Week Three

Helllllloooooooo Everybody!!!! (Yes, I used a Despicable Me reference),

I have 2 pieces of very exciting news. 

1) I was able to visit the Mexico City Temple today! *Crowd cheers* It has been under construction/renovations and only recently has opened up for Open Houses. We left this morning around 8 and got there at 9 (the traffic here is worse than Houston traffic if you can believe it). We first went through the visitor's center which has a statue of Christ, called a Cristus, and information about temples, what the basic beliefs of the Church are, and the history of the region. We weren't able to read/see everything but we did watch a movie about families. I nearly started crying because the family portrayed reminded me of my own family. 

I won't lie, being away from my family and friends has been difficult; I sometimes really struggle with homesickness, but all I have to do is pray and the Lord helps me. If I'm learning anything, it's how much the Lord loves His children and what He will do to help us.

Anyway, we then were able to take a tour of the temple. It is the largest one I have ever been in and it is just stunning. If you ever have the chance to attend a temple's Open House, please go. The Spirit is clearly there and you know that it is a house of the Lord.

Okay, now that I'm kinda calmed down from my excitement, let me explain to those who may not know what a temple is or why they're important. Part of my religion is the belief that our spirits are eternal. We lived before with our Heavenly Father and we chose to come to earth to gain a body. Part of mortality though is death, the seperation of the spirit and body. At that point, our spirits go to a waiting place where those who had the gospel of Christ teach those who didn't. We (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) also believe that certain ordinances, or sacred acts performed by the priesthood authority, and covenants, or sacred promises with God, are necessary to live with god again. The first of those ordinances and covenants is baptism. 

Now, we know that our God is a just God and that He wouldn't keep anyone from returning to Him for a lack of knowledge. As such, He has provided a way for those who died before knowing, or accepting, Christ to get that choice. In the temple, we perform those sacred ordinances and covenants in behalf of, or in proxy for, those who have died without those things. In the temple, we have the opportunity and blessing to help our brothers and sisters have the ability to choose because they couldn't/didn't here on earth. 

Temples are very sacred/special to me and other Latter-Day Saints. We believe that they are literally the house of the Lord here on earth. As such, it is a very special blessing to be able to attend and do the work in His house. That is also why it was so exciting for me to go and visit one of His houses today.

2) The other exciting news hasn't happened quite yet. Tomorrow, the CCM will be visited by an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Christoffersen (I really hope I spelt his name right, but please double check me on LDS.org). We will be having a special conference with him and he will speak to us! I also have the extra blessing of being in the choir who will sing before the conference!!! I am so excited to be able to use the talents the Lord has given me to help invite the Spirit into such an important meeting!

Again, for those who may not know, my church is a bit different from others in one major aspect. We believe in modern, LIVING, revelation from God. That means that we have a prophet, like Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and many others from the Old Testament, on the earth again. Our church is led by Christ, as reveled to the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He, along with the First presidency (a 1st and 2nd counselor) and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (12 men who are called to the office of apostle in the priesthood) receive revelation on matters of doctrine and the Lord's will for His church now. It is a great blessing to me to have communication from God today because it clarifies points of doctrine, such as temples, and also helps us live in our constantly changing society. I know that the prophets are called of God and that they have the authority of the priesthood to do their jobs. (I keep mentioning the priesthood; I don't have time today to talk about it but if you're curious, please look at Mormon.org or LDS.org). 

I would not be a missionary right now if I didn't believe this. I know that my mission was given to me directly from God, as reveled through His prophets. I was called by the living prophets to do my job. These simple statements help me get through the tough times.

My life has been very exciting, as always, this past week. Thank you all for your love and support as I strive to share with our fellow brothers and sisters the gospel that I hold so dear. I already love those I am going to meet and talk with because I know that they're also children of God. He loves them and wants them to return to Him as much as He wants me to. I love the Lord and I love this work. 

I can't wait to hear from you all again soon! Have a great week! =)

Love, 

--

Sister Lindh

Christus at the Mexico Temple

Mexico City Temple

Mexico City Temple

Rachel's district

More of the district

       

Week #2

 Hermana Greenwood on the bus from the airport.

 Hermana Woodhouse and me in our room.

