Fw: Merry Christmas: Take two

Ok, I'm back!

I've been thinking about you all today. I thought, hmm... right now they
would be opening packages, and hmmm.... right now they would be cleaning for
the fodd.. and hmmm I think right now they would be eating the scones. But
don't worry, there is a tinge of homesickness, but it's not bad, not that I
don't miss you, more that I know I should be here and this was my decision,
so I'm moving forward.

Elder Perry came this morning and spoke to us. It was very good, he spoke
about how we need to bring the gospel to first our own people (family,
heritage, place) and then to the world. Well, I get to do both at the same
time, bring the gospel and my testimony to my family and the world.

This week, I've been thinking a lot about the Lord and his power. Because I
often want to be able to do things myself, and yet I can't do this work by
myself. I need to have the Lord. You are probably familiar with the
scripture, but it has brought about a new meaning in my life, "Trust in the
Lord with all they heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all
thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." I think here in the
mtc has helped me understand even more how important that is. And even
though it's very hard sometimes to learn, I am grateful for it. And places
in my heart continue to be filled.

It snowed last night, so we woke up to a white Christmas. It's beautiful,
though cold. I did recieve your package, but I haven't had the chance to
open it. But I was so happy to get it, and I've been happy all day.

I had a experience the last day, where I thought, "Wow, I'm truly becoming a
missionary." I thought about how Jarom was able to watch a disney movie in
his mission and wondered if I was going to be able to watch one and I
thought, "I think I'd rather go study the scriptures, then watch a movie!"
Personal study time is one of my favorite times now. I'm learning much and
my testimony continues to grow. The days sometimes seem so long and yet as I
look back, I don't think I would change it. I'm being shaped into someone
new.

I did switch districts this week and am in the advanced. In some respects
that scares me because I'm not advanced Spanish, and I don't get quite the
practice I want in Spanish (because they don't do grammar or practicing
because they all know it), but I have been talking a bit more in Spanish and
trying hard. I have a new companion to, Hermana Peña. She's from San Diego
(Imperial Beach) too and going to New York, New York North as well. There is
also an elder in my district going to the same mission, and I met another
sister (in beginning spanish) as well. So in total that I know of, there are
4 people leaving on the same day for New York. How exciting. Only 2 weeks
left! I get to teach the first lesson in Spanish twice this week in the TRC,
I'm almost better at doing it in Spanish then in English because I really
have to think and plan out what I want to say so that it is simple and makes
sense. I'll be pro by the end of my mission.

Ok, you have received an extra long email today and I'll probably be writing
you another letter too. I love you all and am so glad to hear from everyone.
Daniel, how's the eagle project going? Rachelle, anything new in High
School? Ammon, are you doing another play at Flying Hills? Mom, Dad, how's
the yard coming?

Know that I love you all so very much! Don't worry mom, I'll be back in no
time to enjoy Christmas with the family. Le quiero.

Con Amor,
Hermana Price

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Family!

or maybe more appropriately for me, FELIZ NAVIDAD! Today has been an
interesting day so far. I work up at 6:30 as usual and then came down to do
laundry. I know laundry on Christmas, but it is my preparation day, so it
must be done.

Last night we had a Christmas Eve devotional entitled, "The Best Gifts: The
Gifts of the Heart" and you know what. That is so true. The mentioned a
story about a lonely miserable Christmas for one Elder who was in the
mission field. It had started out so horrible, but through prayer and the
Christmas story he said he felt the most inward happiness he had ever felt.
Too bad I don't have time to go into the details, but I really like what he
said; He felt the most inward happiness. Many times we think happiness comes
from outward things, from things, from cards, from gifts, but the truest
happiness comes from within, from the Savior's love and a testimony of him.
This is happiness. So today, I challenge you to take some time and think
about the Savior, about his birth, and pray to gain a greater testimony in
this and feel that inward happiness, that fills the empty places of our
hearts.

Somebody told me here that part of my job as a missionary was to fill those
empty places in their hearts that people didn't even know they had. But I
think always have those empty places are never completely filled. We may
think they are, but then we experience more of the Savior's love, more of
God's love, and more of the spirit (and personal sanctification) and we
realize that we were missing something. So never stop reading, pondering,
and searching after God because he is the source of all true happiness.

