Provo MTC - Week 3

 Familia!!

Happy Memorial Day!! We watched the spoken word yesterday morning and they did a very nice tribute to all the many americans that have fought for our freedoms. How are you enjoying your day off, Dad? Livin' the federal government dream. Unfortunately for missionaries-this P-day means no mail or temple:( Oh well, more time to study and write letters! Clark, I hope you had a wonderful 18th Birthday!!! Did you get my card yet? Can't believe your graduating soooo soon!! weird. These were some of my main thoughts/experiences this week:

"Investigators"-I should've explained more about how we've been teaching people, sorry for the confusion. Eduardo, and now Moises and Santiago, are some "investigators" that we've taught/been teaching. But they're just our teachers. However, they won't reply or understand ANY english, so we take it really seriously and work a TON on our lessons. Right now, my comp and I are preparing lessons for and meeting usually 1-2 times a week with Moises and Santiago. Both are progressing in different ways. Also on wednesday, we had "TRC" which is where member volunteers come to be taught by the missionaries. We had a great time with it! My companion and I taught Sis. Lanford, mother of 7 from Alpine, UT. We weren't really sure what lesson to teach, but were lead by the Spirit. We each conveyed the fact that Heavenly Father loves her very much and talked a little about the Atonement. She was really friendly, which was nice since our spanish is broken-at best. We spoke simply of the love and care that the Savior has for her. I spoke of what an incredibly important and hard responsibility she has, as a mother. What a divine calling, raising her children. While searching for the right spanish words to speak-it really touched me. Mothers have a special calling here on earth-to raise their children, but more importantly-they are raising Heavenly Father's children. I know that He has so much trust in mothers, to be looking after them with such great love and dilligence. Just as she loves her children, Heavenly Father loves us even MORE!! It really opened my eyes and brought new light to the Atonement and what a sacrifice that certainly was!! So grateful. Mom-thank you so much for all of the MANY sacrifices that you make for us on a daily basis. I know that it's frustrating, esp. because we do not thank you/express gratitude enough. I know Heavenly Father is grateful for your dilligence and love, as am I. There just aren't words to describe a Mother's love for her children. Thank you for never giving up on us, even when we're crazy and don't listen. I love you now, forever, and always!! Everyday, there are so many things that remind me of you and your many attributes that I am striving for. You always see the good in others and look for opportunities to serve others-just like the Savior would.

 District and Zone. This week, we got new zone leaders-which are in my district. And a new district leader! One Elder in our district just got Mono, so we're all trying to stay away.jaja I cannot get sick!!!! Also Hermana Lasike's brother is having some hard times on his mission lately so the Hnas. fasted for him together. It's certainly hard to stay strong/not let the adversary have power over you.

Spanish. Our district is really trying to make more of an effort to speak spanish more throughout the day, and not just in class (SYL). It's been good to make yourself think of how to say certain things in spanish and practicing using the tenses. We've learned present, future, and progressives. The Hermanas that I serve with are incredible!! Hermanas Downs, Lasike, Y Evans. Seriously have become like sisters to me here, I'll miss them greatly!! After we get to our residence after class/planning at 9:30, we each read a few verses in the Docterine and Covenants together. Some of the words I recognize, since some are really similar to spanish words. And its a good practice with pronounciation! Haha I can still remember Dad teasing me of how I would always say "Nosotros" in a super gringo way. Making improvements, you better believe it Padre:)

Missionary Work In General. During various district/zone meetings and devotionals, we've been talking a lot about what missionary work really means/entails. Here are some of my thoughts that get me PUMPED. The Lord knows our needs and answers our prayers and worries. I've defiently seen this to be true with becoming really close with my Hermanas! Have faith and move forward!! We don't walk alone, we are called of God to do His work and angels surround us. We've been preparing for this mission LONG before we were called. The mission that we are called to is specific to us and what people we can indivisually bless/have the opportunity to teach. Be faithful and loyal to that calling. Fear departs when faith endures. Submit our will to the Fathers. DON'T HOLD ANYTHING BVACK FROM THE LORD, GIVE THIS ALL YOU'VE GOT!! I've learned a TON about the Atonement, Plan of Salvation, God's love for His children, Repentance, etc. Fave quote about the Atonement: "Our salvation depends on beliving in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully."

