The heat is over!

It's cold here! Anything under 80 degrees feels so cold now. I've been in Arizona too long. I love being in the Valley though. I am know with my old companion Sis Brandley. Were together in Sept and now we are back together again. Sis Brandley round 2. But we are now serving in a YSA ward. Yes, I never thought I would serve in Young Single Adult ward but I am. I'm not positive I'll ever make it back to spanish work, but maybe one day. It's ok though because everyone needs the Gospel in their lives and Young Single Adult wards are very fun.

I love my companion. She is super great and we get along really well. I've been trying to have more fun and enjoy my mission. I still try and work hard, but who said it had to be boring! We recently got to go the Phoenix Temple open house which was really cool. Normally temples aren't open to the public but before it gets dedicated its open to the public for a few weeks. It's been really cool taking people. Sis Entin and I took our 80 year old investigator. She gets grumpy, so we promised her ice cream if she would come. She liked the ice cream and the temple. Last time we took her to the Visitor center she got really angry because she couldn't go inside the temple. This time it went better. 

We have some really great young investigators which super exciting. They are super cool and fun to teach. I promise I'll be better at writing group emails. I'm going to make it goal. Also taking more pictures. That's another goal. 

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Phoenix Temple!

Sis Entin and I at the temple.

Sis Mortensen (my trainer) and I, she doesn't want to leave me but she's going home this week!

 

 

 

It feels like fall

I have survive the refiners fire of the Arizona summer. It's starting to feel like fall. It's so beautiful outside. It reminds me of Idaho, but with less cold and more perfect. I get really confused when I walk outside and it's not super hot.

Something really cool is I got to help teach my companion's Grandma over skype. My companion's family is from West Africa.  So Sis Entin and another Elder who got evacuated from West Africa are teaching her in Creole. It's really fun because Creole is very similar to English but it is not the same. It's strange and fun to listen to. Well I guess I didn't help that much, but it was fun to watch. 

Today I cleaned the whole apartment. I feel great. I feel like a new women with an organized desk. It's been getting pretty bad, but not anymore. 

A story I really like from the Book of Mormon is the story of Nephi and his brothers. Nephi and his family went through many different kinds of trials. Nephi allowed himself to become stronger and more loyal to God, while his brothers just became bitter. Do we let hard things make us better or bitter? It's something I've been thinking about recently. 

Well till next week!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

General Conference 2014

This week has been fun. My old companion Sis Entin had emergency transfer and now we are back together! So after only 3 weeks I had to help her move back into my apartment. I also cleaned out my facebook! Or at least started. There was just so much stuff from over the years. It looks better now, but it could probably use a little more work. We should be getting iPads by the end of the year so we have to get everything ready before then. 

Today we got to go rancho market and get tortas or really big Mexican sandwiches. It was really fun especially with my English companion. I'm so full. It's been a while since I had Spanish work sized meals. 

We don't really have a ton of investigators right now. We do have a lot of less active people in the church we've been visiting. I've gotten to know a lot of really cool people. We also got to watch Meet the Mormons! It's a new movie about Mormons. Missionaries got to see it first. Members and nonmembers should go see it! It's really funny and great. 

I loved conference. Twice a year, we get to hear from our prophets and the apostles. One of my favorite things they said was about letting your kids play with everyone. Faith shouldn't be a reason not to be around certain groups of people. He called out all the people in Utah that wouldn't let their kids hang out with nonmembers and told them that was wrong.  God loves all of us and we should try to do the same! I loved my friends that weren't members when I was a kid. I think we should have some variety in our friend groups. 

Till next week!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Zone Conference

Life in Paradise Valley, Arizona

These past few weeks have been big pile of crazy. We had transfers  and I'm staying in paradise valley, but I got a new companion. She's the best! Her name is Hermana Brandley. She's Laytin, Utah. I like her a lot. She's a lot of fun. She's way too nice. I've never had this problem before. We'll be at the apartment and I'll walk away for a sec and I'll come and she's done all my dishes. I think she likes service too much.

