11/21/13

I've been here a month already!! What? (insert cliche of time warp in the CCM here)

So this week has been great. It didn't start off so great when I woke up Saturday morning sooo sick. And whoever knows me, knows that when I get sick I stay sick for weeks. I just remember praying so hard that I would be able to get healthy fast. Because if you miss one day here its like your missing a whole week of learning. And as the day went on I got worse and worse. I had a really high fever, I had the chills, and I was just achy all day. I tried so hard to stay in class so I wouldn't have to make my companion come home with me, but I felt like I was going to pass out. So I asked Hrma Davidson if she would mind going home early so that I could just sleep while she did her studies. And as we were on our way out the door our district leader asked me if he could give me a blessing. At first I was a little hesitant, but he insisted. So him and his companion took me into the other room and as they were rehearsing from the "little white handbook" how to give a blessing, (since it was both their first time giving a blessing) right about after he asked what my full name was, all of the other Elders in our district came into the room. Immediately I felt the spirit so strong I couldn't help but cry. They all wanted to know if they could all participate in giving me a blessing. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Here I was with 10 Elders who were not only worthy but so willing to use the priesthood power that they had on me. I was so amazed. In my blessing Elder Clarke said specifically that when I woke in the morning I would be healed. I remember thinking to myself that it was a little bold of him since I was certain I had the flu or worse, but I was still grateful for his sweetness. But lo and behold, when I woke up the next morning I was completely healed. I know without a doubt that it was a miracle. I immediately fell to my knees and thanked my Heavenly Father. The priesthood is real, and it is powerful. I bare testimony of it. After a start like that to my week I promised I would give me all and never waste a second here. 

We had another birthday this week in our district which meant more cake! ;) Elder Barlow turned 19. 19! These boys are soo young! I think that they are all amazing for answering the call after the mission change. When I was 19 a mission was the last thing on my mind, thats for sure. Even though we have to try to keep them from going off on really random tangents, sometimes I forget how young they are. But they never forget to remind me how old I am. They love to chiste and say that I'm 25 for some reason.... I guess if your not 19 your 25 to them. So thats great. They also made a chart, with a lot of mathematical stratagem, on the order of who is getting married first when we all get home. Unanimously they all voted me to be married first... haha so we'll just have to see about that. I've seen first hand the how fast RM Elders get married... so fast forward 2 years and we'll just have to see who it actually is. 

I almost forgot to mention the best part of this week! On Tuesday I got a slip telling me that I got a package! I almost peed my pants I was so excited! I felt so loved! Mom sent me some donuts from Krispy Kreme! It was amazing! I decided to share them with the district since eating 2 dozen donuts all by myself probably wouldn't be the best idea. Thanks mom! And my district thanks you too! 

So this week I've been reading the New Testament and its been a really neat experience and has helped me come closer to Christ through reading his life, and the life of his faithful apostles. Earlier this week I was reading Romans 8, which is a really beautiful chapter if any of you have time to read it, do! It boldly testifies of our worth and how we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (verse 17) I personally felt the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of us so strongly. I wanted to share with you what it says near the end in versiculo 35-39. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution? .. Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Isn't that just so powerful and comforting? Absolutely nothing will be able to separate us from His love. I hope that whatever you all have to go through this week, or whatever comes your way, you will never forget how loved you are. God is real. And His love is infinite. 

One of my all time favorite quotes is:

"You can tell your God how big your storm is. Or you can tell your storm how big your God is."

Have faith in your God. He never leaves us. All he asks of us is to love Him, and to love one another. Have perfect faith, and never be afraid!

Hasta la próxima semana!

Con amor,

Hermana Lamb

11/14/13

¡Hola!

I feel like I was just here emailing you all yesterday. This week went by super fast. I think my body is finally adjusting to this schedule...well almost, 6:30 a.m is still kicking my butt. But I'm getting super good at getting ready in just 10 min. My brothers would be so proud. 

This week was great, and I've already learned so much! At the beginning of the week we had to say good-bye to two of our really close Hermanas in our zone. They kind of took us under their wing when Hermana Davidson and I first got here, its so bitter-sweet to see them go! We are so sad to see them leave, but sooo excited for what they are about to do! One of the sisters is going to be serving in the New York, New York mission! I told her to look out for those sisters who were so sweet to me while I was living out there, and to look out for the Jones if they ever got to the Lynbrook branch:)

So earlier this week the Branch President called Hermana Davidson and I in for a special interview... and it was right after an "obedience" devotional so we thought for sure we were in trouble. I kept thinking in my head, "We were only up for an extra 30 min past curfew last night! How in the world did they find out?!" But lo and behold it wasn't because we were in trouble...quite the opposite. Ha we were called to be the new Sister Trainer Leaders for our whole zone! I just starred at him and asked if he was sure about this. But we accepted the calling and have been trying to our best to fill the shoes of the Sister Trainer Leaders who just left. We've already been making cute quotes and gifts for all of them, I feel like I'm at girls camp all over again. 

