tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80807507033595833272024-03-13T10:36:54.242-07:00Called to Serve: Hermana Wright en EcuadorServing from August 2013 to February 2015Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-67318905391816627782014-05-05T14:24:00.001-07:002014-05-05T14:24:11.281-07:00Faith and Patience in the month of May<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hey mom! How is it going? I am actually going to call you guys later today to figure out at what time I can call from Skype this Sunday! Woot! So excited to talk to you guys!!! Wow, can't believe that Steve died, how sad... loved that car... And so now, you have a new car? I hope you are not spending too much money these days haha<br> </div><br>Hey, also, my foot is really perfectly fine! haha there is a very slight chance that I might have to get it operated on in the future when I get back, but really, it is doing super well, and I feel fine walking on it all day. The doctor said that it is healing really well too, so you dont have to worry about it at all, everything is great. Did you really end up emailing my mission pres about it haha. He's great, and I am sure that he will respond to you that I am doing fine. Here on the mission, they take care of me really well, so everything is all good! <br> </div><br>This month of May, they have asked us in the mission to focus on an attribute of Christ that we would like to improve on and develop. I chose 2 because they go together so well - Faith and Patience. Faith in the Lord's promises and patience that they will come in time and in the Lord's time. I feel like sometimes on the mission, I get impatient, thinking, well, I am working hard, being obedient, where are the blessings? And then, if I don't see the fruits of my labors, I give up too easily, or lose the faith in the people or in myself. So that is something that I am really going to be working on developing this month - faith and patience in waiting on the Lord and strengthening my testimony and faith of the Gospel and every single principle that I teach. I know that developing these Christ-like attributes will really help me to have a better conversion in the Gospel and true happiness everyday here on the mission, no matter what trials are thrown my way. :)<br> <br></div>Also, we just had transfers, and I am staying here in Quito, but I am recieving a new comp! And I training, again! I learned a lot that I need to improve on in my past experience in training a newbi, and so I hope to be able to really help my hija a ton. I trust in the Lord and I know He trusts in me with this responsibility again. It is going to be a great experience as I trust in the Lord, and am really obedient with exact obedience and diligence! :D <br> <br></div>Also, this month, W. Christopher Wadell of the Seventy is coming to our mission to speak to us! So that will be an awesome experience and I am really looking forward to recieving a lot of spiritual strength and knowledge from him. It will be a great opportunity to progress as a missionary and focus on my weakness that I turn to strengths. <br> <br></div><div>Anyways, I really love my area, the members are absolutely awesome and so ready and willing to help us out, and even though we dont really have any investigadors that are progressing right now, I know that this area has a ton of potencial and people that are ready to hear the Gospel! We just have to find them haha. <br> <br></div>Anyways, life here is good in the mission. I know this Gospel is true and brings true peace and happiness and eternal progression and light into the lives of people all around the world. <br></div>Have a great week fam, and I will talk to you soon! :D <br> </div>Love, Hermana Wright<div class=""><div id=":1f9" class="" tabindex="0"><img class="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif"></div></div></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-28426122536716233122014-04-14T14:47:00.001-07:002014-04-14T14:47:44.424-07:00Miracles of the mission<div dir="ltr">Wow, you talking about spring makes me miss the spring days in Maine. Actually, I just miss Maine in general, with the beach and the air and grass and trees... dang. When I get back, I can't wait to send a bunch of time in Maine before I go off to school again. <br> <br>This past week has been really good. We had an absolutely amazing experience and miracle with an investigador this past week who got baptised. He has been our inversigador for almost 2 months, he was a contact of the past sisters in the area, and he has always wanted to get baptised, he had received an answer that the church is true and everything way before, but his parents were totally against it and he is 16 so they have to give him permission in order for him to get baptised. And he had done everything to try to get them to give him permission to get baptised, he had fasted, and recieved a special blessing, watched church movies with them, and brought missionaries and members over to talk with them, and still they would not give permission, and even through it all, he was so faithful and trusting in the Lord. But this past week, he went to conference, and he told us that when the prophet spoke, he felt the Spirit so strongly and felt that the Lord was going to help him to get baptised soon. And we went and visited him on Wed and he was kind of discouraged and all about his parents, but we read with him Mosiah 24 with him, about the Lord easing the burdens of the people through their patience and faith in Him. (Read this chapter over again, it is super good) and just as our investigador read verse 16 and 17, he stopped and looked up and told us that he felt an amazing peace and sense of joy, that Heavenly Father would help him to get baptised soon. And then, his dad came home randomly, and we all got super nervous cause we were going to try to talk to him again, and we prayed for strength and for his dads heart to be softened. And we talked to him, and randomly, he signed the paper!!! We were all on the verge of tears, we were so happy, it was an amazing feeling, and we said a prayer of thanks after his dad left. And our investigador just got baptised this past saturday! He was sooo happy. When he was lifted out of the water, he just had the biggest smile on his face, and he only said one word, ``Incredible``. The Spirit was really so strong. He is going to make an amazing missionary in 2 years. <br> <br>Miracles really do happen here in mission feild, and it is really amazing to see them happening every day in the work of Salvation. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ here on the earth today, and that we really have an amazing responsiblily to bring our source of peace and happiness to all those in our lives. This week being Easter and all, we really have the chance to celebrate the live of Christ and all that He has done for us so that we too, can live again. I know that my Redemer lives with all of my heart. :) <br><br> I love you guys and have an amazing week! Love, Hermana Wright</div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-38356120399492529402014-04-07T15:35:00.001-07:002014-04-07T15:35:37.881-07:00Quito!! ;D<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div>Ya, conference was absolutely amazing!!! Wow, I loved it! My favorite talks were from Bednar, about how the loads we have in life give us life saving spiritual traction to progress, and Uchtdorf, about how gratitude is the key to happiness and we should have a grateful attitude, not just list off stuff we are grateful for, and boy have I learned that in the mission! Those 2 talks I really felt were just meant for me, and answered a lot of the questions that I went into to conference with. It was really a great testimony to me about how inspired the words of the apostles and prophets are in these latter days to address the needs of the church and individual members. Really amazing stuff. I also loved the overall theme of love and showing kindness and giving service that is so needed in the world today. If that is not a call to action, I dont know what is!