She's been sheltered for most of her life. I'm teaching her all kinds of fun things like we shouldn't be talking to drunk men at night, it's not safe. Also I taught her what "Ghetto-rigging" was. I've taught her its ok to kill mosquitos. She still feels guilty about it though.

We now work in 3 wards. Sunday was really hard. We were running around like crazy trying to go to all the meetings. We were at church from 9-4. Sometimes we hide in empty classrooms so we can take a few minutes to eat. We cover 2 English wards and one Spanish branch. So have to switch languages all the time. It's really funny to watch.

Arizona has had some super bad flooding! I'll attach pictures. Our parking was 3 feet underwater. We almost lost Wal-Mart. The whole parking lot turned into a lake.

Also everyone here cans. I've been learning how to can and enjoying home raspberry jelly. It's so good. The members here are great and give us there extras.

Well until next week!

Hermana MacKillop

More flooding in Arizona

This week is going to be short but I had my first baptism! A man named Kenny got baptized. He's has been a member for about 30 years and now he's has decided to also get baptized. It was a great day and luckily everything went pretty smoothly.

We've had a lot of flooding problems! Our parking lots was under 2 feet of water for a while. Pictures next week. They have some crazy storms here. Things are going good in english work. We are kept really busy. There is a lot of work here. 

We had a talent show and we got volunteered to sing. I'm always getting volunteered to sing. For some reason people think that all missionaries can sing. That's not true. We sounded kind of terrible. We are called to teach not, to sing. Someone should clarify that. 

President Nelson is coming to our mission and the mesa mission! I'm really excited to taught by an apostle of the Lord. He's coming Sept 20.  The missionaries get a spacial meeting with him. 

Sorry I don't have more time. I've gotta go do the work of the Lord!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

PS Shoutout to Emilyn and Liz! Happy birthday! I didn't forget about you!

Another week en la obra de Ingles

First to answer a few frequently asked questions.

Q: How is your tan? 

A: Well, I'm not sure how this works, but I have stopped getting burnt, but I have tan very little. I am probably on shade darker. I look very white next to all the other bike missionaries. 

Q: Why are you in English work if you are a Spanish missionary?

A: I have asked myself the same thing. It's where they need to serve right now. 

Q: How do you ride a bike in a skirt?

A: Bike shorts. We wear bike shorts underneath our skirts. They're very comfy. The only hazard is sometimes the brakes eat my skirt which is really annoying. 

Ok well this week has been pretty good. I'm getting to know my new companion. She is so sassy. She's makes laugh all the time. I'm getting used to all the new people. We cover two wards and I do Spanish work one day a week. There's a lot of people to meet and remember. I'm in car now. It's great because I'm the driver. I like being able to drive. It makes me feel more normal. Send in any questions you want answered for the next time I do another Q&A. Till next week! Sorry this is short!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

I'm sending a picture of all of us in my last branch. I don't have pictures with the new ward, yet.

Sarah's Mission Address

I am posting this here until I find a way to put it on the front page!  Sorry I'm not good at all of this.  Lisa


Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Arizona Scottsdale Mission

6265 N 82nd St.

Scottsdale AZ 85250

Transfers

I did get transferred out of Phoenix, and got transferred to English work in Paradise Valley which is a really nice rich town a little North of Phoenix. I cover two English wards. I also cover "the square." The square is a 1 mile by 1 mile square full of apartments and Hispanic people. I'm going to help my companion street contact and find people in there for other Spanish missionaries to teach. I have a lot of work here. There are so many people in English wards. I used to covering a very small area. Now we have a car and I'm the driver. I like driving. I was almost put into the YSA ward but it got switched last minute.

I took lots of pictures! They'll be up on my blog.  I live in 2 bedroom apartment with my companion. I have my own bathroom and walk in closet. Its pretty nice. Actually its really nice. There were 4 girls but the other sisters area got taken over by elders. Now there are 6 elders in a tiny apartment. I feel really bad for them.

