Week 3: STAY ON TARGET. BE A DISEASE :)

Happy, Happy Birthday this week to My Sweet angel of a Mother and my great example of a sister, Snow Shimai (Julia)! Happy birthday to you both. :) 

Well.. this is it! 

I have made it another week in the CCM.  And this week has been SO AWESOME!  Every single day my sweet companion and I start singing " EVERYTHING IS AWESOME.  EVERYTHING IS COOL!"  And yes.. indeed it is.  I have been so extremely blessed this week with little miracle after little miracle.  I didn't know how difficult it would be to serve a mission, but it is SO WORTH IT! Every little pain or trial we go through... to save SOULS is so much more important.  How sweet and great this work is. 

Hermana Jackson and Hermana Snow

Matching socks found at the Mexican Market

"It Rains Like No One's Business Here"

No... I still struggle day after day.. but with every passing moment.. my heart is filled with SO much more love for the Latino culture and the people.. and I wake up saying... LETS GO TO FLORIDA! :) Don't you worry.. I have a count down. 

Last week the CCM received close to 200 missionaries.  THAT IS CRAZY!  I love waking up everyday and seeing how many faithful and valiant servants the Lord has called.  Last week we were the "parents" in our zone.  This week we will be "grandparents".  It's awesome not being the newbies. :) But I feel for them.  Make it through the first week and you've got it. 

We finished teaching our first "investigator" this week.  Turns out he is our teacher and now knows how much we really need to work on.  It was both a good thing and a bad.  We were all a little embarrassed but we love him and he is such an amazing teacher with SO MUCH insight.  His name is Hermano Castallanes.  He wants to go into psychology and he can literally read your mind.  Yesterday Hermana Jackson and I were a little discouraged about learning Spanish.  We thought we had it going.. and then the Devil just came after us.  I guess that is what happens when you think you've got it.  He had me express my feelings and encouraged me to receive a blessing. 

I must say HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO HAVE WONDERFUL ELDERS IN MY DISTRICT WHO ARE WORTHY PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS!!!!  That is so important in life.  Today I feel like I am ready to tackle it again for another week.  I will keep you updated. 

I am known in my district for getting the most mail.  Here.. mail is SO rare.  I love getting the dear elders that you all have sent and the packages.  I literally LIVE FOR THEM.  They make a missionaries' life soo much better!  So, thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Package #2- Peanut Butter and Chocolate!

Package #3-"We had a Fiesta today"

Editor's Note:  Her companion emailed and thanked us for sending her packages because they make her really happy and "she eats that jar of peanut butter like nobody's business, and its hilarious".  She must have really been starving like she said.

Finally, something recognizable

Yesterday Hermana Jackson and I taught our second investigator for the first time.  The lesson was great and I FELT THE SPIRIT.  I know what my purpose is.  I know why I am here.  I CAN DO THIS!  I started to cry in the lesson because I felt so happy and I knew that I was where the Lord wanted me to be.  I know that missions are sooo essential.  The Lord needs our help to spread the sweet sweet gospel.  You don't have to be a missionary to share the gospel.  When you live a righteous life and are being an example to others.. people will see your example and want to be just like you, or have what you have.  WE ARE SO BLESSED! 

Preparing for our practice lesson

We have the best zone here at the CCM.  Everyone is so close and we just build each other up so much.  I have been so blessed with two WONDERFUL examples as sister missionaries, Hermana Aims (Salt Lake City) and Hermana McLean (Seattle Washington).  We have become the BEST of friends with them.  They are both leaving on Monday and going to Lima, Peru.  It will be SO hard to say goodbye.  But I know that they are going to do great things for the Peruvians and that we are sharing the same gospel on the other side of the world.  The gospel, the Spirit, God, Jesus Christ, is the same today, tomorrow, and FOREVER.  We are united in one work.  Even with Julia being in Japan. The gospel principles are the same.  It just fills me with so much joy to see that so much good is being done throughout the WHOLE WORLD.  I LOVE MISSIONARIES.  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! 

Our Beatles Abbey Road Interpretation

Hermana Snow and Hermana Jackson with their best zone friends

Last week was a little tough for our district because we lost one of our "brothers".  Elder Casperson had to go home.  HE IS AMAZING AND HAS SO MUCH FAITH.  I have no doubt that he will be right back here as soon as he can.  He improved and learned so much in the week that he was here.  He didn't know a thing of Spanish... but he knew so much by the time he left.  Keep him in your prayers.  I am sure he could really use it right now! 

Sunday night we had a devotional and I was filled with so much hope and faith.  There is no DOUBT that we bought that bracelet for a reason.  I think it has become the theme of the mission.  Doubt Not. Fear Not.  Our devotional was by Shawn Cates, a young father that lives at the CCM with his family.  I am not sure what his title is exactly... He filled all the missionaries with so much strength and confidence that they could do what the Lord had called them to do.  When we persist in what we have been called to do.. our capacity to finish it GROWS.  I have seen that so much already, just this week! The Lord takes care of us.  He will not leave us lonely.  He talked a lot about looking back and living in the past.  He tied it to Lot's wife.  We need to STAY ON TARGET. BE A DISEASE. :)  Never go away.  Never give up.  "Stick to the task, til the task sticks to you. Starters are many, but enders are few."  I am sure we have all heard that before.  IT IS SOOO IMPORTANT.  I am determined to stick to this task.  I am going to stay on target NO MATTER WHAT.  Turn my back to the doubts and continually face the light. 

I love you all!  Keep in touch.  I love hearing from everyone.  I know that with God's help ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. 

Keep smiling. 

Con Amor

Hermana Snow

also.. I sent a card but it might not get there in time.  I am challenging you all to a scripture reading challenge.  On August 19th when I get to Florida (which by the way I will be calling some time that day.. so mom. dad. olivia. anna... be on the look out for a phone call.  It will probably be in the morning. I will let you know for sure next week.. or the next time I look at my flight itinerary. it will be during my layover in the Dallas Airport :))  Start reading the Book of Mormon.  One chapter every day. I will be doing it with you in both English and Spanish.  Then when you have finished that... Start the Doctrine and Covenants.  From August 19th.. 377 days later you will be done with the whole triple almost. :) YOU CAN DO IT.  SI SE  PUEDE.  Then you can continue on and start the Bible.  Before you know it.. I will be home! :)