THE SOUND OF MUSIC

JULY 22, 2017

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Hello Loves... 

  On Monday morning this past week, I rolled out of bed barely alive, looking like I just wrestled an ally cat inside a dumpster... I got my towel and clothes ready and stumbled to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, still half awake and decided I needed to start waking up!! (Now, at this point be aware that there are about 10 other showers around me all filled with sisters who like me were all silent and half asleep) So of course I started to sing. And what came to mind... The lovely music from "The Sound of Music" LOL!! I started to sing... "How do you solve a problem like Maria..." As I was singing I noticed the girl in the shower next to me start to hum the melody, I got a little louder "How do you catch a cloud and pin it down..." Then another sister started to sing with me while the other hummed. I continued on... "How do you find a word that means Maariaaa..." Then all at once to my surprise I had about 5 other sisters singing along with me. We all continued on singing the song, and as we did more and more sisters joined till the whole bathroom was singing "The Sound of Music"!!!

 I was dying with laughter while we were all singing, it was so awesome and hilarious!!! That's what happens when you are doing your best to be happy and keep pushing forward I guess!!  You go CrAzy...LOL!  Something I said to my companions after that, was "at this point I either Laugh or Cry" And I much rather have a good time and Laugh!! Anyways, that made me happy, and helped me start the week off right! 

Sister Poulson, Sister Brown, Sister Neilson
THE FAMOUS TRIO

    This week was filled with so many miracles! I am part of a pilot program, 1 of 3 in the entire world (everyone in this pilot program was chosen to be apart of it when the church was assigning mission calls) and because of this our training and experiences are different. I have been able to be teaching real investigators that come in to meet with missionaries here at the MTC. My companions and I have taught about 5 investigators. We have been meeting with one of them since the first week we were here. She is the best! She is from Columbia and is pregnant due in September. She had been meeting with the missionaries before she came to us so she knew a little bit about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We taught her about 5 times, and on the 6th time we met with her I decided to get some guts!! I asked her if she had faith in Jesus Christ, she said "YES" and I continued to explain to her that faith requires action and that in order for her to be granted the Gift of the Holy Ghost and be a representative of Jesus Christ and show that she loved him, she needed to be baptized. So... I asked. "Paula because of your faith in Jesus Christ, and the love you have for him, will you follow his example and be baptized?"... My heart was pounding so loud my companion sitting next to me could hear it!! She paused and waited. We sat in silence... "Yes, if that is what he wants me to do, then yes" I was shocked!! Every other investigator that I had asked to be baptized had bluntly said no! I was so excited for her and I might have come off a little creepy, but she knew it was because I was excited for her. I told her that her family and her little girl would be blessed for her faith and decision to be baptized. It really was a miracle!! 

    Times are good here!! I can't believe that I only have one week left though. I leave to London on Aug. 1st and I fly alone!! I was really bummed when I got my flight plans and found that I wouldn't be flying with my companions.  They are going to the London South mission, and I'm going to London Central, so we fly into different airports. It will be great though because I have a direct flight to London and my companions have to make a stop in Las Vegas... Suckers!! 

    Something that I have found is really hard about the MTC life is dealing with stress! Back home when I was stressed I would turn to my art or working out to relieve my stress, anger, and anxiety. Here that's not an option. You are on such a strict schedule that you don't have any time or resources to get your emotions and feelings out. The only time where I can let some of my stress out is during the tiny hour that we have to work out. And let me tell you, I go so hard during that one hour I have. I am so grateful for it! It's awesome because I have been able to stay in shape!! LOL! I was relieved when Sis. Salvasen (my teacher) told me that I could do my art when I got out into the field and that I would be given time to workout as well. I'm so excited!! 

    I hope you are all doing well, and continuing to stay positive and Pray. A quote that I really liked this week was "Humble yourselves before God, or God will find a way to Humble you!" We must remember to Humble ourselves before God. Meaning we must go to him in prayer and let him know what we have messed up on or what we are struggling with. Repentance!! We must repent, even for the little things. It makes such a difference in one's happiness. I have found that it also is a stress reliever to repent. God gives us peace when we are completely honest with him. One of my favorite scriptures (that I have shared so many times with our investigators) is found in Isaiah 1:18. 

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 

as white as snow; though they be red like crimson

they shall be like wool."     

