On August 15, 2013 Emma sent the following. It is now the 19th of August. 478 more days to serve!
This preparation day came so much faster! But my e-mail responses took lots longer. I only have 19 minutes and 48 seconds to write. Seriously, this e-mailing hour might be the most stressful thing EVER.
Here is my big story of the week. For Sacrament Meeting they have all the missionaries in the branch prepare a five minute talk in Spanish. Then, during Sacrament Meeting they announce the six speakers for the meeting. Now... you probably know where this is going... but, let me tell you, I sure did not!
All my campaneras were freaking out saying, "Oh, I just know it is going to be me. It is always me." I was studying and preparing a talk (kind-of-ish) and just kept feeling like it wasn't going to be me. I mean I do somehow happen to be picked for these things, but when I was studying, my study felt so personal and my thoughts just did not seem like thoughts that would be shared with a group. SOOO, all the other girls wrote out their perfect talks and I focused more on just studying the topic. The topic was repentance and I was finding some of the most personally touching ideas about repentance in the scriptures. It was a really cool experience! Well, anywho, the morning before, I started feeling like it might be me who would have to speak. But all of the girls who had come to the MTC a week before us had not spoken yet, and so I thought I was okay. But I kept thinking it was me. Then I realized I hadn't written my talk out like the other Hermanas. Then I SUPER FREAKED OUT!
[Ahhh! I wish I had more time to tell this story.] Well, my district leader came and spoke to me and asked me how I was doing. I told him I was freaked out about the possibility of speaking. But he told me to have faith. [la fe in Spanish.] Then our district meeting was on having faith and doing what the Lord wants even if we do not know before hand what we should do.
Well, about a half hour later I was sitting in the Sacrament Meeting room and the Branch President started naming off who was going to speak. He said one girl's name, and then three Elder's names. Only two girls speak per week and so I was feeling like my odds were pretty good that I would not be speaking. Then I heard, "Hermana Phipps." At first I was thinking, "Oh, that is a cool name." That name sounds super familiar...Oh no! It was a Hermana and WAIT, THAT IS MY NAME! My whole district immediately all turned around and gawked at me! Ha ha, can anyone say pressure? Especially for a girl who doesn't like speaking in front of people and had thought that in preparing her talk she was mostly just having a personal experience learning about the topic of repentance! Hermana Taylor [Emma's companion], was looking like she knew for sure that I was going to have a nervous breakdown. And the Elders in my district kept giving me the 'are you okay' face.
Well... It was actually one of the neatest experiences I have ever had in my life. I am the kind of person who likes to map out every word she is going to say before she says it. This time I followed the path I had been laying out in my heart about the lessons I learned about repentance. The path I thought I had created just for myself to know, not to share with others. I was nervous, especially at first. But as I kept going, I felt more and more confident. The words seemed so strong inside me and I loved sharing them with others. I wish I could look back and know what I said, I can't remember most of it now. But I can say I completely knew, one hundred percent, that what I was saying was true. I know that what I said were the words the Lord had planted in my heart. I really feel so grateful to have had the experience where I was able to rely on the Lord.
Do I regret not writing down the words, word for word, before? Not at all. In fact, I think I was led to not do so. That was not a natural thing for me, to not have written it all down. But it felt so right and I feel like it went the way it needed to, as guided by the Lord.
So, do you think I can now relax and not have to speak again in Sacrament Meeting ever while I am here at the MTC (CCM in Spanish)? Think again. They love re-calling someone to talk!!!!
I only have 30 seconds left. Love you SO SO SO SO SO SO Much! My family is the BEST! I feel so loved. You guys help me keep going. Oh, and I got my LETTERS :D !!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Two Missionaries from our ward meeting at the Airport!
It really was a tender mercy that Zach came and saw Emma the morning he was headed off to the Mission Field in Riverside, California. She enjoyed his enthusiasm as she prepared to fly off to Mexico for her MTC experience.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Correct Address for Letters!! & Photo Op too!!
Emma has sent the correct address for the Mexico MTC. To send mail to her use this address until September 9, 2013.
