Hello mother, hello father greetings from camp Hyawaka... I don't know if you remember the bug repellent commercial with the yellow lab singing about mosquitoes, but my mom used to sing it to me all the time when we were outside being eaten alive. Last night Sister Nail and I both sang it as we walked down the streets of Port Isabel. It brought a smile to my face.
I love the people here. They are so nice and do anything for the sister missionaries. (we are known as the girls on bikes) haha. We knocked on one door and the woman saw us itching our bug bites and ran inside to get spray. She sprayed our legs and then I thought it smelled a little funky. She turned the can around and I saw "RAID" on the side. Oh good. I am glad I have toxic poisons on my legs. It's ok, I'm not dead so that's good.
Sister Nail and I are getting along fantastically. She is a great example and makes sure that I am exactly obedient. We are working on getting to know the less active people here in Port Isabel. I love them so much and I love her so much too.
I have had a hard time being homesick. Not that I'm worried about my friends and family back home (Iowa, South Dakota, Idaho, Utah... etc.), but I just miss you guys!! YOU ARE SO COOL. However Saturday I was shown a verse in 2 Corinthians that made me say "lightbulb!" like Mr. Gru from Despicable Me.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
In most of my quiet study time, driving time, and walking time I would think of home. I imagine the day that I will be able to hug my family again. These thoughts are not bad, but has not helped with my homesickness. In my mission call it says, "You will be expected to devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord. As you do these things, the Lord will bless you and you will become an effective advocate and messenger of the truth. I realized that I need to captivate my thoughts.
So I wanted to bring up the question in your minds: "What are your thoughts?" Are they exhalted over your knowledge of God? If so, how can you change that? thoughts are the root of everything. If we are not careful our thoughts lead to words and actions.
I challenge you all to fill your minds with clean thoughts. This may require you to turn off the radio in the car, mute the TV, change the conversation at the lunch table, but I promise that as you do, the comfort of the Holy Ghost will fill your heart and you will be so much happier. Your spirit is longing for cleanliness and it is never too late for change. Realize that you are in control and take the initiative!
OK AND NOW FOR THE MIRACLE OF THE DAY. You know how much I love taking pictures. Like it's my life. And of course I loose my camera within the first 6 weeks of being in Texas. #thestruggle
I was sitting in Jason's Deli with Sister Stevenson and we left without taking the camera from the table. I went back an hour later and the camera was gone. So everyday since last Monday I have called Jason's Deli to see if their main manager could look at the security cameras and see if someone stole it. I finally got a hold of him today and he said that he can't see anyone ever taking it. I was heart broken, but accepted that the camera was gone. So today I logged on being sad that I couldn't send any pictures home, and guess who emailed me. Chris Bennett! And who is Chris Bennett? THE MAN WHO FOUND MY BELOVED CAMERA! This is proof that the people in Texas are so awesome. He looked through my camera and found an email from my brother that I had taken a picture of. He emailed Spencer and then Spence gave him my email (thanks lil bro, even 2890374289347 miles away and you are takin care of me). Miracles are real. God is aware of things that don't seem like they should be important. I am just so happy.
So pictures will be sent next week!! Woo woo! Everyone pray and thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to get my camera back.
I love you all so much. Like more than Harry Potter, jelly beans, and vinyl records. (and that's a lot.)
Enjoy Autumn for me. It's the best season. Look for miracles, they are everywhere.
Con MUCHO amor,
ehemm.
shout outs to:
Miss Abigaila for getting on royalty
The royals in KC for being #1
Kendall Bosch for being awesome
and my brother for loosing his luggage in Amsterdam.. I feel like that could be turned into some sort of poem.
I love the people here. They are so nice and do anything for the sister missionaries. (we are known as the girls on bikes) haha. We knocked on one door and the woman saw us itching our bug bites and ran inside to get spray. She sprayed our legs and then I thought it smelled a little funky. She turned the can around and I saw "RAID" on the side. Oh good. I am glad I have toxic poisons on my legs. It's ok, I'm not dead so that's good.
Sister Nail and I are getting along fantastically. She is a great example and makes sure that I am exactly obedient. We are working on getting to know the less active people here in Port Isabel. I love them so much and I love her so much too.
I have had a hard time being homesick. Not that I'm worried about my friends and family back home (Iowa, South Dakota, Idaho, Utah... etc.), but I just miss you guys!! YOU ARE SO COOL. However Saturday I was shown a verse in 2 Corinthians that made me say "lightbulb!" like Mr. Gru from Despicable Me.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
In most of my quiet study time, driving time, and walking time I would think of home. I imagine the day that I will be able to hug my family again. These thoughts are not bad, but has not helped with my homesickness. In my mission call it says, "You will be expected to devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord. As you do these things, the Lord will bless you and you will become an effective advocate and messenger of the truth. I realized that I need to captivate my thoughts.
So I wanted to bring up the question in your minds: "What are your thoughts?" Are they exhalted over your knowledge of God? If so, how can you change that? thoughts are the root of everything. If we are not careful our thoughts lead to words and actions.
I challenge you all to fill your minds with clean thoughts. This may require you to turn off the radio in the car, mute the TV, change the conversation at the lunch table, but I promise that as you do, the comfort of the Holy Ghost will fill your heart and you will be so much happier. Your spirit is longing for cleanliness and it is never too late for change. Realize that you are in control and take the initiative!
OK AND NOW FOR THE MIRACLE OF THE DAY. You know how much I love taking pictures. Like it's my life. And of course I loose my camera within the first 6 weeks of being in Texas. #thestruggle
I was sitting in Jason's Deli with Sister Stevenson and we left without taking the camera from the table. I went back an hour later and the camera was gone. So everyday since last Monday I have called Jason's Deli to see if their main manager could look at the security cameras and see if someone stole it. I finally got a hold of him today and he said that he can't see anyone ever taking it. I was heart broken, but accepted that the camera was gone. So today I logged on being sad that I couldn't send any pictures home, and guess who emailed me. Chris Bennett! And who is Chris Bennett? THE MAN WHO FOUND MY BELOVED CAMERA! This is proof that the people in Texas are so awesome. He looked through my camera and found an email from my brother that I had taken a picture of. He emailed Spencer and then Spence gave him my email (thanks lil bro, even 2890374289347 miles away and you are takin care of me). Miracles are real. God is aware of things that don't seem like they should be important. I am just so happy.
So pictures will be sent next week!! Woo woo! Everyone pray and thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to get my camera back.
I love you all so much. Like more than Harry Potter, jelly beans, and vinyl records. (and that's a lot.)
Enjoy Autumn for me. It's the best season. Look for miracles, they are everywhere.
Con MUCHO amor,
ehemm.
shout outs to:
Miss Abigaila for getting on royalty
The royals in KC for being #1
Kendall Bosch for being awesome
and my brother for loosing his luggage in Amsterdam.. I feel like that could be turned into some sort of poem.