Hola Familia!

Wow, what a week! It´s just crazy, we do the same thing here, everyday basically, but it´s so different because honestly we NEVER know what is gonna happen.

I have been good though, lots of success this week, and Hna. Riggs and I are getting along GREAT. We are really similar so it´s super fun!

Well, last Tuesday we found 6 new investigators. It was just a whirlwind, people just accepting us left and right. It was awesome! Totally made me realize what missionary success is like. 9 nuevos on total :)

One was a family of 4 and they have two others, but they haven´t been home. We taught them again later in the week and they seem semi-intersted. Not really the dad, but the others do. They couldn´t come to church yesterday, but they said next week, so HOPEFULLY they really do. It´d be great.

Another one is Alejandra and her adoptedish daughter who really has lived through a lot and is only 13. Just abusive parents and all. Awful stuff. But they are reading the BOM and progressing! I sure hope they find the truthfulness of it. Alejandra is very religious, just not in the LDS church. Ha!

We also got 2 dates for baptism. One is Jean, who I wrote about last week. He is gonna try to prepare, but I need to have more faith in him and his own decisions. I just don´t know what else to do with him. He accepted a date which is GREAT but he always asks Why is baptism necessary? How will it really change my life I´m living now when I get baptized? I swear, we´ve tried everything! Ha. But really he WANTS to know. We´ve had some pretty powerful lessons with him the past week and he is just searching, I think he´s received his answer, but just hasn´t realized it! Actually, I know he has. He just has a very logical mind, not really open to feelings.

The other one is GOLDEN. Maritsa. She is basically a Nancy Russel. ha! Maybe not quite as good, but pretty close. Ok, so we taught her. She works with the bishops wife and came to church last Sunday so we met with her twice this week. The first time was great. She asked, What happened in the Americas during the time of the Bible... insert Libro de Mormom!! and then she´s had a priesthood blessing before so she realizes and has a testimony in that which made it super easy to have a testimony in Joseph Smith. So we left her with a pamphlet of the resturation and on the back there are some steps like.... 1. meet with missionaries 2. pray about and read the BOM 3. Set a baptism date 4. visit mormon.org..... ect.. So we go into our second lesson and have the goal to set her a baptism date, and SHE pulls out her pamphlet and was all concerned because she didn´t have a date! It was the easiest thing ever. She´s great. The ONLY problem is she doesn´t live in our area, but she is just living with her Aunt right now, so it´s not her house and she doesn´t feel comfortable with the elders teaching her, so we have permission to teach her. I just hope she can get baptized in our ward.... gotta figure that out. But so great teaching her!

We have another couple of families we´ve found. Haven´t taught them tons yet! But I´m hoping it´ll all work out with them. Our ward needs some family support with good leaders. But really, prayers are answered because we have been in contact with lots of families.

Yesterday in Church we had 2 investigators. The Carlson family, I told you about last week with the family problems. The MOM came to church. not the dad, he was sick, so now we have to move his baptism date back because you have to be at church 3 times, but I was so happy to see Magali there, and she enjoyed it which is awesome. Oh, loved seeing her walk in!

Friday we had intercambios! I went to a place called Limache! It was fun. My comp for the day was Hna Moncada, from Chile. It was nice to switch it up. All SPANISH, all the time because she speaks no English. I basically understood everything so that was good. She´s only been out 1 change longer than me so we were both in the training stages still. ha! but honestly, she´s a really good missionary. I learned a lot to ALWAYS talk about baptism and how we have the authority that Christ had. It was just good. Like a sleepover in Chile!

Mom, I ALREADY recieved your package. It got in here 13 days. Can you believe that? Fastest thing EVER. THANK YOU. Love everything inside :)The hot tamales may already be gone..... ha!

And yes, Tuesdays we receive letters on Tuesdays and district meetings!

I learned why in South America they greet with a kiss on the check.... read 1 Thes. 5:26. Everyone should abide by this rule.

This week we´ve been really focusing on getting down the first lesson, it´s going good. Not where I want to be yet, but it´s only been 2 weeks! Gotta have patience and faith that it´ll come :) But it´s really good to master because it´s what you teach the most.

Ok, the music here.... when singing with Chileans. Awful. ha. Really, bad. But it´s ok. They all sing their hearts out, I just need to volunteer to try to play the piano, at least the right hand so people are in the same key! ha

Robs... start finding music to put on your ipod now, it´s the best to have a great variety of all :)

Ok, in Seminary we played this game called. ¨quien es su papi?¨ I´m sure Skye can explain it to you. But us Hna´s are in charge of teaching the lesson tomorrow in our zone and district meeting and we´re gonna play it! The elders are gonna LOVE it. ha!

Really this week has been good. Missionary work is different than I thought it would be. But it´s good. Really, I love it. It´s weird to think I´m gonna be doing it until next August or September, but it´s just gonna FLY by. It´s a lot of finding people and talking to EVERYONE. That is the way to find people, just talk. But I love it. I´ve learned a lot about working with people and especially the members. I challenge all of you to OFFER to go out with the missionaries to a lesson. They are always needing members and really pray and think about people to refer to them. Members are the BEST tool to finding people to teach. Really, one lesson, they´ll ask you to bare your testimony probably. We can all do that. It´s such a blessing to the missionaries, the investigator, and to you!

