It makes me so
happy to hear you guys are happy at home. I LOVE THAT and even though I miss
it, I am so glad you tell me about the good times with the family because that
is what matters to me.
I didn't know Lexi
submitted her papers!! I am so excited to hear where she goes! I’ll be praying
that she comes to Chile because I am convinced this is one of the best places
on earth. Keep me updated! (Aimee’s
cousin on her dad’s side just turned papers in. Her cousin Camilla on her mom’s
side should have her call this week.)
I think about you and pray for you all the
time. I have only gotten a letter from grandma and Daniel so we shall see. I
have sent a letter every week so once they start coming, hopefully you will be
getting them every week. As of today I have sent 3 :) (We are still figuring the postal system
timing out. We have been sending her family letters each week as well.)
This week was the BEST
one so far!!! Oh my there was so much goodness, it is hard to figure out how to
shrink it down to one email!
So this week, I found
some pictures to show my district of the family and they are obsessed with you
guys! Hahaha, seriously they stared at our family picture for like 10 minutes
straight it was so cute and it made me so happy to talk about you guys and see
your faces and, ahh it was just so good! Then they came to a picture with me, Lindsay
and Lexi in San Diego and my hair is blonde and everyone was like who are your
3 friends. I was like.... uh that is me... and then everyone freaked out and I
forgot that they didn't know that I’m a fraud with my dark hair so then
everyone spent like 10 minutes looking at me then looking at the picture and
then looking at me and then back at the picture. The teacher came in and then
our district leader, Elder Graff immediately goes, '"guess what color Hermana
Gardanier’s hair is?” So then our teacher couldn’t believe it and then the
teachers were talking during lunch and our afternoon teacher came back and told
me he knew about my secret and now basically no one looks at me the same so
that has been my struggle this week...
Elder Covey wanted to take a picture so I could send it to Ryan to show him that we are actually friends.
BUT this week was Easter and it was such a great day! It was so cold and we were freezing the whole day because we are all ready for summer but psych it is fall and winter is coming fast. We had an awesome question and answer thing with Elder Bednar and all of the countries in South America. It was prerecorded but it was way sweet because it was half Spanish half English. I WAS UNDERSTANDING BOTH! That was quite exciting.
Also Elder Graff asked
me to teach a lesson to the district on whatever I wanted for 40 minutes. I was
able to lead a discussion about the atonement and our Savior and that he lives
and it was my favorite thing ever. I love being a missionary and being away
from cell phones and tv and music and everything. I am completely connected to
the spirit and I never want to unplug!
The wave of
missionaries we came with that are Spanish speakers left this week and it was
the saddest thing in the world. So it is literally just our district. 11 of us
here at the mtc right now for the next day. We are about to receive 41 new
missionaries that are all Latino which will be SO good to help me practice
speaking and I’m just pumped.
The night before
everyone left we all gathered in the main area and sang "'para siempre
dios este con vos"" (God Be with You Til We Meet Again). Everyone was
crying and had cameras out and it was so sweet. I am so sad to say bye to all
of those Elders and Hermanas. We have become so close! I can't imagine how
rough it will be in 3 weeks when we leave and our district splits up. It will
be so so sad but so so good.
I heard something this
week that I absolutely LOVED so I thought I would share. Elder Bednar said before
the meeting began, "only God can answer the questions of your soul. So
don't just listen to the words that are said. You'll miss out on the most
important part". I LOVE that because it is so true. A lot of times what
people say will answer your questions, but most of the time it is through the small
promptings that you get, or the inspired thoughts that pop into your mind. God
put those in your mind so don't brush them off. That is a way he is trying to
talk to you. So during conference, and sacrament meetings, and Sunday school,
and seminary, and firesides, and everything, pay attention to what they are
saying, but more importantly pay attention to the thoughts and feelings you
have because that is the language of the spirit.
We were studying goals
and making plans and stuff and we got on the topic of living the gospel.
'"Living the gospel is easy. Not living the gospel is hard.' -Elder Bednar.
I truly find JOY in living the gospel and repenting every day and using the
enabling power of the atonement to be better. I love this gospel and I love
everything about it. If you feel stressed, tired, confused, sad, empty, or in
any way unsure about anything, YOU CAN FEEL PEACE AND joy and love and true
happiness if you just come unto Christ. I promise that nothing in this world
can give you the real happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ does. It is
real and if you haven't felt the reality of our saviors love for you, just ask
him. HE LOVES YOU.
I love it here and I
love spending every moment thinking about other people. I know that life is hard
and that problems come and doubts arise, but I promise the best way to get rid
of those thoughts is to leave yourself and stop thinking about yourself. Serve
someone this week! Life is so good :)
I love you and I hope
you know I am so happy here. I am so safe and no matter what happens, I know
this is the Lords plan. It is perfect. We heard a little bit about the bombing
from this general authority this week.. Elder Allen of the seventy came
yesterday because he is in charge of all of the mtcs and everything missionary
in the world. He is a big deal apparently. He is the one who created The District
and mormon.org and
used to be in charge of all of the media of the church. He spoke to us and it was
sweet and it felt like we were in Provo again hearing from general authorities
in person.
Anyways, it was a
wonderful week and i absolutely love every minute. Don’t worry about me and my
safety, we are so protected and blessed. I love you and I take pictures of your
emails and read them throughout the week. You guys are my rock so thank you for
being so loving.
Con MUCHO amor,
Hermana Gardanier
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