    I love this scripture about repentance because it gives an artistic visual of what Christ does for us through the Atonement/Repentance. Scarlet (sin) and White (pure/clean) two completely different ends of the color spectrum, and yet Christ makes up the difference. He can completely change our beings... If we go to him in sorrow and repent! I love him, and I love the fact the ANYONE can be forgiven and have a change of heart/being (Scarlet to White)!

    I Love you all very much, remember who you represent! Continue to be like him, as Fierce as a Lion and as Soft as a Lamb. Continue to strive to become like him, and envision what it will be like to be with him and you will make it!! I wish I could give you all a big hug! 

 I must continue to enjoy "The Sound of Music" and press forward with faith in my SAVIOR, my MASTER, my KING OF KINGS, JESUS CHRIST. Again, "FAREWELL, GOODBYE, TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU...GOODBYE!" 

 I love you all more than words can express, even to the Moon and Back. 
Until next week... 

- Annabell

I LOVE MY PEOPLE!

A LITTLE TOO MUCH...

JUST NOT THE CAFETERIA AND ITS FOOD! 

LIKE UNTO QUEEN ESTHER

JULY 15, 2017

Hi Loves, I hope you are well and happy! 

  This has been a hard week here at the MTC!  They barely give you enough to get by here; meaning sleep, free time, talking to family, and they don’t ever give you the answer to questions, you are the one who has to learn and study for the answers. I have quietly cried myself to sleep on more than one occasion this week. However, I have learned so much in such a short amount of time and I am so grateful for that!! I have to best teacher in the world!! Sister Salvasen, she is from South Africa and seriously is one of my role models, she is so in tune with the spirit and knows so much information about the gospel and she is REAL; she doesn’t pretend to be some perfect being. I love her!!

 This week not only has been super hard but again super super humbling. The time where we are in class learning and doing practice investigators is frustrating because you feel imperfect, and your weaknesses come out. I am slowly learning to view my imperfections as an opportunity to become better and become more like my Savior Jesus Christ. I have found that when I am struggling or feeling imperfect to turn to him. During those moments of imperfection, I like to study him (Jesus Christ). I have found such a love for the scriptures but especially for the book "Jesus the Christ" by Talmage. One thing that I have learned is that Christ will make up for our weaknesses 100 fold. 

Christ = Infinity

1,000,000*Infinity = Infinity

.00000001*Infinity = Infinity

  No matter where we are in life if we turn to Christ, have faith in him and seek him in all things he will make up the difference. Whether you are at your best (1,000,000) or at your worst (.00000001) Christ (Infinity) makes up for us in all things. He knows our weaknesses, our strengths, or pains/sufferings, he knows who we are and what we can become. I am here to Become!! There is a picture that I found this week that has given me strength, and it now means so much to me. 

  This picture popped up on my LDS app out of nowhere when I was having a really hard day. Queen Esther. I decided to go and diligently study her. She was a woman of Courage, Beauty, Loyalty, and Love. One of the things that I love most about Queen Esther that some people may not notice, was her humility. Out of hundreds of beautiful women, she was chosen by the king. She was even claimed to be the most beautiful women in all the world. Queen Esther had Love and Grace in all things. She could have abused her position, and taken it for granted. Instead, she decided to be but a vessel for the Lord. She had so much power, and yet she treated those beneath her with Love (Mordecai/Jews) and Kindness. She even risked her own life because of the Love she had for her people. 

"And so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish" 

 I Love Queen Esther!!! I hope that through my experience of being out on a mission I can become more like her, and develop her characteristics more fully. Love, Grace, Kindness, Courage, Beauty, and Loyalty. I know that if I center my life around the teachings of Christ, these qualities and characteristics will come with ease. Christ is the MASTER of Grace, Kindness, Courage, Loyalty, and he is absolutely the source of pure and everlasting Love.  

 Through this hard week have come some of the most tender and spiritual experiences. I find it funny how when we are at our weakest, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ gives us little tender mercies so that we are capable of getting by. Yesterday was by far the hardest day this week, (I even cried a bit in class and had to excuse myself for a min.) Because I was studying Esther and trying to become like her, I picked myself up and willed the courage to keep going. I went into a private room and humbled myself through prayer. I gave account to my Father in Heaven. I was completely honest with him. I explained to him my struggles, frustrations, and weaknesses. I was at my weakest (.0000001). I poured my soul out to him. In return, he showered me with love. I had glimpses of some of the hardest moments in my life and this came to mind. 