The rest of today consists of groceries, back to the house, we want to play ping-pong in the church so if we have time we´ll do that. Write some letters maybe.... I just feel like it´ll take FOREVER to get letters to the states. but I should do it anyways. Maybe to the MTC buddies :)

Tonight we´re doing a Noche de Hogar (FHE) with the Obispo and fam with Marista (baptism date) NDH are the best. Super fun. We´re taking rootbeer and ice cream to do rootbeer floats. ha! Should be rather tasty.

I just sent off some pics so I hope you got them!

Well, love you family! I really appreciate all the love and support I get from you everyday. Seriously, I can feel it. Makes is so much easier to work hard and keep going when I have a supportive family. The Church is true. Jesus Christ Lives, We have the priesthood on the earth today, what a great blessing. Joseph Smith was a prophet who restored this wonderful church. we are blessed and lucky to have it! Missionary work is the work of God and he blesses those who try their hardest to do so!

Love you all, miss you and think and pray for you everyday!

Keep Smiling!

Hermana Sargent

Hna. Riggs and I :)

Intercambio companion- this area was a lot more campo, like fieldish. A little poorer than my area, but i Loved it.

Tiny turtle

Just another turtle pic.... hahaha

Familia Pucshell. The younger guy got baptized before I got here and then they have 2 inactivos. just a little visit with them!

Ok, let me just start by saying I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEED skyping yesterday. I always think it´ll make me homesick but it never ever does. I´m always just so happy afterward. I think it helps that we´ve had so many missionaries in our fam so it´s like, oh they´ve all done this…. I can do it! It was sooo fun! I felt like I was talking the whole time and couldn´t even ask you all questions, but I hope everyone is well. I assumed so by the looks and comments of everyone. So great.

I love Chile. I don´t know why, but any other culture other than USA I just love. I love our culture too, but others are just kind and humble. I need to be more like that. But seriously it´s great. The food, the people, the eathquakes (there was a TREMOR yesterday) I FORGOT to tell you. We were just studying and all of a sudden it was shaking and then it was over. Only for like 1.5 seconds. Kinda weird. They did kinda talk to us and told us to get next to a table or something if it was bad, not under though b/c then it would crush us. But we´ll be fine. The Lord is blessing us!

Hna Riggs, as you all know is la MEJOR. We just get along well. We were both talking last night how we just feel like we are friends from before. Just normal. It isn´t ever wierd, she doesn´t bug me, it´s just good! She´s great and she LOVED seeing all of you. She told me to tell you today that she forgot to say ¨my spanish is good¨ ahahhaa. She´s kind. ha!

Well, I feel like you know all I was gonna tell you, so now I´ll just write other random things I guess!

First things first.... our goal for this change is to find a FAMILY to baptize. We just want a family with leadership skills and everything just to lead the ward. We are praying for it, so if you want to as well, that´d be great.

Also, we are focusing a lot in our mission on finding inactives and stregthening the members. So we have planned Noche de Hogars (family home evenings) and we´ll bring an investigator or inactive and then do a lesson and game and then treat! It´s fun. We had a couple this past week.

I can´t believe how many people are inactive here. I ALWAYS heard it, but just never believed it I guess. Everyone I feel like knows someone who is inactive or we find people who are. It´s good though. Sad but good people to find!

On the street we always have to make enough contacts, our goal in the mission is 140 a week. So when people are walking by we always say hi and try to talk to them, but sometimes they don´t want to talk because they know who we are! So we´ve done something different... hahaha. I drop my pen right in front of them so it´s easier to talk to them and not let them run away. Hasn´t really worked yet, but I´ve only done it a couple times.... I have faith though it´ll work! hahaha

Dad, our streets for the church are Condell Norte and Roma, thats the capilla. My area is right around there! I wish I knew more streets but those are the ones of the capilla. Get on lds.org, go to tools, then maps, type in Villa Norte. It´s the 2nd one listed. Then you can zoom in and find my actual area and stuff! Didn´t know it had it on there! But now you can search away! If you go to the top right you can make it satellite and everything!

Mom, my mission has a blog. It´s vinadelmarmission.com. Check it. I´m featured! ha!

Also mom, did you get my mothers day package with letters and stuff? Hope you enjoyed them!

Also, did you get a box with my straightner and hairdryer and stuff?? I hope it made it to you!

Night times here are deserted and it´s not really allowed to knock doors or contact people on the street because of safety, so we like to have a lesson at least 8 or 830 so we aren´t just walking...

Our schedule here in our mission is different. We go to bed at 11 and wake up at 7. It´s because everything in South America is later so it´s good. Get home at 9:30 and then plan and then have an hour or sometimes less to do whatever!

At nights though, I´m so hungry. We eat lunch with the members at 1:30, but we don´t do dinner here because they really don´t eat it. They just eat at like 8 a snack, but we don´t do that because it interrupts teaching times and stuff. So I get home and am hungry but don´t eat b/c I´m just gonna go to bed. I need to buy healthy snacks or something today.