I did receive the package. I opened the package from Kirstin last night!
Thanks Christmas, love the socks and gummy bears. I wore them last
night..... but now I'm going to take my laundry out. I'll have to finish the
letter in a little bit. So you can wait with excited anticipation for the
next installment. Love you.

Erin

Happy December 18th

Hola Familia-

Another week done at the mtc and only three more to go. This week I move
districts. I am joining an advanced group that enters tomorrow. One of the
Hermanas is even going to my mission! Which I am excited about because now I
don't have to travel to New York alone. (We'll even leave on the same day).

I won't lie, this past week has been a hard for me. The language is coming
along, but I don't feel nearly as prepared as I would like to. I gave my
first lesson in Spanish on Friday, which actually went pretty well. But when
I practiced the second lesson yesterday, it was stumble here stumble there.
Oh man! More practicing for me. I did have a thought the other day that I
want to share:

On Sunday, the BYU men's chorus came to sing to the mtc missionaries and
during the middle of it I thought back to my years in Flying Hills. And I
remember once when I was performing and suddenly I felt nauseous. So at the
end of the song, I walked off stage until the feeling went away. It was a
random thought, but as I was thinking more about it, I thought about how far
I had come since 5th grade. It seems so long ago, what is it? 11 years now?
Back then 21 seemed so old, and my biggest fear was not knowing how to buy
lunch at school. And yet there were things I thought I could never do, that
I did. I can see the Lord's hand in my life. I know because I think I would
have given up on myself, but with him I've made it through. All I've become
he has helped me become.

And I thought, it's the same for my mission. Here I am, on a definitely new
journey and feeling so inadequate. And yet I can see myself at the end of
the mission looking back and thinking, "Wow, I made it through. The things I
thought I could never do I did. It wasn't always easy, in fact it was down
right hard, but I made it through and it was so very much worth." The Lord
will help me through. I forget that sometimes, but here I know that I won't
make it through without his help. I've seen his help all through my life,
and I know that he will continue to help me here. So I do try to stay
positive, and find ways to laugh and serve.

Despite my fear of the language I am so excited to go to New York! It's
strange to think that I only have three weeks left. I miss you and hope you
are well. Don't worry, I think I'll make it through Christmas. It can't be
too much harder than Thanksgiving ;). I love to hear from you, thanks for
all you letters, prayers, and support.

Love,
Hermana Price

Letter 12/11/07

Hola Familia,

I made a list of things that I wanted to write you, but then I forgot it. It
is still sitting on my desk in my room. Hopefully, I can remember it all.

First, would you be able to find Ms. Sheehan's address or email address. I
was thinking about her the other day and want to keep in touch. I don't know
if we still have her address in the address book, or if you could find the
email address on the internet. But if you could I would really, really
appreciate it.

This week I was called to be the Coordinating Sister in the branch. I'm not
completely sure of all my responsibilities, but it does include watching
over and helping the other sisters. I thought it interesting that it came
because at times I feel so overwhelmed myself that I wonder how I will be
able to help others. But I have already seen a bit that as I help others my
concerns seem to diminish. Funny how that works. That's why we need to lose
ourselves in the work.

I believe my spanish is improving. It's hard to tell sometimes, but I
continue to talk (or try to talk) in Spanish. This week will be my first
week teaching entirely in Spanish. I've practiced a couple of principles on
some other sisters here in the mtc and it wasn't as hard as I thought it
would be. It wasn't a cake walk either, but I'm learning.

Yesterday, we had family night here at the mtc and for part of it we watched
a talk by Elder Bednar and he said, "I expect you to take notes, but the
guideline is that you can't write down anything that I say." He then
explained that it is the spirit that will let us know what we need to
improve and it is to him that we should listen. Honestly, I must say that I
didn't think I would get any revelation, I'd never noticed much before. But
as I listened to him, thoughts came to me on how I can improve, which were
sometimes very different than what he was saying. I've decided this is when
my study journal becomes personal and this is when I want to review it,
because it deals precisely to me and has real meaning to me. The Spirit does
testify to us, and does guide us, but we must be still and seek it's
companionship. One thing I did feel was that though I am alone in the class,
I am not unrecognized and the Lord is watching over me.