Relying/Recognizing the spirit. WOW. I have never felt/relied on the Spirit THIS much in my life!! Not that I'm really that old, but you get the point:) Its incredible to work as dilligently as possible, so that the Spirit will be welcomed/invited into a lesson/mtng/studying. I've really learned that its influence is CRUCIAL in missionary work. Many times while teaching, we had something planned previously, but then was directed to say/teach something else. Completely amazes me every time. I can feel His influence so greatly in those settings and I know they can too. I'm grateful for living in a way that allows the Holy Ghost to be my constand companion. Without which, I would just be saying random spanish things. jaja. Its just incredible. I'm so grateful and thankful for being apart of this restored Church on the world today. Teaching these doctrines that I've known all my life offers insights that I've never had before. The gospel is simple and absolutely amazing. What/who can I touch with His hands? I just want to do ALL I can to truly be an instrument in order to reach out to His children. What a blessing this gospel is to my life!

Random Tid-Bits:

-I ran into Jordan Tille's sister (Hunter's bud). She's headed to Thailand!

-Recee's ice crem cup think. WOAH.

-There are 1,254 sister missionaries right now. wahooo!!!!

-I absolutely LOVE having Sis. Keri Ralls at the MTC with me!! It's been so fun to spend some time together, even if its only for a few mins.

-Grant-thank you SO much for those cute notes/drawings. My district thought they were so cute!! What an adorable, yet super crazy little bro I have:)

Provo MTC - Week 2

 

Can I just say that its weird to think that I've only been gone for 2 weeks ish? I'm living in such a time warp, it feel like MUCH longer!! I've been thinking about the MTC and the best explanation/analogy that I can come up with is that it reminds me of Hogwarts. We each got an awesome letter in the mail and were called to a specific mission, or house at Hogwarts. We spend HOURS preparing and buying our magic wands/owl and then arrive via plane/boat across a lake with Hagrid until we arrive at the famous castle. We are taught by teachers who genuinely want us to succeed and try to teach us all they know to help us speak the language, or spells. Also each meal time is like a feast at the big assembly hall in Hogwarts. Basically I live with a bunch of wizards. I swear the staircases keep changing on us! jajaja.

Since my very first day, I have been thinking of how others will perceive the MTC (Clark, Kyra, Megan). To be honest-the first few days were ROUGH. But now, I've grown to genuinely love and really enjoy being here. I've seen TONS of people I know; Alyssa Cox, Nick Moffit, Heather Farnsworth, Keri Ralls, Jennifer Allred, Daphne Munafo, Sally Franz, and a bunch of students from my mission prep class at BYUI. How wonderful! I've gotten really close with Sister Franz, we usually spend a few minutes at night talking and laughing about funny missionary things/the MTC. LOVE her!!! We've been a great source of comfort, encouragement, and strength to each other.

On Monday, after I emailed-my companion and I taught Eduardo. We both made it a goal to ONLY speak in spanish, but I had doubt weather we could really do it or not...especially with knowing such a limited amount of words/phrases/conjugation. We prayed before and had faith that we would be helped and know what to say. WOAH. It went really well and I KNOW that the Holy Ghost was vital with our discussion. I felt the spirit and I know Eduardo did too. After closing our lesson with a prayer, we literally jumped for joy and screamed with excitement that our goal was accomplished with His help. That was seriously a miracle. At one part during the discussion, he basically asked what if he didn't repent/what was the point of repentance? Something lit up within me and I became so animated. I explained that repentance is how we utilize the atonement. The Savior gave His life and suffered everything so we can become clean. If we do not repent/do it vainly, then it would be mocking the Savior's ultimate sacrifice that He made for us. I was so happy. It was the first time that I really felt like a missionary. THIS is what its all about, bringing people to the atonement of Jesus Christ and developing faith in His plan for us to return to His presence. It was such an INCREDIBLE feeling:) SO HAPPY!!!!

My district has 4 hermanas and 8 elders. We've made some goals to strengthen our unity and improve our diligence and work as disciples of the Savior. Sometimes I feel like we're babysitting the elders...haha 18 year-old young men sure teach pacience. I love them!! A family away from my family:) Our poor District Leader, Elder Fitzen is always sneezing and coughing. Trust me by saying that we ALL want him to get better. haha I gave him some of my medicine for cold/decongestant and people in my district already know I have a good stash of drugs. haha. 

Also earlier in the week at the beginning of one of our classes, my comp and I shared why we decided to serve. It was great to remember why I'm here and how important this work really is. Our zone only has 2 districts now that some missionaries are leaving this week. Our branch presidency is super nice and their wives stop by our room sometimes just to say hi/see how we're doing. So sweet. Also yesterday I wrote my first talk in spanish, just in case I was called. Thankfully, they picked on some of the missionaries that are leaving to give the talks. I've already been to 2 departing district's testimony meetings and its awesome to hear how much they love the missionaries in their district and how close they've become. I already know that I will miss all of the missionaries in my 41A district very much, but it'll be bittersweet to leave. At 9:30 when we return to our residence, each Elder shakes our hand and I say nochey noche. jajaja. Kinda like nighty night in spanish? idk. I think its funny.