Our investigators. The ones I told you about yesterday who were all ready for church but didn´t go because of their son. SO SAD. But I REALLY hope they come next week. The Obispo is gonna talk to their son and we´re gonna continue to teach them. Another one is Jean, he has been being taught for a while, and he likes what he is hearing but he said last week, he is getting bored just praying because he doesn´t really believe in God or anything like that and he hasn´t recieved his answer, but ALL the things he is describing to us, is the SPIRIT. Ah, he just doesn’t want it to be or something, I don´t know. Hopefully we can keep progressing with him.

There is this one family, the Magali family. They have a daughter who is 11 and is SUPER SMART. She just gets it. Her dad seems to have interest, but not sure. We go back on Tuesday so I´m excited. They are really great. I hope they can progress. Not sure where the mom is, I think seperated. But we want to get them baptism dates this week. Hopefully it´ll work out!

Oh I was reading in Mosiah 15 this morning and mom I thought of you. verse 30, just the FIRST line= there is singing in heaven. There has to be, and how I interpreted it was that they just break out in song when they are joyful. ha! All the time I guess. Your dream is coming true! :)

Well, I love you all family! You´re so great. I still have about 30 minutes so I´ll probably be on. I can´t think of anything else to write, I´m sure next week will fly by because the week will not be as new and I won´t have JUST talked to you about 18 hours ago. Really though, the mission is so great. I already love it. I have seen how it can be hard, like this week, we have had lots of investigators fall through or people we´ll have to drop, but I just can´t get down and let it effect me. Maybe since I just got here we´re supposed to start fresh and new or something! Who knows. I´m just gonna always work my best, rely on the Lord, and smile :)

Everyday the Gospel just amazes me. I learn more and more, everyday. I love the time I have to learn and ponder and teach. I can´t wait to be REALLY FLUENT in spanish and really be able to communicate ALL my feeling on this restored gospel. I can´t wait for Robbie to be on a mission. It´s gonna be so good and he will be AMAZING wherever he goes. (hopefully Spanish speaking :) ) Well, love you all. Hope all is well. Loved seeing all your beautiful faces yesterday. Next time I see them will be Christmas. So weird. It´ll fly by!

Anywho, I´m off. P-day. Gonna go to the grocery and then back to the house and who knows, write letters, bake banana bread or something :)

Love you all, I am happy.

Keep Smiling,

Hermana Sargent

Hna Riggs and I at the mission office

Hna Riggs and I first day at mission home



Un calle en mi area



                                                                                  

Study room, Hna Riggs and I

The beds in our front room. Mine is far left!

 Right when you open the front door

The kitchen- only one with an OVEN! I have to take advantage.

Front of house :)







Yes the subject line is true... 5 elders cry. And not from laughing can you beleive it? We'll get to that later though! ha

First things first.... holy package and letter load this week. Cookies, cranberry bars, popcorn, cinnamon bears, airplane travel food, pictures, letters, I have BEEN SPOILED. I can't even believe it. ha! Really though, so happy. Thank you for all that sent me stuff! My district and roommates enjoyed it, as well as I. Mom, pretty sure I've downed a whole bag of popcorn solo.... oooops. LOVE IT!!

Ok, today is our p-day and we just got back from eating sack breakfasts as a picnic with our district. So fun. I can't think of any other 19 year old boys that would sit outside and eat breakfast with Hna. Dapper and I. I seriously love them SO much. I was telling Hna. Dapper last night, I never have felt this kind of love for anyone like them. Obviously I love SO mnay people, but it's different love. I don't know.

Everyone this week has asked how I am feeling about leaving... this are my two emotions. STOKED and sad. Stoked for obvious reasons, and sad. I will miss the people here like crazy! Hopefully the goodbye isn't too sad. But I'm not nervous, AT ALL right now. I just know this is what the Lord wants me to do and He will bless me SO much for doing this. I just am really excited to go see how the mission really is. Meet my mission pres, my comp, know my area, everything.

Yesterday we had what is called "In Field Orientation" It's just for all the people leaving next week and we just learned lots about working with members, finding investigators, ect. It was really fun and very useful. I hope I can take what I learned and apply it.

It was also Hna. Dappers b-day yesterday. Thank you all who wrote her! She was very loved and recieved SO many letters. I think she enjoyed her day. I decorated her bed Thursday Night for her mom and then Friday she had presents to open, the district got her a card, m&ms and cute notecards. She just felt loved all day so I was happy about that!

Ok, so I sang last Sunday in Sacrament meeting. Come Thou Fount (KG's CD) It went super well. I made 4 elders CRY. Yes, 4! They all came up to me after and said, I haven't cried at all since I've been here and that got to me... thank you. It made me feel good, and to be honest, I wasn't all that nervous singing either. My zone is so tight that it was just like... who cares, they'll love it even if it's awful. ha! One elder in my district, Elder Estiva, was like you have a super silky smooth voice, it's nice... haha. Oh little elders.

