Hello All!!
It´s been another great week here in Northern Chile! I´ve loved hearing about what´s going on at home, and I love all the pictures! Thanks so much! :D This week has been so great. I feel like I have more of an idea of what´s going on, I´m understanding a lot more, and things are great! :D
I wanted to tell you a little about my daily schedule! Our mission has adjusted things to the culture a little bit, so we get up at 7 am in the winter, and 7:30 in the summer, and bed it 11 and 11:30 accordingly. We study until 10:30, and then for the first 12 weeks of my mission we do an additional hour of training where I practice teaching and whatnot. Then we proselyte for 2 hours, go back to our pension for lunch, and study for another hour after that (language study). (Adjusting the schedule for siesta :) Then we go back out until 10 pm and start over the next day! :D Mom, you asked about how we get around and such; we take taxis or buses everywhere if it´s far away, and we walk when it´s just around our sector of course. :) Megan, we´re in the Zapahuira ward, but our zone leaders are over the Arica Central ward! I´ll have to ask them tomorrow if they know Paulina´s mom! :)
Just a couple stories for you all from this week! So, I haven´t changed much, as you will be able to tell from the following stories... :P We had just gotten back to our "pension" and I took off my shoes so I was in my slippery little footlets, and went to walk downstairs....yep. Totally missed the first step and slid all the way down...... Hahahahaha I was laughing so hard! My bottom is a little sore, but we got a great laugh out of that one. :P Hna Delgado was already downstairs, and because the stairs are wooden it echoed a TON and she was so scared because she thought it was an earthquake.... Hahahahaha. It was really funny and it´s still making me laugh days later. :D Other story is I was trying to blow dry my hair (which I´ve done once here before) but apparently the power here is twice as strong, so all of a sudden I smelled something smokyish, only to look down, and the socket was smoking!!! I quickly removed it, only to find that it had started to melt the plastic of the converter.... So that was a little sketchy. Not quite sure what to do, because I don´t know how to explain that I need a converter, or if I should just buy a new blowdryer.... My district leader is from here, but speaks English, so I´ll have to have a little chat with him. :)
One last story, on a little more spiritual note. I had a really hard day last Tuesday, because I wasn´t feeling too well, and I was practicing teaching the first lesson with Hna Delgado, and when I got to the gospel blesses families, I just started to cry. I was trying to explain to her I was fine, I just missed my family so much, and I´m so grateful for the gospel because I know I can be with you all forever. The quote in the kitchen came to mind, and I know that I´m away from my family for a short time so that others can have the blessing of eternal families like I do. So that kind of spilled over into the next couple days, and my body´s just getting used to the newness of cooking & water I think, so I wasn´t feeling good... I asked the other elders in my district to give me a blessing, and they had no idea about missing my family, etc I had been feeling the past couple days. So they gave me a blessing of healing and comfort. One of the things he said was, "Kristen, your Heavenly Father wants you to know he is very pleased with your efforts, and he knows this is the hardest thing you have experienced thus far in your life. He wants you to know it will be but a moment, and to press forward in faith." It was such a testimony builder to me that the Priesthood is real. I am so grateful and blessed to have had access to it my whole life through worthy Priesthood holders. Needless to say, that blessing has helped me so much these past couple days, and my whole mindset has changed. I´ve started talking more and contributing in lessons, rather than sit there and be frustrated about how much I don´t understand. Always focus on the good things in life!! It honestly makes everything better. :D
We have been trying so hard the past week to find investigators, because we were supposed to have a baptism on Saturday, but she called on Tuesday and said she didn´t want to be baptized because she wasn´t ready and that she was going to Peru and didn´t know when she´d be back so not to come by... So that was a bit of a let down, but we are praying that she will see the importance of the gospel, and that we can find more investigators. :)
Hermana Delgado is amazing! She is from Chiclayo, Peru and is 22. Her family is all members, and her parents were married in the temple, but separated when she was 14. She´s 22, and is the oldest of 4, one younger sister and 2 little brothers. She wants to get married in the Salt Lake Temple, and I told her I would be more than happy to come if she does! :) Sometimes we get a little frustrated with each other when we´re trying to convey what we want, and the other doesn´t understand, but for the most part we are getting along just fabulously! :)
Time to go for this week, but I love you all so much, and as always I am so grateful for your love and support! I love this gospel so much, and I am so so sooo grateful for this opportunity that I have to share it with the people here. I know it can bless their lives, as it has and continues to bless mine more and more every day.
