Hola!
This week has been pretty amazing a little crazy but really good. Easter was on Sunday (which you know of course). Sacrament was fantastic, our sacrament meetings are always on one of the 4 principles of the gospel this week was the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Brother and Sister Willes spoke and mainly focused on enduring to the end but they talked about the atonement in the mean time too. I could really feel the spirit through out the day as I tried my hardest to remember what day it was and the importance of not only the atonement but the resurrection. It's such a blessing to know that because of what Christ did I can be forgiven of my sins, and be perfected in him so that I can live with my father again once more. It's also great to think of the resurrection and know that we ALL have that gift and will have perfected bodies. I love my brother Jesus Christ so much. Saturday night Hermana Verwer has us write a letter she specifically said to think of him as our brother and to write to him as such. Later on Sunday I had a little interview with Bro. Willes just a little update interview to see how everything is going. It was so great. While we were talking the spirit told him things about me and my character that he later shared with me. He hit it right on the head. He gave me some really great compliments and I loved it so much.
Our fireside Sunday night was by Stephen B. Allen (again). He showed us a lot of different little mormon commercials with one liners at the end. One of them ended with "sharing is the icing on the cake" I just about cried as I remembered how I used to be called the icing on the cake in our family. At the fireside the musical number was an Elder from Hungary that played the organ. I think he was just showing off. jk. He was SOOO good though. After he finished Stephen B. Allen asked him if he knew another song and asked him to play it. The first verse of the song was played with just the pedals. It was so crazy. He got a standing ovation afterwards.
I met an Elder that's from Santiago and we just talked for a little bit. It was such a cool experience. He doesn't know much english and I don't know much spanish but we were able to communicate and have a full conversation. He told me some things about Santiago, especially the mountains :) and it made me so excited to get down there.
Sister Beus and Sister Holland are leaving today in about 20 minutes actually. I love them and I'm going to miss them. I plan on writing them still and hopefully when we all get home we can get together and share experiences.
Since Monday there have been so many changes to the MTC. Everyones schedule changed. Someone came into our room and explained as like changing the schedule for a whole city. That's the best way to describe it. I think I actually like it a lot more though, I have a lot more time for personal study which I really like. All of my time is scheduled and planned out it may not sound too great but it really is. They are also remodeling the kitchen (not the cafeteria) so half of the kitchen is closed and we only have like one or two options of what to eat for each meal. Luckily I have a lot of food stocked up in my room. My district got a new teacher, Hermano Bielamowicz. We just call him Hermano B. He used to teach another district in our zone. So I no longer have Hermana Verwer, I miss her but I'm really liking Hermano B. I love his way of teaching it's totally different but he gets us to really think as he asks a lot of simple questions looked for in depth answers.
Last night I was writing in my journal and I took my name tag off and put it in front of me. I looked at it and I was just SO HAPPY. I loved seeing it. I love what I'm doing and who I'm doing it for.
Until next week.
I love you all.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Week 4
Hola!
Each week our branch pres. gives us a topic to prepare a talk on and then on Sunday during sacrament meeting he chooses who will speak. Last week our topic was repentance, and yes you have to write it in spanish. I started to write a talk in English and then I was going to translate it. While writing I had a completely different idea come to me about relating my celiac disease to repentance. I had no idea how I would write that in spanish. I stopped writing cause I got the feeling that he wouldn't even call on me. Usually I get a feeling in advance about those sort of things. We had a whole district leaving, and our zone leaders were in that district. I thought for sure he would have them speak. So at 11:30 Saturday night all the other hermanas were up writing their talks while I was asleep in my bed with absolutely nothing written in english or spanish. We went to sacrament meeting on Sunday and they announced the speakers. Yep I had to speak! Ironic! As I went up I asked the branch pres. if I could speak in English. He said do as much as you can in Spanish. What did I do... I gave my whole talk in english except for en el nombre de jesucristo amen. It was pretty hilarious. At least my talk was good in English but I felt really bad I didn't speak in spanish. I tried to bear my testimony at the end in Spanish but all the spanish I had learned had completely left me. haha. Yeah it was pretty funny. When they said my name all the hermanas and I were laughing and trying not to actually burst out laughing. It's over now but I hope I have another opportunity to redeem myself. I haven't been focusing a lot on my spanish because I know that is the one thing I will have no problem learning in Chile. While I'm in the MTC I want to take advantage of all the opportunities I have to learn the doctrine and how to teach. They're switching some things up here in the next couple weeks. My zone gets to take part in a pilot program that's starting on Sunday. I'm not sure what it is yet all I know is it's a computer program to help us learn more doctrine.
