FOOD BABY!!!!
ok, not so much of a food baby but it's definitely not the way I was when I got in. I guess eating and sitting all the time takes it's toll...
Anyway! This week was really good! Tuesday we had a devotional about the Atonement and afterward we had a little district review of the things that stood out to us in the devotional. It was a really good review and the Spirit was definitely there. We all realized this last week that we'll only have a bit of time left in our district! On Wednesday we were able to Host! We met the new girls coming in after the Elders helped them with their luggage. Hermana Vaughan and I decided to do one together in case there weren't enough girls for us each to host one. The next girl that came by, was from lehi! Yeah! Brittney Webster, we were in choir and musical theatre together in high school. So we got to connect there. She's going to Canada and english speaking but I'll still see her in passing. That night Hermano Gillmore shared the story of his first night in the mission and how he got a native companion and crazy stuff that happened...OK it wasn't crazy but we all got really excited to go. At the end he related us to the unbroken colt that Christ rode into Jerusalem on. It knew who it was carrying and so it didn't freak out when the people in the city started shouting and waving branches in front of it's face. It knew that it's job was to take Christ into the city. Likewise, my job is to take Christ's message into people lives so that the Holy Ghost can witness to their spirit that this is true. It was a really cool analogy and I was able to see myself in it very easily.
I don't remember a bunch about Thursday or Friday, but Saturday's workshop was all on diligence. It was a really good lesson for me that I cannot stop working. I have to work effectively. I feel like I've slacked in the past but that lesson has woken me up to see I could be doing better. I wasn't doing anything bad, but I was sort of coasting, not really moving forward. We had lots of lessons on repentance and being better and how repenting is always a good thing. It's turning toward God. That's what it is. Turning toward God and forsaking anything that He would not be doing, saying or thinking. We has a little follow-up blurp on sanctification. I saw it this way: When we sin, it's like stabbing ourselves with a knife or gripping broken glass. Repentance is taking that knife or glass out. Sanctification comes when you stop licking the wound and let the Holy Ghost heal you. It's a process and not just an event. Healing can take a LONG time, but when God is helping you, when you use the Atonement and know that Heavenly Father loves you and that the Holy ghost can be with you always, there is more hope and there is more healing. It was a great little discussion there :)
I've had the hiccups. twice. today! It was bound to happen but still slightly odd. We got to clean the Temple today! And notice, when you go to the provo temple, the fabric on the benches in the chapels upstairs are different. Look at it, love it, don't take a picture of it ;) You can edit that part out of the blog if you want to. We cleaned the sealing rooms, everywhere. It was really great. OH! I need bugspray! the bookstore here has been out FOREVER! Not the aerosole kind. And if you can find any, thermals would be great too. I just realized that it's really cold down there right now. I should be fine, but I'd enjoy some thermals. If you can't get to it it's totally fine! Thank you for all that you do for me! I'll probably not send actual letters very often home because I'll be able to email every week and it'll take about 2 weeks for a letter to get there. So there still will be letters, but not as many. OH! Tell Merissa (at roxberry) I can only email family, but if I could get her address that would be great! .....Hmmmmmm, what else...I leave monday morning at 3 am and fly to texas, than to NY, then to Buenas Aeres...spelling is....awesome. But yeah, I'll probably call from texas because as much as I would like to wake you up at 5....I'll let you sleep :D
Is the $$$ in my savings or checking? My debit comes from the checking so I was just wondering if I'm tapping into the savings yet. Just wondering :) I'll buy a phone card and a scarf today, and maybe some pictures but probably not. I'll get the second desposable one to you ASAP. I LOVE YOU!!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
What? Only 2 more week? July 11, 2011
Hey Mom!
Yeah! Only two more weeks here! So if the boys or anyone else wants to know anything about the MTC, I'm still here for another few weeks so ask away!
