

One night in my virus induced coma, I was awakened by a piercing siren. It was the fire alarm. I rolled myself down the bunk, grabbed my badge, keys and jacket and stumbled down the stairs and out the building. Hundreds of missionaries were standing out there. Plenty of the us were in PJs, others with towels on their heads. I was standing there, without any corrective vision, no supportive underclothing (you know what I mean) and a pounding head cold. We all stood out there, some missionaries were taking photos - because this was clearly the most exciting thing to happen at the MTC ever - waiting for any kind of information. Finally, after about 15 min we were told it was all clear. As we headed back to the building, the question answered itself. The aroma of finely burnt popping corn filled the air and smothered the stairwells. Late night snacks have proved to be deadly. The moral of the story is sisters should not be allowed to microwave popcorn.

 

A few days later, we came back to our room after gym and headed to the showers. Right as I was rinsing the conditioner out of my hear I heard my companion squeal. The door had been locked behind us by some mysterious gnome. (no one has yet to confess to the offense, but it wasn't me!) There we were, all four of us, dripping wet, standing in towels all sheepish in the bathroom with no idea how we were going to save ourselves. I offered to walk to the main office in my robe, but they stopped me concerned I would be immediately escorted from the campus, I figured that was better than hanging out in the bathroom so just as I was about to step out the door, we found clothed sisters in the hallway who selflessly volunteered to retrieve our key from the front office. We had some nice girly bonding time in the showers that day while waiting for our heroines to rescue us. Later that day we learned the Elders have a secret trick to get back into their rooms. It involves an envelope, dental floss, wire hanger and a vacuum. Hmmm. Hurry, go - solve the door unlocking dilemma with just those items! After they explained it to me, I have to say it's about the most ingenious thing ever...aside from my idea of walking across campus in my robe.

 

President Brown (of the MTC) sat down by us during lunch a few days ago. He is the nicest man, I mean, I knew he was nice, but he was so nice in real life. Of course now that he knows our names, we could easily be called out in the next meeting for anything. Yikes. But it was probably worth it. We had another awesome devotional last night from the President of the Quorum of the Seventy. He talked about ways in which we could be sure to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost - something we especially interested in here since that is the only we can survive. We learned that there are three things you can do, bridle your passions, garnish your thoughts with virtue and ask the Lord for it. I'd never really thought so deeply about using these three principles together to ensure you have the constant support of the Lord. At first when he said 'bridle your passions' I thought oh yeah, this talk is for the Elders, but as I thought about it more - what 'bridling' and 'passion' really mean, I could see how it applied to me. A horse is bridled so he can be broke and then guided. We don't have to shun everything, we have to bridle it, we have to learn how to control ourselves and be guided. It is when we are disciplined we learn the most. Garnishing our thoughts with virtue just makes them the more beautiful.

 

Well since we have no media of any kind here, we thrive on Mormon Messages. I watched a wonderful one the other day so I'd encourage everyone to check out the 'Power of Hope'. It brought me a lot of peace and a big smile and I know it will do the same for you!

 

XOXO,

Hermana Hall

 

P.S. On the board in here is written: "God is always watching...so is Santa." Ahh, such is life at the MTC.

Back to the Future

This past week has flown by! Yesterday, Elder L Tom Perry came to speak at our Devotional. I had no idea how tall he is! He's tall and I don't mean my interpretation of 5'6" being tall I mean he is like 6'3"! I was shocked. When you just see these men on tv, they all look about the same height, which I think in my head is 5'6". Perspectives. They happen. I've also decided that all old married couples look exactly the same. You know, how people say dogs look like their owners, well...old husbands and wives look the same too. At least that is how it goes for the entire Mission Presidency and most of the general authorities that have come. Last week Christofferson came and I swear his wife was him with a pretty blouse and some make up. That might be blasphemy, but it's also fact.

 

Speaking of perspectives...we aren't aloud to listen to any music here and we can't dance in public. I had no idea how much I'd miss these things. So I get all my dancing out in the shower and my room. Since we are so music deprived, except for the constant humming on campus of Come Thou Fount and There is Sunshine in my Soul, we resort to some strange measures. At night, there are a few girls that will get in the showers and sing hymns in harmony. I love it so much that sometimes I'll just take a sit right there and listen. I never thought I'd hang out in a bathroom just to hear some sweet music. This is who I've become. We do other silly things around here to bring enjoyment, like finding silly cards in the MTC bookstore that I'm pretty sure would not be funny anywhere else and telling Gospel related puns in class. You do what you have to do. I realized how desparate I was getting for shopping when I wanted to go to the MTC bookstore just to 'look around'. You know you are in bad shopping withdrawals when looking at phamplets, MTC clothing and highlighters starts to become super exciting. I'm in trouble. What I wouldn't do for a Macy's catalogue!

