We are not alone

I trust in my Savior to help me in all things.  He has promised to carry my yoke for me.  I love Him so much and know I am never alone and that He will be there to help me.  Trials are given to help refine us and "polish us".  Through my life I have personally witnessed Him catch me and give me wings to fly.  I know He will do the same for you.

Week 6

                                            

It is crazy to think that the MTC is now over for me. These past six weeks have gone by so quickly. I have learned so much in these past weeks. It is bittersweet that it's over. This door has closed in my life and has now opened the door of the mission field in my life. I am so excited to see the things that I will learn and experiences that I will have on my mission. I know that if I am exactly obedient the Lord will bless me. I invite you all to be exactly obedient to God and I promise you that he will bless you.

The MTC has been such a great experience. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. Doing the HMTC was supposed to happen, and I know that I was supposed to be with my district. I don’t believe in coincidences. It isn’t a coincidence that we meet the people we do in our lives. They are put there for a reason. My district was so amazing. I have become close to everyone in my district. I never thought that I would become super close to the people in my district. It is amazing to see the connections that we have formed over the computer. Some of us don’t have a lot in common, but we are still able to bond over things. I am going to miss seeing them everyday. They have become a special part of my life. They are my friends. I hope that in the future that we will see each other again. If it is what Heavenly Father wants he will make it happen.

(My mom said that I should share the merry-go-round incident from last Saturday. It was at my district activity.) We all went to go play on the playground. There was a merry-go-round and another sister and I decided to get on it. Everyone else was being a chicken because they said that they would get dizzy. I was sitting underneath the bars with my legs sticking out. I was holding onto the two bars next to my legs. The merry-go-round wasn’t going very fast, but I could feel myself slipping off a little. I was about to get off when one of the elders grabbed the merry-go-round and spun it superfast. The little grip that my bottom had on it disappeared within seconds. My body was airborne. I was still holding on, but only because the bars were in my armpits and my arms were around the bars. I was facing the sky getting flung around the merry-go-round. It was terrifying. I kept asking for help but no one came to my rescue. I had to save myself. I had to push my feet down to the ground. I was able to get them down and stop myself. After, I let go and layed on the ground and died. I thanked Heavenly Father for helping me be safe and okay. I laughed it off and went back to having fun with my district.

I spoke on Sunday about the MTC and other experiences that I had. I mentioned this story and related it to life. We may feel alone in our lives with no one coming to our rescue, but we are not alone. Christ felt everything that we have felt. He knows what you are going through. He was alone in his life so we don’t have to be alone in our lives. I have a quote that has been downstairs in my MTC room it says, "When life becomes more than you can stand, kneel." Heavenly Father is always just a prayer away. When you are in need of comfort and strength, you can go to Him.

I have seen the power of the gift of tongues throughout the MTC. I could count to 3 and say amen in Spanish before the MTC. Now I can do so much more. I know that Heavenly Father helped me during my TRCs to know what to say. It is hard trying to speak only in Spanish because I can't say everything that I want to say. There is a quote from President Monson in Preach My Gospel that has really stood out to me, it says, "There is one language...that is common to each missionary--the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization. The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart." I know that learning Spanish won't be easy but I will be able to do it with God's help. Even if my grammar is incorrect and I mess up the words, the Spirit can convey what I’m trying to say.

The next email I send out will be coming from South Carolina. I am so excited to see what part of my mission I will be going to. I hope that the leaves there haven’t turned yet, so I can see all the pretty colors of fall again. I’m looking forward to experiencing warm weather for a couple more weeks.

¡Espero que todas tengan una semana fantástica!

Let the packing begin.  We actually had to vacuum pack things so they would fit.  She took soooo much stuff.

She ended up with two suit cases weighing 50 lbs each.  We had to keep weighing them and taking stuff out so we didn't exceed the weight limit.

Our "lasts" with Hermana Lott

last day doing the home MTC

She had mixed emotions being done.  We took her for late night treats at Arctic Circle after her last class to cheer her up.  We had to eat in the car because their lobby is closed still.

 

She is going to miss her cats and them her, as she is the only one who gives them attention.  Ha ha. 

Saying good bye to Hermana Lott

My family came over for a last family get together.  We had fun being silly and dressing up in Halloween costumes.

last family game night

 

We had our last family meal together the night before she left.

October 27, 2020

The Big Day!!!!!