I was SO happy to get the pictures! I'll be honest I almost cried when I say Joseph's graduation photos. Yeah, but it was good. I'm so glad y'all had fun with the family! I can't believe how many cousins I have that I hardly get to see! We'll have to do something before Jacob leaves for his mission and after I get back :)
Ok....Let's see. This week has been very good. I feel a little like I've slacked a bit so that's NOT good but the rest of it was good. I'm becoming more and more comfortable with the spanish that I know and able to dictate things better. I'm learning a lot about the gospel that I had forgotten and ways to explain it, and I'm learning a lot about the language of the Spirit. There was a talk given here that said every missionary will come home being at least bilingual, having learned the language of the Spirit on their missions. I have had bits of this learning here, but I feel like it will explode out in the field. I am so thankful for all the help that Heavenly Father has given me here. He's allowed me to learn spanish to a degree where I feel comfortable enough going out into an all Spanish community and thinking I can somewhat contribute to a lesson being taught! That's huge! In 6 weeks! ok, I guess this'll make 7, but still! My Father in Heaven has also helped me learn a lot about people. I was such a rebel rouser before now! I've learned what it is to love people. People, like individuals, I've learned to love them in all their states. I've been known to say that I love people individually and not as a whole, but I think I didn't know what that meant! It's amazing what kind of change can happen in a few short weeks.
My district is officially the "old district" in our zone now. We have the coordinating sister and the zone leaders in our district. It's so weird to think about that, to think what I thought of the Elders who were leaving a week after I got here. They were so great! And now my district is almost gone. The district that just left told us over and over to enjoy this time we have here. This week my step has been lighter, my mind more at ease, and my spirit happier. I've had so many moments this week where I just had to smile and be happy because I thought of where I am and what I am called to do. I feel like I'm rambling a little bit....
Let's see...again. This week went by super fast so I'm having troubles finding things to point out. This may have to be a shorter email. I'll keep a little notebook with me so I can write down, among other things, what I can put in this email for next week. I'll have one more time to email before I'm out, I think. We're supposed to get our travel plans this week so I'll let you all know. OH! Hermana Vaughan and Elder Alder thank you so much for the treats! Hermana Jensen was eating one and she was all, "....Is there butterscotch chips in here? Your mom is a genius." It was pretty awesome :) I also showed the pictures of my family to the Hermanas and they said that Laura is super pretty, Kim is also very pretty but she looks younger than me (How many people have said that now?) and that my brothers are tall. Hermana Vaughan also noted "How cute" you are mom. I was very pleased. I love you guys so much. I don't think I realized this at all compaired to what I'm feeling now.
The dress fits so well mom, you are amazing! I had to put that in there. Oh! and I put some pictures and things in the bag with my sleeping bag so...yeah, look for those before you put it in Joseph's apartment.
I know this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to that 14 year old boy so many years ago and that through modern revelation we have Christ's church on the earth today. I know I'm not articulate in speech or in writing, but I know that God can make me whatever He wants me to be. I have felt the shaping going on and I am so grateful for it. The time is officially flashing at me so I'll end here. I love you!
-Hermana Aubrey Pixton
PS. Sorry if this letter is disjointed and weird, my brain is everywhere at this point :) I'll let you know about my travel plans!
Yeah! Only two more weeks here! So if the boys or anyone else wants to know anything about the MTC, I'm still here for another few weeks so ask away!
I was SO happy to get the pictures! I'll be honest I almost cried when I say Joseph's graduation photos. Yeah, but it was good. I'm so glad y'all had fun with the family! I can't believe how many cousins I have that I hardly get to see! We'll have to do something before Jacob leaves for his mission and after I get back :)
Ok....Let's see. This week has been very good. I feel a little like I've slacked a bit so that's NOT good but the rest of it was good. I'm becoming more and more comfortable with the spanish that I know and able to dictate things better. I'm learning a lot about the gospel that I had forgotten and ways to explain it, and I'm learning a lot about the language of the Spirit. There was a talk given here that said every missionary will come home being at least bilingual, having learned the language of the Spirit on their missions. I have had bits of this learning here, but I feel like it will explode out in the field. I am so thankful for all the help that Heavenly Father has given me here. He's allowed me to learn spanish to a degree where I feel comfortable enough going out into an all Spanish community and thinking I can somewhat contribute to a lesson being taught! That's huge! In 6 weeks! ok, I guess this'll make 7, but still! My Father in Heaven has also helped me learn a lot about people. I was such a rebel rouser before now! I've learned what it is to love people. People, like individuals, I've learned to love them in all their states. I've been known to say that I love people individually and not as a whole, but I think I didn't know what that meant! It's amazing what kind of change can happen in a few short weeks.