 

The other day in class something reminded me of Back to the Future so I started reenacting a scene, it wasn't until I was a good 5 min in that I realized everyone was giving me blank stares. Oh right...no one here has EVER seen that movie. Yikes. Since every day, all day is all about Gospel it is pretty easy to forget the age gap I'm experiencing, until someone starts talking about Barney or other cartoons I've never heard of. Then when I try to relate words of wisdom learned from movies like Back to the Future they have no idea. Shame on this generation!

 

On to the spiritual side. Can I just say how much I love the Book of Mormon?! I really do. It's like an entirely new book to me. I can't believe it. I remember when I was being set apart as a missionary and the stake president said I would find joy in the scriptures and the doctrines there in...I can also remember chuckling slightly to myself because I've always been so terrible about reading them. I used to use them as my lullabies. Not anymore! What a blessing that has been to really find the tasty sweetness of the scriptures. I think it also helps that I don't have anything else to read or watch, but I'm sure enjoying reading about all the Nephite adventures and their really dumb and yet totally common misfortunes. Sometimes I find myself yelling at them...come on you Nephites, just listen to the prophets and stop wearing fancy scarves! Geez! I've also been learning a lot about prayers. We pray a ton here, it is like the thing to do. Everyone does it. All the time. I still don't pray in the cafeteria, it looks weird...actually I look weird because I feel like I'm the only one that doesn't. Don't worry I am still grateful for my food. But, what I've learned about prayers is they are so much more involved than I ever thought. Learning to have a real conversation with your Father in Heaven takes practice and having the faith to poor out your soul and know that someone is listening and will answer is quite remarkable. I'm gaining a stronger testimony of prayer and I'm starting to not be afraid to ask for the help I really need...like Espanol. I can feel the impact of my prayers though the day. I know they have changed me and I can see how they've changed the other missionaries here too. What a sweet, simply miracle prayer is!

 

I'm heading back to quarantine. Hopefully I can kick this nastiness quickly, I've got lots of super important things to do here!

 

xoxo,

Hermana Hall

Everyone is leaving!

Another week has come and gone. It is true what people told me how the days go by slow, but the weeks pass you by. I had my first bout of homesickness last weekend. Our teacher was talking about going to see the Avengers with his roommates and then he was going to have a Cinco de Mayo party with his friends. I couldn't help but let my mind wander off to what I'd be doing if I were home. Surely, Tara would be making an amazing meal and I would for sure be at the Alamo to see Avengers. It twinged my heart, and I really missed my life - for about 10 min - then I got slapped back into missionary land. There are a few things here that keep me connected, there is always The District, a missionary reality show if you will and it has become my Gossip Girl replacement. I can't wait to log on and see what happens next with Elder Murray and Sister Payne! Ahh the drama is so intense it leaves me hanging every time - is Jynx going to get baptized?! Is Eric going to quit smoking?! I won't know until next week.

 

Two of our Elders left this week for the Guatemala MTC. It has been quite sad, we really started to love those Elders even though they were complete space cadets. One of them made up this conjugate rap for us so we could appropriately conjugate all our verbs, but to a beat. It was pretty sweet and occasionally it plays in my head: voy, vas, va, vamos, van. You can't hear the beat, but I just did it for you and it was grand. The three week fever has hit the rest of the Elders and they have begun to have chair races down the hallway. They can't be stopped. And yet, when the time comes, their spirits are so strong. I love watching that juxtaposition. It's truly marvelous.