October 28, 2020

Her room is finally clean!!!

final departure

(I tried to fight back the tears)

(Her carry on bags were so heavy.  She tells me they gave her bruises.)

She meet up with her companion Hermana Stewart.  I was so thankful they were flying together.

My heart broke as I watched her walk away.  I wanted to throw up.  I will miss her so much.  I know she is going where she is needed.  I am thankful for the sacrifices she is making.  I shed tears the first day, but am doing great now.  I know she is in good hands and I look forward to our reunion in 16 months.

She made it to South Carolina!!!!  

Sister Lott and her new companion.  Her first area is a town called George Town.  She will attend a small branch, English speaking.

We got to talk to her on Halloween.  Technology is wonderful.  It was great to see her smiling face.  She is so happy and is doing great!!!!

Happy Halloween 

Ethan kept switching costumes.

 

Week 5 for Hermana Lott

 (This will be a shorter email this week. Lo siento! Today has been so busy. I was only home for about an hour and a half this afternoon. Also, my mom sent it out again😅 I just had absolutely no time on Saturday. I was gone pretty much all day)

This past week has been super crazy. Last Saturday was really hectic. While picking raspberries with my mom in our garden, we listened to my weekly devotional. I then got together with my district at 8pm to talk about it. I left after 30 minutes so my mom and I could go to the Hooper Haunt. I was super excited to go. We got there and I saw someone I absolutely love from my ward. So I went and said hi and was talking to her. I turned to my mom to say something or ask a question when something slammed into my back.😂 I lost balance and fell/hit/leaned on a picnic table. I turned around to see two of my best friends😆. We squealed and hugged. We walked around, talked, and took some pictures. Apparently, my mom planned this and my Stake president said it was okay. I am really grateful for that surprise she gave me. 

I went hiking with my dad and little brother Adam today. It was sooo much fun. We hiked Adam’s Canyon. The leaves were so pretty and the waterfall was really cool. This hike showed me that I am really out of shape😂. It is too bad that I wasn’t able to do more hikes this summer.

We got together as a district today. 7 of the missionaries in my district live in Utah (including me). Two of them weren’t able to come, so there were only five of us. We went to Elder Carter’s house, who lives in Farmington. We played pickleball and had fun playing on the playground too. It was funny because people asked us where we all were from and we all were from Utah. We explained to them that we are doing the HMTC right now. Around 5, we drove back to his house. We ate Olive Garden with his family and then played a card game called Wacky 6. It is a really fun game. I think I might buy it (or have my family buy it). I didn’t win but I didn’t lose. I got 4th place which is fine with me. 

Spiritual:

-The devotional I listened to with my mom was really good. It was Brother and Sister Craven. Sister Craven spoke in General Conference in the General Women’s Session. Her husband gave some really good advice. He said to not have 1 experience on your mission and repeat it 24 (18) times, 3 experiences 8 times, or 2 experiences twice. It is a little confusing but what he meant was that your mission should be full of new experiences. Change the things you say and make the fullest of your mission. 

Funny:

-We figured out on zoom that you can add glasses or hats to your video. We were doing a zoom discussion about the devotional we watched last Saturday on Sunday. We all got on hats and took some funny pictures. It was hilarious😂. 

-The dog is Elder Carter's. I told him that I am going to steal him. His name is Reggie and he is adorable.

Herman Lott with her "besties" at the Hooper Haunt.

Baily Slater and Emma Wiser

Hermana Lott and Hermana Stewart finally meet!!!

Hiking Adam's Canyon with Mike and Adam (I stayed home with Ethan who is recovering from a broken ankle)

Happy boy

Ethan is one happy boy today. 

 After 5 weeks of patience, he finally got his cast off.  The last few days he has literally been counting down the hours until his doctors appointment.  We are so thankful for answered prayers and that he will not need surgery. It was tender to watch the joy on his face as he could wiggle his ankle again.  We tend to take for granted simple things until we lose them.  This reminds me to treasure the little miracles and blessings I have in my life.  I hope I can try to not take the little things for granted anymore.  I will also try to be more thankful for all the other little blessings in my life.

His poor foot.  He really needs a bath.

He was so happy he could balance for a few seconds.

He is so happy he can finally put weight on his foot.  He will have to use crutches over the next few days until his leg is strong enough to support his body again. "Physical therapist mom" is  having him take laps around our dining room using his crutches and bearing weight, so he can strengthen his leg.