My district is officially the "old district" in our zone now. We have the coordinating sister and the zone leaders in our district. It's so weird to think about that, to think what I thought of the Elders who were leaving a week after I got here. They were so great! And now my district is almost gone. The district that just left told us over and over to enjoy this time we have here. This week my step has been lighter, my mind more at ease, and my spirit happier. I've had so many moments this week where I just had to smile and be happy because I thought of where I am and what I am called to do. I feel like I'm rambling a little bit....
Let's see...again. This week went by super fast so I'm having troubles finding things to point out. This may have to be a shorter email. I'll keep a little notebook with me so I can write down, among other things, what I can put in this email for next week. I'll have one more time to email before I'm out, I think. We're supposed to get our travel plans this week so I'll let you all know. OH! Hermana Vaughan and Elder Alder thank you so much for the treats! Hermana Jensen was eating one and she was all, "....Is there butterscotch chips in here? Your mom is a genius." It was pretty awesome :) I also showed the pictures of my family to the Hermanas and they said that Laura is super pretty, Kim is also very pretty but she looks younger than me (How many people have said that now?) and that my brothers are tall. Hermana Vaughan also noted "How cute" you are mom. I was very pleased. I love you guys so much. I don't think I realized this at all compaired to what I'm feeling now.
The dress fits so well mom, you are amazing! I had to put that in there. Oh! and I put some pictures and things in the bag with my sleeping bag so...yeah, look for those before you put it in Joseph's apartment.
I know this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to that 14 year old boy so many years ago and that through modern revelation we have Christ's church on the earth today. I know I'm not articulate in speech or in writing, but I know that God can make me whatever He wants me to be. I have felt the shaping going on and I am so grateful for it. The time is officially flashing at me so I'll end here. I love you!
-Hermana Aubrey Pixton
PS. Sorry if this letter is disjointed and weird, my brain is everywhere at this point :) I'll let you know about my travel plans!
Hola! July 4, 2011
HOLA! July 4, 2011
It's been a good week! On Saturday we had a special 4th of July presentation and of course I cried a little when our flag was presented and we sang the national anthem. Yeah, it happens, always. but on Wednesday we got two more groups of sister into our zone! Now there are 14 of us and Hermana Vaughan just got called to be the new coordinating sister! She is a little worried but I don't think anyone else could do as good a job at loving the girls. She has a way of expressing herself to you that you know she loves you and cares deeply about......a lot. She loves the people here, she loves the people in Argentina she hasn't met yet, she's a great example to me and I know she'll do well at her new calling. In these groups of new sisters there are four sisters from my Belmont ward! yeah! I know! One of them, Hermana Gilland, is in my zone! it truly is amazing how timing is so important. I've met and seen so many people I've known and have a lot of connection with people that know other people I know and it's just crazy how that comforts me so much.
On Sunday we went to church and had a great fast and testimony meeting. The fireside that night was Jenny Oaks Baker who did kind of music and the spoken word kind of performance. It was really good and I remembered her from Stadium of Fire last year, she got hit by a firework...THAT was fun. Oh! Yeah, after the presentation on Saturday, they gave us ice cream and permission to stay up later and watch Stadium fireworks! It was really great to be there with all these missionaries. The hermanas and Elders Mikesell and Gravelle stayed together to watch, we're not sure where the other Elders were but they told us we had a better spot for the fireworks....
Oh! Ok so this week was Hermana Vaughan and Elder Alder's (and Jack's, no I didn't forget. He probably doesn't care though ;P) birthdays. The Elders made a piñata out of a box and duct tape and hung it from a tree, don't worry, we have video footage of the whole thing. Elder Alder punched it and it went up into the tree, so Elder Mikesell told Hermana Vaughan to give him a boost to get up the tree. This may have been the funniest picture of the week. But they both had a great day by all accounts.
Oh! Your phone letters work. I got two and the first one just said "testing my phone" :D It made me smile. So how'd the vacation go? We didn't get any mail these last few days because of the 4th so if you've already told me....I guess I'll read about it soon! And I'll figure out my end of the Post Mart thing. That'll happen later on this week. But the Temple is officially closed! But fret not, we get to go and clean it! Yeah! Clean the Temple! The cleanest place ever and we get to clean it! I'm very excited about that. We only have a few weeks left here and I'm so excited to meet the people and teach them about the restoration of Christ's church in our time. It's amazing here, don't get me wrong this is no walk in the park, but the greatness of it trumps the hard parts. Part of the presentation on Saturday was they showed us a map of the world and then had little animation missionaries running around it to get to their field of labor. it was so great to see missionaries dotting almost the whole world! That means the Gospel is being taught and hopefully accepted but people. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? I love that scripture in D&C, Courage....on, on to the victory. I love you so much and I'm so grateful for your continuing letters and packages (you think I would have caught on by now ;) ).