Also... I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON! I'm so proud of myself:) I officially read it in 12 days. I don't know what came over me but I have not been able to put it down. That was the fastest I have ever read it, and guess what, its true. The book is true. In case any of you were wondering. I am now reading the New Testament until the rest of my district catches up and then we are going to read the book of Mormon in Spanish!

Today we were able to go to the temple again. And it was amazing, even though this time we HAD to go through in Spanish since it wasn't our fist week anymore. But regardless of not being able to understand a whole lot I still was able to feel the spirit so strong! The Mexico Temple is truly amazing. I was actually surprised at how much I did know. 

We had one amazing devotional this week that I want to share with you! It was from Hermano Cates, from Orem Utah! And who served his mission in Chile Concepcion! So I really like him:) Him and his wife and three little boys live on campus, and its so strange to see little kids and a little baby and not be able to hold them.... that's gonna be something I'm gonna have to get used to..

He talked about the story of Lots wife and how she looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. But he said how she most likely looked back "longingly" with no faith in the Lord. And how if we just decide, right here and now, that we are going to give our whole heart to the Lord it will just be the beginning. The Lord has said, "Come follow me" which first entails us coming to him first! We have to prove ourselves. Life is going to be hard, but if we just constantly live with 100% faith and are ALL IN the Lord can take us to places we never could have imagined. "Mans extremity is Gods opportunity". Trails are our opportunity to show what we are made of and rise up. You can't prove you are a strong person until you have been through hard times. 

Anyways thats all that I have for this week!

I love and miss you all!!

Hermana Lamb

Oh... and also we kind of have a prank war going on with our district. So if you guys have any ideas that would be great! Because hermana Davidson and I are a little out numbered....and quite frankly really bad at it. 

We found this catipillar on the ground and thought it would be a great prank to leave on their desk, but they ended up loving him and keeping him as a pet... like I said, we aren't too good at this stuff... so your help would be much appreciated!

11/7/13

I would say these two weeks have flown by, but I'm not gonna lie I feel like I've already been here for years at times! I've just done so much, and learned so much it seems crazy to think I was just at home two weeks ago. Its like I'm in this crazy time-warp here. Sometimes it seems never ending and then other times it really does go by fast. Ha but overall I really do love it here. And it helps that I have such an amazing district.

At the beginning of this week, on Monday, was my compañera's birthday! So as a district we had planned a surprise party for her on Sunday, after dinner our Branch President was going to bring by a cake. And it was my job to get her out of our class room for about twenty minutes. So I came up with the excuse that I forgot my "quote book" because our district leader had asked me to give a devotional later that night. (Brilliant I know...or so I thought) So we leave the classroom, and I tried to be as sneaky as I could, I even asked if we could take the long way so we could see some new sights....So right as we are about to go back into the classroom I got so giddy I'm sure my Hermana Davidson thought I was nuts, and I'm sure I was giving her the weirdest smile. We open the door and all of the Elders are just sitting in there studying. I thought to myself that they were the worst at surprise parties! Then Elder Clarke (our district leader) asks me if I can talk with him in the hall. He then tells me that they decided to not have the party that night since its was fast Sunday, and that we were going to do it Monday. Oh. I was so mad. haha not really, but I was just like, "Really? Why couldn't you have told me that earlier!?" haha So I felt like a jerk since the whole day since I acted like it was no big deal that it was her birthday. But the next day we ended up having her surprise party, which meant I had to keep the secret for another whole day! It was hard for me. So it all worked out. But the best part about this story was that because of my "excuse" to go get my quote book, Elder Clarke REALLY made me give a 15 min. devotional to the whole district so Hermana Davidson wouldn't get suspicious... so that was great. 

But real talk. I do love my district. We are all super close, and we laugh ALL the time. Sometimes we get in trouble;) I am so grateful for them. They make this experience that much better for me. As a district we made the goal to try to finish the Book of Mormon before we leave, and I'm already half way through. Its been the fastest I have ever been able to read the Book of Mormon, and I'm loving every second of it, I can't put it down! My district makes fun of me because I just zone out and get so into reading that they have to yell at me to tell me to stop! I know without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true. I have found out for myself, and it is my most favorite thing to read!