<br></div> <br></div>That is great about Sarah's recitle, I wish I could have been there to see her, must have been really amazing. Yay! Spring! Here it is warmer in Quito than where I was before, and it is really great experience city life! They have such american food here, makes me so happy :D And a real mall!!! Gringo land!! haha good stuff. And my comp is from Peru, from the coast and has very little time left in her mission, so I am learning a ton from her, and we are both keeping each other very animated and motivated with the work of salvation! The members here are great as well, super motivated to work with us and just great people, always happy and laughing. <br> <br>But the second day I was here in my new sector, I fractured my foot :( <br>Here is what went down - I was just walking along, a happy missionary, and BAM! random hole in the ground! welcome to quito haha and ya, now I have a fractured foot... :( but ya know, the x rays are pretty dang cool! it's not too bad though, I spent a day in the hospital and I only had crutches for another day, and now I am working again! woot woot! Miracle of the mission, it is really healing soo fast! and I am actually really grateful for this experience, cause I was thinking that I would have to go home, and I was like NOOOOOOOOOO (I was on the verge of tears thinking about if I had to go home because of this) but ya! Now I am just SUPER grateful for everyday that I am blessed with here on the mission! :D Always be grateful for the opportunities and experiences you are blessed with from the Lord.<br><br></div>Dont worry about me, life is good, and I trust in the Lord with every experience working out to my good, to some lesson learned or attribute of Christ developed. <br> <br></div>Hope all is good back there, and say hi to everyone for me!!! Love you! Have a great week! <br></div>Hermana Wright</div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-86777322228711953752014-03-31T15:02:00.001-07:002014-03-31T15:02:26.983-07:00Cambios de Emergenica!!! cray cray<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div>Wow that is awesome! Thanks for sharing that testimony mom! Sounds like you guys are all doing really well, which is awesome. <br><br></div>We just had emergency transfers yesterday, and I am now in Quito! In the middle of the city and it feels sooo weird to be here, from having just come from pure country and hills and now we are in crowded streets filled with cars and buildings and latinos. It feels like a different mission honestly to be here. And I was a little sad to be leaving my first area of the mission and all the awesome ward members there, and our converts, and we had an awesome zone there as well, and everything was just so familiar and normal, but I am now in my second area of the mission!!! YEAH! I feel totally out of my comfort zone and it is going to be awesome and different and exciting working here, and I just feel super grateful to be here right now! And there is Subway here!! And somewhat normal food!!! haha que bendicion. <br> <br></div>Life is good here, and everything is going super great, although I was kinda sick this past week, I am feeling a lot better, and here in Quito the food is more trustworthy, so that is a good thing as well. My new comp is from Peru, from the coast, and has very little time left in her mission, so I know that I am going to learn a ton from her, and I am super excited for that! I did have to leave my hija in Otavalo, but I know that she is going to learn a ton from her new comp and I am super excited for her, although a little sad that I will not be able to finish training her. <br> <br></div>Other than that, things are good here, and I am super excited for conference this weekend!!!! And Easter!!! :D Hope all is good back home, and I love you and miss you a lot! I will let you know all about how different Quito is from my past area next week. Love you! Have a great week! <br> </div>Hermana Wright <div class=""><div id=":rg" class="" tabindex="0"><img class="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif"></div></div></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-14380658497124772402014-03-03T11:45:00.001-08:002014-03-03T11:45:25.543-08:00Carnival!!!! Woot!<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Well, this week in Ecuador and especially in Otavalo is Carnival, which is basically a holiday where everyone throws foam and water and dirt and water balloons and eggs and flour and whatever else they can find at everyone else haha. It is actually super fun. Like we will be walking along the street and out of nowhere, water balloons will drop from the the buildings above us, right in front of us haha. People have really good aim here. We have almost gotten hit multiple times from super far distances. Also, people are spraying foam litterally EVERYWHERE. They drive by in cars and busses with the windows open and spray foam at the people walking by, or people will walk around armed with water balloons ready to throw at any random person. Needless to say, me being a missionary and a gringa, I am like a double target and can't walk around Otavalo without getting sprayed multiple times with foam. Hahaha it is absolutely the greatest! But dont worry, I bought my own bottle of spray foam for defense. hahaha it is absolutely hilarious in Otavalo right now though, everyone walks around with flour and egg in their hair and on their clothes, and there is foam everywhere. I dont really understand why we dont have this holiday in the US, cause it would be EPIC. But it goes on here for 4 days and tomorrow is the worst day they are telling me. Wish me luck haha. </div> <div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Also, you know you're in Ecuador when during church little kids walk around with beetles like 2 inches big, and the moms are laughing about it, like 'Oh how cute are our kids' hahahah I pretty much love the people here. </div> <div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Oh yeah, and I got bit by a dog for the second time as a missionary, on the same leg too! Gahh I just have really bad luck with dogs I guess. And I think that Satan posses some to be honest. But I guess there is opposision in all things haha. We were on the way to pick up an absoluting amazing family for church too. They are sooo amazing! We found them contacting and the mom said, 'Oh I'm a member of the church, and I was just thinking about returning back to church when you guys knocked on the door!' How amazing is that. And we are teaching her husband and little girl, who aren't members and they are most humble type of people. Gahh it makes me so happy to be able to teach them. They have a million questions and the husband is already super excited to recieve the Priesthood after his baptism so that he can give blessings to their kids, and they can have an eternal famiily. He also is super happy that he can do baptisms for the dead for his grandmother and other family. And they have their baptismal date coming up soon, and I am soo happy for them! God really works in amazing ways and I am so happy that I can be a part of the work of salvation here in Ecuador. :)</div> <div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Anyways, love you! And hope you have an amazing week! </div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> Love, Hermana Wright</div></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-84823599465597182462014-02-24T12:20:00.001-08:002014-02-24T12:20:06.646-08:00Training :D<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div>MOM. Oh my goodness. I just barely got the package that the Shaws sent to me for Christmas, and it was soooo nice of them!!!! Can you please tell them thank you? I sent a letter to them a couple of weeks ago, but I didnt say anything to them about the package cause I just barely got it this past thursday even though they sent it like December 11th haha. That is how much packages get delayed to get here haha. Please tell them thank you!!!! It meant the absolute world to me! And all stuff I needed! haha I dont know how they knew, but man... Thank you. :)<br> <br> And you need to write me earlier on Mondays so I get your email before I leave the internet place haha.<br><br>I also got the letters from the Relief Society sisters and holy crap.... SO NICE!!! I pretty much almost cried, it just meant the world to me. Please tell them all thank you!!!!! It is so good to hear that the Sanford ward is doing well :) It just made me realize how much I miss them all, haha... It makes me super grateful to be a part of the Sanford ward family. I can't wait to return back and see everyone!! gahh it will be great. <br> <br></div>Haha yes, the weather here is Otavalo is mellow as always. Makes me grateful to be here, that's for sure. Me and my hija are doing really well, we get along really well and are really learning a ton together, which is great! She is sooo much shorter from me, and is from Lima Peru so she talks in spanish super fast!! haha but it is great, we have been having a great time together, and it is definetly a learning experience for me, and I am so grateful that I have the chance to help her start off her mission right, and be an awesome missionary!! She is super cute though, and has a really good sense of humor, which is always the best! We are really trying to improve as missionaries each day, and life is good. :D Being a trainer really helps me focus on what I need to work on to improve, and it really helps me be out of comfort zone and learn and grow. Service is the best though. I love being here serving these people :)<br><br> </div>Keep being awesome, always look for ways to share the gospel, the members are really the key to missionary work. <br><br> </div>Thanks for everything! Oh and how are Sam and Matt, have you heard from them lately?