I'm trying to think of other things to tell you but I guess you'll find out if I have later seeing as I only have 4 minutes left to do this. Tell the boys (the boys in my family, not the random other boys you may or may not be finding for me) that I love them and I'm so excited for them to be here. The MTC has shaped me in such a way that very few other things could have and I'm so grateful for that. It really is what you make it to be, and I'm not through with it yet! I'm very happy. Oh! The hermanas have requested pictures of our family, if you could send some that would be great, and I'll order some from my digital hopefully today.
I love you! Hermana Aubrey Pixton
It's been a good week! On Saturday we had a special 4th of July presentation and of course I cried a little when our flag was presented and we sang the national anthem. Yeah, it happens, always. but on Wednesday we got two more groups of sister into our zone! Now there are 14 of us and Hermana Vaughan just got called to be the new coordinating sister! She is a little worried but I don't think anyone else could do as good a job at loving the girls. She has a way of expressing herself to you that you know she loves you and cares deeply about......a lot. She loves the people here, she loves the people in Argentina she hasn't met yet, she's a great example to me and I know she'll do well at her new calling. In these groups of new sisters there are four sisters from my Belmont ward! yeah! I know! One of them, Hermana Gilland, is in my zone! it truly is amazing how timing is so important. I've met and seen so many people I've known and have a lot of connection with people that know other people I know and it's just crazy how that comforts me so much.
On Sunday we went to church and had a great fast and testimony meeting. The fireside that night was Jenny Oaks Baker who did kind of music and the spoken word kind of performance. It was really good and I remembered her from Stadium of Fire last year, she got hit by a firework...THAT was fun. Oh! Yeah, after the presentation on Saturday, they gave us ice cream and permission to stay up later and watch Stadium fireworks! It was really great to be there with all these missionaries. The hermanas and Elders Mikesell and Gravelle stayed together to watch, we're not sure where the other Elders were but they told us we had a better spot for the fireworks....
Oh! Ok so this week was Hermana Vaughan and Elder Alder's (and Jack's, no I didn't forget. He probably doesn't care though ;P) birthdays. The Elders made a piñata out of a box and duct tape and hung it from a tree, don't worry, we have video footage of the whole thing. Elder Alder punched it and it went up into the tree, so Elder Mikesell told Hermana Vaughan to give him a boost to get up the tree. This may have been the funniest picture of the week. But they both had a great day by all accounts.
Oh! Your phone letters work. I got two and the first one just said "testing my phone" :D It made me smile. So how'd the vacation go? We didn't get any mail these last few days because of the 4th so if you've already told me....I guess I'll read about it soon! And I'll figure out my end of the Post Mart thing. That'll happen later on this week. But the Temple is officially closed! But fret not, we get to go and clean it! Yeah! Clean the Temple! The cleanest place ever and we get to clean it! I'm very excited about that. We only have a few weeks left here and I'm so excited to meet the people and teach them about the restoration of Christ's church in our time. It's amazing here, don't get me wrong this is no walk in the park, but the greatness of it trumps the hard parts. Part of the presentation on Saturday was they showed us a map of the world and then had little animation missionaries running around it to get to their field of labor. it was so great to see missionaries dotting almost the whole world! That means the Gospel is being taught and hopefully accepted but people. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? I love that scripture in D&C, Courage....on, on to the victory. I love you so much and I'm so grateful for your continuing letters and packages (you think I would have caught on by now ;) ).
I'm trying to think of other things to tell you but I guess you'll find out if I have later seeing as I only have 4 minutes left to do this. Tell the boys (the boys in my family, not the random other boys you may or may not be finding for me) that I love them and I'm so excited for them to be here. The MTC has shaped me in such a way that very few other things could have and I'm so grateful for that. It really is what you make it to be, and I'm not through with it yet! I'm very happy. Oh! The hermanas have requested pictures of our family, if you could send some that would be great, and I'll order some from my digital hopefully today.
I love you! Hermana Aubrey Pixton
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