12/27/13

Well, Christmas was wonderful! It started out Christmas eve when we got to listen to Elder Evans from the 70. He gave an awesome talk. Then we watched "The Nativity" and "Mr. Krugers Christmas." Classics :) Then we went back to our apartment. We decided to all sleep in the living room. So Hermana B and I grabbed our mattresses (Bottom bunks) and put them on the floor and the other 2 sisters slept on the comfy couches. Then we read the Christmas story together. It was a party!


Then we woke up at 6 (5:55 actually...) so we could be ready and make sure we got a computer to email our allotted time. It was so great to have everyone on at the same time! Then it was breakfast time. It was continental breakfast style. So like doughnuts, cereal, fruit, bagels, etc. No where as good as grandmas waffles! While I was getting some fruit, there was a girl next to me wearing the same shirt! But it wasn't a "Oh no, shes wearing the same thing as me" it was a "We're wearing the same thing! Twinners!!!!!!" And then, She turned out tho be the young woman from Steph's ward! What were the chances! It was awesome!


Then we got bused up to main campus for the rest of the days festivity's. The first thing on the program was a talent show. One sister played the piano upside down, an elder did like a Russian bottle dance, another elder did a magic show, and here was looooooots of musical numbers. But they were all awesome! Then we got to go eat lunch. The main campus cafeteria is confusing. Apparently normally its different, but, i was lost none the less. They fed us turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and other assorted sides.


Then Back to the auditorium to listen to Elder Bednar!! He did like a question and answer session. All around the world to all the MTCs, and he was taking questions from all of them. Now i bet you're wondering how that worked right? They handed out 200 cell phones for us to text him our questions and they'd show up on his ipad! Technology is the coolest people. Touching a cell phone was super exciting, everyone just wanted to write a question just so they could text! Ha :) It was awesome. some of my favorite quotes were "If you don't feel inadequate [to go on a mission] you have a problem." or "Its not a sin [to accidentally look at something you shouldn't] unless you invite it to stay." There were many more great things but there's more to talk about. :) After that we went to our assigned "homeroom" and had a discussion about it. Missionary testimonies are my favorite because the spirit just pours out!


And hen back to the auditorium for a Jazz concert by Ray Smith. It was super great, but i'll be honest, it made me miss all my friends and going to their concerts, but, the Lord loves me so much that right after, I got to see one of my best friends! Abby was there!!!! I just hugged her and didn't want to let go. I was so excited I cried! I cry so much here all the time, but pretty much always tears of joy, not sadness. Sadly, i had to leave her because we had to eat before the last and final thing of the night. They showed us last years Motab concert and they gave us HUGE bags of kettle corn. Not going to lie, by that point EVERYONE was done sitting and being quite. The MTC counselor stood up and asked us all to be quiet. That lasted about 10 minutes. Thousands of teenagers cant sit that long and be quiet... But, it really was great! Then we got to come back and jut get ready for bed. It was nice. we were in bed by 10. Yep. I was in bed by 10. A miracle!! Haha :) It was a great Christmas.


Love you all and hope you had a great one as well! 

  

12/25/13

We got to chat for just a few minutes with Hermana Stanger this moring. Since she is in the MTC, we don't get to video chat. :( But here's her Christmas letter:

Merry Christmas!!!!!! I love you guys so much! The Mtc is pretty great! The spirit here is so strong, especially with it being Christmas. Today we get to hear from a general authority, but I don't know who and it is driving me insane. Last night David F. Evans spoke to us. It was pretty good, but not what I expected for a Christmas eve devotional. He talked about letters! He said to write spiritual experiences so, here goes! Um, a couple days ago, we did this activity where we got to know one of our teachers and then we made a lesson plan (a couple of elders and my companion and I). Our lesson planning was a very quiet time. There was another teacher in there with us and she was freaking out at us for not talking to each other. So then we all shared approximately what we had and it all seemed to fit nicely! So, We started teaching her. Hermana M started us off, then Elder P. They were really focused on trying to speak Spanish, and there isn't anything wrong with that, except they weren't really letting the spirit teach. Then Elder S taught. His part was in English, but it was super powerful. And I got to follow. Mine started in Spanish, but quickly went to English and it was powerful. I made our teacher cry! Its amazing how much power and strength has come because of moms death. And she totally is here with me.

Love ya'll!!!! Hope you're having a great Christmas

12/20/13

Hola!


Wow, that week went so fast, but also super slow. I have felt every emotion in the book. The spirit here is so strong.

I am on west campus which is only Spanish speaking missionaries. Which is pretty nice. This is our district! Aren't we a ball of fun? haha Starting with the girl in the blue, Hermana M. (my companion.), Hermana B., Elder P., Elder S., Elder G.t, Elder P., me and Hermana W.!

Please thank the Rogers and Sterens for my packages! They were wonderful! Hermana B. is the best ever. (she said that, but I agree) God has blessed me with so much.

I Have the calling of Branch online coordinator. Um, Also, for a couple days we got to have a third companion! Hermana D.. She was an angel! I loved her to death!!!

Please tell more people about dear Elder! It is the most magical thing!

On our 3rd day we taught our first investigator. That didn't go so great... Imagine know about 4 words in another language trying to teach about the gospel. It was a train wreck. But it was a great learning experience. Our second lesson was about as bad. My companion cried after. I felt so bad for her. But Our 3rd went pretty well because we got to have Hermana D. as a "member." That helped so much! And our 4th lesson was even better. Last night our "investigator" was our teacher! He taught the most wonderful lesson. he taught to teach by the spirit instead of reading off the paper.

Well, My time is up because i waited til the end to write the long email, but that about sums everything up! Love you all and have a great week!

Merry Christmas!!

12/13/13

Dear Family,

Well, it's day 3! My sweet companion is Hermana M. She is nice and shes kinda quiet. She is the oldest of 5 girls. In our apartment is Hermana B., Hermana W. (SHE'S from ENGLAND! It makes it hard for me to not start speaking in her accent, but she doesn't care if we do. In fact, she was impressed by mine!) and then Hermana M. and I. We get along great. I have already gotten to be a comforter to the other girls multiple times. Next week, all of our zone leaves, so we will be the oldest ones here! I got made senior companion last night! Although I kinda hoped it'd be my companion. I feel like I always take away others leadership experiences, but we will switch, so that will be nice.

Spanish class is exciting. Hermana B. and I are the only ones without previous Spanish. The Elders in our District are Elder P. (district leader), Elder G., Elder P., and Elder S.. They are great Elders. My district already feels like a family and I swear I knew everyone before. Pre-mortal life, maybe?

I am learning lots and I love it here. The food is good, but very starchy like I was told. Tonight we are suppoed to try and teach an investigator in Spanish. Not sure how that's going to go.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. The people here are so great and so is the Spirit. Love you guys, and so far I'm not homesick.

Love ya,

Hermana Stanger

And She's Off!!

I know this comes a few days delayed, but Hermana Stanger was dropped off at the MTC on Wednesday. We haven't heard from her yet, but I'm sure she is doing just great!!

If you want to send a letter to her in the MTC, I suggest using http://www.dearelder.com. They print off letters everyday for missionaries... and it's FREE! You also will be able to send letters for free via pouch using Dear Elder, too. Just so you know!

Subscribe by Email

This is Stephanie, Hermana Stanger's sister. Can you fabulous people do me a favor? See the "Follow by Email?" button on the side of this blog? If you would like to receive Hermana Stanger's weekly email or know when this blog has been updated, please subscribe! I'm not sure I will be fabulous in remembering to post to Facebook every week!

Thank you, thank you!

It's Official!

Hermana Stanger was set apart tonight to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!