Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It was so crazy to not be a part of all the usual present-giving/buying, all the normal fesivites. But it's so nice to have that time to show members extra love as we all gathered together for the holidays,

We were really surpirsed, hardly anyone was at church on CHristmas day. We thought that it would be packed full, but I'm sure that plenty of people were out of town for the holidays. But it was kinda sad haha :/, we only had probably 30-40 people there, and that included the 3 white families that were visiting and didn't realize they had come to a Spanish branch. We got up in the ward choir and sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" in Spanish, and that really invited the Spirit. But there was no primary program or anything else, or decorations or special talks. Our branch president spoke along with one of his counselors. The president spoke about Christmas and the Atonement, but his counselor talked about the Book of Mormon. It just wasn't really Christmassy haha, but I can tell you what made it so awesome was being able to take the sacrament.....

The night before, our mission president gave us all permission to attend midnight mass, a tradition for all Catholic churches. We went with our zone and even though we were soooo tired then and the next day, it was an awesome opportunity. It was very festive and very interesting and cool but the Spirit just wasn't there. You could just feel that there was something missing. It warmed my heart so much to be observing everything around us in this church and all the people in it, and then to look over at our Elders who hold the TRUE priesthood. They just stuck out like a sore thumb. Their countenances just shone with the Spirit. People kept looking at us and someone asked, "who are you?" I've learned from this experience how absolutely astonished and greatful I am that I get to be a part of this true Church, that I get to have the truth in my life. I've always known it and been so thankful for that knowledge but this experience was just such a witness to me of how much I have, having the true Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through a prophet. It's so amazing. We're a minority on this earth, can you believe that you get to be a part of it? I've often thought, "how have I been blessed with SO MUCH when most people in the world don't have a life as wonderful as mine? I was born in this free country, to a loving, stable family home life who taught me the gospel from birth, and has always supported me economically and blessed me with love and opportunities, and I have every oportunity in the world to acheive whatever my heart desires. I have a car, food, shelter, money, clothes, family, education, a healthy normal body,health.....everything. How is it possible that I have all of this and most other people don't have it at all?" Sister Jeppsen and I were talking about this the other day. It's because we've been purposefully sent to these situations to give what other people everything we have that they need. I'm not disabled so I can help those that are; I have the gospel and all these material blessings so that I can go and spread the gospel to those who don't have it or don't understand it. I know that I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life. I love consecrating all I have to the Lord, and I want to live the rest of my life this way. I need to use ALL that I've been given for the benefit of the growth and happiness for others. All of these blessings are no cooincidence, each one has been given me by the Lord for a specific reason.

Yesterday we had a conference with our whole mission. It was SO AWESOME to be in one room with so many missionaries!!! I love our missionaries SO MUCH, it's always a huge boost to be around other ones. We had games and food and tons of musical numbers and talks. Our president got up and frankly told us that we aren't working like we should be and that we need to step up and change right now if we want to see miracles. It was awesome. It was a good kick in the pants and a wonderful opportunity to repent. I've been doing too much of going through the motions, coming across as doing well, but not living up to what I know is my potential. His honesty was so helpful, a thousand times more helpful than any encouragement or kind words that could have been said. It really pierced me to my heart and I decided to change immediately. When I work hard and put my heart and soul and energy into what we're doing, I am constantly guided by the Spirit and am so happy and we do see literal miracles. But when I go through the motions, it's awful, because I know I'm not living up to my potential and magnifying my abilities to have success and do what needs to be done. I'm just so thankful for repentance, to be able to have that moment where I realize I need to change and to wake up the next day and do it. Heavenly Father is so patient with me and I would be totally damned forever if it weren't for the Atonement of my Savior. I love being able to share this with people and say that I KNOW it works.

Well, I wish I could type for hours but we have to go. I love you all so much, and thank you so much for your wonderful Christmas gifts!!!!!! Jen, thank you so much for the adorable scarf! Ann and Dennis, thank you so much for the card and money, it was so generous and perfect because I needed money for laundry quarters haha! Mom and Dad, thank you SO MUCh for the GPS and treats. It's EXACTLY what I need; we changed the voice on the TOMtOM to Raul, who guides us in SPanish. It's sweet. And Grandma and Grandpa, I can't thank you enough for your gift. First of all, I know that you know that blueberries and almonds are perfect and exactly what I need, that sandies are my favorite cookies, and that I think of both of you every time I eat all of these things. And for the letters from my dad on his mission, I can't thank you enough. It's so awesome to see a glimpse of what he was like at my age, and his perspective on the same things that I am experiencing. I laughed so hard when he wrote "the Latinos can never say my name" because I know exactly how that goes! What a wonderful opportunity to get to know him even better. What a perfect gift. Thank you so, so much.