Lots of love,
Hermana Tuft
Arica, Chile
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Hello Fambam!!
It´s great to hear that the Trek went so well and that the garage is clean!! :P I´m so sorry, I wish I could have done that before I left.... Thank you so much! :) As I was reading Dad´s letter about the Trek, I couldn´t help but remember the time we got to stop by the visitor´s center at Martin´s Cove, and the spirit that was there. That will be something that the whole ward will never forget. I hope you all have written about it in your journals! I´ve become quite the journal writer out here, because every day you forget things that could be helpful later on in life, or for future generations! :)
I´m sad to hear about the fires and heat you´ve been having.... That´s really scary and sad! I will keep all of those involved in my prayers.... :( (She's referring to Shannon and Sean Reed living in Prescott, AZ and having two friends there who passed away, of the 19 firefighters who died yesterday in the Yarnell fire. SO SAD.)
Thank you to all of you for your support and love. I really appreciated hearing about your weeks, and thank you for the advice and encouragement. Hahaha I had to chuckle about little Audrey and I learning a language together comment, Megan. :) And yes Kyle, I went back and reread your letter in Spanish, and it made more sense these days. :) And to Dad and Tom, thanks to you both as well for advice! I´m becoming Chilean more and more every single day. :)
I really don´t have much time today, it just fliessss!!!! I´m glad to hear the birthdays went well and I will have to try the gnocchi soup when I get home! :D Lots of love to you all!! And one last thing, Kyle and Jess, when do you go up to Washington, and how is it having Nicole here?! Very exciting. :D
Mother and Father!! :) I haven´t had a date with Ruby. She´s a little difficult. So I´ll keep trying.... :) I love you both so much, and I´m so grateful to be your daughter. Thank you for being such wonderful examples to me always. I am so blessed, and I am so grateful to know how I want my marriage to be someday. Happy Aniversary! Again.... :D
LOTSSS OF LOVEEEE!!!!! :D :D :D
Kristen
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
What a week!
Hello to all!!
This week has been absolutely crazy and full of ups and downs! Mostly ups, but a few downs for sure... :P Just as a random side note, I'm struggling to figure out this keyboard, so please bear with me... :P Its not that different, but different enough that I can't figure it out.... :P Anywho!! I love Arica! It's a beautiful city and the people are incredible. I love Hermana Delgado also! She is so patient with me and helps me in every way she can. There are times that we do get frustrated with each other, but they don't last for long and the work continues. :) I also LOVED the training meeting last night. It was so different than anything the church has done before, and I did get to watch it in English, but it was on a tiny tiny laptop, and there were 10 missionaries crammed around it trying to watch... :P But esta bien!! :D
Okay, so a few details for you all. Church yesterday was different than anything I've experienced. :) Of course it was similar to our meeting back home, but I didn't understand anything, and I have the perfect way to describe it. :) You know in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, when Ian's parents meet the Portacalous'? Lots of kissing cheeks, hugging, meeting everyone? That was yesterday for me. :) Here in Chile, people greet eachother with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. It's great! As for my apartment, we live with a "Mamita" that takes care of us. She feeds us lunch and washes our clothes, and she is such a sweetheart. I don't understand anything she says, but she doesn't seem to mind. :P Some people are more accepting of my inability to speak Spanish than others, and some will talk slower, or try to say it in a different way. Some people just turn to their phones or computers and have me type what I'm trying to say in Google Translate... :P Thank goodness for google translate... :P The Chilean accent is reallyyy hard for me to understand, and it is really thick up here in Arica. They all talk super fast, faster than other Spanish speaking countries, and add "po"to everything. So I'm learning Spanish, and an accent. :) For the most part I've been doing great, but Friday was the day that everything kind of caught up to me and I was feeling sorry for myself. Kind of a "culture shock"day if you will. I was praying all day long. Heavenly Father is making me into who He needs me to be though, and I'm trying to be patient with myself, and with His timing. :) I'm learning to rely solely on Him.
