18 months and 12 weeks

Holy cow this is the start of my 12th week in training. Can you believe that 12 weeks in the field has already come and gone? I can't.  Seriously guys it's crazy. And my companion has hit her 18 month

mark. WOOO!!! The latinas have the better luck because always the american sisters never fully complete the 18 months just because of transfers. And speaking of transfers, I don't have a lot of information. I will know on Sunday what the happs are. A little nervous but at the same time no. It should be fun! this week was great like the rest of my weeks haha. 

We have a new ward mission leader and he is the best. He has a ton of energy and is ready to work. He has a lot planned to work with the members. And seriously you members out there have a huge part in the work of the Lord. Your references are the best thing out there. I actually gave a small talk on that in church on Sunday. It was fun haha I don't feel uncomfortable talking in front of everyone or making mistakes because well I'm learning and the only thing I can do is rely on the Lord. Church was super great other wise. Our investigator came to church again which means he is good to go to be baptized on SATURDAY!!! WOOO ANOTHER BAPTISM!! He is just super great and the sacrifices he has made to follow Christ is just wow.  I will let you all know next week how the baptism went :) 

Anyway, on Thursday we had our zone training. Super good as always. the fun part was that I had to have a flu shot. Okay I don't really understand why I needed it because I got it before my mission...oh well my body is just double protected now. Haha I know that's not how it works but whatever. We also went to a young womens activity and talked about goals. that was a hoot. It reminded me of being a youth and really that it's something we should enjoy and take advantage of. After we had a traditional bread called Roska. Super good. The bread here man is just the best.  

This week we completed our standard of excellence of 40 lessons is the week. YAY! We had a ton of members join us. I just love members coming with us. They always just have a spirit that's so strong. We also went on splits with members on Saturday because we had a ton of lessons. I actually wasn't scared. The first time yes because going alone with a member and barely knowing the language was a struggle, but this time no! I feel ready for my transfers now. I just learned that relying on the Lord is the most important part of everything. That was basically my week. I probably left out stuff and this sounded very scattered but oh well!! Have a great week everyone!!!! LOVE YOU!!

Hermana Cross

Goal of the year: become a Mexican

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! wow can you believe it's 2016? I can officially say I'll be home next year.

Ahhh that gives me the hibbey jibbies. So weird. It's weird to think that so many of my friends will be finishing their missions this year too! Crazy how fast time flies. And even faster on the mission. To be honest the last week of 2015 I don't remember a lot haha. Just finished the year working hard and having lessons and such! 

An ex-missionary came with us in a lesson. Like he just got home. I always feel judged when they come with us when they are fresh out of the mish. hehe oh well it's nice to have their help. On Wednesday we had interviews with president. Just small check up interviews. It was super good. He's a great man. He has lots of insight on life haha. I'm super nervous that I'm going to have to train next cycle (well 2 cycles if yes). He helped me realize that the Lord doesn't have limitations. He will give us these challenges to help us learn and grow. These challenges will stretch us but God will never leave us to drown in our challenges. Thanks to the atonement we can be strong from our weaknesses. New Year's eve. We pretty much did the same thing like the other days. We ate twice that day so more food than usual but that's mexico for ya! That family was super nice! We had a small family home evening with them and talked about our year and just the upcoming year because that's what you do the last day of the year. Doesn't matter if your on a mission or not, you always talk about what happened and what will happen this year :) 

Like I said last week, my year was well good! Sometimes it's hard to reflect on that much time. In our district meeting that morning we talked about the success and challenges of 2015 and goals for this year as people, members and missionaries. It was good to look back at the success and the challenges. For me, it brings hope and the realization that every  year has it's ups and downs but if we focus on Christ, well those problems just become highlights of the year. The time we grew the most. Back to the new years eve hehe. We just ate and nothing traditional. It's really whatever is your favorite food.

And I did tell the fam on Skype that I like salad now. So for everyone out there that knew me premish and my dislike for salad...well say hello to salad loving Hna Cross! I had a lot of it this week. Yay for feeling healthy! We had sparklers so that was super great. that night Hna Ojeda and I set our alarm for 11:50....but when it went off we said "happy new year" and went back to sleep. We were going to eat our 12 grapes in a minute because that's a tradition here but we were too tired haha welcome to the mission. We ate them the next day at noon during our weekly planning instead. Let me tell you. It is not easy to eat 12 grapes in a minute. Nothing more was super exciting this week. 

OH WAIT. Yeah one of our investigators,who is super great and awesome...baptism this month hopefully, said before he met us he had a dream with me in it. that's why he accepted us because he thought he met me before. WHAT SO COOL. The lord prepares people in various way but that by far is the coolest one I've heard. Any way, I hope your new year has started great and make goals and make every moment count!! Love you!

New year, new me #2016

Hermana Cross

Heartburn with a dash of Chili

Well, Christmas has passed and we are already on the start of the last week of 2015. How is that even possible? I have no clue. What is time? I think about what I did this year and it looks a little like this: finished freshman year of college (GO AGGIES), worked at a call center and prepared for the mission, and went to mexico/started the mission. That was my year in a nutshell. My new years goals? I don't remember them. That is definitely something I'm going to work on for 2016. Writing down my new years goals and actually completing them. 