 

For Tuesday devotional, Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us. It was awesome to be reminded of why family history work is so important and that our ancestry is praying for us to help them with doing their work. I was in the choir that sang before he and his wife spoke. LOVE being in the choir!!! He also talked about how its important to stay connected with our converts and I thought of Hunter and the Evans family. I know it means the WORLD to them that you were there for their sealing and marriage:) You go, Hunter!! We've also learned a lot about the differences between having a testimony and being TRULY converted.

From Bednar's "character of Christ" talk, whenever the mission gets tough-remember this is NOT about you. Its meant to be a hard change and adjustment. Like a refiner's fire.

A BIG thank you to the Oakton ward YW for the awesome package, that was so nice!!!! Also muchos gracias for the dried mangoes-haha still a favorite snack of mine:) 

And thank you dear eldering me the talk:) Aaaand thank you pappa bear for the very kind card for Mother's Day, I really appreciate it:) If its alright with you all, I'll probably use snail mail to reply to the dear elders, since I already have TONS I want to email you about:)

The Language-I've been trying to help others in my district with understanding different verbs/sentence structure/conjugation/pronouns. Its easy to get really frustrated and discouraged with not being able to understand spanish. One of our teachers taught us the "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" song in spanish and it was so fun! I'm working on my pronunciation and trying to really understand the spanish that people use when they answer back with the discussions-its tough! Right now my district is trying to memorize the 1st vision and PMG purpose in spanish. Believe it or now-some of my HS spanish is slowly coming back to remembrance. Just gotta have faith and trust the Lord! Also my english is progressively getting worse and worse.haha

 

Sundays are my FAVORITE day of the week!!!! I've never quite understood the purpose and importance of Relief Society until now. I'm SO grateful to be apart of it and be a member of the Church. How blessed and lucky we are!! Now spread it to the world:) We sang the new "Sisters of Zion" song by Janice Kapp Perry and it was a nice reminder of last week when she visited and some of my thoughts on mother's day/my first Sunday away:)

 

A few random highlights of the week....

-Strawberries in the cafeteria. Ahhh made me so happy:)

-I put hello kitty stickers on everyone's name badge in my district. haha the Elders love it.

-Every Friday, we do service at the MTC. This week, Hna. Downs and I were assigned to clean the cleaning closets in 7M again. Except this time when we were cleaning the sink in the closet, about half of the mop bucket water dumped out when we were trying to dump it out, so the floor was SUPER soapy. we just cracked up. It was such a ridiculously hilarious situation. We just used a BUNCH of rags to clean it up and the floor was mighty clean after we were done. too good. service with a smile

I KNOW this is where I need and want to be at this time in my life. Everyday, I learn more and more of what it really means to be a disciple of the Savior Jesus Christ. Missionary work is so incredible and I consider it such a blessing and privilege to be out here serving. What a wonderful opportunity! I know that God lives and loves us so much. He sent His son to die and atone for our sins. Through the atonement, we can repent and become clean again. I am so grateful for my family and think of you all very often. Thank you for everything, I have so much love in my heart for all those around me. I genuinely CANNOT WAIT to be an instrument in HIS hands and share the restored gospel that we have on the earth today.

MUCHO AMOR,

Hermana Rachel Anne Boody

My Adventure Begins

MI FAMILIA!!!!

It'll probably be easier telling about each day, so here it goes!

WED- I had Cafe Rio for lunch with Margaret, Bennion, Johnathan & Jacob Erickson, Courtney Doolittle, and Jonathan (her fiance). It was SO great seeing everyone!!! Aunt Margaret & Bennion dropped me off at the MTC afterwards and there was a nice sister that helped me with my bags who's headed to France on her mission. I checked in and got my official name badge!!! Then we picked up my big bag of Spanish books/materials from the bookstore. We had about 2 minutes to drop off my luggage in the residence before reporting to the classroom. Then I met the missionaries and teacher over our district-41A!! We asked each other intro questions in Spanish and got to know where each missionary was from, how many in their family, where they're going on their mission,etc. Then we had the MTC Presidency Welcome. Some important things that were said: focus on learning the language of the spirit, and the language itself will come in time. The 2 keys for success: Get started (with missionary work) and don't stop! And the importance and responsibility of having a companion. My mission will be a WOW experience!! Give everything of yourself: work, sweat, time, energy, focus, etc. Be respectful and shake hands...be helpful and mindful. "WHAT E'ER THOU ART, ACT WELL THY PART." And then we had a teaching experience with all of the new missionaries that arrived. It was interesting to see how each missionary had a different approach/thought process with how to introduce people to the gospel. Afterwards, we met our Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. After I shook hands with Elder Richards and told him my name-he cracked up and walked away....haha nice to meet you too? We introduced ourself to the group and they explained that their role is to look after, help, and love each one of us. That night, I broke out the DELICIOUS chocolate chip cookies Marilyn Copans gave me and tried unpacking a bit before lights out.