Also this week Hna. Dapper and I were nominated and chosen to do a teaching experience for the new missionaries on Wed. night. Basically, we just walk in a room and start talking to the investigator like a normal lesson, "getting to know you, religious background, expectaions,ect" then we'd start teaching something super basic and they'd cut us off and we'd leave and the new missionaries would finish teaching. It was fun, probably about 30-40 missionaries in the room and an investigator and we'd just teach, in English. It was a super neat experience to be chosen to actually teach for the new missionaries. Our teachers nominated us, and they selected us. I feel like it was my first "real investigator" b/c some our memebers and others not, so it seemed more real than just teaching a teacher or something.

Anywho, Monday night we had a meeting for it with the other 8 companionships that were chosen and we did a practice with the other companionships. So I was teaching this one elder, who was acting like a friend from home who doesn't have the gospel, and just talking about how God loves all of us and wants to hear from us and that we can feel comforted in times of sadness, loneliness,ect.... after about 7 mintues they stopped us, and he was giving feedback and this elder got big tears in his eyes and said "I wish I could take a recording of what you just said to me and send it to my friend, I think he'd listen to the Gospel if he heard what you just told me". Wow. Then he asked "what did you have in your head to share when you came over to me, how were you thinking?" I just told him, I didn't have a set plan, I was just gonna try to "get to know you" (as the investigator) and go from there and what the Spirit told me to do. It was a neat experience, I told him to write it in a letter to his friend and that would help just as much as words. He was like, super grateful for my message and wanted to learn how I did it. Hopefully, people have that kind of reaction in Chile!! So that makes the 5th elder cry.... haha!

Oh, they have records in the gym of like, wall sits, b-ball stuff, mile times, ect. I broke one! They have different columns for elders and sisters and the record for 3 pointers for sisters was only 3, and I was like, surely I can get at least 4, so i tried... I got 5! And now, my name will be on the wall as long as nobody else breaks it! hahaha 5 isn't all that many but oh well.

I was a HOST this week for the new missionaries. SO fun. It's so great to share with these new missionaries how much I have loved and grown here at the MTC. They all seemed a little nervous, but really, so great! ha!

Monday, I am excited to call. Parents, let Robbie miss school. That day is POINTLESS for seniors. Trust me. Plus, this is like one of the last times I'll be able to talk to him before he leaves.... :)

Hna Dapper and I learned a lesson about prayer this week. We went to teach a investigator, just a substitute teacher, because this week our teachers have been gone (out of town) so we've had subs... anywho, we go to teach this investigator and as soon as I knock on the door I said "Shoot, we forgot to pray" but at this point it was too late to do it now so we just were like... oh well. We taught our lesson and to be honest, all the material and lesson points were great, but we were just both not really into it. Just kinda blah... afterwards we were talking to a teacher who was observing and we realized it's b/c we didn't pray and how we both knew if we prayed it would have been SO much better. Lesson learned. Always Pray.

OH MY WORD. The elders in our district this week sang "As Sisters in Zion" in Falseto and Spanish. It was HILARIOUS. Talk about bringing the Spirit through music... right? ha! No, honetsly, it was SO AWFUL. We got it on video... maybe I can mail it sometime or Hna. Dappers mom might mail it to you. ha. SO FUNNY.

Also, last Friday night we were in class and Elder Ferrell did this weird creature/ cartoon/mouse like movement and only Hna. Dapper and I saw and we didn't even know the other one saw and we both looked at each other and LOST it. For about 10 minutes, tears streaming down our faces, it was SO funny. I just couldn't breath and we couldn't even explain it to anyone... you just had to see it....

Shauna, mormon bachelor... ahhahahaa! I wish I could see your video. Keep me updated on what happens with that. Glad you finally did it.

Do you have any questions that I could ask my Mission Pres in my first interview.... anything I should know. Think of them and let me know on Monday when we talk.

I leave the MTC at 6:00 and will probably be in through security by 7:45-8 at the LASTEST so I'll have about 2 hours so I'll call you sometime in between then. Anyone gonna be on speaker or just mom, dad, and robs? I know Shauna has expressed interest of being on speaker or 3 way or something. That'd be great.. I don't really care! If people are DYING to hear, that's fine with me. Not sure how long I can talk, but hopefully for at least 20 mintues and then again in LAX for 10 or so... we'll see.

Well, today I am going to the Temple. Session with my district, laundry, packing, ect. Should be good! Can't wait.

Well, love you family. Thanks for all your love and support.

Can't wait to talk Monday.

Until then,

Keep smiling,

Hermana Sargent

First things first.... I GOT MY TRAVEL PLANS YESTERDAY. Seriously, SO happy about it :) I was like a kid on Christmas morning.

I leave the MTC May 7 at 6:00am then flight out at 10:05 from SLC fly to LAX leave there at 1:25 and then fly all the way straight to Santiago and arrive at 5:40am. On American Airlines.

I'm not really sure how calling will work. I have heard only 10-15 minutes and there are tons of people leaving that day but hopefully I can get a phone call in in SLC and then another in LAX. I bought a phone card today so that's good! I'm SO excited though. I love the MTC, but once I got the plans I really felt like it was real. I'm acutally leaving! The elders going to Chile in my district are all on the same flight as me and then I know of 2 other sisters going to my mission that are with me as well. So, I should have a fun group to fly with.