I have been sick the past couple of days. I think it's just a cold but my sinuses haven't really been effected. I woke up yesterday with no energy and no voice. I rested a lot yesterday. I only went to class during the time I had a teacher and the rest of the time I was in my room sleeping. I've also been taking advantage of my P-Day and resting today. Since I've been resting I haven't wrote any letters but I hope you can forgive me for that.
I love you all so much and miss you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!! I hope you really enjoyed your cupcakes they look really good.
Hna. Howe
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Week 3 in the MTC
!Hola familia y amigos!
Wow I've been here three weeks now. That is pretty crazy!! All the people that came into the MTC the same day as me and are serving english are already leaving to the mission field. Yes Steve I have now been in the MTC longer than you were. This week was awesome!! Mainly because of conference. I loved it! It was so spiritually uplifting. There are so many great things and not enough time. I loved watching all the session and the missionaries were able to watch the documentary on the MTC. It really cool going on a mission I leave my things of the world behind (ex. computer, cell phone, tv. etc.) but the thing is that on missions it's not that we don't use those things it just that we use them for a better purpose. I still use the computer everyday but instead it's to help me learn a language or study up on gospel topics. Each Sunday we watch a movie but they're only church movies. It's awesome to use all of these technologies for righteous purposes. My time here at the MTC has been pretty amazing over all. I have been having so much fun with my district. The elders are always making jokes. One of the sisters in my room got a package from some creepy older guy in her ward. It contained the wierdest things. like used pens, expired power bars and best of all a gardening shovel. It was really weird but also REALLY funny. In our TRC this week we had to teach about the Plan of Salvation. It is such an amazing plan and I feel so blessed to know all I do about it. It is really hard to teach though, especially in 30-45 minutes. The spirit of TRC really is amazing and i can only imagine that when teaching a real investigator that the spirit is going to be stronger. I really feel bad that
I don't have much to talk about this week other than conference not much happened.
I
love you all so very much!!! and miss all of you!!
Until next week
Hna. Howe
Wow I've been here three weeks now. That is pretty crazy!! All the people that came into the MTC the same day as me and are serving english are already leaving to the mission field. Yes Steve I have now been in the MTC longer than you were. This week was awesome!! Mainly because of conference. I loved it! It was so spiritually uplifting. There are so many great things and not enough time. I loved watching all the session and the missionaries were able to watch the documentary on the MTC. It really cool going on a mission I leave my things of the world behind (ex. computer, cell phone, tv. etc.) but the thing is that on missions it's not that we don't use those things it just that we use them for a better purpose. I still use the computer everyday but instead it's to help me learn a language or study up on gospel topics. Each Sunday we watch a movie but they're only church movies. It's awesome to use all of these technologies for righteous purposes. My time here at the MTC has been pretty amazing over all. I have been having so much fun with my district. The elders are always making jokes. One of the sisters in my room got a package from some creepy older guy in her ward. It contained the wierdest things. like used pens, expired power bars and best of all a gardening shovel. It was really weird but also REALLY funny. In our TRC this week we had to teach about the Plan of Salvation. It is such an amazing plan and I feel so blessed to know all I do about it. It is really hard to teach though, especially in 30-45 minutes. The spirit of TRC really is amazing and i can only imagine that when teaching a real investigator that the spirit is going to be stronger. I really feel bad that
I don't have much to talk about this week other than conference not much happened.
I
love you all so very much!!! and miss all of you!!
Until next week
Hna. Howe
My District in the MTC
(from left to right) Elders Larson, Hauver, Wood, Davis, Burge, Noltein front Hermanas Howe (Me), Kitto, Van Patten, Steinmetz
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Week 2 in the MTC
March 29, 2011
Hola!
I have been here two weeks now! Crazy!! It actually feels like I've been here a lot longer. I still have 7 more weeks to go at the MTC and good thing cause I feel like I don't know anything.
I thought I would just let you know what a day in my life is like right now. I know that the MTC show will be on during the sessions of conference on Sunday and you'll get a good glimpse at it then. A regular day for me goes like this.
Wake up at 6:30, it comes early but I'm getting used to it. It's really not too bad.
I have to be into my classroom by 7:00 for personal study. I love that time and I wish it was longer.
I head to breakfast at 7:45. Breakfast actually isn't too bad but it seems to be the same thing everyday.
I have gym at 8:25 until 9:15. I enjoy gym and they have a lot of different things you can do. They have a record board on one of the walls. One of the elders from my zone that just left holds the record for sit ups at over 1300!! yes in a row! it's insane!! One of my zone leaders holds the record for soccer ball juggles at 1812 that's pretty crazy too!