Anyway, this week was just great. The only days that stuck out to me were well christmas eve and the days following. Oh wait...as I'm looking at my journal tuesday was good too haha. Tuesday I didnt have time to read my emails because LDS everything had probs last week. So I printed the email from mom and dad. I was reading it that night and the last line said I could open my packages and decide which presents to open immediately or wait....but let's be honest here. I opened ALL of them that night. I didn't hesitate to go at it with my companion. Shout out to the best parents in the world!!!!! Seriously just made my life :) Before all of that, we helped prepare food with our convert Maria de la Luz. Just the cutest old lasdy. She was explaining to me how to make a certain food just like grandmas do. I didnt understand but I could feel the love. Christmas eve was super chill. At first we didn't have any plans for dinner because here Christmas eve is better than Christmas day. They start fiestas at 10pm and finish at 6am Christmas morning. Talk about Christmas cheer! We helped a family prepare their food for christmas and that made the day feel like a holiday. Then after working hard with the food, THEY INVITED US TO EAT!!!! Christmas miracle right there. It was so fun to eat with a family and hear the christmas music. 

Then....CHRISTMAS!!!! Oh wow just the best day in the world! First of all, we had district meeting so I was with a ton of missionaries. Then we did some service. We helped paint a roof of a members house. I love painting so it was a super fun service project. Not that other service is bad but I liked this one a lot. We ate with that family and just had a

good time. We had a couple hours of work time. No one is out and about and I was just super pumped to SKYPE. That was great. Wow yeah I can't explain how happy I was. Super awesome to see the fam and just laugh and talk- I LOVE my family so much. What a blessing it is to have families. The following day we did more service in the night! We went to a hospital and gave hot chocolate and cookies to those waiting outside. They cant wait in the building if their loved one is in a super critical condition. It's sad to see other people sad. It really is like the scripture that says mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. (Mosiah 17:8-9) Sunday we had 2 investigators and the work is progressing more! And today we just cleaned and shopped and at pizza with other hermanas like usual haha.

Oh I almost forgot to mention why my title is what it is hahaha When you have heart burn it hurts a bit right? Well when you eat chile...and a lot of very spicy salsa earlier in the day...heart burn feel like your throat is going to melt it is very very painful. Like the burn is more than I can describe. Probably the most thrilling experience haha

I hope you have a great week and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Love

Hermana Cross

Ha nacido un Salvador

CHRISTMAS IS THIS WEEK!! Can you believe it? I know I sure cant. It's so crazy I dont feel the holidays haha! Just doing the Lord's work and staying focused :) 

There are a few things that happened this week that really stuck out to me.  First of all, Wednesday was the best day. We had our Christmas devo with 4 zones. The other zones on other days because they are a little far. Anyway, it was wonderful. President and Hermana Egbert talked. Christmas time is fun with all of the lights, trees, snow, presents, and music. This moment only lasts so long. We can keep the Christmas spirit all year round in every moment of every day. We can remember our savior by our actions, such as reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, serving and loving one another. After the talks and the songs by each zone, we ate food of course! Actual Christmas food! Ham,  turkey,  mashed potatoes, salad, and of course, pumpkin pie!! It was a great day. That night, we had our ward Xmas dinner. Hna Ojeda and I sang Feliz Navidad and helped in the kitchen with food and stuff. Man it was fun! 

Thursday I had splits again. This time no nerves and I really saw an improvement in my Spanish and

knowledge of the area. Splits are super great for learning! Sunday a new investigator came to church with us! WOOOO! The work is progressing and I see a baptism in the future :) 

Yesterday was a zone activity. Love them because you are with a bunch of missionaries just having

fun! Eating, playing sports, hitting a piñata and exchanging gifts. The mission is hard work but definitely is fun! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! I LOVE YOU!! Remember the true meaning of Christmas is our savior. I love him and am happy to be a representative of him!

love,

Hermana Cross

Building the Kingdom of God

Wow this week was so great everyone. I don't know why because we did the norm like everyday BUT I think the little spiritual experiences just made the week fantastic! I know it may seem a little boring if I go day by day but that is honestly the easiest way for me to think of what happened ha ha. 

Okay so Tuesday nothing was crazy exciting. We helped one of our recent converts with putting up Christmas stuff in her house. She is just the sweetest old lady ever. She is like another grandma here and seriously like family. Man I just love old people. Wednesday...oh we had a lesson with another recent convert and her Christian friend was over so it was teaching a new investigator. Anyway, this friend of hers starts talking about how the book of Mormon has incorrect stuff and just was bashing a bit. Nothing that hasn't happened before but I was really worried that our recent convert would believe all the stuff. Then she said the closing prayer and in her prayer she said "I know the book of Mormon is true with all of my heart." TALK ABOUT A TRUE CONVERT. That moment was just like WOOOO.  