<br> </div>Have a great week! Love, Hermana Wright</div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-22667066788481061322014-02-10T11:24:00.001-08:002014-02-10T11:24:07.488-08:00Transferss<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div>Transfers... man a lot of crazy stuff happened yesterday. I am pretty much a mess right now... my amazing comp just left me, we were both balling and almost got hit by a bus haha. and I am going to be staying in my sector and training a brand new missionary... I couldn't sleep at all last night... this is probably the hardest thing for me right now. I just feel so inadequite.. man. I know I just have to trust in the Lord, but it's hard to think that I am now here, on my own, training someone, mi hija, and I am in charge of everything, in charge of the work here in my sector, in charge of making sure that she starts her mission well and learns everything she needs to learn, and that she is happy and everything. I am just so scared of failing I guess... But I leave for Quito on Wednesday to pick up my new missionary who is coming straight from the MTC... oh man... crazy stuff. I really do know that I am going to learn a ton from this though, it's true that Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need to grow and really reach our potencial. I'm not really one to go out of my comfort zone too often, and this is like miles out of my comfort zone, but I know that I will learn a lot, and I know that this is the Lord's work and if I am humble and obedient and try my absolute best, we will have a lot of success in the next coming weeks... it's going to be hard though, but that's okay, no one said it would ever be easy.<br><br></div>And I am excited... a bit haha. I'm just pretty nervous and thinking about the million things that I have to do and have to remember and everything. But it will all be good, I know that I will learn a ton, and I know that I just have to trust in the Lord. :)<br> <br></div>Also, we are doing a thing in the whole mission called, The Faith of Febuary brings the Miracles of March. So everyone in the mission is sacrificing listening to church music in the apartment, and doing a personal sacrifice as well. We also will be sacrificing haveing activities as zones on Mondays and stuff. For my personal sacrifice, I chose to sacrifice one of my favorite things- sleep haha, so every morning instead of getting up at 6.30, I will getting up at 6 and reading the Book of Mormon for a half hour woot woot. It's going to be great, and I know that these sacrifices are really going to help us to see miracles in the work of salvation in March. :D <br> <br></div>Anyways, I am doing really well, nervous, but that's okay, it will all be good. I almost only have a year left in the mission!!! Crazy stuff. I really have to make the most out of everyday, time goes by so fast on the mission. But it's great stuff, and I am learning a ton, and love the people here, like always. <br> <br></div>Thanks for the support and Happy Valentine's Day! <br></div>Love, Hermana Wright<br></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-64793901512897652192014-01-06T12:52:00.001-08:002014-01-06T12:52:22.485-08:00Nueve ANo!!<div dir="ltr"><div>Well, life here in Ecuador is going good! This week we really worked super hard and had a ton of lessons with members, which was our goal and it helps out a ton! We have also been working with less active families a lot, and they are sooo nice and always give us food, and we have just had some really spiritual lessons with them, its been great. And they are coming back to church, which is the greatest part! We also have been lacking on visiting members cause we have been so concentrated on the investigadors, that the members this week at church were like, 'when are you going to come visit us?? we miss the missionaries!!' haha they are the cutest! So we will visit a lot of members this week and ask them for references, missionaries love references from members, you should give the missionaries some references haha<br> <br>My comp is basically the cutest!!! Seriously, she is super nice and fun and we are really teaching according to the investigadors needs, which means just teaching stuff from the scriptures and not super structured, repetive lessons, which I loooove so much better! I feel like I can really speak from the heart and the spirit can testify of my words. Its just such a nice change. We are really working on being super obedient, and my spanish is improving, and man, things are just going good. hmmm que mas... Its raining like usual, and I now know how to make fried bananas!! wooot!!! <br><br>Here, for news year eve they have the weirdest tradition, they take their old clothes and stuff them with straw and put masks on them and then when it turns 12am, they burn the 'ano viejo' the straw people dressed in their old clothes haha how weird is that?? But it was really cool to see all the ano viejos on display in the streets. I guess burning them signifies that they are burning the old year to invite in the new year, or something like that haha. then we had a bit of troulbe falling asleep that night cause everyone was drinking and dancing in the streets haha. But we bought pizza and docorated the apartment, so that was fun!<br><br></div>Anyways, there was a quote that I really liked from a conference talk about how probably never will we see faith move an actual mountain, but we will see faith move spiritual mountains and mountains of doubt or pain. And really, I can testify to that. :D I have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ change lives, and it really makes all the difference to have that faith to move mountains. <br> Life in the mission is good, Love you guys! Hermana Wright<br><div><br><br></div></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-16518476860284273352013-12-30T12:57:00.001-08:002013-12-30T12:57:38.833-08:00Nuevo Ano woooot!!<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div>Dang, sounds like Haley is going to do such great things in the mission field!! Ya, that is my address for the whole mission, it is the address of the mission home in Quito, and then they distribute the mail to us. Hey, if you want to send me a flashdrive with church music on it, or CDs, I would love it sooo much. :D I dont think it would cost too much either, I just really want some good morm tab haha. Haha fergs class, nah, I didnt get 9s all the time, just keep practicing and applying the advice that he writes back on the papers he hands back. Hmm ya, just do practice SAT questions, those help a lot, cause they are all basically formated the same with the same grammer principios. <br> <br></div>This week we had cambios!!! WOOOT. Seriously, it just feels really nice to have a switch up of comps after 3 months with the same comp, who I learned a TON from and am super grateful for, but 3 months is a bit long with the same person haha. Anyways, my new comp is from Honduras and basically just a ball of happiness and smilies and I think that we are going to work really well together! Why is everyone from Honduras so cool? Who knows haha. But she is super excited to start working, and wants to run in the mornings!!! GAHHH How much luckier can I get?? I am still in the same ward and sector, which I am super happy about, cause I just love love love the members in my ward and I think that the Lord really has great things planned for our sector! <br> <br></div>I have so many new years goals this year haha. Do you? But my most important goal that I am making is to try to be perfectly obedient to all the mission rules and everything. EXACT obedience bring miracles. :D I am also trying to be more selfless, I feel like sometimes I am always just thinking about me and what I want out of the mission, but really, I am here to serve other people, and what I want is not nearly as important as what the Lord wants. I am here to serve Him and be an instruement in His work and for that reason, I am so happy :D <br> <br></div>Anyways, another thing, our discrict and zone just has some super awesome people who are all just really good examples to me. I have met just some of the most awesome people here in the mission, missions really change lives! Its just a testimony to me that the Lord really takes the weak things of the world and makes them strong. OH! And a member of our ward is traveling to Maine in a weeek! He is staying in Bangor, how cool is that?! And he wants to visit you guys with his family! Que Piensa?