I'm trying to remember everything that I wanted to tell you all! I try to write everything down, but I feel like I'm forgetting a lot... I do want to say thank you for all your prayers, and also say that you as members are CRUCIAL to the work, just as they stressed last night. We as missionaries need the members to be a greater part of the work. Share your testimony. Not just by example, which is also very important, but share it vocally also. We are all representatives of Jesus Christ. We took His name upon us when we were baptized and we are never released from that promise. :)
I've got to run, but thank you for your prayers. I love all of you and I love this work. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here sharing His gospel if I didn't. This church is true! I know it with all my heart. :)
Much love,
Hermana Tuft
Hello Family!!
Kyle, Dad, and Tom, I would love to know any tips you have to learning a language. I'm trying so hard, and praying even harder, but I'm trying to find a good way to study. I've been reading the Book of Mormon out loud, in Spanish of course :) And that seems to be helping, but I feel like I should be doing more. :) Let me know your thoughts.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN AND LINDSAY!!! I hope you both have a wonderful day, and that your 14 and 22 birthdays are fantastic. :D Also, Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad. :D I love you all so much. :D
Mom, thank you for the updates with my friends and the ward! I didn't know Marley was going! Good for her! :D And MEGAN WALKER WHAT THE HECK YOU BETTER WRITE ME GIRL!!!!!!!! Last time I talked to her she was only thinking about it, but now she's waiting for her call?! Heavens. SO excited for her! Taylor W. is going to FREEZE and she doesn't like the cold... Poor girl.... :P The sun isn't really out a lot these days. Even though it's not cold here in Utah terms, I have been wearing my coat at night. I'm so excited for everyone preparing to go. :D I love this work. It is so hard Mom. I could not do this alone. I can feel all your prayers. Literally feel them... And I can feel help beyond the veil. It is an incredible feeling. It has been very hard, but somehow at the end of the day, the Lord lifts me up and is refining me. I love it though, truly truly truly I do. :) Hna Howell is in my zone! I don't know about Rindlisbacher.... And I think Elder James is...? I've met so many people, so I can't quite remember... :P Can you ask Megan to ask Paulina what her maiden name is? I'm pretty sure she said she was from Arica! And please keep sharing your testimony with everyone! Tell the missionaries about the Adams, Tom, and Stacy! :)
Dad, to answer your question about the time, we're 2 hours ahead right now, but I think in the winter for you guys we'll be 3. Thank you for all of your updates as well!! I wanted to say something about the talk from President Eyring that you sent a couple weeks back. I didn't really respond to that I realized. Totally spaced it, but I loved that talk! Thank you for sharing. I read it again this morning and I couldn't help but think about the meeting last night. The members of the church will help this work just as much as the missionaries, if not more. We can't teach as easily if the members don't find, share, and help retain converts. Good luck on the trek! I am so excited for you all! I wish I had the opportunity to go on trek, but maybe someday. :) I have been thinking of everyone I see in white. I want them to recieve all the blessings of the gospel so badly. It keeps me motivated, determined, and in tune with the spirit. Hermana Delgado is from Peru yes! She doesn't speak any English... :P She was waiting for me at the mission home, and we came to Arica together. Her parents were divorced when she was 14, and she's 22. She's the oldest of 4 and really wants to get married in the Salt Lake Temple. I told her she'd have to learn English, and she can come see me when she comes! :P
I had to laugh about Taylor's story! That's kind of how things here are going for me... :P People can understand me for the most part though. :) I share my testimony, and scriptures with members when we go visit them. There is a lot of reactivation here.