So just something I thought I would share... here in Mexico City, it is predominately catholic. Which means they celebrate the Day of the Saints. Which is when they dedicate a day to the Saints in their church. And by doing so they like to light, what I guess you can call fireworks, in honor of them. Which is great. But the only problem is because they have so many Saints... EVERYDAY sounds like we are being bombed! Sometimes I feel like I'm constantly on edge here, at least 3 times a day we hear this super loud BOOM! And without fail it scares me every time. I just know that by accident its going to make me say something that I really shouldn't.... so far I've been good though;)

But on a good note my Spanish is coming along! Not as fast as I would like it, but I just have to keep reminding myself that I've only been here for two weeks. One thing that I keep messing up on is the word "Pecado" which means "sin". So naturally I keep saying "Pescado" which means fish. Definitely not the same thing. 

Its kind of a confidence-booster to see all of the "newbies" coming in on Wednesdays. And we get to pretend to be the wise mature missionaries and assure them that this place is great:) This last week I saw a familiar face and I just screamed! It was a girl who I used to coach at Timp View! So that just made me feel even more old. But it was good seeing someone I knew! When I was coaching her I remember she wanted to go on a mission right when she graduated, and she was called to Florida and came here to the Mexico CCM.

This last week has definitely been an emotional roller-coaster for me. I've experienced such spiritual highs, and heard such amazing devotionals! One was from Elder Richard G. Scott, who talked about our communication with God. And how amazing that is! We all get to talk to our Heavenly Father and he WANTS to hear from us! And how prayer is a supernal gift, and we should treat it as such. A supreme being loves us perfectly. Perfectly. And never abandons us. I know He loves us. And that he wants to hear from us!! 

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others the blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them." (Bible Dictionary: Prayer) Just ask! And if you have perfect faith He will bless us with it! Pray always!! God is real. I know that with all my heart!

But with these spiritual highs comes the lows. I was having a really hard time after one of our lessons with an investigator that didn't go well at all. The spirit wasn't there and we weren't prepared at all. I don't know what happened but I just broke down. I was sitting in our classroom and tears just started rolling down my face. I felt so frustrated with myself and scared that I wouldn't be able to do this. My companion is such a sweet heart and was there for me, but the Elders definitely did not know what to do with themselves! Haha it was kind of funny, I could tell I definitely made them all uncomfortable. But bless their hearts, they were so sweet to me. I'm grateful now for that experience because it made me step up, and work harder. Because after that lesson, we went into another lesson with a separate investigator and it was defiantly one of the best ones I have ever had. After it was over she came up to us just to tell us how powerful it was, and that in all of her working with the missionaries she had never felt such a powerful lesson. I guess I needed to have that experience to step up. I later came upon this wonderful scripture, "..for perfect love casteth out all fear." (Moroni 8:16) Do you really love Christ? With all your heart and soul? Then have no fear!! Have faith. Step up, and always remember. Remember what has been done for you, and remember why you are here, and ALWAYS remember you are perfectly loved.

I love you all! And think about you always! You are in my prayers!

Until next week!

Hermana Lamb

p.s Happy Halloween last week! We were so busy here we almost forgot! So Hermana Davidson and I decided to switch name tags for the day.. we thought we were funny. But no one noticed. So I hope you all had a better Halloween then we did! With lots of American candy! Because honestly, nothing is better then American candy... just remember how lucky you all are. 

And it begins!!!!!!!!!! The first email!

AH! Where to begin?! How about I owe a huge apology for all of the times I made fun of Devan and Derek's grammer, because these spanish keyboards are super confusing. Nothing is where it usually is! So I'm going to be like them and just apologize in advance for any grammer mistakes and hopefully that will just make up for it all ;)

So Mexico is great! Even though its a little bipolar, one day it is soo cold and rainy, and the next it is so hot you just don't stop sweating. But what can you do? I am absolutely loving it here! Besides the fact I got hustled within 5 minutes of being in this country, I really think I like it here.