After gym we have a little bit of time to get ready and then we go to class by 9:45. My morning classes are usually with Hermano Law and it goes until 12:30 we go over several different things. Language, gosple topics, PMG lessons, and many other things.
I then have lunch at 12:30 until 1:15
from 1:15 until 2:30 I have what is called MDT (missionary directed time) during this time I can finish my hour of personal study, do companion study or language study. Then at 2:30 I have class usually with Hermana Verwer. She's a wonderful teacher and I always feel the spirit in her classes. We have class until 5:30.
Dinner is from 5:30 until 6:15
then back to to classroom it is. I have more MDT time from 6:15 until 9:00.
9:00-9:30 is planning time. During this time I sit down with my companion and we plan what we are going to do and study the next day.
After that I return to my roon and get ready for be.
Quiet time starts at 10:15 (supposedly) I don't think my room has been quite after 10:15 once since I've been here.
Then bed time at 10:30.
Most of my day is spent in the classroom either learning from a teacher or studying. One of the sayings around here is days go by like weeks and weeks go by like days. It's so true the day's are so long but the weeks fly by. Good thing I have an awesome district, compaion, and roomates. I really laugh so much in a day. I've told my companion a few times that I wouldn't be surprised if i get a six pack from all the laughing.
Recently we've started to teach investigators (they are actually our teachers but they play the role of an investigator they had on their mission). Right know my companion and I are teaching Jason we've only taught him one lesson but we did really well and I can't wait to teach him another.
Alright time is up.
Hermana Howe
Hola!
I have been here two weeks now! Crazy!! It actually feels like I've been here a lot longer. I still have 7 more weeks to go at the MTC and good thing cause I feel like I don't know anything.
I thought I would just let you know what a day in my life is like right now. I know that the MTC show will be on during the sessions of conference on Sunday and you'll get a good glimpse at it then. A regular day for me goes like this.
Wake up at 6:30, it comes early but I'm getting used to it. It's really not too bad.
I have to be into my classroom by 7:00 for personal study. I love that time and I wish it was longer.
I head to breakfast at 7:45. Breakfast actually isn't too bad but it seems to be the same thing everyday.
I have gym at 8:25 until 9:15. I enjoy gym and they have a lot of different things you can do. They have a record board on one of the walls. One of the elders from my zone that just left holds the record for sit ups at over 1300!! yes in a row! it's insane!! One of my zone leaders holds the record for soccer ball juggles at 1812 that's pretty crazy too!
After gym we have a little bit of time to get ready and then we go to class by 9:45. My morning classes are usually with Hermano Law and it goes until 12:30 we go over several different things. Language, gosple topics, PMG lessons, and many other things.
I then have lunch at 12:30 until 1:15
from 1:15 until 2:30 I have what is called MDT (missionary directed time) during this time I can finish my hour of personal study, do companion study or language study. Then at 2:30 I have class usually with Hermana Verwer. She's a wonderful teacher and I always feel the spirit in her classes. We have class until 5:30.
Dinner is from 5:30 until 6:15
then back to to classroom it is. I have more MDT time from 6:15 until 9:00.
9:00-9:30 is planning time. During this time I sit down with my companion and we plan what we are going to do and study the next day.
After that I return to my roon and get ready for be.
Quiet time starts at 10:15 (supposedly) I don't think my room has been quite after 10:15 once since I've been here.
Then bed time at 10:30.
Most of my day is spent in the classroom either learning from a teacher or studying. One of the sayings around here is days go by like weeks and weeks go by like days. It's so true the day's are so long but the weeks fly by. Good thing I have an awesome district, compaion, and roomates. I really laugh so much in a day. I've told my companion a few times that I wouldn't be surprised if i get a six pack from all the laughing.
Recently we've started to teach investigators (they are actually our teachers but they play the role of an investigator they had on their mission). Right know my companion and I are teaching Jason we've only taught him one lesson but we did really well and I can't wait to teach him another.
Alright time is up.
Hermana Howe
Week 1 First Letter Home
March 22, 2011
To family, and friends.
Wednesday after drop off I was greeted at the MTC was shown where I would be living and then taken to my classroom where I met my companion Hermana Kitto (like Kiddo).
I was in class most of Wednesday until night time when I returned to my room. My class is my district. We have 6 elders and 4 sisters. All of us are going to Chile but in different areas. I am the only one going to Santiago the others are going to Concepcion, Osorno, and Rancagua. I have so much fun with my district in class. We are always laughing while learning it is a great environment. My teachers are Hermano Law and Hermana Verwer. Both of them served their missions in Chile so they are able to give us some information specific to Chileans. I have already learned so much Spanish. I just hope and can continue to learn and quickly too. I think the one thing that will hold me back from being able to teach is learning the language.