Well have a happy new year! Our Mission President told us to make this the year of Jesus Christ, to quit all the play and all the talking and now is the time for WORK. Do the same, make this year the year of Jesus Christ, of doing his work and seeing miracles!

I LOVE YOU :)

Hermana Wadsworth

Week 12: Feliz Navidad!

Hello my beloved family…

I've learned so much again this week it was awesome. Whenever I say I've learned a lot, I mean about life in general. Yeah, I'm always learning new Spanish, the names of the kids of our investigators and ward members, how to live off of 32 dollars a week, what NEVER to do with your life, and what kind of foods really do burn you twice.......but what I mean is I'm always learning so much about life, about what is most important, what makes you happy, what I will change going forward for my own family to provide my children with the best opportunity for growth and happiness possible, how I plan to be the best wife and mother, what to do and what never to do, and just....EVERYTHING.

Sister Jeppsen and I relate EVERYTHING to relationships. We think it's so funny but it really works! Every situation where our investigators won't commit, when we need extra patience and selflessness, and every situation we observe with members can be related to a typical dating relationship. But it's funny because at the end of the day I somehow better understand what makes a relationship successful and what destroys it, and it always comes down to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ or choosing to follow Satan. It's almost crazy how simple the equation really is. Obedience=happiness, disobedience=misery. You'd think we as people would always remember this. It's so nuts how humans forget everything all the time. We constantly have to be reminded of things we even learned yesterday. So that's why we need to go to church every sunday, read/pray every day, repent daily.....well, you know.

Today marked a monumental moment, crossing off a priority on my bucket list filling my heart with joy and my stomach with grease. With our fine Elders in our zone, I suggested we all get lunch at the famous WAFFLE HOUSE.

Grits. Everything I thought they would be. And more.

The woman sitting next to us kept staring at me and at the end said how amazed she was at how much food I could eat and still be as thin as I was. I asked her again if she called me...thin? Maybe she was talking to the person behind me, hahha. She just couldn't see my stomach under the table.

So anyway pretty much every day I add to and take from this image in my mind of the kind of wife and mother I want to be according to what I've learned. I can't wait to apply the principles of the gospel that I'm understanding better and better every day to make for a happy home where the Spirit can dwell. I LOVE being able to teach that to families on a daily basis and watch the atmosphere in their home slowly start to change. It's so awesome. It's awesome because it really works!

Okay so CHRISTMAS DAY: I got your email. I will be calling at 2:30 our time! Which is 4:30 your time.I can't wait!!!! I get only exactly 60 minutes. Can't wait!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE!!!! IT's so awesome and so perfect because right before I opened it we were talking about what could we possibly give the children in our families for FHE treats sice we seriously have nothing to give and really no money to buy anything. Then we opened up the package and it was literally the answer to our prayers! Thank you so much! Sister Jeppsen and I wear the Santa hats around the house and she was so touched that you included a stocking for her. They are the cutest things ever! They're hilarious! I haven't had any time at all yet to read the letters inside but it already has meant so much to me. Thank you so much! The presents are around the bottom of our little 2-foot tree. I'll send you a picture of it.

Something that would be so awesome is if you could all send experiences you've had with faith, obedience and the blessings that came, or anything else that you would ever like to share with an investigator of the church. I share experiences of people I know all the time. Mom, remember the time I was little and you had to choose between paying tithing or finding a place to live, and after you paid your tithing you found a new place right away? Would you mind sending me that story, I've told it to a lot of investigators but I'm not sure if I have the details right. I'd love to get it.

We're in the public library today and the Charlie Brown Christmas movie is playing in the background for the kids. The theme song makes me think of Missy.

I love you all so much!!!! HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! I'm about out of time and haven't gotten to read everyone's emails yet so I won't be able to respond to them right now but I can print them out and read them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!

Hermana Wadsworth

Week 11: Lots of work and lots of fun

Yesterday I was talking with Sister Jeppsen about hard things. She says she likes hard things because they are rewarding. I said....I don't like hard things. Jaja.