Today we went to the beach and played volleyball and soccer. No one is at the beach I hear in the winter. It wasn't cold, but it's cold to them... :P It was with the whole zone, so it was nice to speak English for a few hours... :)
I get choked up whenever I talk about my family. I love you all so much. :) I know families are forever, and I am so grateful for that knowledge. I've got to run for this week! Have a great one, and I can't wait to hear about how the trek was! Let me know! :)
Lotssss of love,
Kristen
This week has been absolutely crazy and full of ups and downs! Mostly ups, but a few downs for sure... :P Just as a random side note, I'm struggling to figure out this keyboard, so please bear with me... :P Its not that different, but different enough that I can't figure it out.... :P Anywho!! I love Arica! It's a beautiful city and the people are incredible. I love Hermana Delgado also! She is so patient with me and helps me in every way she can. There are times that we do get frustrated with each other, but they don't last for long and the work continues. :) I also LOVED the training meeting last night. It was so different than anything the church has done before, and I did get to watch it in English, but it was on a tiny tiny laptop, and there were 10 missionaries crammed around it trying to watch... :P But esta bien!! :D
Okay, so a few details for you all. Church yesterday was different than anything I've experienced. :) Of course it was similar to our meeting back home, but I didn't understand anything, and I have the perfect way to describe it. :) You know in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, when Ian's parents meet the Portacalous'? Lots of kissing cheeks, hugging, meeting everyone? That was yesterday for me. :) Here in Chile, people greet eachother with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. It's great! As for my apartment, we live with a "Mamita" that takes care of us. She feeds us lunch and washes our clothes, and she is such a sweetheart. I don't understand anything she says, but she doesn't seem to mind. :P Some people are more accepting of my inability to speak Spanish than others, and some will talk slower, or try to say it in a different way. Some people just turn to their phones or computers and have me type what I'm trying to say in Google Translate... :P Thank goodness for google translate... :P The Chilean accent is reallyyy hard for me to understand, and it is really thick up here in Arica. They all talk super fast, faster than other Spanish speaking countries, and add "po"to everything. So I'm learning Spanish, and an accent. :) For the most part I've been doing great, but Friday was the day that everything kind of caught up to me and I was feeling sorry for myself. Kind of a "culture shock"day if you will. I was praying all day long. Heavenly Father is making me into who He needs me to be though, and I'm trying to be patient with myself, and with His timing. :) I'm learning to rely solely on Him.
I'm trying to remember everything that I wanted to tell you all! I try to write everything down, but I feel like I'm forgetting a lot... I do want to say thank you for all your prayers, and also say that you as members are CRUCIAL to the work, just as they stressed last night. We as missionaries need the members to be a greater part of the work. Share your testimony. Not just by example, which is also very important, but share it vocally also. We are all representatives of Jesus Christ. We took His name upon us when we were baptized and we are never released from that promise. :)
I've got to run, but thank you for your prayers. I love all of you and I love this work. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here sharing His gospel if I didn't. This church is true! I know it with all my heart. :)
Much love,
Hermana Tuft
Hello Family!!
Kyle, Dad, and Tom, I would love to know any tips you have to learning a language. I'm trying so hard, and praying even harder, but I'm trying to find a good way to study. I've been reading the Book of Mormon out loud, in Spanish of course :) And that seems to be helping, but I feel like I should be doing more. :) Let me know your thoughts.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN AND LINDSAY!!! I hope you both have a wonderful day, and that your 14 and 22 birthdays are fantastic. :D Also, Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad. :D I love you all so much. :D
Mom, thank you for the updates with my friends and the ward! I didn't know Marley was going! Good for her! :D And MEGAN WALKER WHAT THE HECK YOU BETTER WRITE ME GIRL!!!!!!!! Last time I talked to her she was only thinking about it, but now she's waiting for her call?! Heavens. SO excited for her! Taylor W. is going to FREEZE and she doesn't like the cold... Poor girl.... :P The sun isn't really out a lot these days. Even though it's not cold here in Utah terms, I have been wearing my coat at night. I'm so excited for everyone preparing to go. :D I love this work. It is so hard Mom. I could not do this alone. I can feel all your prayers. Literally feel them... And I can feel help beyond the veil. It is an incredible feeling. It has been very hard, but somehow at the end of the day, the Lord lifts me up and is refining me. I love it though, truly truly truly I do. :) Hna Howell is in my zone! I don't know about Rindlisbacher.... And I think Elder James is...? I've met so many people, so I can't quite remember... :P Can you ask Megan to ask Paulina what her maiden name is? I'm pretty sure she said she was from Arica! And please keep sharing your testimony with everyone! Tell the missionaries about the Adams, Tom, and Stacy! :)
Dad, to answer your question about the time, we're 2 hours ahead right now, but I think in the winter for you guys we'll be 3. Thank you for all of your updates as well!! I wanted to say something about the talk from President Eyring that you sent a couple weeks back. I didn't really respond to that I realized. Totally spaced it, but I loved that talk! Thank you for sharing. I read it again this morning and I couldn't help but think about the meeting last night. The members of the church will help this work just as much as the missionaries, if not more. We can't teach as easily if the members don't find, share, and help retain converts. Good luck on the trek! I am so excited for you all! I wish I had the opportunity to go on trek, but maybe someday. :) I have been thinking of everyone I see in white. I want them to recieve all the blessings of the gospel so badly. It keeps me motivated, determined, and in tune with the spirit. Hermana Delgado is from Peru yes! She doesn't speak any English... :P She was waiting for me at the mission home, and we came to Arica together. Her parents were divorced when she was 14, and she's 22. She's the oldest of 4 and really wants to get married in the Salt Lake Temple. I told her she'd have to learn English, and she can come see me when she comes! :P
I had to laugh about Taylor's story! That's kind of how things here are going for me... :P People can understand me for the most part though. :) I share my testimony, and scriptures with members when we go visit them. There is a lot of reactivation here.