Hermana Emma Rose Phipps
Carr. Tenayuca - Chalmita No. 828,
Col. Zona Escolar, Deleg. G. A. Madero,
C. P. 07230, Mexico, D. F.
Mexico
Here is Emma with her DISTRICT and notice the "B" on the mountain!!
Hermana Emma Rose Phipps
Carr. Tenayuca - Chalmita No. 828,
Col. Zona Escolar, Deleg. G. A. Madero,
C. P. 07230, Mexico, D. F.
Mexico
Here is Emma with her DISTRICT and notice the "B" on the mountain!!
First E-mail Home :D
[We were so overjoyed to get this August 8, 2013 -- only 489 days to go! -- Mama Mary does the blog for Emma, she is busy learning the gospel and the Spanish language!!]
I only have 40 minutes and 48 seconds to say all there is to say and there is so much, so here we go!! Your e-mails made me cry. When I read Dad's email I got really teary eyed and one of the guys in my district called me out one it. Ha ha. Just so you know, they are completely happy tears!! I am not even feeling homesick at all because I can feel your love and support from all those miles away :).
Mi Adventure:
I love it here so much. The Mexico City MTC is on a 90 acre property. It is so big and so beautiful. Right outside the walls is the city and it is very loud and crowded. Sirens are going non stop, but inside the MTC you only notice it when you pay extra special attention. I do not get to leave the gates of this place until next Thursday when I get to go to the TEMPLE here! How neat!!
The weather is perfect, especially for me. It rains every night -- big raindrops. I LOVE IT!! One of the first things I learned about this place is that the food is an adventure! I actually enjoy it! Want to hear something crazy? Burritos are not really a Mexican food. Americans came up with that! But they do serve tortillas everyday for tacos and I basically turn every meal into a taco! I love it! Some of the other sisters are not so impressed by the food, but I think it is fun to try it! It is definitely different than anything I have ever tried before. The MTC president is named President Pratt and is related to Parley P. Pratt. Mom, which of my grandmothers married him? Anyway, his wife Sister Pratt gave me an avocado she picked off her tree! But it is a weird avocado.
I love the Spanish language. I love hearing our teachers speak it non-stop. Now as for speaking it...
I do not know what I thought it was going to be like, but I had no idea it was going to be like this! We started classes on Wednesday and then FRIDAY, (as in two days later), they had each companionship teach an investigator for 45 MINUTES!! Okay everyone, reread that sentence and just think about how crazy that is! Three days of Spanish and then they throw you into teaching! Since then we have taught the same investigator everyday except Sunday and today. Even though that concept should be impossible, it is simply amazing how well it is going! I mean, by no means am I fluent, but my companion and I used every minute of each of the lessons! My sentences are pretty strange and made up mostly of verbs, but we do seem to get the point across as best as we can. I have been working on staying positive, 'cause doing this is definitely not easy. But one of our branch presidents told me that Joseph Smith once said to a missionary that he must choose not to be discouraged. Even though it may not seem like so sometimes, it is always our choice to be discouraged or not. I can honestly say I have not felt discouraged yet! I know some days it will be hard to fight that feeling, but I am going to not let it happen. I am decided!! I know that your attitude effects your ability to feel the spirit and to learn 110%. I am kinda living moment by moment and decision by decision. Each choice I make concerning my attitude and outlook definitely changes how I function. It is really powerful to experience. Also, I love learning how to teach here! We learn all kinds of things in our many hours of study! I can't wait to grow in my teaching skills.
We went to a devotional by the President on Tuesday. All about temples and I loved hearing every bit of it. At the end President Pratt announced that some classroom changes were going into effect that night due to two of the foreign MTC'S being completely filled. Starting next week we are getting about 80 or 100 extra missionaries due to the other MTC'S filling up. Isn't that amazingly powerful news? My heart is full to be part of this truly immense army. [Webster's dictionary: immense -- 1. marked by greatness 2. supremely good : excellent]
THE FUN
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE everyone here. I finally found a fellow Spokaneian! Her name is Hermana Taylor and she is so great! She is from Utah, is in the nursing program at BYU and is an absolute joy to have as a companion. We also have two other girls in our district and room. THEY ARE THE FUNNIEST AND MOST BEST PERSONALITY GIRLS EVER. Sometimes this can be interesting maturity wise, but it is all fun. In my setting apart I was told to have fun, well the three girls in my district make sure that I am doing just that. Ha ha, it is so great. I will most definitely have to tell you more about our crazy, delightful adventures next time. My district is the best group of missionaries in the world. I am sure of it. The 12 of us are always making things awesome. We are all completely different, but that makes for such fun times. I will send a picture. Be sure to notice the B on the mountain and all the houses underneath the B stacked on each other. It is so neat.