<br> <br></div>This past Christmas was soo good! I was just so happy to see you guys and talk to you guys! And then, we went and made cookies at a members house which was super fun. Life in Otavalo is good! Besides the fact that I am still getting sunburnt everyday haha. <br> </div><div>And ya, I will write Matt a letter! <br></div><div>Love you guys!!! Hermana Wright<br></div></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-26934523669238014132013-11-18T13:42:00.001-08:002013-11-18T13:42:59.479-08:00Ate Guinea Pig this week!<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div>Sooo this week has been really great! I ate guinea pig for the first time! It was after we taught at a family home evening and the family was like, and do we have a treat for you!! And I was like sweet! Must be some kind of yummy bread or something! But nope! They handed me a plate with a half roasted guinea pig on it! And I was like, crap... I have to eat this... because it is wicked expensive here, and kind of a delicacy. It still had the claws and everything on it!! But it wasn't too bad surprisingly, tasted like a different kind of chicken. Still, eating the skin was kinda gross.. <br> <br></div>We went to Quito this past week and visited the Pandecium? I think that is what it is the called, the huge statue that is like a symbolic tourism spot of Ecuador. It was huge and really beautiful. I will send pics next week, cause I forgot my camera cord again this week. But it was really amazing, we could see the entire landscape of Quito and there are sooo many people!! And we were able to meet with the mission president and that was really a great opportunity, he is super spiritual and does so much for the mission. We also had stake conference in our stake in Otavalo and that was really a great experience as well! Mostly all of the talks were centered on missionary work and the importance of sharing the gospel, even with just one person a day. If everyone in the church did that, it would make such a difference! <br> <br></div>There is a lady talking on the phone next to me, and she is talking really fast in Kichwa... And I dont understand a thing haha. I am learning more phrases in Kichwa, but it is so much different than espanol! For example, here is how you say How are you? Alli sha chu ti kangy? And I have no idea about the spelling. But ya, it is super fun. And we were all able to dress in the indiginous clothing this week for conference as missionaries, so I will send pics of that as well next week. <br> <br></div>Im halfway through my first 12 weeks here! Woot woot! And at the end of December, I will be through my 12 week training as a missionary! All the new missionaries start in the feild with a 12 week training program and their trainer, or senior companion. Also, we are recieving 37 new sisters then too, so there is a pretty good chance that I will training a brand new missionary!!!! AHHHH I am just freaking out a bit. But I know that all things are possible with the Lord, and that this is His work, thus, He will make all things possible that He wants me to do. Life is so good as a missionary :) <br><br></div>Love, Hermana Wright<br></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-88215278441532467052013-10-14T13:50:00.001-07:002013-10-14T13:50:52.959-07:00First Few days in Ecuador!<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Ach! Okay, there is so much to tell you guys, but not too much time to tell it! <br></div>So, the first area that I am assigned is in Otavalo and it is absolutely AMAZING! It is seriously like a picture taken out the National Geographic, the mountains in the background, the mist, the stone streets and the cement houses and then the more rich downtown area is more colorful housing. And the people! They are so nice! The mission presidents's wife told me when I got assigned here, that I would serving the decendents of the Lamenites, and these people really are! All the preisthood holders in the church have long braids down their backs, and these people wear a special kind of indigiounous dress to church each Sunday, it's very colorful and native to Otavalo. And of course, my companion tells me Saturaday night that we are going to a member's house to dress like that for my first Sunday here! I will send you guys a picture haha. <br> </div>It was also fast Sunday the first Sunday we were here, and my comp tells me, okay, we are both going up to bear our testimony, and I was like que??? But, I got up there, apoligized for my Spanish, and bore my testimony about the importance of the members and missionaries working together to be more successful in the mission. My comp said that they could understand me, so I will take her word for it haha. A lot of people here speak another language though, Kichwa, so it's kind of hard when we are teaching lessons and they start to talk in it, because we both have no idea what they are saying! It's waay different than Spanish. <br> </div>My comp is from Belize! Her name is Hermana Landero and her native language is Creol but I guess that it is so similar to English, that she understands all of my English. She is super hard-working and really nice, so I like having her as a trainer.<br> </div>Our apartment is really cozy but nice, the hot water situation is kinda bad, so my showers are really short haha. But I dont have to buy too much food, because the members feed us a lot! And I mean a lot! The plates of food are HUGE. A lot of rice, meat, tomatoes, and eggs. It's really good though! They are such nice people... I can't wait until my Spanish gets better so that I can understand better what they are saying... they speak really fast! <br> </div>Our lessons have been well so far, my goal this week is to contribute more haha. I mostly just sit there and try to follow along, but they speak so fast and kinda softly, so it's hard, but I am getting better. I have recited the First Vision to a lot of people, haha that is one thing I can do well right now. And said a lot of prayer. <br> </div>No one knows where Maine is, so I just say that it is close to Canada and very cold. It rains a lot here. And there are a ton of dogs. And everyone has very big families as well. The kids here are soo cute!! And they love to shake my hand and say hello in English. They think it is the funniest thing haha. <br> </div>Well, so far Ecuador is great, I love it. The work here is really progressing, and I am so happy to be a part of it. The people are so humble here and open to talking to us. The busses are crazy. I really love it here. :) <br> </div><div>Hope everything is well with you guys! Les quiero! <br></div>Love, Hermana Wright<br></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-30746961407333744592013-10-03T13:24:00.001-07:002013-10-03T13:24:55.265-07:00Last Week at the CCM!<div>So I havent been doing very well with updating this, but I think I will have my sister take over and add some pics too, cause I just usually forget to email a post to my blog each week... </div><div>But life in the CCM is awesome! I have had so many experiences and learned so much and I know that it is going to help me to better to be able to teach and serve the people of Ecuador. I can really feel the love of God in my life right now with all that He has blessed me with. </div> <div>I'm so excited to start serving in Ecuador though! And to start teaching real people! </div><div>I appreciate so much all the love and support that everyone has given me, it helps a ton. Expect more on this blog in the near future. </div> <div>Love, Hermana Wright</div><div> </div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-26965900777322398202013-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:002013-09-12T08:03:21.705-07:00Re: Photos<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8c2bjjQIF2V4sxILl8gfY8LzgsLhJWMPnvSyn4S7K1JygoqDh3uI5Q76uf33y9s69d4So_lTB1UMyYi8CJPzCeEyWlrrS3V7NtIjGrlV29lYOnTSgEU0TQHhnYQ3iWuOPdr2_u9VD7-N/s1600/SAM_0018-701706.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8c2bjjQIF2V4sxILl8gfY8LzgsLhJWMPnvSyn4S7K1JygoqDh3uI5Q76uf33y9s69d4So_lTB1UMyYi8CJPzCeEyWlrrS3V7NtIjGrlV29lYOnTSgEU0TQHhnYQ3iWuOPdr2_u9VD7-N/s320/SAM_0018-701706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5922752179409522994" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlgIBtY1HC80Yc6ofRYTdlD8B3iAGdCKfYgGUyBj8kDYVJsgbh-4nrQVPnKHGHyijCsEHcb7HzU1wGuW6Lhkrf-nxRYIp6U37tM08vN6lb-G-_PAAe7SgLI_a4sWWYE9t4Vkd7EMTmK4P/s1600/SAM_0009-704678.