"You were not Alone" 

 And I wasn’t! So why would I be now? Being in the MTC doesn’t even compare to some of the pains and sufferings that I have experienced. And if I could get through those times in life where I literally thought I wouldn’t make it, then I am going to do more than just get by here. I am going to sacrifice everything for him. Heavenly Father answered my prayer by showing me Love at the same time telling me to stop complaining. I have been through worse, and this is nothing. I Love him more than I can express, and that Love is only growing. I can't imagine what it will be like one day when I actually get to be in his presence 

...PERFECT...

During that same day (yesterday) when my Father in Heaven had told me to stop complaining because I had been through much worse, he also showed me so much love, he answered my prayer through the Holy Ghost and also through Music. It was after class and I was studying a mural of Christ and writing goals to become more like him. When all of the sudden I heard a faint and familiar melody. "Somewhere in Time" One of my all time favorite music! I got teary because I knew it was a tender mercy sent just for me. I got the impression to follow the music. As I did the beautiful melody got louder and louder. I rounded a corner and walked through two large wooden doors and there was an Elder playing the Piano!! I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I sat in the far back for what felt like 30 mins and just listened. It brought me so much peace. And again I felt my Fathers and Saviors Love, personally. 

 I’m still growing, I'm still learning, and I’m loving it! I hope you all know how much I love you, and I pray for each of you individually every night. Remember you are not alone. And you never will be. However, you are the one who determines how close you come to know your savior. And I testify that the more we know of him, and desire to become like him, we will be filled with eternal Joy, Love, and Happiness. Again, I love you all and hope you are doing well!

...YOU ARE NOT ALONE...

Companion Trio!!

Bathroom Break! LOL

Love these girls!

THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ

JULY 8, 2017 -First Email
THE LAND OF Oz
      Family, first off "I'm not in Highland anymore" lol, I'm in the Provo MTC! Although it's only like 30 mins away from home, I feel just like Dorthy. As if I just fell right out of the sky and landed into a whole new world. And like Dorthy, I'm overwhelmed to be in a new place, but this new place is amazing, magical, and there is so much to learn! There are new creatures (people working here), potions (scriptures), and spells (prayers) that I am trying to learn about and master!

This Land of OZ is truly, MAGICAL!! 

I hope you all are doing so well and that you are HAPPY! I want you to know how much I love you all, and even though it has only been 4 days I miss you so much!! I am absolutely loving the MTC!!! I don't know why so many people told me it would be awful, because I am not lying, I really love it! The days are extremely busy and tiring, but that's why I am here.  I am here for things to be hard so that I can become a better person and the best Annie that my Father in Heaven would have me to be. 

I Love my companions. Yes, companion's... I am in a trio, but it is amazing!! Sis. Nielson and Sis. Poulson. Both from Utah, both going to London England Temple Visitor Center, so I was kinda just thrown in their mix, because they will be together their entire mission. Sis. Nielson and I connected from the beginning. We have similar personalities and we both want to have a really good time. It's funny too because we both kid around with each other so much and we both played sports in High School. Sis. Poulson is awesome too! Working with both of them the last couple of days has been fun, new, and on a few accounts frustrating. We are all so so passionate just in really different ways. In fact, we were teaching an Investigator the other day, and after wards our trainer (Sis. Salvasen) came up to us and said that exact thing. That we all were "go-getters", but had different approaches. She said that she was amazed at how we had done together, and that we had been like Peter, James, and John. 

That same day (yesterday) was really humbling. I have already learned so much about myself its crazy. We have taught about 6-7 investigators already and I am beginning to learn my strengths and my weaknesses. I like to take lead and kind of direct where the lesson is going, but I am learning that sometimes I just need to sit back and let my companions go at it. Our trainer on that same day (yesterday, and she is seriously amazing, she is 25 yrs old) came up to us and introduced the "power". Because we are in a trio she brought up Peter, James, and John again, and told us that there always needs to be one companion who has the "power". In Peter, James, and Johns case it was Peter. The companion who has the power lets the other two ask questions about the investigator to get to know them and learn what they are about and believe in. The companion with the "power" is to focus on the investigator and read how they are feeling, emotions, and body language. They listen and observe what is being said and if the spirit is present. And if they would like, they can completely head another course with the lesson if they feel that the spirit isn't present. My trainer and companions said I should be the one to take the power. I was SHOCKED and so nervous. I felt so much riding on me, because I was pretty much the one to be in charge of making sure that the investigator is learning and that the spirit was present. And let me tell you, without the Spirit in a lesson... you get nowhere. 