If you want to eat a breakfast like I eat every morning... Make yourself some pancakes. Big thick and fluffy ones. But when you go to put syrup on it, stop. Your options are chocolate syrup and strawberry syrup like the kind you put on ice cream!
LETTER NEWS...The address I gave everyone for the MTC is wrong. Letters already sent should get to me, but it will take a bit longer. [Emma's correct address is posted above!]
I only have 40 minutes and 48 seconds to say all there is to say and there is so much, so here we go!! Your e-mails made me cry. When I read Dad's email I got really teary eyed and one of the guys in my district called me out one it. Ha ha. Just so you know, they are completely happy tears!! I am not even feeling homesick at all because I can feel your love and support from all those miles away :).
Mi Adventure:
I love it here so much. The Mexico City MTC is on a 90 acre property. It is so big and so beautiful. Right outside the walls is the city and it is very loud and crowded. Sirens are going non stop, but inside the MTC you only notice it when you pay extra special attention. I do not get to leave the gates of this place until next Thursday when I get to go to the TEMPLE here! How neat!!
The weather is perfect, especially for me. It rains every night -- big raindrops. I LOVE IT!! One of the first things I learned about this place is that the food is an adventure! I actually enjoy it! Want to hear something crazy? Burritos are not really a Mexican food. Americans came up with that! But they do serve tortillas everyday for tacos and I basically turn every meal into a taco! I love it! Some of the other sisters are not so impressed by the food, but I think it is fun to try it! It is definitely different than anything I have ever tried before. The MTC president is named President Pratt and is related to Parley P. Pratt. Mom, which of my grandmothers married him? Anyway, his wife Sister Pratt gave me an avocado she picked off her tree! But it is a weird avocado.
I love the Spanish language. I love hearing our teachers speak it non-stop. Now as for speaking it...
I do not know what I thought it was going to be like, but I had no idea it was going to be like this! We started classes on Wednesday and then FRIDAY, (as in two days later), they had each companionship teach an investigator for 45 MINUTES!! Okay everyone, reread that sentence and just think about how crazy that is! Three days of Spanish and then they throw you into teaching! Since then we have taught the same investigator everyday except Sunday and today. Even though that concept should be impossible, it is simply amazing how well it is going! I mean, by no means am I fluent, but my companion and I used every minute of each of the lessons! My sentences are pretty strange and made up mostly of verbs, but we do seem to get the point across as best as we can. I have been working on staying positive, 'cause doing this is definitely not easy. But one of our branch presidents told me that Joseph Smith once said to a missionary that he must choose not to be discouraged. Even though it may not seem like so sometimes, it is always our choice to be discouraged or not. I can honestly say I have not felt discouraged yet! I know some days it will be hard to fight that feeling, but I am going to not let it happen. I am decided!! I know that your attitude effects your ability to feel the spirit and to learn 110%. I am kinda living moment by moment and decision by decision. Each choice I make concerning my attitude and outlook definitely changes how I function. It is really powerful to experience. Also, I love learning how to teach here! We learn all kinds of things in our many hours of study! I can't wait to grow in my teaching skills.
We went to a devotional by the President on Tuesday. All about temples and I loved hearing every bit of it. At the end President Pratt announced that some classroom changes were going into effect that night due to two of the foreign MTC'S being completely filled. Starting next week we are getting about 80 or 100 extra missionaries due to the other MTC'S filling up. Isn't that amazingly powerful news? My heart is full to be part of this truly immense army. [Webster's dictionary: immense -- 1. marked by greatness 2. supremely good : excellent]
THE FUN
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE everyone here. I finally found a fellow Spokaneian! Her name is Hermana Taylor and she is so great! She is from Utah, is in the nursing program at BYU and is an absolute joy to have as a companion. We also have two other girls in our district and room. THEY ARE THE FUNNIEST AND MOST BEST PERSONALITY GIRLS EVER. Sometimes this can be interesting maturity wise, but it is all fun. In my setting apart I was told to have fun, well the three girls in my district make sure that I am doing just that. Ha ha, it is so great. I will most definitely have to tell you more about our crazy, delightful adventures next time. My district is the best group of missionaries in the world. I am sure of it. The 12 of us are always making things awesome. We are all completely different, but that makes for such fun times. I will send a picture. Be sure to notice the B on the mountain and all the houses underneath the B stacked on each other. It is so neat.