This week will be my first English week in English work wish me luck!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

(Sarah wasn't the only spanish sister to get moved into english.  Apparently a lot of spanish speaking sisters will be going home soon.  She will be moved back to spanish as soon as that happens.)

All these missionaries are serving in one Spanish Branch.  They were very lucky!

Sarah said she loves riding her bike at night.  Maybe because the sun is down?  

Quoted by Sarah "This Sis Orozco. She's our Relief Society president and takes very good care of us. She used to feed us two or three times a week. She's my mission mom and a beautiful Chilean lady.

She calls inicuas which means wicked. She thinks it is funny. "

Sarah and Sister Knouse are reunited for a day.  They were in the MTC for 6 weeks in Mexico.

Climbing Mountains

This week was a little crazy.  In the past week I have been on so many exchanges. I was working in the English Young Single Adult ward for 4 days! I missed speaking Spanish and Phoenix. Phoenix is a cool place. We've had more dust storms. Not as bad as the last one though. Also thank you for everyone who sent stuff in my packages. I got lots of love from Lewisville 2nd ward! I heard things are cooling down in Texas. I wish I could say the same for here. Its all good. I'm working on my tan. 

Today has been a great day. I climbed my first mountain ever! It was really hard, but I liked it. We climbed Squaw Peak. It was kind of similar to walking up an endless staircase. It was so high..... We talked to lots of people on the trail and made some new friends. Some ladies from the ward came and made it even better. We ran into our less actives we are working with. We found them at the top of mountain. The kids are super fun and we had a fun time talking to them. 

Some thing that I have been thinking about is questions. In our church we believe in asking questions. Our religion starting with a boy who had a question. Joseph Smith asked God which church is right and which should I join? God answered his question and told him none of the church had all of the truth and that Joseph Smith should help restore the Church of God.  I know God will answer our questions. Sometimes we just need to ask. It can never hurt to ask. It can be about religion, life choices, doctrine, anything. Ask questions this week!

Love,

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

So many crazy things!

I'm sorry I was not able to send a letter out last week. We had some serious computer problems. I had to learn some more patience that's for sure. 

Arizona has some crazy weather. When it rains it pours. We had a rain storm and it was raining so much! While it was raining the sky was going black. I started freaking out because it looked like there's was going to be a tornado. Well apparently that's normal here. My companion didn't quite understand why I was scared because she's never been in a tornado before. We survived no problems. Things are cooling down because we're entering monsoon season. It's really nice and its more humid so I feel right at home!

I've started being left alone in the area (alone without a companion that speaks spanish). Yes, alone without my companion. The sister missionary who is my temporary companion doesn't speak any Spanish. She's great. She just smiles and nods her head even though she doesn't understand anything. It's pretty funny. Good news is, I survived! I've been able to do all my phone calls and visits by myself. I've been learning I know more Spanish then I think I do.  

We got to go a pandria which is like a Hispanic bakery/sandwhich/taco shop. It was so good. I loved getting to use my Spanish and eat really good food. There was really nice chill Mexican music in the background playing. Out of no where though, eye of the tiger starts blasting through the speakers.  It was a pretty funny moment. Luckily it was quickly turned off. 

We had an all Spanish Charla for the whole valley, which covers Scotsdale, Phoenix and Mesa. A Charla or fireside is meeting where people sing and give talks or testimonies. Our branch was in charge and was very fun and spiritually uplifting. I don't know who told everyone I could sing. I can sing, I'm not sure how much the audience enjoys it, but I can sing. I sang at the Charla with the other missionaries of the branch. I also sang for the Zone last week. Hopefully I won't be asked to sing more. 

Till next week!

 Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Dust Storms!

I survived my first dust storm! Dust storms are the craziest thing! The sky was super dark and there was lighting everywhere,but no rain! I'm convinced this place never rains. We hid inside a members home until it was finished. It kinda felt like the end of the world.

4th of July was really fun. We decided to go to a park and talk to lots of people. Some people were really interested and wanting missionaries to come and teach them. Other people weren't very nice said some pretty rude things to us. I like being a Sister missionary because even though we wear skirts we blend in better with crowds. The Elders or boy missionaries have to wear white shirts and slacks all the time. It was sooo hot. We so hot and sweaty during the fireworks.