Well, family, it sounds like you are all doing SO good. Real busy with graduation, end of years fiestas, ect. Robbie.... or should I say, HARRY! SO HAPPY that you got your solo. I'm jealous that everyone will get to hear it except me, maybe when I call for Mothers day you can sing a little of it for me. You'll do great. Have so much confidence in you!

Thank you, thank you for letters and pacakges. Jac, your "graduation" package came yesterday and it was PERFECT becasue we got our travel plans so that was just super fun. Everyone wore the graduation caps for class all day and the signs are up in the room and cookies have been eaten. Thanks! So fun. Scott and Lynell sent some Taffy that was delicious, and mom...banana bread. Oh man! Uou know me super well. That backpack is PERFECT and the socks and everything. THANK YOU!

Well, lets see.... this week we've had some great speakers come, once again.

In Relief Society Sunday, Ann Dibbs (Pres Monson’s daughter) spoke to us. Pretty cool and super good!!

Then, on Tuesday... druuuuuummmmmm roooool. Yes, another Apostle. Can you beleive it??? Russel M. Nelson.

It was wonderful. He talked aobut 9 doctrines of our gospel that us as missionaries need to know. I wish I had time to write all my notes, but I don't.

Elder Nelson has/had my dream job. Heart Surgeon, and now he just travels and did travel. Ugh, lucky man!! hahaha

Really though, we've heard from 4 apostles here plus General Conference, it's amazing. I can't beleive it.

So, we got a new schedule this week. The whole MTC did. They just switch it up for teachers sake really so people have a chance to teach and go to school. It's not bad, i kinda like the change. Also, next week, my P-day is on Saturday because it's my last week so we have training all day Friday. So I'll write sometime Saturday. Kinda a bummer because I won't hear back unless you're on the comp, but I get to talk to you MONDAY!!! :)

This past week the outdoor field opened so during gym we can go there... our WHOLE zone had a game of softball. It was beyond fun. I felt like I wasn't even at the MTC and I was just playing on a spring day with my besties. Tan divertido. We all still are talking about it because it was that good. The elders don't think that us hermanas can play though... there was a fly ball right to me and it was high so I had myself all positioned and I could hear this other elder running towards me like I wasn't gonna catch it.... come on!! So after I did catch it, I gave him a hard time being like "no puede creer que you puede jugar softball" jajaja he just said "just making sure that I had you covered" Silly elders.

A district from my zone didn't recieve their Visas to Argentina so they've all been reassigned. Hna. Alhmann (my bestie) got reassigned to Chicago. She leaves Monday and is super excited. It'll be sad to see their district leave because we're all just friends. Really, can't wait to go to all the elders homecomings after the mish cause I'll be at BYU, but it's good cause we only leave a week after! Our zone is special here. I have not heard or seen of a zone like ours. We're just REALLY close. Sit together at every meal, gym time together, study outside together, it's just great.

Mom, biggest loser updates, totally appropriate, it give me motivation to work out so I can score my dream job and work on the biggest loser ranch un dia :) haha, keep it coming!

Spiritual thought for the week: Ether 12:27.... we've all read it multiple times I'm sure. But I LOVE it. We were discussing it as a class this past week and the word weakness=sin. And we need to humble ourselves before Christ to utilize the Atonement (couldn't think of that word in English for a second) We cannot overcome our weakness (sins) sin Cristo. It's SO important that we realize the importance of la Expiacion and that we use it. Daily. We will become more and more like Christ when we use the Atonement. It is here for us and we are SO lucky to have it. Everyone needs this gift in the world and Christ and God want us to use it. Tan importante. Also, this was the last chapter Joseph Smith read before he was shot!

Also this week, I learned lots about the Plan of Salvation, ok, I never realized that people in the two lowest kingdom live solo, without any family. Obviously it makes sense but so sad, why would ANYONE want that. We have this knowledge, we know how to make it to the Celestial. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End. It was just another testimony to me that the Atonement needs to be used. We are NOT perfect and we must repent to make it with our families.

I am singing in Sacrament Meeting Sunday. Hopefully it goes well. Singing Come Thou Fount from Kristin's CD.

Ok...next friday is Hna. Dappers 23rd b-day. I'm thinking, whoever wants to.... just send her a dearelder... I wish I had all of her info, but I forgot it. I think you can send it without it. She's going to Dallas Texas, leaving 05.07 and her mailbox is 102. Not sure what else you need. I think it'd be fun for her to get lots of dearelders from people just wishing her a happy b-day. So if you could remember that'd be GREAT! nothing too long, just something short.

Well family, I think that's all for this week. I am so happy that I am leaving soon, I love the MTC but I'm just ready to see the light in peoples eyes in Chile when they actually understand why this gospel is so important. I know this church is true. Everyday my testimony grows more and more.

Love you all. Pray for you always.

Keep Smiling,

Hermana Sargent

I can't beleive its P-day again. Seriously, time is FLYING!!! ahhh... can't beleive it. It's a great thing, but kinda sad too. I love it here.

 

Lets just start...