If you want to eat a breakfast like I eat every morning... Make yourself some pancakes. Big thick and fluffy ones. But when you go to put syrup on it, stop. Your options are chocolate syrup and strawberry syrup like the kind you put on ice cream!
LETTER NEWS...The address I gave everyone for the MTC is wrong. Letters already sent should get to me, but it will take a bit longer. [Emma's correct address is posted above!]
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
First E-mail!
497 -- Wednesday July 31st
Emma arrived safe and sound! We received her first e-mail in the afternoon. AND...I was WRONG!! (See Emma's e-mail below)
I did not get to see Elder Felix, but, tender mercies from the Lord, his father & Emma did! :)
FROM EMMA: (sent on July 30th 2013 from the Mexico MTC @ 4:28 pm)
AMAZING, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. These last 12 hours have already blown my mind. While on the plane I was worried about immigration, customs, and what not, but I had absolutely no need to fear. There were many Elders and two other Sisters. So far I am known as the Lone Ranger 'cause I have yet to find another Washington Spokane Missionary. If I am correct, I am the only one without a mission buddy. All is well though! I'm sure I will find one soon!
Guess what, the keyboards here are different! It is kinda hard but I am getting the hang of it slowly.
Dad, I really like it here! And for the most interesting reasons! Some of the teachers flew with us to the MTC. They say that starting tomorrow we will be fully immersed. Also, this MTC campus is huge and absolutely gorgeous!! The crazy thing is right out side the walls is Mexico in all its glory, but I also love that side of this experience too.
My BADGE is the most lovliest thing of my life! Well, it is time for me to go off and eat dinner and find my room and all that jazz. I am the luckiest girl in the world!
Emma arrived safe and sound! We received her first e-mail in the afternoon. AND...I was WRONG!! (See Emma's e-mail below)
I did not get to see Elder Felix, but, tender mercies from the Lord, his father & Emma did! :)
FROM EMMA: (sent on July 30th 2013 from the Mexico MTC @ 4:28 pm)
AMAZING, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. These last 12 hours have already blown my mind. While on the plane I was worried about immigration, customs, and what not, but I had absolutely no need to fear. There were many Elders and two other Sisters. So far I am known as the Lone Ranger 'cause I have yet to find another Washington Spokane Missionary. If I am correct, I am the only one without a mission buddy. All is well though! I'm sure I will find one soon!
Guess what, the keyboards here are different! It is kinda hard but I am getting the hang of it slowly.
Dad, I really like it here! And for the most interesting reasons! Some of the teachers flew with us to the MTC. They say that starting tomorrow we will be fully immersed. Also, this MTC campus is huge and absolutely gorgeous!! The crazy thing is right out side the walls is Mexico in all its glory, but I also love that side of this experience too.
My BADGE is the most lovliest thing of my life! Well, it is time for me to go off and eat dinner and find my room and all that jazz. I am the luckiest girl in the world!
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!
PS...Brother Wayne Felix helped me to my gate and Elder Felix came and said hello!
They really helped my transition into this new adventure!!
[FROM Mom Mary...so amazing to hear that Papa Felix got to see Elder Zach & they both visited with Emma ... Another "OH HAPPY DAY!!"]
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Departure Day
July 30th 2013 -- 498 days to go and this was a BIG ONE!!
Two hours of sleep is probably not the best way to prepare to take off on a Mission :S
Up at 2:30 (I had stayed up finishing the packing and preparing picture scrapbooks for my Nieces & Nephew to enjoy and remember me by!
At the Airport by 5:30 (YAWN)!