We got to go to the visitors center in Mesa with one of our investigators. His name is Emmanuel. He's 10 and he's a really cool kid. He loved the Visitors center. We watched a movie about Joseph Smith and he thought it was super cool. We showed around the temple. He said the fountains looked really classy. It's been really amazing teaching him. The first lesson we had with him, he was begging us to get him baptized. He loves coming to church and learning about all the cool stories in the Bible.

Made it to my 3 month mark! I feel like I'm starting to accept the fact I'm not leaving for a while. I have a lot more time to teach and serve people. Arizona's a pretty interesting place to live, but I like it here. There's not really anything green, excepts cactus. When ever I find some grass I just want to go and lay in it and pretend it's not over 110 outside.

Well I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

 This is a picture of the sand storm I found on Facebook.  The Temple really is a refuge from the storm.

Transfer week!

This week has been crazy!  So many things were going on. Yesterday was transfers and we got some awesome news. Our branch got two more sisters, which makes 6 sisters and 2 elders. We have 8 missionaries now! Our area was kinda overwhelming and it beginning to be difficult trying to make visits to our investigators and our less active members. We needed some extra help so our area got split in half. I'm excited to focus in more on the people we teach. We also got a mini van! It's awesome.  

Yesterday at transfer meeting we had to coordinate 10 sisters and their stuff. Let me tell you. Sisters have a lot of stuff. We had to pack everything our in mini van and it was really full. I love having lots of sisters. Our elders feel a little out numbered (because they are). 

Shout out to my brother! He came yesterday. I'm so proud of him and dedication to serve an honorable mission. We have really good investigators and we are hoping to get some baptisms next month. It's wonderful getting to watch people's lives change. I loved being able to be with through everything. We get to help people say their first out loud prayer and answer their questions. 

We had a Father's day activity and another sister got dressed up for it! Have a great week!

Sister Sarah MacKillop

Temple Trip

This week has been really crazy but really awesome. We had so many different things happen. I had first exchange with my sister training leader. I stayed in my area and she came with me for the day. I just got here in Phoenix so it was really hard to try and find my way around. I got lost a few times, too. Sometimes we need to get lost in order to find the people God wants us to find. We ended up running into a guy named Oscar. We talked for an hour about his life and how God has been able to help him. He came to church yesterday and asked if he could get baptized, and of course we said yes! We're going to start teaching him this week and hopefully he will baptized this month. 

We also had the chance to go the temple. It was so amazing. I love the temple. I felt the spirit really strong and learned so much. There were so many missionaries there that day. I feel blessed to be on a mission. If anyone would like to know a little more about what I get to experience everyday, ask the missionaries if you can come to visits with them. I'm sure they would love the help. I love when our members come with us to lessons. Last night I had wonderful member of our ward, Sister Tolado come with us. She is blind, but she is an awesome teacher. We love it when anyone can come and bear their testimonies. I hope everyone has a great week and love and miss all of you! By the way Happy Fathers Day to all the dad's out there!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

School's out!

I hope everyone's enjoying school being out! Things are starting to slow down. I feel like everyone leaves Arizona as soon as it gets hot. Our investigators are really doing good. I love being able to help people get their questions answered! So many people have questions. We get asked about everything. 

Our new investigators Armando and Ruldulfo. We meet them at a apartment complex while we were going to another appointment. We set a lesson with them, but they didn't seem very excited. We came to the appointment and they were waiting for us! They proved us wrong. I was really glad they wanted to hear more. We were teaching them about the restoration, which is how to Mormon church began, and they were asking how what happens when we die. I was like just hold on, we'll teach that next time, don't worry. They're so curious, we just want to teach all the lessons, but it seems like there is never enough time in the day! That just means we have stop by more often.

