January's nearly done.

Thanks Mom so much!

It was like my birthday all over again when I received the letters. It made
me so happy! I love letters.

I wrote a sticky note of things I wanted to write, but once again I forgot
it. You can just call me the absent-minded missioanry. Thank you so much for
putting the money in. I feel so much better. My companion eats out a lot, I
don't always get things, but sometimes I'm just hungry and I need to eat.
I'll probably be using it the most or it at the end of the month when the
other money runs out.

So, as for your questions. No, I didn't have to pay extra on the plane. It
was exactly 50 pounds. My boots have been life-saving (even though my feet
still get cold). I really don't remember with contacts, I don't think there
was a rebate, but I have switched back to using them. A screw from my
glasses from the internet-placea keeps coming loose no matter how many times
or how tight I tighten it. And I don't even know where a glasses place is.
Maybe I'll look into that this week. Besides it's just easier with contacts,
so I'm glad I ordered a year's supply. Even though she might scold me when I
get back I think I'll just make them stretch for the year and a half. My
eyes are good

We had a baptism last week for Hna Maag and Hna Richards in our ward. There
are three companionships in my ward. The one mentioned above, me and Sis.
Milkanin, and Elder Johnson and Elder Rodriguez. They are so cool. The
baptism was for an 8-year-old girl. Her family is less-active part members.
The Elders also had some people, but they didn't feel ready so they had to
postpone it. It was very nice, though I hope she is able to keep faithful.
The family is really nice, but they don't have a firm foundation in the
gospel. The sisters are trying to help, but sometimes it comes down to their
decision.

We also had a missionary activity. We divided the first lesson up among the
three companionships and taught all who come (mostly members, though there
were some non-members). It went really well. I taught about Christ's
ministry on the earth. Even had a really cool example to show them, too long
to expain. If you really, really want to know it, write and I'll tell you
next week.

Oh, so if you want to see some Elders in my mission go to youtube.com and
type in the name "You raise me up: missionary style." It should be two
missionaries in a car singing to Josh Groban. The one not driving, is
actually Elder Johnson my zone leader (though this was done before) The
other is Elder Glycmier who has already gone home. It's way funny. Tell me
how you like it.

It's been good this week, again better than last week. I am getting along
better with my companion, though we are discouraged at times. We do not have
progressing investigators and hardly ever even teach just the first lesson.
So most of our time is spent tracting and street contacting, which isn't
that effective. Our most effective times is spent working with less-actives
in my area (since we don't have any active members in my area): the Galvez
family and the Ortiz family. My spanish seems to be coming along, I talk
more than I used to, but I still don't feel like I really get the practice
in I need. The other night Sis. Milkanin was talking to some Mexican's about
learning Spanish (because they are all shocked that we speak Spanish) and
they concluded it's just practice, and then he told me I needed to just talk
more. I know it was meant with the best of intentions (he was very nice),
but all I could think was, "I knooow! That's what I am trying to do. But I
don't speak much in English, let alone in Spanish!" I didn't say that, but
it put me on the wrong thinking path, so I had to step back and reevaluate.
It's still coming, slowly, but it's coming. And I keep my hope in the
promises I have received concerning it and my mission.

Don't worry, I'm not discouraged all the time. It's just hard to be working
and working and not see any results. So then I think about what I can do
better, but then I see so many things I could do that I start to get
overwhelmed. So I'm trying to get things done one step at a time. It's good
practice for life, definitely can't be a perfectionist in the mission field.
You won't last, but that doesn't mean you can't continually be improving.
Thanks for everything. I love to hear from you and what you are doing. Keep
the faith, be a member missionary, they need your help.

Much Love,
Erin

P.S. It's been cold, but surprisingly we still haven't had any snow. I
usually wear two layers under my dress. Sometimes, three or four when it
gets really cold. It's great! Love you!

Second week

Hello Mom and Family,

It's great to hear from you and thank you so so much for Ms. Sheehan's email
address! It means a lot.