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlgIBtY1HC80Yc6ofRYTdlD8B3iAGdCKfYgGUyBj8kDYVJsgbh-4nrQVPnKHGHyijCsEHcb7HzU1wGuW6Lhkrf-nxRYIp6U37tM08vN6lb-G-_PAAe7SgLI_a4sWWYE9t4Vkd7EMTmK4P/s320/SAM_0009-704678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5922752190495443090" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa-z1IjNU-ExkdS57GRWK21X6nt2Jv9rU045QzSty3Vy-6MXpPAPVkJ0mTVqZ_AglFhA6mCGItShj22y3s2CqhpHdDtwsJmK5DRrXwIwiB4dYvs8PpvbqgONc581gL7bFYQqzo4wjIbrK/s1600/SAM_0020-706566.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa-z1IjNU-ExkdS57GRWK21X6nt2Jv9rU045QzSty3Vy-6MXpPAPVkJ0mTVqZ_AglFhA6mCGItShj22y3s2CqhpHdDtwsJmK5DRrXwIwiB4dYvs8PpvbqgONc581gL7bFYQqzo4wjIbrK/s320/SAM_0020-706566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5922752200263822354" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIvYkS3ItzMk_drozhMvA1V1UqUxK2tZ0dts1TGdWk-0fJfVV-MZ5OU7hJJFt9N47jqhiQ6-T44tEUMVLMiSIHVaDMtGp7qE6OXbNGeHayQOTltiHuYDR6Aogpdq8dI-7eSI1JR1l73lz/s1600/SAM_0033-708684.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIvYkS3ItzMk_drozhMvA1V1UqUxK2tZ0dts1TGdWk-0fJfVV-MZ5OU7hJJFt9N47jqhiQ6-T44tEUMVLMiSIHVaDMtGp7qE6OXbNGeHayQOTltiHuYDR6Aogpdq8dI-7eSI1JR1l73lz/s320/SAM_0033-708684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5922752206271509250" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa9BpRLTR_RytsIYTh9GLLt1Svz1tqcn9ILc0Js0H2hGBWKLTKbdDHM_FNqluyPS-NnzVv3XXL5RkU4GyVH7lAAZ7O4WzgYu1KawpXhREhUi11WxM4FQ5nMqd04pzVTE94nfUyLbiHkNb/s1600/SAM_0035-710737.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa9BpRLTR_RytsIYTh9GLLt1Svz1tqcn9ILc0Js0H2hGBWKLTKbdDHM_FNqluyPS-NnzVv3XXL5RkU4GyVH7lAAZ7O4WzgYu1KawpXhREhUi11WxM4FQ5nMqd04pzVTE94nfUyLbiHkNb/s320/SAM_0035-710737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5922752214918156130" /></a></p><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 10:01 AM, Emily Wright <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:emily.wright@myldsmail.net" target="_blank">emily.wright@myldsmail.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid"> <div>Soooo a lot of photos coming!!! love you! Most of them are with my comp, at the Mexico City Temple, and others! Also, the girls are my roommates are going to Tennesse with Lisie! Except speaking spanish. The other 2 guys are going to Ecuador Quito North with us! Also, I saw Isaac! Woo</div> <div> </div> </blockquote></div><br> <DIV> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.0pt';font-family:'"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'><font color="#666666"><br><br> NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><BR> </DIV> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-36284959661897641232013-09-05T12:46:00.000-07:002013-09-05T12:47:04.315-07:00First Week at the CCM!<div>Hola familia! </div><div> </div><div>Wow. Finally have a P-day!! And it feels so great! I feel like I can connect with the world again jaja. This is my first P day since I got here cause my P day is on a Thursday so it took foreeeever to get here. </div> <div> </div><div>The CCM is so great!! I love it! When we first got here, people kept saying that is is the best place to go MTC wise, and now I totally agree! Basically, Mexico City is the most crowded city ever with just houses on top of houses and cars and people everywhere (and the driving is INSANE), so the CCM is like it{s own little oasis in the middle of it with green and trees and everything jaja which is hard to find here I guess. </div> <div> </div><div>Life is great though! My companiera is the sweetest person ever with the most AMAZING testimony!!! I help her out with Spanish a lot and she helps me out with teaching and planning lessons, it{s great! Her name is Hermana Henderson and she{s from Indiana and she went to BYU! So, were basically just the most awesome companionship ever. jaja </div> <div> </div><div>So, I{ll just tell you my basic schedule, we get up at 630, get ready, study BoM for an hour, then breakfast. Quick sidenote, the food here basically consists of meat and bread, not the greatest jaja but when there is salad and fruit, which is usually only mellon, it{s not a bad day! Oh also, it rains here, like downpours every day at around 630! It{s craaazy! Always without fail, it will rain and thunder. Anyways, after breakfast, we study language for until working out, which is right before lunch. And I thought I knew spanish pretty well before I got here, so I would be set, right? wrong. jaja I dont know any gospel words or how to give lessons at all jaja. But I{ve been learning so much, so it{s been pretty good. Usually during the time we are supposed to be working out, me and hermana henderson are plannning our lesson to give to Raquel, our fake investigator that is actually an Amercan teacher, cause it really takes a while to frist plan what we want to teach her, and then translate that all into spanish and then try to memorize it so that we dont have to look down at our paper the whole time.. The first few days teaching her were rough, but really, after we prayed a lot for guidance on what to teach her, and what could help her the most in her life and her problems, our lessons got a lot better! she actually started to pay attention to us! jaja, but yesterday was our last lesson with her, cause now she is going to meet with us and tell us what to do better next time and stuff and then she will be our new investigator, with a different personality and different problems. so, it{s pretty cool how that all works out! </div> <div> </div><div>After lunch, we usually just plan our lesson and then teach raquel and we also do this computor program thing every day that helps us to learn more gospel spanish. yaa, it{s pretty great! I help my district out a lot with spanish, cause they mix the intermediates with the beginners. But I love my district! they are so cool and so spiritual and it{s really amazing. All the missionaries here are pretty awesome anyways, but I just feel especially blessed with my distict and teacher, hermano wolfe. </div> <div> </div><div>We got to go the Mexico City temple today too!!! It was so great! :D basically made my week!</div><div> </div><div>Miss you and love you all! I{ll send pics soon. </div> <DIV> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.0pt';font-family:'"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'><font color="#666666"><br><br> NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><BR> </DIV> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-20993661791711154942013-08-25T17:22:00.001-07:002013-08-25T17:22:22.327-07:00My Mission Farewell Talk<div dir="ltr"><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Good morning brothers and sisters! Well… this is it. Four months ago, I received the call to serve as a missionary in the Ecuador Quito North Mission and now the time has come to answer that call. Tonight, I will be set apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I leave for the Mexico Missionary Training Center early Tuesday morning and my one and a half year long adventure begins.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Thinking back on the day that I received my call in the mail I don't remember exactly what I said as I held the white envelope in my trembling hands, but I do remember what I was feeling. At first, it was nervousness as I stared at the envelope… Questions came up in my mind - Would I be disappointed with my call? Would it feel right? Was this really what I was supposed to be doing with my life? What if I had gotten the wrong answer to serve when I had prayed and this wasn't what the Lord wanted me to be doing at this time?</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">But then I read aloud the familiar first words of any mission call "Dear Sister Wright. You have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." It was at very that moment that I felt an overwhelming sense of just absolute gratitude. I knew right then that the answer to my prayer had been correct, that this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life at this time. The gratitude I felt that day is something that I don't think that I could ever forget. I felt so grateful that I had been found worthy to have and accept this opportunity to serve God and His children. This was the right thing for me to do. This was an essential step for me in my eternal progression. After reading those words, it didn't matter what was in the next line about where I would be serving, a question that had occupied my mind a lot in the few weeks beforehand. I was going to serve the Lord where He needed me the most. And I would be happy to go anywhere to serve Him.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">And standing up here today, I still am so grateful and feel so blessed for this opportunity to I have serve and to lose myself in the work of the Lord.