I love teaching people, even thought it's super hard teaching in Spanish. My suggestion would be if you know anyone and you think they might interested in the church, ask them if they liked to know more! Who knows maybe that's just what they need. Have a great week, and sorry for the lack of pictures. i'll work on that.

Hermana MacKillop

Summer's Here

This week been really crazy but in a good way. We've been working really hard to strengthen the area and it's been working. We have so many people to visit and teach. It's been taking a toll on me physically. I've found myself really tired all the time. Plus we ride our bikes everywhere. I'm still trying to get used to biking everywhere. I didn't exercise before my mission so it's been difficult. I feel like I'm suffering, but I'm happy about it. Even though it really hot, and I'm always tired, I feel great. I don't feel homesick and I'm really happy here. 

Being a missionary is awesome. I love getting to meet people and talk to them about Jesus Christ. Sometimes when I meet people on the streets and they seem like they're struggling, I'll ask if I can pray with them. It seems to make their days just a little better and give them a little hope. I love being able to serve the people in Phoenix.

We meet so many fun and interesting people. People are very open with missionaries. So many people meet me and then start telling me there life stories and they barely know my name! It's not really what I'm used to. 

It's hot here! I sweat so much. It's kinda gross. I feel like taking like 3 showers everyday. It ok when you're riding on the bikes and you have the wind and then you stop and gets even hotter. Luckily everyone is nice and invites us in and gives us cold water. Arizona is kinda like living in an oven. An oven full of wonderful people.

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Phoenix!

This week I've had lots of opportunities to serve!  We started out the week on Monday but helping a member build a patio for his house. He asked if two sister would willing to cook breakfast for everyone, so of course I volunteered! Sis Evans (who's from Virgina) and I cooked a huge breakfast for 12 people. It was pretty fun and I didn't even have to get dirty. The on Tuesday and I was on exchanges in the English YSA ward and helped a teacher move out of her classroom. It was really fun and she she took us to in and out after. Wed we helped the nicest lady in the whole world! She's blind but at first I didn't even notice because shes so independent. When I walked in I was wondering why she hadn't asked about me since I'm new, but the I realized she couldn't see me and I'm pretty quiet because it's hard to speak Spanish. She got bed bugs so we cleaning the entire house super well, but we had to throw out so much of her furniture. She's so positive and wonderful and I was really glad I could help her.

I would challenge everyone to go and try to find someone you can serve! Even little things make a big difference. As christians, we try to be like Christ. Christ spent his whole life serving the people so we should try and do the same.

We lots of work to do here. Lots of people to visit and teach. Lots of Spanish and opportunities to practice. It's really good to stay busy because then I don't get so distracted by thinking of home. Thanks for all the love and support I get from everyone back home!

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

I survived Mexico!

I love being in Arizona finally! It's great here. there is sooo much missionary work to do. My flight here was pretty terrible though. We needed to leave at 2:30 in morning on monday. I ended up not going to sleep because I was too excited and I had to pack. Then we had to an hour and half to even check in our luggage. Mexico is always crazy. Then we waited around awhile and talked a very nice cleaning lady in the bathroom. I slept a little on the flight, but that was it. Monday was really long, do to the lack of sleep. We did a lot of training things and I got to staying the mission home overnight. The mission president wife's is an amazing cook and very sweet lady. I like her cooking a lot. American food is a beautiful thing. I love Mexican food, but i also love american food. I don't think I've ever slept so good in my life. Then had the greatest beds. The beds in Mexico

weren't very comfortable.

Leaving my friends at the training center was really hard. I love being here in Arizona and helping people. We talk to everyone. Monday I did my first street contacting, which is where we go and talk to random people about the church. I meet a guy from Guatemala and even ended up giving him a Book of Mormon and invited him to church. His Spanish was really fast, but he spoke English too. I sent to Phoenix. It's a little Ghetto here, but I love it. Our Spanish branch is really good and we're trying to make it into a ward. I definitely got thrown into the pool. No one speaks a lot of English, here. Lots to do and lots of people to teach. I don't have a ton of time to talk but Monday I will be able to write again. 

