The Week of Becoming a Spanish Speaking Missionary!!!

December 3, 2014

From the Mom:

Several people have asked for this:

Sister Sarah Packard

1060 Madison View Drive APT 106

Forest, VA  24551

From the Missionary :)

So! It was Thanksgiving, we got food poisoning, I'm gonna speak Spanish, He is the Gift was launched, and miracles are coming.

 

Thanksgiving we had 3 "meals" and even though we really didn't eat that much it felt like we did.

 

We've been trying to walk a lot more and Saturday we walked for 3 1/2 hours and went to the gas station to treat ourselves. Delved into some beef jerky. Ate a few pieces then pulled out a softball of mold......we thought we were going to die.

We spent the rest of the day moaning and groaning and not feeling too good. Sunday we sang in Sacrament so we kept praying to get through that, then come what may. I lasted til about 5 o'clock when we were sitting at a members house. All white furniture and carpet. 

We got out of there fast and I spent the rest of the night sitting on the floor by the toilet. Went to bed at 8, didn't wake up til 8 (12 hours of sleep is wonderful) and then we both got blessings and spent the whole day Monday at home.

Once I finally think I've got my health figured out........man. But I hear I'm not the only cousin having health problems. I love you both. Life is hard. People are mean and hurtful, but God understands. And so do I :)

 

I'm going to be a Spanish speaking missionary before I come home! I've been reading from the Spanish Book of Mormon every night for 30 minutes. We got stocked up with Spanish Church material! My zone leaders are fluent and working on organizing a Spanish Branch. And the Assistants to the President told me the first Spanish speaking Sister we get I will be companions with. BOOM!

I'm praying for the gift of tongues. And of course once I started studying and praying for opportunities to use it, we haven't seen a single Spanish speaker..........

Heavenly Father is funny sometimes.

 

Have you seen "He is the Gift" yet?

If not, stop what you're doing and watch it!!!!!!!!!!

 http://www.mormon.org/christmas 

As missionaries we see how this is going to change lives! Especially being so close to a Baptist college. We have already seen attitudes and spirits change. We met a professor at Liberty who said she would share it with her classes.......

 

We also had some great teaching moments this week. The Spirit has been strong and wonderful. We found out how dumb we are though. We've been having lessons with members about missionary work and we always ask what they want from us.

One sister said, "I think it'd be awesome to have lessons in our home, but I don't know. Is that allowed?" ARE YOU KIDDING!?!?!?! That's all they want us to do! So if you haven't already, Tell the missionaries they can teach in your home. It will work.

Offer to have them over for Family Home Evening and let them know they can invite investigators. Be more involved. And for goodness sakes feed them. It's the Holidays. They're lonely enough. Please don't make them sit at their apartment alone.

Trust me, it's not fun.

 

I can't talk much about the investigators.   I know, it's so different from the last area. But lots of these people are very Baptist and involved with Liberty in some way. And don't want the association with the church on their record :) That will change though.

 

Sister Lopp is leaving me, a whole 10 minutes away! She's nervous but we've been having so much fun lately. Laughter seriously is the most important thing.

 

Hey guess what!!?!?!?!?! I'm 1/3 done with my mission! I'll be home in a year!!!!!! You miss me yet? :)

 

-Sister Packard

 

Best:

1. He is the Gift.

2. Chocolate oranges :)

3. New boots.

4. Laughter.

5. CHRISTMAS!

6. Dreams :)

7. Conference talks about family relationships. I can't get enough.

8. Starbucks doubly chocolately chip frappuchinos :)

9. I like, don't even sweat anymore!

 

Worst:

1. Gnats. EVERYWHERE in the apartment!

2. I think I'll always be cold for the rest of my life. And I'm starting to like it and get used to it.