 

So, there is a lot of spirit floating around here. It's a crazy amount and it is really hard to get away from. We sing and pray ALL the time. I can't tell you how many times I've sung Called to Serve. But, it's great because you are hardly tempted with anything. The worst thing I could do is...well there is probably a long list so I wont go there. Don't worry I'm uber obedient. But, with all this spirit, there is always a lot of emotion and with four sisters in our district there are a lot of breakdowns. Last week, I had to deal with four of them. One night after quiet hours, I even had to call the Branch President and he had to come down here...that was a long night. I feel so bad for the sisters that are struggling. I can certainly feel the trials and stresses the MTC piles on and I'm grateful for the experience I've had in my life to allow me to handle it, but the rest of the time I'm just trying to help the other sisters. It is so hard. There is often nothing you can do but let them cry and just listen. This however, is the duty of the Coordinating Sister which I've been asked to be. Scott informed me it is not a real thing outside the MTC, but it is certainly extremely valuable here. It is my job to make sure all the sisters are doing alright, I represent all the sisters in my zone in meetings and with the Branch President and I'm accountable for them. It has kept me in many a meetings, but they have taught us good things about being loving leaders. It's also nice to make sure the female perspective is shared.

 

I'm still like a little child with Spanish, it's very difficult for me to literally not be able to express myself in discussions. We've been practicing speaking with pens in our mouths in hopes to 'loosen the tongue' so we can gain a better accent. For me, it's been a miracle. After I take that pen out of my mouth I can roll all the r's in the world and I don't sound so...gringo. However, my vocab is still greatly lacking. It's those times I have to remind myself that I've only been doing this for three weeks, and in actuality I'm not the worst...well at least I don't sound like a robot. The other day we had a Devotional and the speaker went on and on about the Olive Garden. I was quite perplexed, but then he said the waitress brought out the plain Olive Garden salad with a big smile and said, "isn't it beautiful" in a sweet Spanish accent. His remarks were directed to the manner in which she offered what she had. The salad was so so but the method was love, happiness and kindness and for that reason they keep going back. I've been thinking about this silly little analogy all week. My Spanish is terrible, I mean, it's bad - when you tell someone that "Joseph Smith translated the golden bananas" you are in for it, however, I keep my smile and I speak with love and hope in my eyes and for some reason, it works. It's not what I'm saying, if it was I'd ruin the Gospel for all, it's what I bring with it. Understanding this principle has really helped me this week to not feel discouraged and recognize that sharing God's love is all I need to do to reach people. A few days ago, in fact, while teaching a new investigator, I was bearing my broken testimony and I could fill the room being filled with love and the spirit and I knew that the investigator felt it too as I looked in his eyes and could see the love swelling within. No matter what I said, the love was felt. I'm so grateful for that. I can however pray and extend commitments in pretty good Spanish so I know things are getting better!

 

Sometimes I hear an iPhone ringing and I start to salivate. I don't love that. I can feel my 'old' life calling me from time to time. I certainly miss all my friends and my family. There is no way, however, that I could turn away from this wonderful experience. It has brought me so close to the Lord and as I can feel myself getting closer to the Lord the more I can see how distant I had become before. I'm truly grateful for the patience of the Lord to wait for His children to come to Him and when we do we begin to see how much love is really there. I am so glad I get to bring that knowledge to others and I pray they will feel it too through me. This work is certainly not without challenge. It's quite unique to anything I've ever experienced and I had no idea, nor do I think anyone could have prepared me for it. To be a missionary is to give of oneself completely. I sold my car, quit my job, left my beautiful apartment, my friends - everything, but what I didn't think about was giving up my entire self...any pride, weaknesses, fears - they all have to go. Understanding this now has given me even more gratitude for those who have done this before me and so much love for my brothers who are currently serving (and all my family that has). This sacrifice is challenging like no other, but I'm slowly learning and as I do, once again I can feel the impact of the Atonement and the spirit in my life even more. That is the true miracle of this Gospel and to that I attach my testament. God loves us all.

 

xoxo,

Hermana Hall

525,600 stairs

I've been here at the MTC for 2 weeks today! This week has certainly moved a lot faster than our first week here. I am getting into the routine of being a missionary, at least at the MTC...but basically it's get up super early, study, eat, study some more, eat again, study and maybe teach someone then eat again, then study some more...then you drag yourself to bed and before you know the alarm clock is going off again. I bet that sounds about right to everyone who has served. It is certainly not as painful as I thought it was going to be, but I have never worked for 16 hours straight like this in my entire life so it is quite the adjustment. Go go go all the time. That sure makes the time fly by though. I met with the Branch President the other night, he asked if there was anything he could help me with. I told him yes, I can't keep my eyelids open. He chuckled and actually taught me some good tips on sneakily moving muscles to keep the blood flowing, but so that no one thought I was a crazy person, ninja style.