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">One of the many questions I have been asked when I tell people about my mission call, is if I am nervous…. Well, of course I am!!</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> I don't know how anyone could not be! It's true I have had the experience now of being away from home as I went to BYU this past fall, but I could always come back during vacations, I could always call my family whenever I would be feeling anxious or nervous for an exam or if I needed help with anything. There was always the comfort of friends and roommates and the knowledge of teachers. Now, however, I will be the teacher! And I'll be in a completely different country with a different culture, different foods, even a different language! I mean, Provo was definitely different from Maine of course, but not that different! I will be far away from the help of my family and the comfort of my friends. And yes, it makes me nervous to think about.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">But then I think about how close I will be to the Lord. And I remember the promise of the Lord, given in the book of John when He says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." And I remember the words of Moses to Joshua and all of Israel when he says, "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid… for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." And again, the words of the Lord to Joshua, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." The apostle Paul then elaborates on this, saying, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">And so, I know that the Lord will be with me in Ecuador. I know that I will not be alone. And my nervousness and fear is replaced with faith. Faith in the Lord and His promises and faith in the words of Helaman to his sons that "it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, that Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down… because of the rock upon which ye are build, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fail."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">It is through trust and obedience in God that I will not fail, that I will be able to "testify, boldly, [of] repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." and I will be not ashamed. </p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Over the past few months that I've had my call, I think that is what I have learned the most, is that I need to have faith, not fear. It's easy to be scared of the unknown and of the future, but I have made the decision to choose faith over fear and doubt. I have faith that the Lord knows what he is doing as I go out into the mission field and as I chose to follow the Proverb to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">I don't know how many times that I have heard from friends on missions, or from returned missionaries that a mission is the hardest thing they have ever done, but it was also the most rewarding thing they had ever done. And it makes sense that missionary work is hard.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Elder Jeffery R. Holland said this, "Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and His is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never easy for Him?" He goes on to say, "I believe that missionaries and investigators [and all members of the church] to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token that same price. For that reason, I don't believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our souls."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Difficulties are a necessary part of life. They are <u>faith-building</u> experiences. When we experience trials, we are given an opportunity to rely on a power far greater than our own and to build our faith in the Lord and His plan. It is through the Atonement that we can receive strength to meet our most difficult of trials and when we are uncertain of the path ahead, we fill up our hearts with faith, go forward into the unknown, and pray and stop and pray again and again..</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Elder Boyd K. Packer said this about faith, "Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">And then another powerful quote by Elder Holland, "First and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">And then it is by this faith, "that miracles are wrought." … For Christ hath said: "If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have the power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">I know that as I have faith and trust in the Lord as I go out into the mission field, that nothing will be impossible.</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> Another one of the questions that I have gotten a lot as I tell people of my choice to serve is this - Why did you decide to serve a mission?</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">It's hard to explain all my thoughts on this seemingly simple question. Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to serve a mission. Ask any of my friends- I was determined that I was not going to get married before I was 21.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">So when, this past October when President Monson announced that the age for the eligibility of sisters serving went from 21 down to 19, I knew that this divine revelation from our beloved prophet was meant for me. The Lord needs more missionaries to hasten His work at this time, and in D&C 4 it says, "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work.." And I have that desire. I have the desire to serve the Lord and His children.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Looking back, I think that this desire to serve others on a mission sparked from a recognition- that I had it relatively easy compared a lot of people in the world today. I have always had a circle of friends and family and a support group in the Sanford Ward and in the church in general that has made me so grateful to be a part of the church. I have been taught since primary about the simple truths of the gospel that bring happiness to our lives.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">But not everyone has it like me. Not everyone has the comforting reassurance that when a close friend or family member dies, that you can see them again. Not everyone knows of the truly amazing and humbling healing power that the Atonement can have in our lives, that we can wash our garments free of the guilt of a past mistake, or we can make it through even the worst of trials with the help of Our Savior and His sacrifice for us. Not everyone knows that they are never alone, or that they can always have the guidance of a trusted companion, the Holy Ghost, who will guide them in the right path of life. Not everyone in this world, knows even about the simple power of prayer, that divine guidance that can be given, that for anyone that "seek[s]… [they] shall find," and for any that "shall knock, it shall be opened unto [them]."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">The happiness and light and comfort and guidance found in these, to us, basic known truths, are yet unknown to others. They have yet to come to know of the pure light of Christ and to "shake off the awful chains by which [they] are bound." And how could I not have the desire to share this light and the hope and happiness of the gospel with those who are still wandering in the mist of darkness? How could I not want to share the light that I had been blessed with all of my life?</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">I'm always reminded of the hymn, Because I Have Been Given Much, I too must give, and I'll just read the last verse, it says, "Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed; thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed." And then the words of revelation given from the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith, "For to whom much is given, much is required."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">President Ezra Taft Benson taught: "We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">In my Junior year English class, I remember one book that stood out to me a lot. It was a non-fiction book called <u>Into the Wild</u>. And the book revolves around the life of a young man who decides to leave everything behind and live in the wild terrain of the west in his search for happiness. Eventually, after short spells of working when he ran out of money or food, he made his way to Alaska, where he died from lack of edible food. But, throughout his journey in his search to happiness, he kept a journal of his travels throughout the US and the people he met and the experiences he had. And in one of his very last journal entries, as he is all alone, dying in the Alaskan wilderness, he writes what seem to be the findings and conclusion of his entire journey and search for happiness. He writes, "Happiness is only real when shared." For some reason, that phrase has always struck with me, and I feel like it applies to the gospel as well.