WARNING: Do not use the large suitcase! Even with all light clothing only in it, it was 12 pounds over.
We went to a little shop and bought another bag. We went to a scale and opened the suitcase and removed clothes and more clothes until the scale registered 50.
Glad we were early :)
While walking to the shop, we saw a favorite neighbor, Brother Felix, who is the father of Zach who warned me about the conditions at the Mex MTC. Brother Felix was in line to go through security.
I have HELICOPTER PARENTS!! They shadowed me through each turn of the rope lines in security. They used sign language to motion for me to put the passport holder back around my neck and not in the tray. The Security Guard once again told me to put it in the tray. I minded him!
My parents watched me go through the buzzer place. I made it and began to gather my belongings. I looked up and there was Brother Felix. He had stayed to help. I looked over my shoulder and there were my parents behind the rope, beaming, blowing kisses and giving the thumbs up sign. I knew they were glad for the help of our kind neighbor. So was I!! Zach was flying out today for the Riverside, CA Mission, yet none of us saw him :(
Okay, Emma is not writing this, she is a stickler for rules. This is her mom, but hey, I could tell what she was thinking. How does one be a helicopter mom when Emma is about 3000 miles/kilo away??
We just looked at the web-site that tracks the flight of planes. It is 1:35 our time. She is 15 minutes away from touching down in Mexico. Her experience has definitely started. I am sure she will be blessed and watched over. We will post her letters as they begin to come in. In Emma's favorite childhood words:
OH HAPPY DAY!!
Two hours of sleep is probably not the best way to prepare to take off on a Mission :S
Up at 2:30 (I had stayed up finishing the packing and preparing picture scrapbooks for my Nieces & Nephew to enjoy and remember me by!
At the Airport by 5:30 (YAWN)!
WARNING: Do not use the large suitcase! Even with all light clothing only in it, it was 12 pounds over.
We went to a little shop and bought another bag. We went to a scale and opened the suitcase and removed clothes and more clothes until the scale registered 50.
Glad we were early :)
While walking to the shop, we saw a favorite neighbor, Brother Felix, who is the father of Zach who warned me about the conditions at the Mex MTC. Brother Felix was in line to go through security.
I have HELICOPTER PARENTS!! They shadowed me through each turn of the rope lines in security. They used sign language to motion for me to put the passport holder back around my neck and not in the tray. The Security Guard once again told me to put it in the tray. I minded him!
My parents watched me go through the buzzer place. I made it and began to gather my belongings. I looked up and there was Brother Felix. He had stayed to help. I looked over my shoulder and there were my parents behind the rope, beaming, blowing kisses and giving the thumbs up sign. I knew they were glad for the help of our kind neighbor. So was I!! Zach was flying out today for the Riverside, CA Mission, yet none of us saw him :(
Okay, Emma is not writing this, she is a stickler for rules. This is her mom, but hey, I could tell what she was thinking. How does one be a helicopter mom when Emma is about 3000 miles/kilo away??
We just looked at the web-site that tracks the flight of planes. It is 1:35 our time. She is 15 minutes away from touching down in Mexico. Her experience has definitely started. I am sure she will be blessed and watched over. We will post her letters as they begin to come in. In Emma's favorite childhood words:
OH HAPPY DAY!!
Monday, July 29, 2013
499 days (not that Emma is counting)
The family took Emma to eat at the "Red Iguana" in SLC today. Real Mexican food and very yummy. Elder Felix had written that the food at the MTC in Provo is yucky. Emma will let us know if the food is good south of the border. Elder Felix also warned that the Mexico MTC does not have hot water or washers and dryers. An adventure is afoot for Emma.
After a tender and sweet good-bye to nieces & nephew and Sister Amy (Lisa is waking up at 4:30 a.m. to travel to the airport with Emma). We came back to Brigham to finish packing and we HOPE she has everything she needs!!!!!
It is so awesome to be able to be Emma's Mom :)
After a tender and sweet good-bye to nieces & nephew and Sister Amy (Lisa is waking up at 4:30 a.m. to travel to the airport with Emma). We came back to Brigham to finish packing and we HOPE she has everything she needs!!!!!
It is so awesome to be able to be Emma's Mom :)
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