I share a room with my companion and 4 other sisters. We also have a lot of fun and unfortunately rarely get to sleep at 10:30. We're usually talking in our beds for a little bit afterwards. The few days last week were great but very stressful. As a new missionary there is so much to learn and orient yourself with in those first few days. When missionaries find out your new to the MTC they say just make it till Sunday and you'll be fine. It's so true Saturday was crazy I felt overwhelmed and pretty stressed but as it came to Sunday everything calmed down. Sunday's are awesome. There is such a wonderful spirit. There are so many meetings and in all of them the spirit is felt so enormously.
Today (Tuesday) is my P-day it is already my favorite day of the week. Not only that but on Tuesday nights there is a devotional with a general authority. I don't know who it is they usually don't tell you. Also today I got to eat lunch with the MTC president. Pres. Brown. he cam and sat down by my district and started talking to us and getting to know us. He scared me pretty bad though cause he asked us if we wanted to speak at mission conference on Sunday. I hesitatingly said sure I won't pass on a opportunity to speak, how could you say no to the MTC pres anyway. Luckily he was just joking and I don't have to talk.
I went to the temple today. I love that place and always loving the peace that is there. I have had so many great experiences here, one of which was the TRC yesterday. It's a place where you go to to teach investigator's most of which are volunteers. I was really nervous before. We had to introduce ourselves and get to know them in Spanish. Luckily I have a companion who's spanish is much better than mine. When we went back in to teach him the lesson I think he taught us more. We were teaching him and he was telling us about his experiences. He brought such a great spirit and I loved what he said.
I'm out of time. I'll write to you next week and mom look for an extensive letter coming in the mail.
I love and miss you all.
Hermana Howe.
To family, and friends.
Wednesday after drop off I was greeted at the MTC was shown where I would be living and then taken to my classroom where I met my companion Hermana Kitto (like Kiddo).
I was in class most of Wednesday until night time when I returned to my room. My class is my district. We have 6 elders and 4 sisters. All of us are going to Chile but in different areas. I am the only one going to Santiago the others are going to Concepcion, Osorno, and Rancagua. I have so much fun with my district in class. We are always laughing while learning it is a great environment. My teachers are Hermano Law and Hermana Verwer. Both of them served their missions in Chile so they are able to give us some information specific to Chileans. I have already learned so much Spanish. I just hope and can continue to learn and quickly too. I think the one thing that will hold me back from being able to teach is learning the language.
I share a room with my companion and 4 other sisters. We also have a lot of fun and unfortunately rarely get to sleep at 10:30. We're usually talking in our beds for a little bit afterwards. The few days last week were great but very stressful. As a new missionary there is so much to learn and orient yourself with in those first few days. When missionaries find out your new to the MTC they say just make it till Sunday and you'll be fine. It's so true Saturday was crazy I felt overwhelmed and pretty stressed but as it came to Sunday everything calmed down. Sunday's are awesome. There is such a wonderful spirit. There are so many meetings and in all of them the spirit is felt so enormously.
Today (Tuesday) is my P-day it is already my favorite day of the week. Not only that but on Tuesday nights there is a devotional with a general authority. I don't know who it is they usually don't tell you. Also today I got to eat lunch with the MTC president. Pres. Brown. he cam and sat down by my district and started talking to us and getting to know us. He scared me pretty bad though cause he asked us if we wanted to speak at mission conference on Sunday. I hesitatingly said sure I won't pass on a opportunity to speak, how could you say no to the MTC pres anyway. Luckily he was just joking and I don't have to talk.
I went to the temple today. I love that place and always loving the peace that is there. I have had so many great experiences here, one of which was the TRC yesterday. It's a place where you go to to teach investigator's most of which are volunteers. I was really nervous before. We had to introduce ourselves and get to know them in Spanish. Luckily I have a companion who's spanish is much better than mine. When we went back in to teach him the lesson I think he taught us more. We were teaching him and he was telling us about his experiences. He brought such a great spirit and I loved what he said.
I'm out of time. I'll write to you next week and mom look for an extensive letter coming in the mail.
I love and miss you all.
Hermana Howe.
Leaving for the MTC
We had a fun family breakfast in the morning before I left for the MTC and then came home to grab my suitcases, take a picture and head down to Provo. The ride down was full of laughter and fun. When we reached the MTC they told us to pull forward to number 24 and drop off there. No time for pictures there so this is the last picture with my family. Unfortunately Scott's not in it.
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