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!