 

Last Friday (dad will like this) I was playing speed/bump with elders in the gym. We played 3 games, I won EVERYONE. And we played one from the 3 point line. I was on fire. I was pretty proud of myself.. not gonna lie, just gotta brag about that a little. The elders are still talking about it... ahhaha!

 

Last sunday was SO GREAT.

So to start out... funny thing. Us sisters always sit by each other in Sacrament meeting, but there were more chairs by us. So two elders (Eaton and Ferrell) come sit on our row, but leave one seat in between me and them. So i was like... "do I smell?" and they were like... no, it's just awkward to initiate sitting by the hermanas. So we gave them a hard time about that. So funny.

 

Then last Sunday night there was a fireside. AMAZING. Guess who was there.... Elder M. Russel Ballard. WHAT UP?? Seriously amazing. I feel so blessed that I have had so many wonderful opprotunities to hear from all these apostles of the Lord. It's amazing. They honestly have such a spirit about them and we all know what that is. They are truly servants of the Lord. He spoke just on our purpose as a missionary and how in 3 nep 11, the commandment to be baptized is mentioned 13 times. Within like 15 verses or so. Its amazing, because it really is our purpose to bring people to bapitsm. That’s why I am here and I love love love it. Then, to top that off, Elder Archuleta sang The Spirit of God. (2nd verse in Spanish) I would venture to say that there were very few dry eyes in that auditorium. He sang with the Spirit of God and even got choked up a little bit. TAN FUERTE el Espiritu that evening. Ah, I wrote like 2 full pages in my journal about it and I hope I never forget the spirit that was there.

 

Also on Sunday, after the Temple walk there were protestors outside the MTC. So funny. All these elders were talking to them, which I think is dumb, but i was like.... you realize you are protesting outside the missionary training center, don't you? So funny.

 

Oh my, on Monday night at 1:30 am the FIRE ALARM went off in my residencia. It went off and I was really confused at first so I put my hand over my ear and tried to go back to sleep, but then I saw my roommate get up to look at the clock and we all decided we should probably leave the buiding because it's 1:30 in the morning. It was no fire, but we didn't know that at the time. Just some electrical issue, but it was super hard falling back to sleep after that because I was thinking the worst case senarios, like "someone pulled the alarm, and the security guards all came to us, and then people snuck into the mtc, yada yada yada" lets just say, not the best night of slumber here. But all is well now. No creepy lurkers around the MTC. Thank goodness.

 

Funny Spanish messup of the week: In our class the other day an other goes "Que es un abrazo?" (what is a hug?) I don't even know why he was saying it but I answer "usted sabe, un abrazo con sus piernas" (you know a hug with your legs) EVERYONE LOST IT. I know the difference between legs and arms is in Spanish, but my brain just switched them up. It was SO funny. Also, my elders found out my least favorite word somehow (the "M" word) and they sometimes tease me about it... no bueno. haha Man, the things we laugh at in the MTC. Classic.

 

I receieved 13 dear elders one day this past week and all the elders that evening were calling me "hermana trece" (sister 13) so funny. I got lots of fun letters though. That weird SLC tribune article, Aunt suzanne, Kenny, Kristin G&G, Dyan, Q, Makenna, robs, dad, mom, lots more.... This week I also got a cinco de mayo package from the Gleaves (THANK YOU) and also paradise bakery cookies from Shauna. (my district/zone loves you, as do I) SO Thank you for the letters and also the support friends and family. I appreciate it. (Tell MADIOSN to send me a wedding invite...please!!!)

 

Robs, I ran into Matt reister, he says Hi. He came up to me and was like “are you related to Robbie Sargent.” Ya, he is my hermanito.

 

Oh, we teach members in the TRC and on Saturday the person we were teaching would NOT stop talking. Pretty sure Hrna Dapper and I said 45 words, together. He just kept going off. At one point I closed my LDM and he goes, "oh, no estoy terminado" (I'm not done) I wanted to say... Who is the missionary??? But I didn't. I was nice!

 

Ok, spiritual thought of the week. I was reading in Moroni 8:28 this week and the first line of that verse is BOMB. You can relate it to anyone of a higher authority telling you to pray for your investigators. Read it. Relate it. It’s amazing!

 

Next week our schedule is changing so I think my p-day is gonna be on Friday until I leave. Heads up. If I don't write, I'm alive!

 

Anywho, I am STOKED to get to Chile and teach people about the Gospel. Seriously the more I study, the more I love. It's amazing. El sacerdocio de Dios es en el tierra hoy. Remember when I challenged all of you to find your one sentence testimony?? I think I have decided that's mine. The priesthood of God is on the earth today. Without it, nothing would run in our church. We wouldn't have one. So thank you priesthood holders in my life to be worthy to hold such a great power and blessing from God! Anywho, love my time here and am SO grateful I made the decision to go on a mission. My life will never be the same!

 

Abrazos a todos (con brazos..no piernas),

 

Hermana Sargent

Hello Family and Friends,

This week has been another great week at the MTC!

First things first: EASTER.