The second week in New York was about the same as the first except different
(How's that for detail :) ). Well, we do a lot of finding, but now I'm
trying to be more involved. I even picked up a call in spanish and switched
a time for a teaching appointment, all in Spanish! That was scary, phones
scare me even more in Spanish then they do in English. My companion still
does a lot, which I feel bad about. I'm trying, but I need to step up a bit
more. We had a talk yesterday, a DTR in a sense. She feels a lot of weight
from this work and feels she needs more support from me. I felt terrible and
it was very humbling, but I can do it. Besides, I'll never learn until I do.
And I have to do no matter how large my fears are. Thanks for the scripture.
My theme scripture has become D&C I think section 38. Well what is says is
"Open thy mouth and it shall be filled.... open thy mouth and spare not, and
you shall become as Nephi of Old.... Open your mouth and it shall be
filled." So that's what I think whenever I do something I don't think I can.
I say, "Erin, open your mouth and it will be filled." And it has.

We are teaching a lady named Erica. She is Catholic, but basically has no
bible or religious background. We taught the plan of salvation, which was a
lot for her to understand. I pray for her and her progress. She has a
husband and 2 kids, so I pray for her success as well.

Last Saturday, we went on a zone blitz (where all the missionaries in the
zone go to one area to tract) to Mt. Vernon. And then I went on a splits
with Hna Maag, the other greenie. To put it lightly, we were just a bit
terrified to go. Luckily (or maybe unluckily, however you want to look at
it), we were in a English area (I still struggle to understand Spanish). Not
many were interested, most were nice. Though we did have one man tell us
that we were facists and that we were brought to the earth by aliens. I must
say that I had been waiting for an experience like this and I found it
rather comical. He told us that we could find out all about it on channel 10
at 5:00 or was is channel 5 at 10:00. It doesn't really matter.

Well, a couple houses down we were invited in to teach. It was an
interesting experience. They were a group of friends in their 20's who9 were
seventh-day adventists. They wanted to know about are beliefs, but whatever
we taught we were interrupted with supposedly contradicting scriptures from
the bible. And they wanted to know where everything was from the bible. And
I realized, I didn't know. I know the Book of Mormon pretty well, but I'm
lacking in the bible. And I know that we are supposed to bible bash, but
what if some day I do need to know, what if it makes a difference to know.
So I'm doing more studying, finding the doctrinal scriptures both in the
book of mormon and in the bible. It's a work in progress, course I'm still a
work in progress as a missionary so all is well.

I'm doing better today, than I was a week ago today and I expect to be even
better next week. Keep me updated on all you do. I love to hear. And mom,
could you send the emails in the mail now, if it's not too much. It's just
that I have to email the president also. You are great.

And I asked about finances last week but I wasn't very specific. We are
given enough to cover weekly shopping, laundry, and other expenses. The only
thing is going out to eat. We don't go every night, maybe 2 or three times a
week because we are away from the house. Do I have the money to be able to
do that? How much money is in the Wells Fargo account?

Also bedsheet, somehow my fitted sheet, I believe, was left in the mtc.
Lame! Would it be cheaper to have you send me one or just buy one here? I
thought it might be cheaper here. But can you buy just a fitted sheet or do
they only come in sets?

Love you much. Have a fabulous week and keep me in your prayers. I pray for
you too! You are amazing and I love heaing for you.

Love,
Sister Erin Price

1st week in New York

You'll have to give me a break on the details. Writing was never really a
strength, I much better at doing detail work in art than in my writing. And
it was a very long day for me. In fact, in a manner of speaking it has been
a very long week, full of ups and downs.

Surprisingly the weather was really warm when we arrived. What you would
expect in California and there has been no snow on the ground. The last
couple of days have cooled down. The high's now are in the 30's. It snowed
two days ago, but most of it has melted now. My companion, Hermana Milkanin
(yes I know my companions name now) said that two weeks ago it was 0
degrees. So the worst is yet to come. Don't worry, I'll keep you update on
the coldest days and the hottest days.