Okay, maybe that was a little bit over exagerated, but really. I had just landed in Mexico (All by myself. I made the mistake of thinking the girl next to me on the plane was a missionary as well, but she most definatly wasn´t) and I was looking everywhere for just some boys in suits or someone with a sign that said MEXICO MTC! I thought for sure I would be greated by a crowd of LDS people welcoming me, or just a group of other missionaries. But I couldn't find anyone, except for this old man who kept talking to me in spanish. I kept saying...´´no se, no se!´´ But he just went ahead and grabbed my bags and put them on his cart. He then made hand signals and what I understood was that he just wanted to help me. So I said thank you and he followed me around while I was looking for someone or something to direct me to the LDS missionaries! After I tried my best to explain my situation to him he took me directly to the currency exchange where he so generously helped me exchange my american cash and then just stook his hand out. I just stared at him but he was very persistant. So I handed him 10 pesos.... he just looked at me and then stook out his hand again. And before I could reach down to hand him more money I saw another man in a suit running towards us screaming something in spanish, and the old man handed me my bags and walked away. The man in a suit came up to me, said something to me in spanish, saw that I clearly could not understand him and said, "You missionary? Come with me." Not quite the welcome I was expecting but I made it here nonetheless:)

After awkwardly standing next to this man for about 30 min. waiting for the next flight to come in, which had another batch of missionaries, we finally headed off to the CCM! (MTC in spanish... took me a minute to figure that one out. Probably should have learned that before I left) I was in a van with 5 SUPER hyper and excited Elders, that thankfully only spoke english as well. We pulled in and were immediatly greated by a huge crowed of missionaries who were so sweet to us. They told us to quickly email your parents, to let them know you were home safe, and then to unpack.

I met my companion later that night, and haven't left her sight since! Ha this is definatly hard to get used to but it makes it easier since I absolutely love her! Sometimes I just get up to go to the bathroom and forget I have to take her with me everywhere I go... ha but I'm getting better! Her name is Hermana Davidson and she is from California! She also has a sibling serving a mission, her sister is in the Provo MTC right now. I am so grateful for a mother who prayed so hard for me to have an amazing companion because she truely is. We have so much in common its a little scary! She has instantly become one of my really good friends, I guess it kind of comes with being around each other 24/7 but I feel so lucky to have her as a companion! We live in a casa with about 16 other Hermanas, and the Elders have to live in the dorms. Not that it really makes a difference because we are literally only in there to sleep. But our casa is super cute! All of the houses here are bright colors, and we live in a purple one:)

I don´t think I've stopped learning since I've been here! I didn´t think it was possible to have your testimony literally double in strength but it has.... and its all happened in just a week! I know everyone just talks about how much they feel the spirit at the MTC, but its no joke. This place truely is special. I already know more spanish then I thought was possible. The first day was a little daunting, since our teacher literally only speaks spanish...I just remember thinking there was no way I would ever be able to understand this language but I can already pray in spanish and I can bare my testimony! THATS NUTS!! I'm picking it up pretty well, its easier for me to understand what is being said then it is to actually speak what I want to say, but I keep having to remind myself I've only been here a week! Which is crazy since it feels like I've been here for months already. It helps that I have a pretty amazing district as well. We are all Chile bound missionaries, but going to two sepereate missions. Half are going to Concepcion South and half are going to Antofagasta. Me and Hermana Davidson are the only sisters in our branch, which is not different then what I'm used to at home so I don't mind at all:) They are all pretty much straight out of high school except a few who went to college for a year before serving there missions. Which makes me feel soo old, so thats great. Everyday I look around and find a few missionaries who look like they should still be in elementary school to me. There are even a few Elders in our district who had never been on an airplane until they left for the CCM. Seriously? I´m so old compared to these guys! But its all good, because I couldn't ask for a more perfect distict. We laugh so much together, and and at the same time are able to have the most interesting gospel discussions its been amazing.

There are a few guilty pleasures here in the Mexico CCM that I have learned to take advantage of every second I can. The first is the nutella bar. Yes. A NUTELLA bar. You bet I've hit that up everyday. Sometimes its all I think about. The minute I saw it I knew I was going to be okay here. The second is Ping-Pong. Everyday we get about an hour to excersise, and after me and Hermana Davidson attempt to work out we always end up playing Ping-Pong. Which apparently is an unknown talent that I've been hiding my whole life because I'm pretty good, not gonna lie. The third is singing. Anytime there are a bunch of missionaries together we end up singing. Every night at the end class, about 10 min. before we are supposed to leave for bed we all gather in the hallway and sing hymns in spanish. Its one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. If we are just walking to another classroom, or if we are just waiting for a devotional to begin. We sing. And I love every second of it.