Such a wonderful way to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ with Boyd K. Packer here speaking to us. He really just talked lots about what we are going to be teaching people in order for them to be resurrected. So wonderful. The power of the Apostles is just SO strong. Wow. Do you know he has pollio? I just though he was getting old so he always sat. He had it as a kid, and then it came back in his 80's. Crazy huh? But it was SO neat. Ah, it was a huge sacrament meeting with all the MTC and just that spirit was really amazing to feel with all the missionaries and an Apostle taking the sacrament together!

I had a really neat expereience during that though, I was just sitting there in the sacrament and thinking and Grandma and Grandpa Sargent popped into my head and I just got the MOST overwhelming feeling that they were proud of where I was, and what I was doing right that very moment. It almost made me cry. I just thought to myself, they are probably doing the same thing I am in the Spirit world. It was a really neat experience to say the least and definitely made my testimony for the Plan of Salvation grow.

Mom, you asked about Pres Evans (branch pres) he has GROWN on me. We get along well. I actually had an interview with him on Sunday, just like a getting to know you better thing... He was super nice. I like him and everyday I like him more... no worries there :) hopefully he doesn't read the blog... ha!

Ok, funny story of the week... SO at desayuno the whole zone sits together and towards the end of breakfast the seat across from me was empty and this random elder came and sat there and just was like "Hello Hna. Sargent" (very flambouently). I was nice and talked to him and the whole time I was thinking.... Do I know this kid?? No, I didn't. Anyways... he goes on and is talking to me about the most random things... like...

Random elder: My favorite store in Tempe.

Me: What is it?

Him: Some toy store.... but you don't seem too hipster so you probably wouldn't know it.

Me: Ya, I'm not really into toys (like being hipster has ANYTHING to do with it)

 

Anyways then he starts going off at how he is jealous there are Mexicans in my zone because he loves them and he is from Tuscon so he has best friends that are Mexicans.

I was just talking to him normally and then he leaves.
My entire ZONE starts cracking up and I'm like "WHO KNOWS THIS KID? AND WHY WAS NOBODY HELPING ME DURING THAT AWKWARD CONVERSATION?" they were all dying because they were listening the whole time but didn't want to help me out in any way. It's been a joke b/c it was like this elder had a purpose to only talk to me so that's what he did. He was nice, just so weird. I have luckily not seen him since. I think he may have left... really just super random! hahaa

The Tempe YSA 4th ward all sent me letters. They did it for FHE one night. Super nice to receive letters, even if I don't know who they all are.

Also, got a letter from Aunt Lynell. Thank you! I appreciate it lots :)

This past Tuesday for Devo we had Bishop McMullin (former member of the presiding bishopric). He talked lots about just the basic first Article of Faith which is so important as missionaries because so many people have a different understanding of that. It was super good :)

Ok, an elder in our zone has this joke with bananas and it's just kinda a whole zone thing now, you won't get it and no time to explain it all. Maybe in a letter I mail home. Anyways, Hna Hinton (my roommate) had her mom, who lives in Provo, mail a box of ONLY BANANAS to this kid. It was seriously hilarious. I wish you all could have seen it. No return address or anything. Just bananas. We told him it was from the hna's after a while. So great. hahaha.

I love love love getting letters from everyone! I usually get them after dinner and read some, or see who they are from and then either read them again when I go home at night or read them for the first time. My district is still amazed because I have usually 3 a day :) I always tell them, "todos los personas tienen mucho amor para mi" (all the people have lots of love for me) hahaha

Well, time is ticking... most stressful part of the MTC is emailing for only 30 mintues a whole weeks worth of stuff! ahhhhhh. But it makes me SO happy to think of all you reading it.

Shauna, thank you for the muddy buddies!!! :)

Sounds like you're all doing so wonderful and Easter sounded super festive! Kenny and Kayla, GET BETTER. you guys need to be sick free in that household. Sounds like you're on the mend though.

You too Jac.... everyone, NO SICKNESS!! :) as dad would say. Take advil, a glass of agua, and go to bed. haha!

Hope Jac and Skye had good days and felt celebrated!

Well family. I love you all. I'm SO happy here at the MTC. The church is true. I know it and everyday my testimony gets stronger from learning and being here.

Love you all SO much. Thanks for the support and letter and prayers. I feel them and pray for all of you daily :)

Keep smiling,

Hermana Sargent

p.s. Yes, Elder Archuleta and I are still friends. Just got through eating lunch with him!!

Holy fast does the time go!! I can't beleive I am on my 5th week now. So crazy.

I have lots to write so lets just jump right in it!!

 

1. Mom, thank you thank you thank you for the package for Easter!! I LOVE everything. It was so cute too I even took a picture with it. Seriously, you are the BEST! I love you.

 

2. I miss giving/getting hugs here... so I have started with my roommates everynight after prayer to give them all hugs. Never really thought I was a huggy person until I came here and don't get any! It's a fun tradition I've started. Think I'll continue it my whole mission if I can.

 

3. April Fools.....yes, us hermanas did something to the elders in our zone! We moved alll there PMG's and Scriptures around so they had to go find them.... it was pretty funny. Some elders are too serious and didn't appreciate it, but all the elders in my district liked it. And they got us back by completely moving our whole desk out of the room :) It was pretty fun. And Robs, I completely fell for your broken foot joke. hahahaha. Glad it's not true.