We have new progressing investigators and that just feels great. The members are a tremendous help. Always. So for all of you members out there, we really enjoy your help so thank you :) We just had lessons on Thursday but after our nightly companion prayer, A SPIDER FELL FROM THE CEILING ONTO MY PILLOW. That was absolutely terrifying.  Friday we only had 2 lessons. That was rough. But the sky was super cool so that's a bonus. Literally the sunset every night here is incredible and beautiful. Saturday...ha ha the funny experience of this day was we had a member with us but we had to get from one edge of our area to another super fast, so the member used my bike and I stood on the pegs of my companions bike. I wish I had a picture but unfortunately no. It was a childhood memory come true! 

And as for Sunday, the dedication of the Tijuana, Mexico temple. this is why my title is Building the kingdom of God. Wow the dedication was WONDERFUL. Temples are the best thing on the planet. The talks and everything were just wow. I miss the temple for sure. They are truly the house of the Lord. President Uchtdorf said the dedicatory prayer. It was nice to hear it in English and then the translator well translated hahaha. Man yeah it was just a great spiritual experience :) 

And lastly, today Hna Ojeda and I went to a mall because she wanted to buy a new skirt. It was so weird ha ha I heard a lot of Christmas music so that was fun! Also it feels really awkward to walk around in church clothes in a mall where everyone looks normal. Anyway, that was my week!! Love you all and have a great one!

Hermana Cross

A look-in to the apartment

A look-in to the apartment - the study area!

A day at the mall!

Christians, Catholics, and Mormons OH MY!

[Posted a week late - letter is from Monday, Dec 7, 2015]

Okay everyone I apologize in advance that my emails are getting shorter and less exciting ha-ha Really the work is the same everyday. We wake up and do the usual studying and training until noon. 

Today is the start of a new cycle. Each cycle is 6 weeks. Since I'm in training I don't have cambios (transfers). I'm really glad about that but it blows my mind that I'm starting my second half of training! It's December so that's absolutely wonderful! I love December! Christmas is just around the corner! Speaking of which, there is a new Christmas video out on www.mormon.org/christmas you all should take the 2 minutes and watch! Know why we celebrate Christmas :) All of the streets are starting to have Christmas lights. Oh how I LOVE IT! The Christmas trees too :) 

Right now with the work we don't have really any progressing investigators. We have one who was supposed to be baptized and confirmed this week but she's just having troubles with some of the commandments. It breaks your heart a little when you see them so close and then just fall a little. She still wants to get baptized and it totally awesome so we are just working towards that goal so she can work towards the ultimate goal: eternal life! 

Instead of our regular district meeting we had zone training. That was so fun! It's really great to be with a ton of missionaries and learn what we need to do better. I really learned about being consecrated to the work. Sometimes it's easy to think all about ourselves, but when we think about others and serve, we can find true happiness! A lot of people we meet are either catholic or christian and they aren't always the biggest fan of us ha-ha It's all good though! It is what is is :) 

The members are still awesome. We eat with them everyday and always have someone to accompany us. Fast Sunday was just grand! And with the Christmas devo it was better! I mean it was all in Spanish but the songs weren't so that was great! Oh man I can't wait for Christmas!! Any way, I hope your December has started off wonderful!! I love you all and thanks so much for your love and support!!!

Hermana Cross

ps sorry no pics this week. Literally took zero...oops!

Goodbye thanksgiving, hello Christmas!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!! I heard that it snowed! Wow that's so crazy to think about because I swear it just keeps getting hotter here! Thanksgiving was like any other Thursday here. I didn't even feel like it was thanksgiving. Anyway, I hope the turkey was great :)

I've been trying to think about what happened this week for the past few days. It went by slower than the past weeks. This is the start of week 6 in the field. My first cycle in the mission is almost over...which means I'm almost half way done with training...that is absolutely scary! I really don't feel ready to go out on my own (figuratively because I'm always with a companion of course haha). This week we taught many lessons to people who seemed interested. But always they turn us down. It's okay though because we planted the seed and that's all that matters!

I taught English on Wednesday. Okay totally thought it would be easy but nope! We taught her how to pray in English because you know, we are missionaries. I haven't prayed aloud in English in a very very VERY long time. It sounded so foreign. I was shocked that my own language could sound weird. I'm really enjoying learning and speaking Spanish. I'm not pro that's for sure but I can see a difference. We knocked on a house that was decked out for Christmas and when I introduced us and shared a little, she said that my Spanish was good!!! BEST FEELING EVER. Honestly made my day. Everyday has a small spiritual experience, even if it's as simple as noticing the blue sky or talking to a  simple contact.

We contacted a bus on Sunday. First time doing that! We just stood in the front and talked to everyone in general. That was really cool. Church is my favorite. It's always great to partake of the sacrament and learn more!

Today we went to Wal-Mart again and ate at a pizza buffet. It was like America! Hna Ojeda started decorating our casa for Christmas because tomorrow is December! WOW! Can't believe that 2015 is almost over! Anyway this week was good because the mission is good :)

Have a great first week of December everyone! Oh and fun fact, I saw a horse on someone's patio. that's absolutely out of the ordinary here :) 

LOVE YOU ALL

Hermana Cross