Week Seven

Buenos Dias Todos!!!!

These past couple of weeks have been crazy! The previous week was my last week at the CCM so there was a lot to get done and put together to be ready to leave. The majority of the time was spent in meetings that were supposed to help us be ready for the field while the rest of the time was spent packing and classes. The weekend before we left there was the temple rededication and the cultural event, like I said in an early email. 

The cultural event was really cool!!! It was a very long story that had a narrator, dancing scenes, and singing. They told the major stories from the Book of Mormon before getting into the history of the church in Mexico, all the while the narrator was also a character in a story. It was very beautiful, fun, colorful, and most importantly spiritual. I was enthralled the whole time even though the Spanish was a bit fast. =) My hope is that after I have finished serving, I'll be able to go and visit Mexico, maybe walk the streets a bit, eat good food, and take a dance class. But we'll see what happens in 2 years; fingers crossed!

The actually rededication of the temple was a very sacred and amazing experience. Because you need a temple recommend to attend a dedication, I won't talk about what happened, but let me explain how I felt. When we had gone to an open house, it was a beautiful building that I loved seeing, but it felt hollow to me, much like any other beautiful building. I knew what it would become though and that was why I was so excited to go and visit it. At the dedication, that beautiful building went from being of the world to being of God's; it is now His house. Being part of the crowd that saw that transition was a blessing that I still give thanks for. I was allowed, I was worthy enough, to see that transition and it was magnificent. 

The Mexico City Temple is now a temple of God and is no longer hollow. He dwells there and in other temples that are also His house. Temples are beautiful and amazing places that confirm to me who I am, why I'm here anywhere I'm going. I am so grateful to be a member of Christ's church here on the earth and that He has commanded us to build temples.

Okay, I know I wrote about temples last time so I'll get to the part that you are all probably excited for. 

I arrived in Ogden, UT Monday Sep. 14th. I was picked up at the airport and taken out to dinner at a restaurant called Cafe Rio; it was really good!!! We then went to the mission office to go separate ways from the Elders before heading to the mission president's home to stay. The next day we went back to the mission office to do a few things before going and picking up more missionaries from the train station. When we got back, we had lunch, interviews with the mission nurse and the president, and lots of training classes. We split up interviews with tracking, which is where we go and knock on doors or talk to people in the street. I was only out for an hour and I met three people; the first an inactive for 23 years who wasn't happy to see us, the second a woman who was recently baptized in a different church; she gave us antimormon literature but also took a Book of Mormon (of which I had been studying charity in.... Oh well =) ) the third person was a nice Hispanic lady who let us talk to her about baptism and how ours differs from other churches. She took a pass along card and said she would call the missionaries if she had any questions about a pamphlet we gave her. 

This last woman was the first person who I taught in Spanish and it was TERRIFYING. I didn't say much but I did bear my testimony about Christ and baptism. I was able to feel the Spirit there and while she wasn't very warm to our message, I hope that it was a good start for her. What learned though was that the Lord does really keep His promises (duh, right?). In multiple scriptures, the Lord states "open your mouth and I will fill it", roughly speaking. Basically, we need to exercise our faith in Him before He helps us. If we honestly seek Him and have faith in Him, He will help us in trying to convey the gospel to His children. My Spanish definitely wasn't perfect, but it was enough for the woman to know what I was saying and what I meant. That's how the gift of tongues work: slowly, with diligent study, and faith in God. 

Anyway, the rest of the day was good with a dinner and testimony meeting at the President's home to finish off the day. The next day we arrived early at the mission office so that we could be ready for the transfer meeting. It was there in this meeting that we met our new companions and all of the missionaries in the mission (I think it's less than 100?) I met my companion, my trainer (the person who introduces me to mission life and helps me to know what to do when and how), whose name is Hermana Lewis. I'll work on getting pictures....p day maybe?

We get along super well, I think, and I'm adjusting well to this new life. I started going to lessons on Wednesday afternoon and have been going strong since. Yes, they are all in Spanish. As you might have guessed, I don't talk as much as my companion, but I do try to contribute. We also use companion study to practice lessons, such as role play. We'll switch roles, so I'll be the missionary for a time then she'll be the missionary with me the investigator. It helps us know that order we want to go in and it helps me practice the phrases I need to say in Spanish. This practice shows the Lord that we are willing and able to work for His will. He then gives us blessings, such as helping me with Spanish, or giving my companion the right thing to say that we hadn't anticipated. It's hard work, but it's the only way to teach His Son's gospel. It's the only way to help my brothers and sisters come home with me. 

Overall, I'm doing splendidly. I'm tired, and sometimes discouraged, but for the most part, really happy and excited. I kinda feel like I'm in a daze, that I'm just on splits with the sister missionaries. But, it's real and I'm actually a missionary. I am here calling people to repentance (change) and helping them make and keep covenants with the Lord. I wouldn't be doing anything else in the whole wide world right now. I'm where I'm needed and called to. I'm with the people I need to meet. I'm on the Lord's side and I will never stop fighting for Him. 

I love you all and I hope that you're doing well. While I miss you, I'm doing great for I'm part of the most glorious work on the earth. If you have any questions or problems, please let me know. I'm here to love and help you as well, that's why you've been put in my life. I LOVE YOU!!! God LOVES YOU!!! Be good and remember who you are, you beautiful child of God.

Love, 

Hermana Lindh