Love you all, Glad you are well. I received the package the other day. I
love it! It made me Christmas day. Thank you for the cookies, and figurine,
and my cards. Love you much.

Hermana Price

This note is for Jarom: Jarom, funny you should say that because I had
decided last week to write you this week, no joke. So you can expect a
letter.

Letter sent 12/4/07

Buenos Días Mamá! Y Buenos Días mi famila,

Si es Martes, y me gusta mucho. Life is ever much the same here. I go to class, go to breakfast, go to class, go to lunch, go to class, go to dinner, go to class, go to bed. Well, I guess I must confess that there is so variety in there. For example I have gym 5 times a week, I practice teaching others, and I have MDT (missionary-directed time) where I can do the things I want that relate to the language or the gospel.

And I've had some miracles happen. I'm now nearly a month into my mission and I have woken up everyday by 6:30, I can now take a shower and get ready in less than a half an hour. Iam learning to speak spanish (even if the process is a bit slow and frustrating at times), but I'm less and less afraid to speak. I appreciate your prayers and your support.
Part of me can't wait to get out into the field though because I don't think I will really learn spanish, or really learn how to teach, or really learn how to be directed by the spirit until I am completely immersed in it. I know that it's not easier out in the field and this is great time to prepare, but I don't think I will ever feel completely ready for something like this. I need the experience.

Here's the scripture I've been thinking about this week, it's one many people know, but I wonder if we really understand the importance of it in our life. Juan 3:16-17 (I believe those are the right vs.) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son" that whosoever would believe on him might not perish, but have everlasting life. How great a love this is! How great he must care for his souls, that he allowed his only Begotten son to suffer and die, so that all of us could return to him. And Christ's love for us, "No greater love hath man than this, then he lay down his life for his friend." Que Bueno!

Time is short, but I am well. I love you all familia. Sounds like you are having a busy good time. Keep me updated on all that takes place.

Love, Hermana Price

P.S. It snowed this week, but my camera isn't working. I bought a disposable (I'm thinking it's probably a blessing that I don't have an "expensive" camera for New York), but I can't develop the pictures until I finish taking the roll. Sorry :(. I'll send some more as soon as I can. And the glasses are working great. Thanks!

Letter written 11/22/2007

To My Family!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you are having a grand time and though I do miss home at times I also know that this where I should be.

On this great day of Thanksgiving I got up as usual at 6:30 and had companionship study, then breakfast, then personal study as usual, but then we (as missionaries) had devotional in place of usual class and guess who came... Elder Holland! He gave such an inspirational talk, that lasted 1 hour 45 minutes, but didn't seem long at all. Let me give you some highlights:

• Be devoted to your mission and have the gospel embedded deep in your heart. Preach my Gospel actually came about because the President was thinking about missionaries who came home and lost the spirit of the mission and the spirit of the gospel. Preach My Gospel is just as much for us as it is for the investigators because aren't we all God's investigators? And that we need to know the gospel well enough so that we can address the need, the individual need of the person.

Before the talk though, we sang prelude hymns and while we were singing I truly felt that there were angels there singing along with us. The promise in D&C 84:88 is true. We are not alone as we do the Lord's work.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Actually that was lunch, dinner is sack lunches, but I don't mind.

Tonight we have a Humanitarian Project. We are making first aid kits. They will be held in reserve until a disaster comes, but they seem to come much more often than we would like to think about.

Tomorrow it's back to work as usual. I'll be teaching Lesson 1 in Preach My Gospel again in English. It's so wonderful that we get to practice first, at least I like it, to help build up confidence.

It doesn't look like anybody else is going to be moving up from beginning class to join my class. So I'm solo for the next month or so. I sometimes join other classes during our study time though. So I'm not completely alone. And like I said before, angels are always with us.

I love all of you so much. You are great! Remember to share the gospel, and be not afraid. This is glad news, how can we keep it from others? I can't wait until I actually get out in the field and see the gospel change lives! Pray always and have patience, love, and hope. You are the greatest family in the world.