Hi everyone!

It was made known to me that I didn't mention my companion's name. So, to fix that and make up for missing that, I will include her name along with pictures. Here name is Hermana Woodhouse, and she is just awesome! =) 

This past week has been kinda hard but really fun too! My district (the group of missionaries that I am in class with. It's about the same as a ward for church members) is no longer the newest ones here because new missionaries came in last Wednesday and more come in tomorrow! So YAY! I am learning a lot more Spanish and can actually hold up somewhat of a conversation with my investigators. Yes, investigators is plural because I now have 3 that I get to talk with and teach. I'm really excited but it also means that I have to step up my game. But, everything and anything is possible if I rely on the Lord.

To be brief, this week was hard because both my companion and I were sick for a bit and missed some class time. With only 6 weeks to learn another language and how to teach the gospel, class time is invaluable. But, we are doing well in catching up and we're back on track. It's been a good week though because I have seen many miracles from the Lord. He is constantly trying to bless us and all you have to do is look for the blessings. I would promise you that because you are His beloved child, He is watching over you and blessing you. 

On Sunday, during a meeting called Relief Society (This is when all of the Hermanas meet together and have a lesson), we talked about forgiveness. One of the comments made by the teacher was that when we look back on our lives, we can see when Heavenly Father was there, helping us. I had the distinct impression that I needed to start looking for Him in my life NOW and not just in the past.

I know, because the Holy Ghost bore witness to me, that He's in my life right now. I have never been this close to Him or His Son before and it's because I am actively looking for Them.

If you are having any struggles or challenges right now, I would encourage you to take an inventory of your life. Are you praying, morning and evening, every day? Do you search AND treasure up the scriptures daily? Are you trying to put others before yourself? Do you look for the Lord's hand in everything?

It's hard making the change to this type of thinking. I know, because I just made it. I knew God before I came out on a mission but now that I'm doing the daily things, I know Him better and I'm blessed for it. I can promise you that if you make the effort to do these daily things, you will see blessings. Your problems may not go away or become easier, but because you'll be doing your best, you will  be blessed. I promise you this, as a representative of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Open your spiritual eyes and see the wonders that He gives us. 

I love you all. You are all so precious to me and have become even more so because I can feel God's love for you. God IS our loving Heavenly Father. He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth so that we may be able to repent and return to Him. We are here on earth to learn and to grow and to one day, live with our Heavenly Father again. All we have to do is have faith in Jesus Christ and live His gospel. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church and it is true. I love this gospel and I am so excited and blessed to be able to share it with others.

Have a great week! I can't wait to hear from you again next week!

Love,

--

Sister Lindh

First letter from the CCM

Hola Todos!

Hello everyone!

I'm not going to write in Spanish but I thought it'd be fun to start that way! =) 

I arrived at the CCM this past Wednesday around 5pm my time. We were given all the materials that we will need for the next 6 weeks, like an I.D., books (lots and lots and lots of books), and we were then assigned our companion. For those who don't know, a companion is basically your roommate at all times. You live with them, eat with them, and do everything together. One of the mission rules is to always be in sight AND sound of your companion so it's been a bit of an adjustment, but I love my companion so I'm doing just fine!

This past week I have already learned a lot more Spanish than I did in my 3 years in highschool. =) It has been a bit intense but I really enjoy learning and I have learned how to study so I'm not drowning in Spanish. I have also learned a lot of new things spiritually. For instance, I have learned that you are happier when you look for miracles from the Lord than when you are focused on what you've left. I have also learned personally that we are ALL children of God and that He loves us. He answers prayers and He wants nothing more than to help you; all you need to do is ask, and even then He finds ways to bless you! One miracle I have seen is my ability to speak Spanish. I know that I would not be doing as well (though I still have a looooonnnnnggg way to go before I can understand a native speaker) if I haven't been praying and fasting for the gift of tongues and the gift of the interpretation of tongues. 

I have also found that as I focus more on others, I have done better. To be honest, I haven't been very homesick since I've gotten here. Granted, it has only been a week, but I do know that if you want to be happier, go and serve. Focus on someone else for a while and you won't have the time or energy to worry about yourself. 