Since today was our first P-day we were able to go to the Mexico City Temple. Which was absolutely stunning. It is a HUGE temple! It is designed after the old aztec temples which makes it super unique. Its so big inside that there are literally esqulators! Its so cool! We were able to do a session...which was in spanish... they told us that since it was our first time visiting we were able to have head phones and listen to it in english, but that we had better enjoy it since it was the last time they would translate it for us. So next time is going to be an adventure for sure.

Every now and then I'll see some Elders walk by in pairs and I'll just feel like crying. Sometimes because it makes me think about Devan and Derek, and other times its just because I am truely touched by their devotion and willingness to serve. It blows my mind to think of young kids willing to give up 2 years of their life soley for the purpose of service and bring this gospel to the lives of people who simply "know not where to find it." And then it hits me. I'm here doing the same thing. Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually here. That I'm actually preparing to teach the Doctrine of Christ to the people in Concepcion. I would have never of guessed that I would be here today (and I know mom wasn't expecting it either...sorry mom!) but I've never been more proud of a dission that I've made for myself in my entire life. I am truely honored to be here, and to be here with such vallient brave people.

Sorry for the super long email, but so much has happened and I just had to tell you all:)

I love and miss you all!! I already can't wait to hear from you next week!

Love,

Hermana Lamb

I'm going on a mission say whaaaat???

I keep having to pinch myself to actually believe the fact that I am serving a mission! Its crazy that its here already!

IS THIS REAL LIFE??

If you would have asked me a couple of months ago I would have said that my mission couldn't come any sooner! But now that its actually here I feel like its come all too fast! But nonetheless.... the time has come!

I'm going to take this time to state why I know I should be serving a mission. (Because I probably am going to need reminders for when things get rough)

#1. I KNOW this gospel to be true. There is nothing else I am more passionate about then this. I love to dance, and play lacrosse, and I love art. But this gospel, consumes me. Its what gives me purpose and value. Its what gives me the ultimate happiness, how can you not want to share it with everyone you know?

#2 I KNOW the atonement to be real. I've been pushed to my limits before and had to fight for what I believe in. I've made mistakes, and will make many more mistakes. But that's what makes me human. And knowing the fact that I have a savior who is on MY side makes everything a whole lot easier. I want everyone to know that they too have a savior, and that its okay to make mistakes, you can always come back!

#3 I am supposed to be in Chile. Anyone who knows me knows the fact that I am probably the last person who ever thought I was going on a mission. It was NEVER apart of my plan. I always respected those who decided to go but just always thought to myself, "that's just not for me." But Heavenly Father knew better. 

I was living in New York interning at a graphic design agency called Case, and loving life! I was literally living the dream! I was working in Manhattan (with free rent thanks to my wonderful Grandparents;) and working with the most amazing people. I became really close with my co-workers especially a girl named Kristine. She was a return missionary and working exactly where I have dreamed to be. I believe she was the example that got me going. Seeing how she was so passionate about the gospel and design, helped put things in perspective for me. Needless to say I thought about going on a mission and everything worked out perfectly from there.

I was so overwhelmed with what I was feeling I went to the one person I always go to when I need help. My dad. 

I will never forget the advice he gave me. So anyone who is thinking about going on a mission LISTEN UP! This changed everything for me.

He said to me, "I want you to decide right here and now that you want to go on a mission. If you are truly serious about this decide now that its what you are going to do. But don't tell a soul. Just tell Heavenly Father and ponder on it for about a week. Act like its what you are going to do, start reading your scriptures every morning like a missionary should, start studying preach my gospel, and most importantly pray every night and morning and ask now that you have decided this is what you are going to do, for a conformation." 

So I did. And sure enough I got my answer loud and clear. But what made this advice so great was that there was no outside pressure. It was okay if I wanted to change my mind. I wouldn't have to post or announce to everyone that I changed my mind. There is no shame in it at all. This is a fantastic way to decipher if you are truly going for the right reasons!

Anyway, after I knew I was going it all just unfolded in front of me. I talked with my bishop that Sunday, I had a doctors appointment that Tuesday, a dentist appointment that Wednesday and my papers were in that Thursday. So all of those Elders out there who took months to do their papers I have no pity for you... (a.k.a Devan and Derek!) ;) just playin.

So after receiving my call I had to wait 3 days for my family to fly into New York. Which was EXTREME torture. Believe me I thought about everything. I tried holding it up to the light to sneak a peak. I though about the "steam method" but my mother kept my grandparents on watch. 

The best part about this clip is my mothers reaction to my call. Right about at 0:34.....You can literally see the worry hit her face the second she realizes I'm going to Chile. This is my mother who told me, mind you, that she was literally praying that I got a state-side mission.