THURS-My first full day as an official full-time missionary!! During personal study, I decided to start the Book of Mormon again. My goal is to finish it before I leave for Peru. Anyone else want to join me? We went to a workshop about what our purpose is, going along with Preach My Gospel. There's a computer program "TALL" that we use with headphones to learn the language that we use for about an hour each day. It's nice because you can hear, write, and see the different Spanish words/phrases. We met the branch president and some other leaders in the branch. One of the counselors used to be Christian Delis' mission president in Eugene-small world!!

 

 

FRI-My companion, Hermana Downs, and I did our service in 8M. We cleaned the 2 cleaning closets and the hand rails on both stairwells. They're s tons of germs at the MTC! During gym time, I ran with Hermana Evans from the District while our companions walked behind us. Up to that point, that was my favorite moment/day at the MTC so far. It felt SO good/refreshing to be outside and exercising!!! I want to go for a loooooong run so bad:( We taught our first "investigator", Eduardo. It was a hard and challenging discussion, especially since our Spanish is VERY limited. But I asked about what happened the last time he met with the missionaries and he said he felt good/different. We explained that we call that the Holy Ghost-Espiritu Santo. I challenged him to read the 1st chapter of Nephi and pray about it. Also, I said the opening prayer for the discussion. I know how to pray in Spanish now!!! Also today was the 1st day that our mailbox was set up, so a HUGE thank you for the many dear elders!!!! It was so great hearing from friends and family:)

 

SAT-The second time meeting with Eduardo went better this time-we spoke less english than before. Haha. This time we talked about the apostate and restoration and the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. We learned how to bear our testimony in Spanish, so we closed with that. During gym time, I went on a temporary exchange with Hermana Evans and we went running outside around the field across from the MTC. Once again, it was awesome!!! We talked about how the "MTC experience" was so far and our goals for getting better at the language /teaching. I'm really glad we were able to confide in each other and talk about what we were really feeling at this point. In the evening, we went to the departing district's testimony meeting. It was great to hear about how they have changed during the MTC and hear their excitement to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. One of the Elders in my district was really congested and sick, so I gave him some cold meds, Vitamin C, nasal decongestant, and a sleep aid. The next day, he told me it helped TONS! :) thank you again mom for sewing the medicine holder thing!! 

 

SUN-By FAR, the BEST and my favorite day at the MTC!!!! Singing hymns with all the sisters in Relief Society was INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Janice Kapp Perry was there and we sang many of her hymns, along with a new one that she barely just wrote. We were officially the first people to ever sing it, which was awesome! What a wonderful woman and example:) Being Mother's Day and my first Sunday away from home, crying was inevitable. I miss you TONS mom & owe you a real-deal letter this week. After church, we sang "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again" in Spanish to the missionaries that have flights this week. Afterwards, we had our Sunday walk to the Provo temple. What great weather!!! My companion and I participated in the choir and had a wonderful time singing "Come Thou Font." The Sunday night devotional was WOW! so incredible. I wish I had better adjectives to use...haha I'll start learning them in Spanish. Then we watched Bednar's "Character of Christ." It was seriously EXACTLY what I needed to hear. PLEASE find the talk and read it on lds.org. And if you could, copy & paste the talk in dearelder.com so I can have it to read again here.

MON-My district went to the temple together & did an endownment session. What an incredible place to be with such incredible people!!!! Hermana Downs & I were then able to get stuff done-clean our room, laundry, journal, and now emailing home!!! HOORAY HOORAY!! In an hour, we need to start planning what we want to talk to Eduardo about today. Time for the Plan of Salvation:)  

Basically each day honestly feels like 3 crammed together, so its hard to remember when something happened. Haha. Hope separating it by day was a good idea:) Let me know what you think would be best/how you want me to email home about the mission. It's already been a challenging experience, but this is where I want to be!!! I know Heavenly Father loves me and trusts me to do His work:) But the most important thing to remember is that right now, its NOT about me at all!! I've eaten a few slices of humble pie:) Speaking of which, the Graham Canyon ice cream is life-changing. I love being a missionary and am excited to learn more about teaching the gospel and seeing changes in people's lives. I love you all SO very much and hope all is well:) Sorry this email isn't super lengthy, hope the pics show up.

Also I've ran into TONS of people that I know- I'll include names in a letter home. TELL EVERYONE i LOVE THEM PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

Mucho Amor,

Hermana Boody