 

They make us eat so much food here. It is so brutal. Ha, no I joke. I am finally starting to learn what is safe to eat and what will have you suffering the rest of the day. For example, the ice cream is really tempting and it's is really good, but if you eat that at lunch then 3 hours later it is going to be very hard to sit comfortably. I learned this the other day when the ice cream I shoved down my mouth at lunch was putting on a quite the musical performance in my stomach a few hours later. One of the Elders in my district noticed and later during class when he starting making bird noises (Elders, I tell you) I asked if there was a bird in the room and he said yes and there was a bear too. I laughed so hard I cried for a good solid 5 minutes, bright red and all. The rest of the district had no idea what was going on, but man we needed that good laugh. It would probably be funnier if you were there. Trust me. I believe that Heavenly Father also really heard my fears of gaining weight here and he so kindly put us on the top floor of our residence and classroom. We have to go up and down 5 stories to our classroom at least 4 times a day so my quads are like massive bricks right now. It reminds me of walking up to campus at BYU every day. Stairs are brutal, but I asked for it. Darn. Once we get home at night, we have only 30  min to get into bed before lights out, but we are such a popular room (it's true, I swear) that it is basically impossible to get all you want done. Then it becomes a race for my roommates to see if they can fall asleep before I do otherwise they will never make it to sleep with my sweet night time snoring performances. I win every time. I only feel a little bad.

 

I have run into several missionaries I know here, that has been fun. I see Sister Garcia, she's so adorable, just as adorable as she was when I taught her in primary. I see Sister Aly Cook all the time, she is so gosh darn pretty, but she has to go to Romania haha. I also see Sister Julianne Bishop, not as often but sometimes in the cafeteria. I know everyone, I'm so popular. haha. Oh man, life as a missionary can be like high school too. Speaking of high school, since everyone here basically just graduated from it. The poor Elders keep getting their foot stuck in their mouth about age comments. They recently found out that my companion is 23 and they just can't believe it. That seems so old to them, which of course make me chuckle - silently. Then they make more intelligent comments like how did you graduate BYU without getting married (to her) and you better get married before you are 25. And the best one yet, if you don't get married by the time you are 30 you probably won't ever get married. I've just play along, acting like my 23 yr old companion is super old and I can't imagine being that old. It's great. If only they had any idea...it might actually shock them so much they may pass out.

 

We have been playing a lot of volleyball recently. I like to play outside in the sand, which always reminds me of you, Gavin, and I keep a watch out for any missionary that is trying to sneak off to the 'bathroom'. Our Elders have been super fun to play the game with and it turns out I'm not so bad and they beg for me to be on their team. Man, I could have gone to the Olympics as a volleyball pro - I missed my calling!

 

My feet are basically disfigured. It's impossible to wear 'dress' shoes for 16 hours and not suffer some kind of disfiguration, I'm convinced. I figure though that if I disfigure my feet for the work of the Lord one day I will be healed and I can walk around telling everyone about the miracle that is the foot refigurement. I really miss real socks. I also miss English. My Spanish is still really really terrible, however, last week we met with an investigator and some how (I know how - I'll tell you) with my terrible Spanish we were able to commit her to baptism. I could not belive it. I also can not tell you how bad my Spanish is, it is SO bad, I can tell you that my investigator laughed for a good minute and half after something I completely butchered until I begged my companions "ayudame!" BUT, it did not matter. They keep telling us this, that when you have the spirit of the Lord, there are no barriers to teaching His word. I testify that is 100% true. I am a living, breathing testament of that and I will keep on doing it. Hopefully, one day the language will actually come out of my mouth and make sense. It will.

 

We were assigned last week for service to clean toilets, as I was bent over looking that bowl squarely in the face, all I could think about was the Turkish Toilets. Man, toilets are going to haunt me all the days of my life. If you havne't heard that story...it's a gem, ask me and I will tell you some time.

 

I am truly amazed at the spiritual progress I have experienced over the past two weeks. I came here with a strong foundation, but the Lord has taken that and tripled it and there is still so much more to go! What a wonderful blessing this has been for me and I am only on week 2. I can not explain how the change has taken place, but I feel it. The Lord has taken what I brought, and with my obedience and faith he does His work. I have nothing else here, but my faith in the spirit and let me tell you that really does a body good!

 

Please keep writing me, I had no idea how much it would help. I love you all so so much! Thank you for your support.

 

Love,

Hermana Hall