Let me share with you one experience from my week that I have found very powerful. 

On Friday, so my 3rd ish day, my companion and I were assigned our first investigator. Now, these investigators are teachers who are members, so we aren't teaching ''real investigators'' yet (we do that in our 3rd week here) but everything we do is real. My companion and I have pray before we study out what Jorge, our investigator, needs to hear. We then make a lesson plan and practice with one another before we go and teach him. Now, our Spanish is still very weak, but we are getting better daily. Our first two lessons went well, but it was our third lesson that I would like to share. 

My companion and I felt very prompted (by which I mean, we were directed and guided by the Holy Spirit) to teach about prophets and specifically Joseph Smith. When we met with Jorge, we found out that he had read the Book of Mormon like we had asked him to from a previous lesson, but that he also went to church on Sunday. There, he heard multiple people bear their testimony about Joseph Smith. This was perfect! =) We then spent some time talking about prophets and about Joseph Smith and how that applies to us. As we started to wrap up, I felt very prompted to invite Jorge to be baptized. I turned to my companion and she was looking at me with this almost excited look. I knew that we had both felt the same prompting so we asked Jorge to read a scripture from the Book of Mormon. It was 3rd Nephi 11: 37 and 38; in this scripture, Christ has been resurrected and is now in the Americas teaching a group of people known as the Nephites and Lamanites. In those specific verses, Christ is explaining His gospel and the importance of baptism. I would encourage you all to go read that scripture for yourself because it is wonderful. 

After reading the scripture, we asked Jorge if he would follow the example of our Savior and be baptized. He paused for a minute, along with my heart, but after pondering for a bit, he said yes! =)

Now, I know that sometimes Mormons have a rap of wanting to get as many baptisms as possible and that's why we are out teaching. But, I would promise you, that the only reason we are so excited that people choose to be baptized is because we know that they are taking the first steps in returning to their Father in Heaven and their Savior. When Jorge said yes, all I felt was joy; joy that he has accepted Christ's gospel, joy that he is willing to make a change in his life, and joy because I know that our Heavenly Father is pleased with Jorge's decision. 

I am serving a mission not because it is expected of me, or because I wanted to learn an new language. No, I am serving because everyone deserves, NEEDS, the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. I love my Savior and I am so grateful to Him and our Father that I have been given the opportunity to represent Christ. I know it will be hard, I know that some days are just gonna be rough, but I also know that it's all worth it because I am helping bring my brothers and sisters back to our Father.

I love you all and I hope that you're doing well! I look forward to your responses (though I won't see them until next Tuesday) and I hope that you all have a marvelous week!

Love,

Hermana (Sister) Lindh

The Day Before

Today is my last full day before I head out on my mission.

Up till this point, I have been a mixed bag of emotions, swinging from really sad to really excited fairly often. But, today I have been feeling at peace. As I do all the things I need to do to be ready to leave, I have felt very calm or not stressed. I think it's a blessing from the Lord that I feel this way; I don't know if I would be able to complete all the things necessary if I wasn't feeling calm. It just another testimony to me that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows me better than myself and blesses me with the things I need.

I am so very excited to be going on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that I was called to do this work by a prophet of the Lord. I am going to the right place, at the right time, and in the right language. I know that a mission is for other people but it is also for me. It seems to me that there are things that I need to learn and that I'll have experiences that will strengthen and better me. My favorite scripture is Ether 12:27 from the Book of Mormon and it says:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I love this scripture because it is a good reminder to stay humble and it's also great encouragement to become better. The Lord may have given us specific weaknesses (I have quite a few =) ) but He gave them to us so that we may become better and also to learn how to rely upon His Son and the Atonement. During the next 18 months I will be living this scripture quite frequently. Part of being a good missionary is staying humble and willing to improve yourself.
I want to be the best missionary EVER! My goal is to become better than I have ever been by choosing each day to live as Christ did and does.

Thank you to everyone who has wished me luck and has given me encouragement. It has helped me a lot in preparing for my mission. I will not let you down and more importantly, I will not let the Lord down. May He bless you in all that you do! I can't wait to report my first week of missionary life!

P.S. I'll post pictures as often as I can. Here's a picture of where I'll be for the first 6 week!