Remember how we had a woman that just had to marry her husband to be baptized? And how we all fasted and she got a miracle and said they would be married that next day? The next day when we went over she told us she doesn't know if she wants to marry him. Which means their two young children have to deal with their parents separating. But, she told us of all these times in the past that he was continuously unfaithful, and wouldn't treat her right. Kind of a lame position when you've had kids with this person :( . But she is a trooper. She wants to be baptized with all her heart and she is one of those rare investigators that we call "golden." She's ready. We just need to see what she decides. I feel so bad for her. She is so so so awesome and puts up with so much and has to do so much all on her own for her kids. But I know she'll make it. I know that she'll be baptized by the end of this month, if not January.

We have another investigator that was finally picking up her boot straps and progressing towards her baptism date on Dec 17th after two years of missionary discussions, but is suddenly slacking even more and we don't know yet if we'll have to drop her or not. I feel so bad, I know my companion really loves this woman with all her heart. But if she isn't baptized by January like she says she will do then we have to move on.

We are teaching an amazing family who are so loving and so humble and love the gospel. They've said in both the first and second lessons that they would accept baptism. They thought Jan 7th was too early but we're convincing them that they don't need to wait forever to act. Honestly, if someone has the desire and is so willing to keep the commandments of God and is clean with the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity for at least two weeks, and attend church 3 times, they are good to go. This family is just so awesome. The mom and dad aren't officially married and have 4 beautiful little daughters. The oldest, Lisette, who is 10, has seen us teaching other families in the neighborhood and says she has been praying for us to come to her house. She always thanks Heavenly Father in her prayers for us. We gave her her own BOM and she has been reading it and likes it. She really wants to attend church but doesn't without her parents. We feel like her little light and testimony will help carry this family into the waters of baptism. They are already so humble and listen so intently to our lessons, I can just feel the Spirit piercing their hearts every time. It's only a matter of time before they get'er done.

It's just crazy to be struggling with these investigators that we just wish with all our hearts would finally step forward but are falling short and at the same time be so blessed with these beautiful families who are so kind and humble and ready for the gospel. It's like a roller coaster and it's hard because you leave one lesson frustrated but have to go straight into the next lesson with all the faith and positivity in the world. It's possible though, if you just pray and change your mindset. Sometimes when I open my mouth during a lesson and feel the Spirit so strong in the room as we teach, I feel so guilty for being discouraged or frustrated and am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for being so forgiving and patient with me when I am so selfish and imperfect and wrong and often just dumb and lazy. I love Him. Feeling His love and support for me propels me to repent. I know that He knows exactly how to help me and does so, even when I definitely don't deserve it.

Sister Jeppsen and I talk all the time about how happy we are that we aren't married yet, that we've been given a chance to really actually learn about life and how to do it all and what marriage really is before making that MASSIVE decision! It's like mommy boot camp. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father has blessed me to have these experiences to prepare for something so incredible as motherhood. I realize more and more every day how hard it is actually going to be and I'm just so thankful for this preparation; there is NO WAY I could have gotten married without doing this first. And to think this is all only in my first 3 weeks!!! I can't wait to see what else I learn!

The other day we helped Jose build a table out of some wood for service. We have been teaching his family and their little children are so precious. He is such a good husband to his wife and father to his children. They have so much love and are ready for the gospel. That was fun. I realized I LOVE working with wood. I really really want to take classes and learn how to build my own furniture and stuff!! I love it!!! I remembered always building tree houses in the backyard in Michigan and how all my friends thought I was crazy but I loved it.

Sister Jeppsen talked a lot with me the other day about how I don't know what I want out of school. She said I should try a liberal arts degree since I want to know everything about everthing but don't want one specific path. I just want to experience everything but don't want to be the best at one specific thing. I think that sounds so awesome. I think I'll try it out. Maybe I will end up taking to one more specific thing from there. Who knows.

The other day I had what's called chiltpin or something? Hottest thing on earth. It gets progressively hotter in your mouth after you eat it. I was panickin.

The food is SO AWESOME. Taquitos, chimichangas, burritos, tacos EVERY DAY. ESTE ES LA VIDA.

Spanish is hard. I'm getting sick of not knowing exactly what people are saying in lessons. Sis Jepp says give it 6 months :( .

OKay love you with all my heart! Gotta run!

Hermana Wadsworth