With love,

Hermana MacKillop

Arizona Scottsdale Mission – Latest Arrivals 5.12.2014 (Including Ukraine Arrivals)

(I copied this from Sarah's Mission Blog)

May 12, 2014

This past Thursday I received an unusual call from Salt Lake City. Our Missionary Department contact, Bro. DeLaMare, indicated that the missionary department was sending 3 missionaries on Friday to our mission. The Ukraine Donetsk Mission was closing due to the ongoing conflict in the region and we were on the receiving end of 2 Sisters and 1 Elder who were being transferred to the Arizona Scottsdale Mission. We hastily devised a plan to put these missionaries infield with a companion through transfers and picked them up on Friday evening – the end of a 22 hour day for them. Elder Bumgarten, Sister Schrecengost and Sister Hopkin (all from the USA) arrived safe and sound and ready for a good night’s rest after a snack of roast beef sandwiches prepared philly style. Between that and the breakfast of Swedish pancakes the next morning, there missionaries were basking in the return to American cooking from their typical meals of borscht (root vegetable and cabbage soup).


Arriving Monday, May 12th from the MTCs in Mexico City and Provo were 5 Sister missionaries: Sister Havea (from Tonga), Sister MacKillop and Sister Knouse (Spanish speaking), Sister Taylor and Sister Hess. The Mission is now about 40% Sisters and we’re loving their “touch” throughout the mission! After a tour of the Mesa Temple Visitors Center where we also did the individual and group pictures, they headed back to the mission office for lunch, orientation and a nap (it’s 2:30 in the morning when the Mexico City MTC awakens the departing missionaries for their trip to Arizona). They each had a great first contacting session where several referrals and Books of Mormon were placed followed by dinner and an early bed time.


Tuesday was the mission-wide transfer meeting where Sister Sweeney and President Sweeney shared thoughts on Faith, followed by the showing of the Church’s recent videos on Mothers and Easter. Soon enough, each new missionary was paired up with their new companions and were off to their new assignments. We love these newly arrived missionaries already!

5 more days!

It feel like I've been here forever. My time in the CCM is so long and so short. I'm so excited to go to Arizona and serve the people there. My Spanish is improving with everyday. I can speak with natives understand most everything and carry on conversations. It super cool. I would of never thought I could learn a language in 6 weeks. This week has been full of studying. We study so much I feel like I can't possibly put more Spanish in my head. My teacher speaks only Spanish in class. We also can't speak any more English in class. It's challenging but it is helping a lot. 

I'm getting a little sad about leaving my friends here. Its been such a great opportunity to meet so many amazing people. this week we got another district or group of missionaries in our zone. We are in charge of helping them get settled. I love them. They are three more girls. One is from Hawaii, another girl  is Los Vegas, and the last girl came all the way from Australia! They're are very fun to be with. We been talking are final pictures and even started packing which is crazy.

Being in the MTC kinda feels the pre mortal life. We learn all of these awesome things. We get really excited. We get to make friends. They keep telling us the mission will be really hard but it'll be worth it. The we go to field and work really hard for 17 more months, separated from our friends and family. Then after we finish our work we get to home and see everyone! I'm grateful for my opportunity to serve. I feel very blessed. Even though it is hard to follow all the rules and be a good missionary, it is worth it! I'm happily serving the Lord and helping people come closer to God. My companion and I leave Monday at 3 in the morning. I'm so grateful for all of the love and support everyone has given me. Thanks for everything you do! Keep being awesome. The pictures of my companion and I good friends who left yesterday. Wish them luck in Maryland!

Sarah

If anyone wants to send me anything my address is:

Hermana Sarah MacKillop

Arizona Scottsdale Mission

6265 N 82nd St.

Scottsdale AZ 85250

Mexico is Super Loud

​People really like to party and have fun. I feel like everyday people are playing music really loud and blowing off fireworks. During Easter it was super loud. Today we got escape the missionary training center and go on our only field trip. We got to go to the Temple and visitors center. Ill attach pictures of the temple because it is so pretty! Mexico also has this special smell. Its a mixture of humidity, trash and sewage. I love it here but sometimes the smell is no good. 