Today we went to the beach and played volleyball and soccer. No one is at the beach I hear in the winter. It wasn't cold, but it's cold to them... :P It was with the whole zone, so it was nice to speak English for a few hours... :)
I get choked up whenever I talk about my family. I love you all so much. :) I know families are forever, and I am so grateful for that knowledge. I've got to run for this week! Have a great one, and I can't wait to hear about how the trek was! Let me know! :)
Lotssss of love,
Kristen
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Hello from ARICA!
Hola Familia!!
I'm
just trying to get used to these keyboards, they're a little bit
different! :) I got here safely and I'm loving it already! We got to
Santiago, we had to wait there until 2:30 and then the flight was delayed until 4:30.
Then we got to Antofagasta around 6 and the whole office was there to
greet us, along with President and Sister Bruce of course. :) They had
been waiting there for a couple hours because our flight was delayed.
So we drove back (the elders all went in the van and I drove with the
Bruce's) and we got stuck in traffic because of a mining expo that's
going on. The Bruce's said that that is probably the only time we will
ever be in traffic in Antofagasta... :) We went back to the office, had
pizza and introductions, took a few pictures and got to know each other
a little better.
My companion's name is Hermana Delgado. She's from
Peru and she is such a wonderful happy trainer! She's been very patient
with me, seeing as I speak about zero Spanish....and she's trying to
learn English, so it will work out great! :) The bus ride was 12 hours,
so it's been a long and exciting 3 days of travel... :P I'd better get
going, but it was great to talk to you all on Monday!!
I love you all so much and I'm so grateful for your prayers.
One thing
Mom, we couldn't find a mail box, it was only a UPS box that the
airport lady directed us to, so I brought the phone here to Chile and
Sister Bruce said she would run it by our house when she's in Utah when
they get home. I said she could just mail it, but she said she would
love to meet you! :) P-Days are on Monday,
so I'll be talking to you all soon with more details! :D I love this
Gospel, and I love this work. We are so blessed to be living right
now. Talk to you soon!
Con Amor,
Hermana Tuft
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Happily Hectic :D
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| Hermana Kristen Tuft - tired but in Antofagasta safe and sound and with her companion, 18 June 2013 |
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| Hermanas Bruce, Tuft and Delgado, Presidente Bruce |
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| Mission Tradition- when new missionaries come they shine their shoes. |
Last report from Provo Utah!
Look out Chile!