 

4. Elder Archuleta, mom you can keep it on here now since everyone knows he is here after Conference! Yes, he is in my zone and we are becoming friends. Seriously. The other day at lunch we were talking and he was asking what I study and such and then he's like, oh, so that's why you eat SO healthy (mostly salads and wraps) and now if I am by him by meals he asks what’s healhty and stuff... yesterday was Cottage Cheese. hahah! Also, at the gym we are friends as well. We always are stretching in the same place so he always just asking what good things are to do to be warmed up and stuff, and then jogging around the track yesterday we were talking about sports in High School and stuff. It's just funny, he is totally normal to me. Really shy, but he is opening up with me. I do feel bad for him though because people always stop him, I just wanna say... let him be! haha. Really though, tell Suzanne things won’t work out... he is only 5'5 and about half my size and too shy. But friends are GREAT. And he sure does have talent... man, that elder can sing! ha! basically, we're gonna become besties. And he is going to Chile.

 

5. GENERAL CONFERENCE! I'm so glad that they showed me for you guys. I was trying to Milk my face up a little so they'd show me just for you guys! :) It was an INCREDIBLE expereince. Seriously, words just can't describe it. They Spirit was strong, our songs turned out great, we were only like 50 yds from President Monson and the apostles.... really, amazing. I wish I could describe it better but I don't know what else to say. Really, incredible. I hope you could feel the Spirit through the music... that was our goal. The rest of conference was so great too. I felt like they talked a ton about teaching the gospel in your home. I feel like I've been so blessed by that and hearing how people don't have that, I’ve learned how it is just so important. One of my favs off the top of my head was Uchtdorf. I can't wait for the Liahona to come out to really read/study them .I just love conference and how now I am really appreciating that these men have true inspiration from God and we need to listen to EVERYTHING they say b/c it's what God wants us to do. And how lucky we are to have a prophet on the earth today to guide us. Oh, it just makes sense! Love.

 

And seeing SHAUNA. Holy cow. BEST THING EVVVVVVVVVVVVVVERRRRRRRRRR!!!!! This is how i felt about it:

 

So the whole conferenece and after and before I was TOTALLY looking for her. I was like, it'd be So great to at least wave and blow her a kiss or something. But I didn't ever see her so I just figured she couldn't scalp tickets. So I left and honestly I was a little sad and was like, I thought I'd for sure see her after because I knew she'd get as close as possible to see me!

But I was fine and by the time we got to the door outside I had forgotten about it, and I turned the door and BAM!!!! There she WAS. Seriously. I was in mid conversation with another sister and just said "my sister" left and was dogging people to get to her ASAP. We just hugged, hugged, cried with smiles on our faces, hugged more, laughed, talked. I'm so glad she felt like it was SO great. Because for me it was like AMAZING. I just had NO clue that I would even be able to actually touch her, really, I thought maybe a wave and a yell of "I love you" I still think about it and just think it was such a TM. Seriously, no other words to describe it, and if anything it just made me want to do better and work harder. She knows exactly how I feel being in the MTC too so it was just awesome. I can't wait to see the pics she took! Really, so great. God is Kind and really does bless us. Really, it was AMAZING to see her.

 

6. Keep sending Q's emails. I LOVE them. She is just great. Gives me such inspiration to get to Chile and work :)

 

7. Is my mission plaque up yet in church? How does it look? ha

 

8. Each Sunday our district has a companionship talk about our families. It's really great to get to know everyone better but, last Sunday was my turn and I took the picture in from my farewell and passed it around and the first elder goes "how long ago was this taken?" I said "5 weeks or something" and he was like... "what, where are you?" so I pointed to myself and he was like.... "OHHHH, I thought this was you (pointing to Makenna) and it was when you were younger!" it was really funny. But I am so blessed to have a family like you all. So thank you!!

 

9. Funny thing of this week, there is this teacher who ALWAYS talks to hrn. Dapper and I and he is definitely a "SOG"... anywho, he made us late to class one day this week so I told him he had to come vouch for us that it was his fault, so he did. it was SO funny. I think our teacher was like.... oh hermano. you and the sister missionaries. hahaha... we didn't get in trouble though :) not that we would anyways, just funny.

 

10. I am still loving the MTC, I am learning a TON. I am really excited though to go to Chile, 05/07/12 is my date I think. I love it here, but I know once I am in Chile my language will just FLY and I'll learn how to teach better and such. I am taking full advantage of the MTC though.... it's special here for sure! I think the biggest challenge for me right now is knowing how to best study the language that will help me teach and communicate with people. Anyone have any suggestions, let me know! But it's not like I can't speak or understand at all, I can do those pretty well... but I just want to keep getting better and not coast, so that's the hardest thing to figure out right now! but I love it.

 

Well, time is running low, so I best be going, but love you all SO much. Thanks for all the letters and packages and prayers and support. I feel it everyday!! This church is true. Read your scriptures and pray always. Try to become more like Christ and learn about Him. Love the work I am doing. (DC 112:28...look it up)

 

Love you all,

Hermana Sargent