I've been learning a lot this week, that's it's very overwhelming. I'm
trying to keep my emotions under control, but I do admit that I did lose it
one day and started crying. I just didn't see how I was ever going to be
able to teach, contact, make appointments, call, and do all the missionary
things in Spanish. But don't worry, I have a great companion who is very
supportive. The thing is, I've only been here a week. I'm not expected to be
able to do it all at once. We've made a goal to do take one step at a time.
The thing is with a new language, I feel like I have to relearn to do
everything and it frustrates me daily (sigh). :)

I did receive a huge compliment from a member in my ward (New Rochelle 1st
ward), Mosiah Ramos. They had me get up and introduce myself and bear my
testimony on Sunday. And after church my companion told me that Mosiah had
told her that she had a great companion (that's me!), and that when she
speaks he feels the spirit, and that I had the missionary spirit around me!
It almost made me cry again, but in a happy way. We then had to teach Sunday
School for the teenagers (which Sister Richards and Sister Milkanin did
mostly) and then Sister Milkanin did Primary Song time (I was just there to
help keep the kids in check). It was good.

We have been doing a lot of tracting and finding here in Marmaroneck, NY. We
are reopening the area so have no investigators. It's been an interesting
experience. As of now, I have only taught one sit down sing, pray, teach,
pray lesson, but it went really well. It was with a woman named Jessica. I
even shared the Joseph Smith story, and a why prophets are important (in
Spanish!). I could feel the spirit and I had another witness that this
gospel really is true and that God does live and love us. We have another
appointment with her next week. Other than that we've been teaching quick
lessons in doorways and on the streets. We don't see much fruits of our
efforts yet, but the Lord sees our work.

We have also been doing a lot of less active work. We visit the Galvez
family almost everyday. They are so cool, though they do have their problems
and struggles (I'm seeing more of the real world, then I ever have before).
The mother is Teresa, but I don't understand her Spanish very well. I speak
English to the kids. Jose (19), Abel (15), Alejandra(14), and Lalo(9). I
know Alejandra and Lalo the most. Alejandra wants to be a chef some day and
Lalo a scientist. They are really smart kids. I help them with their
homework sometimes, but mostly we just go and visit to show them they are
loved and to help them come back to church and do the things they need to.
The kids came to church last Sunday, which made me really happy.

Have you been able to find Ms. Sheehan's address? I'll be checking up on
this every week. If I could find it I would. I'll love you forever. Even her
email address (which you could probably get off the school website) would be
great.

I live in the nicest aparment in the Mission, with another companionship.
Hermana Maag (who is a greenie also) and Hermana Richards. Everyone has been
really supportive of each other and Hermana Maag and I have been learning a
lot. This week has been particularly hard because of the jet lag, but I'm
getting into the swing of things.

Hopefully, I've been more specific. I'm not very good at this yet. All of it
is in my mind, so it makes sense to me. Just ask more questions, and I'll
try to answer.

Congratulations Daniel! I bet her could get a scholarship to BYU also. He
just needs to apply for it there, while for BYU-I it's included in the
application. My first year at BYU I didn't realize this so missed the
deadline. He could look up and apply for it though.

I was wondering a bit about my finances though. Hermana Milkanin and I
actually live in a different city than we work, so we can't go back and
have dinner, so we've been eating out quite a bit. I don't think that is
going to work for my entire mission. There are lots of little things, like
paying for meters and it actually costs a bit to send email since we have to
do it at an internet cafe. I'm thinking I will start making sandwiches for
dinner, but I wan't sure if you had any advice. Well, this email is quite
long and I have to get going. I love you lots. Let me know how you are.

Love,
Hna Price

P.S. They have the coolest architecture here and the biggest house I've seen
in my life. I'll have to send you a picture. Love you.

Nueva York, Nueva York Norte!

Hello Family,

Guess what! I'm in New York and you know what is funny, it feels just like
any other place. Actually, I take that back. The streets are a lot narrower
and the buildings a lot higher than in San Diego and they have random old
buildings along the street. I love the architecture here. I'll be meeting
the people soon enough.