Life here is great and hard. We study from 7:00 am to 9:30 at night. We get a few breaks for gym time and meals which is great. The Spanish is getting better. I can get out words and sentences pretty easily. I know the grammar really well but I really struggle to apply it in my speaking. SO I can speak it but its not very good. My teacher a native. When I speak he just smiles because its really bad. I´m just grateful I´m not the one who converts people to this gospel. That's God´s job. I just help people come closer to him. 

I´m excited to leave soon and get into the field. Next week is my last week here. I'll be really sad to leave all my friends I've made. I still have a lot of work to do and tings to learn though before I leave. I hope everyone back home is doing well. I love all the letters I get through email and things written before I left. I'm so grateful for everyone who is supporting me. 

Love,

Sarah MacKillop

Party in the MTC

Well, a spiritual party, where all we do is study, but its still fun. We have been getting to know our elders better and it has been really fun. We call the elders, our little turtles. They are very slow and we beat them every where. 

We had a rainstorm which was really cool. It reminded me of home. Everyone started freaking out. We had to go back to our classroom, so we took off our shoes and ran for it. 

This week I´ve been sick was hasn´t been fun. The Mexican food is disagreeing with me. It makes study all day less enjoyable but I got better so all is good now. We fasted as district for two meals which was cool for fast Sunday. Ive been getting better at playing basketball which is fun. I like our little casa we live in. Its really nice. I love the food and everything about it here. Its so beautiful. Dont worry about the water, we have our own supple separate from Mexico city. 

Im sending a picture of our elders in our district. More pictures next week.

Sorry for how short is it! More next week.

Hermana MacKillop

MTC Week 1

The plane ride to mexico was very beautiful and not too stressful. Some missionaries traveled as far as 10 or 12 hours to get here. One girl was from Alaska! The ride from the airport to the MTC

was very crazy. My group was all from Utah were freaking out because of the driving. I was like this is just like 635 in morning! Except during the traffic people were selling things in the streets while the cars were stopped. I didn't know this but Mexico city is in the mountain, in fact its 7,000 feet in the mountains. I saw all kind of crazy things when I flew over. I saw a giant home depot, soccer fields on roofs and other crazy stuff. O when I was trying to get into to mexico I encountered some problems. I made it through customs no problem, but in baggage claim I made it out without my passport. I was trying to explain this but no one spoke English so it was very hard. I finally got back there and found it so don't worry. I just had a Sarah moment.

 

I really like my district. There are 6 elders and just me and companion. It ok though because are very nice and take good care of us. They are very spiritual and cry a lot. I am blister free! I haven't had any problems with my shoes. The other sisters have been getting really nasty blisters and I'm grateful for my skills with moleskin. Funny story, there was this elder and he looked super familiar. I looked at his name tag and it said Follet. Then it hit me! This was Nick Follet (I think that's how you spell it) from my seminary class. He's changed a lot but he still pretty crazy. We have to teach in Spanish and its very scary. Yesterday I thought only in Spanish for 45 minutes! It went really well and we felt the spirit. Our Elders have been giving lots of blessings and its been cool seeing them use their priesthood.

I get along with companion really well. Her name is Sister Knouse. We work really well together. Mexico is very beautiful. I'm attaching some photos of my study area and my companion. 

Don't worry about me. I am happy and working and speaking Spanish.

First Letter Home

I'm alive! Wow im typing on spanish key board and this is kinda hard. Ok so flight was pretty good. There weren't any other missionaries on my flight. Ill send pics later. Mexico reminds of Terrys and the Ghetto side of lewisville. Not much different. The CCM is super pretty and I like it. Haven't seen my room yet or met my companion. I have already gotten awesome mexican food.

 

Saying good-bye is always hard to do

The time had come to send Sarah off on a airplane.  We were ready but it was still hard.  She was fine until we said good-bye.  We hid and watched her as she checked in.  Good luck flying to Mexico!

Introducing Hermana MacKillop!