Hermana Price

What a week! part two (email received 11/27/2007)

Hola Familia,

I received all your letters yesterday. I think I'm pretty safe in saying that I win for the most letters received in one day, and I got my a package too (with my glasses, which I am sporting right now). But luckily this isn't a competition. I read all the letters last night and enjoyed them most thoroughly (spelling? one of the side affects of all this spanish is that I'm forgetting english).

I had a cool experience at the RC last Saturday. The RC is the Referral Center where people can call about advertisments they saw on tv or the pass along cards and receive free Books of Mormon, or Bibles, or church DVD's, or just to have missionaries come by. Well, I was making a confirmation call a man to see if missionaries had been able to visit him yet. What ensued was a 30 minute conversation about the gospel. He asked so many questions from why the elders wear suits, to if we believed in the Trinity, to Heaven and Hell. Some things I could explain, others I struggled with. (Rachelle, I want you to know that explaining the gospel can be hard sometimes, since we grew up with it and are familiar with it. I still struggle doing it, I actually have lessons on simplifying the gospel so others understand. They are new concepts for them. The best thing to do is to bear your testimony and keep it simple. Pray for the spirit as you do. I'm so happy that you get the opportunity to share the gospel to others!) I think the spirit was strongest when I was testifying to him that God lives, and loves each one of us and is watching over us no matter our color, and that salvation and this gospel was meant for everyone. He was from south, so I think he had some apprehensions about going to church (which I invited him to do) and being rejected. I'm still praying today for him, the missionaries who are teaching him, and for the people that are there.

I saw for the first time this week, myself being able to teach and speak in Spanish. I still have a lot to learn and struggle with the language (who doesn't though), but for three weeks I'm not doing too bad. Sometimes it's hard because I feel like a little kid again, struggling to say the simplest things. But I do believe that we receive the gift of tongues not only as we work hard, but as we testify. I find my days are better when I have shared my testimony to others in Spanish. I understand more and the Spirit is with me. El Evangelio es verdadero en cualaquiera idioma hablamos (Trans: The gospel is true in whatever language we speak). I love it! I feel very humbled at times at my inadequecies, but I'm learning to trust the Lord.

Do I sound like a missionary yet?

Mom, about my spanish cards, you don't have to send them until the next package. It's not critical I have them, just helpful. I still have plenty of words here that they are giving me. I love you all so very much. Thanks for your encouraging words, the help me probably more than you know. You are one amazing family.

Love,

Hermana Price

Week 2 in the MTC (email received 11/20/2007)

I'm not sure if I will be able to remember and answer all the questions, but I will try.

The mtc has been a new experience for me. We have speakers all the time that are so inspirational. They also have some good ones on tape. Last week, I was having rather a hard day (being frustrated with Spanish) and my teacher showed a talk given by Elder Holland called the Miracle of a Mission. In the message, he clearly and animatedly said, "Never give up! Do not go home! My mission meant everything to me. If you go home it will ruin your life!" Pretty powerful, huh.

My emotions tend to go up and down. Some days I'll be excited about Spanish and teaching the gospel, while other days I wonder if I can ever do this. I think I've been praying here like I've never done before and I have felt the Lord's hand and his Spirit. I found a scripture (sorry I can't remember the reference) that said to look forward to the fruit of your labor, with patience and faith. So that is what I am really working on this week, being patient with myself and having faith that the Lord will keep his promises. (Dad's note: possible scripture reference Alma 32:41-43)

I do enjoy the mtc. I'm learning how to teach and about the gospel (though I must say that most of it right now is review), but I do learn new things and come to understand each doctrine better and how they all connect. I taught my first lesson in the TRC this last Friday. I had to talk to the volunteer in Spanish and set up an appointment for "later." It wasn't so bad. The lesson was in English and went well, I even did it with minimal notes. I'm so excited now, to be able to know the doctrine well enough that I can teach without notes and instead be guided by the spirit. That's one of my goals for the mission.