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Just as we find our happiness through the simple truths of the Gospel, we can only feel that true happiness when we share our knowledge and light with others as well.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(72,111,174);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">One of the most well known missionary scriptures illustrates this,</span></p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">15 </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);background-color:rgb(254,251,191)">And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!</span></p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"><a name="140b57e16a841e5f_16" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(72,111,174);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237)"> </span></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237)">16 </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);background-color:rgb(249,246,237)">And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the </span><sup><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237)">a</span></sup><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18.15?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(72,111,174);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237);text-decoration:none">kingdom</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);background-color:rgb(249,246,237)"> of my Father, how great will be your </span><sup><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237)">b</span></sup><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18.15?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(72,111,174);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237);text-decoration:none">joy</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);background-color:rgb(249,246,237)"> if you should bring many </span><sup><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237)">c</span></sup><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18.15?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(72,111,174);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-color:rgb(249,246,237);text-decoration:none">souls</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:rgb(47,57,58);background-color:rgb(249,246,237)"> unto me!</span></p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">That simple joy of helping others to come unto Christ sure sounds like real happiness to me. And of course, sharing the gospel, the happiness that I have already been blessed with in my life, is the way to attain that rejoicing with Heavenly Father.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">I think all of the sister missionaries that have ever come here to the Sanford Ward, have been such a huge influence and support in my decision to serve a mission as well. They have been such an example to me. Always, they have been the happiest, most cheerful people I know who will go above and beyond to serve the needs of the people in the Sanford area. Their examples have furthered my desire to serve a mission and experience the happiness that they found in loosing themselves in the work, for the Lord gives this promise, "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">I will always remember the story I heard as a youth about the young President Gordon B. Hinckley on a mission in Preston, England. He was sick when he arrived in the mission field, and he quickly became discouraged because of the opposition to the missionary work. At a time of deep frustration, Elder Hinckley wrote in a letter to his father that he felt he was wasting his time and his father's money. A little while later, Elder Hinckley received a reply from his dad. It said, "Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: <u>forget yourself and go to work."</u></p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">What inspired words to live by.</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">President Gordon B. Hinckley later said, "The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">The missionaries here in the Sanford Ward and around the world have always been an example of this concept and I can't wait to join them in loosing myself in the work. "For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest… Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that you may stand blameless before Him at the last day."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">So, at the end of the day, and to summarize what I have said, why am I serving my mission?</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> It's just as simple as this –</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Love.</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">Love of God. Love of the Gospel. Love of God's children. I know that as I teach the people of Ecuador, that I will come to love them. For as the Pharisee asked the Savior, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " </p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">And I think that this is very true in the Gospel. All the principles and teachings of the Gospel stem back to the simple fact of God's love for His children. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosever should believe on His name, should not perish, but have everlasting life."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> In advice from a returned sister missionary regarding missionary work, and this can really be applied to any member of the church, whether serving a full-time mission or not, she said, "Love fosters everything else – obedience, diligence, patience, humility and happiness. Love is the answer.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"></p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> Love your companion. Love the people you serve. Love the work. Love yourself. Love God."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"></p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> I'd like to end with the Standard of Truth, as written by the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. He said, "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, <u>calumny </u>may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"></p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> I know that with my mission call I am a standard bearer to the nations. The Lord has said, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations." The Sanford ward has helped me so much to be here where I am today and I could not thank each and everyone of you enough. Your love and support and unity is truly amazing and I am so grateful to be a part of that.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"></p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px"> I know God lives. I know that the power of the Atonement is real. I have felt it in my life. It has the power to bring peace to those that let it, for "His hand is stretched out still." I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson, who leads us and receives divine revelation from the Lord that has the power to change lives. I know it has changed mine. I know that Joseph Smith Jr. restored the gospel on the earth today and that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I bear testimony of the scriptures and that the words written in them were written by prophets of God, to lead and guide us in these latter days. I know these things to be true with all of my heart. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</p> <p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.333333969116211px">***Mosiah 3:19 ***Romans 12:2</p></div> Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-73455069868700707022013-08-23T18:48:00.000-07:002013-08-23T18:51:38.722-07:00Mission Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a few of my pre-missionary photos taken by the lovely Sarah Wright. Man, I'm going to miss my backyard forest... oh and Sarah, of course. :)</div>
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<br />Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080750703359583327.post-84832821325617408232013-07-05T10:00:00.000-07:002013-08-23T19:01:26.663-07:00Receiving my Mission CallMay 14, 2013
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Dear Sister Wright,
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You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Ecuador Quito North Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.