I had a long day of traveling. I got up at 1:30 am to be ready by 3:00 to
leave. Then the traveling began, which ended at 2:45 in New York (I think
that is 11:45 in California). And the first thing my mission president and
his assistants said to the 13 new missionaries (5 sisters, 8 elders) after
all the hellos is... "We're going to Bronx to do contacts!" and that's
exactly what we did. So at about 4:00 we arrived in Southern Bronx and
contacted people. I even spoke Spanish, which wasn't nearly as scary as I
thought it would be. It was basically bearing my testimony about the gospel
and the Book of Mormon. I really enjoyed it. I think my next step though is
to initiate the conversation, the other sister did that. But I'm sure I'll
be doing that soon enough.

Before you get too excited about me being in the big city, I'm not. At least
not in Bronx, Manhattan, or Harlem. My first area is actually the city of
Marmaleck (sp ?). And to be honest, I can't remember my new companion's last
name (Give me a small break, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed). She's been
out in the mission for about 6 months and is very nice. We have different
personalities (much more outgoing with much more exaggerations), but that's
just my first impression, so we'll see how the week goes. I think it will
work out well.

My Preparation day is now on Wednesday, so that is when I'll be emailing.
Today, we have spent the day buying and preparing for the week. We were
actually locked out of the apartment for two hours for part of it. I guess
something out of the ordinary has to happen like that your first day.

I rotate from having pits in my stomach to being surprisingly calm. But I've
decided that if I can make it through my mission, I can make it through
anything, and I'm determined to make it through the mission. But don't
misunderstand, I'm really excited to be here and wouldn't be anywhere else.
I love you all so very much. I'll have to send you my mailing address next
week (along with my companion's name), because I don't know it either. Thank
you for your prayers. You are amazing.

Love,
Hermana Price

Happy Birthday to the New Year!

Hola Mamá, Papá y familia!

Yes, this will be the last Tuesday (at the mtc), that I will be able to
email. I received my travel plans last Thursday. I'll be leave Tuesday
morning at 6:00 am, which means I'm to report to the travel office at 3:00
in the morning (oh my!). Surprisingly I'm not that nervous. I think that
will come on the actual day, when I'm in New York and my companion says,
"Ok, it is your turn to talk." Yep, I think I might be nervous then, but
then again, miracles happen.

My companion hasn't received her travel plans yet, so I'm not sure what will
happen to her. Hopefully she will get them this week. Otherwise she might be
here for another week or so.

It's funny that you mention bed bugs because I had a health meeting last
night and that is one of the things they mentioned, bed bugs. Dun, Dun,
DUN!But they have a procedure of using some bug repellent that they Brother
guaranteed would keep any smaller bugs away, and it is 100% natural, even
though it smells differently. He said it is from Chrysanthumums (sp?). Oh,
and my "chiste" last night. The teacher was saying that we actually need to
eat meat because it contains proteins that out body doesn't make (I'm not
sure how the goes with the word of wisdom, I'm still thinking on that), and
that eating only beans does not work because we can produce the same
proteins that beans make. That's when I leaned over to my companion and
said, "That's because we are human beans!" That's when we just about lost it
with laughter. Yes, some say I've been in the mtc too long.

On a more serious note, since I've been in the mtc, I've been praying a lot
about my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I had a testimony before, but I
wanted one that was much stronger, so that when I told the people that the
Book of Mormon was true, they knew that I really meant it. I think I was
waiting for some big revelation to come down on me when I was praying,
testifying it was true (and I have had small experience, but nothing like I
thought would happen). But what happened was yesterday, at a meeting we were
talking about the Book of Mormon, and suddenly I realized that I did have a
testimony. It wasn't that I gained the testimony right then, only that right
then I realized how much it had grown. I marvel sometimes how plain the
scriptures can be, and yet I really don't understand them. I could cite you
the scripture that we learn line upon line, precept upon precept, and I yet
I feel like I'm really starting to understand it. The more you learn, the
more you realize you don't know. But at the same time, the more you want to
know and the more the Holy Spirit reveals. It's a fantastic spiral!

Thanks for the letter Dad. It helped a lot, as does all your letters. I love
hearing from you. I've been doing well and setting goals and preparing
myself to leave in a week (mentally and spiritually). I'll check my email
later on the afternoon, to see if you have written, (that's not an
obligation, just in case you want too since I won't see it next week). Love
you all and Happy New Year!

Love,
Hermana Price

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