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| Hooray for Hermana Tuft! |
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| Sister Tuft with Sister Heslop! |
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| Antofagasta Chile District! President and Sister Caywood are located in the center! |
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| Sister Tuft with Sister Bri Barnes, headed for San Diego California mission today! |
Hello Everyone!! :D
Hahaha it's just been one of those weeks.... It's been wonderful, don't get me wrong, but everything is just up in the air right now! Last night, we had our first ever devotional at the Marriott Center and Elder and Sister Arnold from the Seventy spoke. I'm coining Sister Arnold's term when she said life is sometimes happily hectic. Which is completely true right now! You wouldn't think that being in the MTC I could be so busy, but I am indeed. But I love it. :) And can I just express a little bit of excitement to you all??? I'M GOING TO CHILE IN 5 DAYSSS. That's all. Honestly that explains my mood and happiness right there. :D It's hilarious though because....I don't speak the language, I've only been out of the country once, my longest ever flight was no more that 8 hours, I've lived in Utah my whole life, pero está bien! I'll learn the language in no time as I work hard and rely on the Lord, the flight is 18+ hours, but I love flying and we'll be mostly flying through the night, and I'm excited for the adventure of a new culture. I'm a happy camper. Honestly, how is anyone not a happy camper?? Life is so good if you just stop and look at all the wonderful blessings the Lord has given us, rather than seeing the "bad" things every day we should choose to see the good. Hakuna Matata. :)
One of these blessings I have come to realize more and more in my life is that of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The past few days I have learned more about my Savior than ever before. Sunday night, we went to watch the Character of Christ by Elder Bednar. He gave this talk a few years ago in the MTC, but I wish you all could watch it! I loved the analogy he gave; he said that the natural man is like Cookie Monster. "I want cookie now, give me now, etc." Or for us missionaries, "I want investigator now, give me baptism now, etc." He frankly but kindly reminded us that this mission is not about us. It never is and never has been. :) When we turn outward, instead of inward and selfish, we see the true Character of Christ.
Last night I also felt of the love my Savior has for me. We were in a room FULL of missionaries. Just imagine this for a second: 4,000ish missionaries in the Marriot Center, with half of them in the choir (which was amazing, we sang Called to Serve) and a member of the Seventy testifying of this Gospel and of Jesus Christ. The power and Spirit in that room was something that I will never forget. Some of my favorite thoughts from their talks were when Sister Arnold said, "Maybe we have untapped sources that can empower us." Which I fully believe for everyone with a desire to change and become better! "Ask and ye shall recieve, knock and it shall be opened unto you." "Resolve right now to do your best every day." Elder Arnold said that we need to, "Catch the urgency of the work. Your mission will effect you for the eternities." "Our most important goal should be to bring souls unto Christ. How do we become fully converted?" "What is your Heavenly vision? What will be written in your book of life? Your book of life will be a literal accounting of your life thoughts and actions... Through the Atonement, we can have a sentence taken out, or a page, or a chapter, or half the book if necessary. Th day to change, to repent, to return to Christ is today."
Things with our "investigators" are great! Another funny moment happened on Friday... :) We were in our lesson with Pedro and things were going so great! We were sure that if we committed him to baptism right then that he would definitely say yes. So I went ahead and asked him and he said YES, but then I asked him if cinquenta de Junio would work. Yep... quince is 15. Cinquenta is 50. And he, being our very committed-to-character teacher that he actually is, smiled, laughed, and said yes. So we have a baptismal date for the 50th if anyone wants to come! :P 1,000,000 errores is the key to learning Spanish and I think I've hit about half way! :P Just kidding, not even close. :) Está bien. :D
I'm sure I will have MUCH to tell next week, but for now adiós!! :)
Con amor,
Hermana Tuft
To mi familia:
Hello!! I love you all so much! :D And I can't wait to talk to you on Monday. :) I wish I could talk to all of you, but I understand that life is crazy busy. :) I should be calling at about 11 or 12, just fyi. We leave here at 9:30 am, so after we're all checked in and such I will find a phone to call. :) Should I buy a calling card here, or are you sending one Mom? I'm not sure how much time to get.... I am so crazy excited. Thank you all for your letters and love and support and prayers in my behalf. Megan and Tom those pictures are SO adorable I love them. Whoever did them did a great job. :) Thank you for sending them! And just a quick little side note....I thought Father's Day was last Sunday, as I'm sure you discovered Dad... So sorry! But I'm just claiming to be super on top of things... :) Happy Father's Day again.... :D I said goodbye to the Caywood's last night because they have to leave on Friday to help their son move, so that was kind of sad for me. Kinda like another piece of home leaving, but I am so grateful that I got to be in their branch!! It really helped me a lot. Also a little shout out for Shop Hop this week: Have a little extra fun for me and tell my "other mothers" how much I love them and that I hope they have a blast without me, even though it'll be hard.... ;) And Lindsay!! LOVE every second and work super hard and please write me you silly girl. :) Kyle, I would love to get a letter in Spanish to translate & struggle out a little response if you have a little bit of time. I know you're busy though. :) Spencer, what jobs are you working this summer?? Dad mentioned something about Sister Eldon's, and someplace else I believe...? I love you all so much! :D Happy Father's Day!!