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You should report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.
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I received my call on May 16, 2013. And I could not have been more happy, excited, and grateful for this opportunity!! I was so so SO excited and still am! I remember thinking as if reading Ecuador wasn't a surprise enough and then I read that I will be reporting to the Mexico Missionary Training Center! Crazy stuff! Also, I was expecting to get my call for leaving sometime in September, because a lot of people I knew had been getting their calls for leaving in the middle of September and some even in October. So I was very surprised that I was leaving so early and so close to when I put my availability date, only a week before when I was going to be reporting!<br />
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I had a feeling I was going to serve in South America though. I don't know why, but I just really think that I can help the people there. Also, I have already taken so much Spanish in high school and college, it makes sense that I would be called to somewhere Spanish-speaking where I can utilize my skills.<br />
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The day I received my call, I had already waited 3 weeks and a Wednesday, because I got my call in the mail on Thursday. It was getting to the point where I didn't want to answer people's messages when they asked if I had gotten my call yet, because I was so anxious to get it and kind of disappointed that it hadn't gotten there yet. (Although then, a coworker from Mexico told me how he had to wait 9 months to receive his call, and I didn't feel so bad haha.) I had also thought that I put down the wrong address for my new apartment that I had recently moved into, so I figured that it might have gotten lost in the mail, which would delay it even longer...<br />
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But finally, I got the text from my roommate Natalia, after having bugged the crap out of her to keep checking the mail all the time (haha) and she sent me a picture of my call!! She had run out to the mailman when she saw he was there and asked him for it (because she didn't want it put in the wrong mailbox if it had a wrong address on it). Can't ask for a better friend than that!<br />
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When I got the text, it was 4 PM, a half hour before I would get out of work.. Well, you can pretty much guess that I didn't work very well the rest of the half hour haha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nkex7FiMVjI5v_NoVK_KA_T6POcsReWbvAam1eJZqvjL6BLMaEubkPLe_dsqppRdSCFZknZ9-C50b7idqrm-Kea2d5dmVU1oQmwCpprjfqiQNc-m1doO7ku0ZpgiV0J7eE6S2Pr_LVVu/s1600/0516131559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nkex7FiMVjI5v_NoVK_KA_T6POcsReWbvAam1eJZqvjL6BLMaEubkPLe_dsqppRdSCFZknZ9-C50b7idqrm-Kea2d5dmVU1oQmwCpprjfqiQNc-m1doO7ku0ZpgiV0J7eE6S2Pr_LVVu/s320/0516131559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO happy to finally have it in my hands</td></tr>
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Finally, after what seemed like the longest half hour ever, I rushed home, got my family on Skype, got everyone in the kitchen and opened my call. I wasn't waiting any longer for anyone haha. It was around 5:15 when I finally opened it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBT3Q_DSVmCEZWgSzAvNie-t2moJ4rVaOqWFMueGOzeHYVclqS7i71mM8fBrzvGPjoO43SNYREEywUIlxjeinRL21DrBjLH75vMm13GnhtzqfUniyBGkwS1DSf_pSF8bGlj_dqQzMi_mB/s1600/IMG957790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBT3Q_DSVmCEZWgSzAvNie-t2moJ4rVaOqWFMueGOzeHYVclqS7i71mM8fBrzvGPjoO43SNYREEywUIlxjeinRL21DrBjLH75vMm13GnhtzqfUniyBGkwS1DSf_pSF8bGlj_dqQzMi_mB/s320/IMG957790.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening the call!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAY6Te2VAUeAicVRRjiRPK9VtBPQO9G4a_EPTxw36I2simygEuR4xvgySo7MZ4i5iQanb96xKxl895jwxy3aYAC7sjpjUahcSox8rmMYojGbQ7w9EnT_xg9FTJxzcjxkhxSOr0WoQ0lVY/s320/BObIepzCMAAi9il.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The anticipation was KILLING ME</td></tr>
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And BAM Ecuador! No one had never specifically guessed and I hadn't even thought about Ecuador, and when I first read my call, I couldn't manage to think in my mind where Ecuador even was. But it seemed so right when I read it, and it still does seem the perfect mission for me. The Lord really does know where I am needed the most. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vWp_dNbdNtflbE0eqy9LETeEboZBMJakfUpCss7Ed-OqyKxlz2yPjoR-USz5BTvKcrU5x9NDvrV8pLtgGPYtSbiqZ8B-6KVtSBaa2u-lnl2Mo3mlQ2br_hPD9ltqYdbzBpnuiBozQrad/s1600/IMG959033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vWp_dNbdNtflbE0eqy9LETeEboZBMJakfUpCss7Ed-OqyKxlz2yPjoR-USz5BTvKcrU5x9NDvrV8pLtgGPYtSbiqZ8B-6KVtSBaa2u-lnl2Mo3mlQ2br_hPD9ltqYdbzBpnuiBozQrad/s320/IMG959033.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and Sam on the phone with my mom on Skype</td></tr>
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<br />Hermana Emily Jeanne Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15342559367650777756noreply@blogger.com0