After that we went about the day. That night though, was one of the most powerful moments of my life. We went to teach an Investigator Ivan, a 22 year old college student, who was referred to us by his mom who is LDS. That night I really tried to humble myself and know that I am but a vessel in the Lord's hands (that's another thing I am learning about myself, I always need to be humble!!) So that's how I went into the lesson, with love for my Savior and being but a vessel. And like I said it payed off. My companions and I taught, while our two other roommates (Sis. Withers and Sis. Shume) observed. And btw I love them so much!!

 Anyway, We started out by getting to know Ivan and introducing ourselves (the 3 of us). Ivan is a 22 year old construction worker. He really hates his job, he said that the previous job he loved, but that he was fired. One of my companions questioned as to why, he said that he was fired because of an addiction to Heroine! Which really shocked all three of us. Both of my companions turned to me just puzzled, and in my mind I said, "Father please help me to show this man your Love".  Ivan further stated that his mom is LDS, and that he left the home before she became a convert. I asked him if he believed in a God and if he had a relationship with him? He said firmly NO. He didn't believe there was a loving God because God wouldn't put him through so much pain and give him such a hard life. Again both my companions turned to me, I turned to Ivan and tried my very best to invite the spirit and connect to him and let him feel loved. I talked about how each one of God's children comes down to earth with trials, hardships, and tragedies, and how he gives us these hardships to become better. I told him that there was a time in my life where I had similar questions as he did. I told him that I watched my Sister sit in a hospital bed for months and months fighting to simply stay alive. I told him that I questioned god just as he did, and wondered if he was even a loving God, I said "God why would you do this to my Sister, are you even there, do you even love us?" and that I had hardened my heart towards him. Then came the good part... I explained to him that I was simply done. Done with everything. "I didn't know what else to do but pray and ask and pled to my Father in Heaven and just be there for my Sister. Things got a little easier with Christ at my side, through prayer,  and as I prayed to Heavenly Father I started to have faith in him. And once that faith grew and grew, I felt his love so strongly, and I knew he was there. I was the one who needed to change, I needed to view things differently and be open to letting him in"

 During this moment I didn't know what was going on around me, I didn't notice sounds or movements that were going on, I simply let things flow from my mouth out to Ivan. After that portion was done , I asked him if he would pray and ask God if he would show his love unto him. I explained that he had to go to him with an open heart and be willing to receive an answer. He asked,"how do I know if i get an answer, what am I looking for or looking to feel?" I explained that "we receive God's love and answers through the Holy Ghost. In our Church we believe in three separate beings, God (also called Heavenly Father), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. And for me personally I feel the Holy Ghost by getting a really warm feeling inside, and I cry. For you and everyone else it can be different. God shows his love to each one of his children differently. Ivan I promise you that if you ask God if he is there and if he loves you, you will receive an answer and it might not come as fast as you want or the way you want but it will come." That's where I ended. My companions then bore their testimonies, and at the moment I realized that I had taken up the entire lesson. And I felt bad about it. Afterwards though, each one of my companions and roommates told me that they had never felt the spirit so strongly and that what I was saying was amazing. I was really surprised because what I was saying was just me relating to him. However, I knew that we had invited the spirit because I felt it so strongly, probably one of the strongest spiritual experiences I Have ever had!! 

I know that I still have a TON to learn and that I need to work harder!! Enough is never enough here in the MTC, and that's one thing I love about this gospel, there is no end. You always need to keep striving to be better, until eventually we become perfect like our Savior! Which is a long long way for me, LOL! I know that although I am imperfect, I can find perfection in my HF and Savior. They are perfect in all ways, so I can count on them in everything. I hope I am making them proud and happy! I want to keep working harder and harder, because I know the harder I work the better I become. I have been trying to take every opportunity to its advantage. I have been waking up at 5 in the morning to work out, and eating healthy.  The food here is pretty gross and greasy, but luckily they have Oatmeal and a salad/wrap bar everyday. So yes, of course, Salad every day. And I love it because you can put what ever you want on it!! Again I'm am trying to become a better daughter of God, and become who he would have me to be. I am working my very hardest and will continue to do so, because I know within just a tap of my ruby red slippers I will be home.

Wow... this is really Long, LOL!!!! I hope you are all doing well, and remember to be happy and have Fun!! That's what I am doing for sure. I love you all so much, you are all in my prayers every night. I love you all very very much, and miss you Tons!!

I Love you all, even to the MOON AND BACK!!

 - Annabell