Adios MTC

Hola Familia!  Como esta?  Muy bien esparo!  Well the time has come to say Adios to the lovely cynder block walls of the MTC.  LOCO...

Grandma Holland I love you I hope you are feeling better. I just received the letter and hope you are well and healing.  I think about you both a lot.  Just get better and always remember as I know you do that the Lord knows exactly how you feel.  Grandpa you are a trooper.  Your letter meant a lot to me.  Gracias Mucho! 

Grandma G!  THANKS FOR THE COMIDA!! FOOD..It is always well received here and Gladys cookies are mi Favorita!!:) I love you.

The MTC feels like it has been a journey in itself. Filled with its high points and low points..as is life.  However, I don't understand how I have already discovered so much about myself. Discovered how hard I am on myself often for no reason, and at the same time how much God Loves me, and how much God loves you individually.  It is unreal.  Our lessons this week seemed to have one focus..the Atonement of Jesus Christ..La Expiacion.  The way bearing your testimony about the power of the atonement can make the room feel shows how incredible this single act was and how applicable it really is to each one of us.  He knows me he knows you.  Even in the moments of the greatest doubt, that knowledge alone is enough to push through.

This week we had the treat of hearing from Russell M. Nelson in the Devotional.  Interestingly he ended 20 minutes earlier than normal...when the members of the Seventy come they usually talk way over...however, this was interesting to me.  HE said everything he needed to say in a very short time.  He focused the basic and most important principles of the Gospel of Jesucristo..Faith, bautismo, arrepentimiento...this shows how simple the Gospel is.  How important it is to focus on the simple things..to remember the simple things.  One thing Elder Nelson said was when you have nothing else to say, say "Segimos Jesucristo"  "We follow Jesus Christ"  It is  so true.  That is who I am a representative of the Savior Jesus Christ.  And one thing I already know is I could not do this without him. I could not teach a lesson in Spanish without Him.  My job for the next however many months is to invite others to come unto him.  To realize they have a best friend always in the Savior JesuCristo.  Always, because none of us can relate to anyone unitl we have felt it ourselves.  And that is why Jesucristo can always relate to us. 

I know the Lord puts people in our paths that we can relate to.  People who have been through a similar experience and thus know sort of how you feel...It feels so good when that happens.  When we say our prayers we can talk to someone who knows even better...it feels so good.  I have realized a new power of prayer..or how I now like to think of it a conversation.  The love God has for us is unreal.  I have felt it multiple times here. I have felt the Spirit of the Lord teach me..

I have been blessed with an incredible companion here...seriously she is the happiest little thing ever!  And has taught me what may be one of the greatest lessons I learn throughout this mission.  The importance of Charity.  Of seriously just keeping your eyes open for opportunities.  I try but it is definitely difficult after 20 years of thinking a certain way...It is possible with effort. And I know as i begin to help REAL people...that Charity or Love of Christ will become even greater than ever before.  I am not learning Spanish for myself as I said before at the beginning of this MTC deal...and that is what I have to remember my whole mission.  I learned yesterday the importance of continuing to study the language diligently every single day...and the Lord will help it all come together.  I really do believe that although right now it may seem like..how and the world am i going to carry a comfortable conversation with real people.

EL MIEDO..Fear...has been my fear all my life.  And so.  I am going to leave on Monday trying with all my heart to eliminate all fear...I am apprehensive I have no clue what to expect.  Possibly a Trailor will be my next home(I've heard stories), possibly a small pink bedroom...hahaha but none of that matters.  NOne of it.  I am in the Lords hands if I am doing what i am supposed to be doing.  And honestly mom and dad these are the safest hands I could ever be in.  As hard as it is to believe.  I aslo heard the gangs in NM are nice to the missionaries hahaha...came from my companions mom who freaked out and called our mission president after hearing something about El PAso. He assured her all is well...we will be safe.  I am honestly not afraid for my saftety at all.  I am more afraid for the ability to communicate effectively.  But I know if I have the sufficient faith, the Spirit will communicate.  IT already has in my time here at the MTC.

I love you so much.  El Evangelio is increible.  En Serio.  El Libro de Mormon blows mi Mente sometimes.  The stories in the BOM are so relatable to our lives..as i've read with less distraction!  SO true.  I love you all so much.  I miss you and hope all is well on the home front.

Con Amor and next time from New Mexico,

Hermana HOlland