My companion is very nice. Hermana Silva, she will be going to the Provo, Utah mission. She understands a lot of Spanish because her parents are Cuban and Puerto Rican, but she never learned to speak it. In her words, she was a rebellious child. She has a great love for the Lord and is a great example to me.

I did meet an elder who was going to the same mission as me last week, but he left that week too. A couple who were going to the New York, New York South, but as far as I know, I'm the only Spanish speaking sister who is going to the New York, New York North. The other day I met an elder who was from New York City and he showed me some pictures of it. It looked quite colorful with all the graffitti :). It was kind of cool to me (being somewhat of an artist) to see, but I guess it is against the law to do those sort of things. But I have a feeling that I'm going to love New York. I will definitely have to send you pictures when I get there.

I haven't been able to send any pictures yet because my batteries don't work. It's very tempermental, when it does work I can only get 1 or 2 pictures out of it, even though the batteries are fully charged. I'll have to buy some different ones.

I did receive the package yesterday and your letters. I love hearing from you and am glad to hear your prayers. I have a lot to learn and all faith from family is appreciated.

Oh, something fun. I play volleyball during gym time, which is so much fun in itself. But what's even better is that because I can do decent serves and I dive for the ball everyone once in a while, people think I'm amazing!I love you all and pray for you as well. Thank you for all your prayers.

Love,
Hermana Price

First week in the MTC

Hola Famila,

Are you surprised to hear from me through email. Apparently they have it now, they just haven't updated the books. The one catch is that I can only check it on Tuesdays and I only have 30 minutes. So I would still appreciate any letters you can send through the mail. Because I can read those at night any day. It is PO Box 100.

It has definitely been a new experience for me. Pero me encanta el mtc, it is so uplifting and spiritual. The first day I came here I found out that I was a solo sister, which means that my companion is in a different district (or different class). But not only am I a solo sister, but I'm also the only one in my class, so I get a lot of attention from my two teachers. Hermano Ezpinoza (He's from Mexico) and Hermana Cochrane.

I was quite overwhelmed my first day. Since I was the only one who came in that was intermediate spanish, I was introduced to the mtc with a group of elders that speak fluent spanish and I didn't understand a word they were saying. Thankfully, I understand much more already. Almost everything... if they speak slow and use basic words. But everyone is so encouraging and nice.

Yesterday I had a zone meeting and my zone learned some spanish grammar. That wasn't too hard, I already knew the concept, but then we had a gospel section about doing street contacts. And they had us practice, so I was put into a companionship (my companion was not there) and we practiced doing street contacts in spanish! (the teachers pretended to be people on the street). At the first one I literally froze and my companion did all the talking, until she prompted me at the end, "Ask for his address." I stared blankly at her for a moment, but regained enough composure to ask him for his address and when we could come by to "teach him." She had me start the second and third one, but after getting so far I froze again and she had to pick up the slack. I am happy to say that by the last one I did alright, though I had to switch back to English to finish the contact.

I am sleeping well at night and getting used to the early mornings. Sometimes I get frustrated (already) that my spanish isn't fluent, but I keep reminding myself that I need to be patient and work hard. I am playing a game with some elders called nativo, where if you pick the nativo slip of paper you can only speak spanish the next day. It was our first time doing this and I was the lucky one to get nativo. So I haven't said very much yet today, but I'm trying. I'm also practicing bearing my testimony in Spanish, so today I want to practice on you.

Yo se que JesuCristo is my Salvador y que El murio por mi. Yo se que Dios y JesuCristo viven y me aman y se ama. Yo se que Dios llamo un profeta y el profeta hoy es el presidente Gordon B Hinckly. Yo se que familias son eternos. Digo estos en el nombre de JesusCristo. Amen.

The time left is short, but I want you to know that I love you and feel your love even here. Know that I am well and that I am enjoying myself, but also working hard. They dont' waste time here at the mtc. I only have a 25 minutes to shower and get ready for the day! But I am on the Lord's time and I am here to learn and work.

Also, I think I forgot my debit card. I haven't finished unpacking completely, but I'm not sure where it is. Could you please keep your eyes open for it. It is the gold card. Don't panic though. Remember Mom, everything can be resolved.

Love you,

Hermana Price