Lots of love,
Kristen
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Hoy es un dia!!
Hola everyone!
Honestly, I really don't have too much to write about so I will just apologize in advance for the short letter.... :) Some awesome news though!! We get our travel plans in 2 days!! :D I love it here in the MTC so much, but I am just so darn excited to get to Chile. Even though it's thousands of miles away, it's winter there right now, and I don't speak the language... But things are looking up regardless! :P Our teacher kind of gave us a reality check yesterday with our Spanish. We can understand pretty much everything, much more so if he repeats it, but it is coming. And I can form sentences, but it takes a little while. But it is coming! I get confused with all the different conjugations mostly, and Spencer just FYI, I wish I would have had you start to teach me por y para. :) Live and learn right? :) Hoy es un dia! :) We also taught someone via Skype yesterday, which was an interesting experience. I liked it, but I wished it would have been someone native because then I could test my knowledge.... :) But it was still good to teach! I feel like we've hit another wall with Pedro and Victor, but we're going to try something new tomorrow so we will see how that goes!
My testimony this week has been strengthened so much. I loved having Fast Sunday here at the MTC. We had a mission conference and the MTC Presidency spoke to us. It was pretty much 2 hours of them covering the whole gospel and I loved it! Something that I especially liked was how much they emphasized the Book of Mormon and what a miracle it is. The Lord truly is mindful of us and of our needs. What a blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the ability we have to be able to read it every day! Our devotional on Sunday night was about Joseph Smith, and it made me remember all the church history sites we got to go to as a family, and their importance! So many miracles happened, and still happen today. I wouldn't be on this mission without the miracle of modern day revelation through living prophets! :) Dah. I love this gospel and I love my Savior.
Last night for Devotional we had Elder Tad Callister from the Seventy Presidency I believe? He is a genius. I really want to read the Infinite Atonement when I get home. And my goal is to start (and honestly I could probably finish it on the plane ride) Jesus the Christ. So I'm very excited for that! There's so much to do and so little time around here it's crazy. I'm laughing because an elder in our zone just said, "I always don't know what to write home because I think, 'What did I do this week? Oh wait, it's the exact same thing as last week!'" All in good humor of course, but that's about right. Just learning until our heads hurt and studying like crazy so we can be the best missionaries we can be. :)
One challenge I would like to leave you all with is to read Preach my Gospel. That book is so amazing and it can help anyone, missionary or member, just the same. We were challenged to become Preach my Gospel Missionaries, but we can lead Preach my Gospel lives as well. Just some food for thought, and something to study if you are needing something to study. :) I love you all so much, thanks for your love and support and prayers in my behalf. Nos vemos!
-Hermana Tuft
Para mi Familia:
I love you all!! Just so you know. :D I really appreciate all the letters and thoughts; I wish I had more time to respond to them, but I like just being able to hand write them... I hope you had a great time at Girls Camp, Lindsay!! I would love to hear all about it. :) And it was so great to hear from you Spencer! I'll send a letter back either today or tomorrow. :) Are you all getting ready for trek?! That is going to be so much fun. I also loved those videos of Audrey, Megan! (And the meme made me laugh so hard. :D ) She is getting SO big!!! She is so adorable. :D Just to Jess & Kyle, I saw Elder Jordan Henstrom here so that was kind of fun! And I told the mailroom to keep their eye out for Nicole, because she is so great and they are going to love having her! :)
So some news for you all: I don't know if this has been announced and you already know about it, but apparently there is a mission conference 6 days after I leave at the Marriott Center. It's a huge deal, they're having 2,200 people in a choir (missionaries and members) and the rumor is flying around that President Monson will be there. That's purely a rumor, I don't know if that is actually true or not but it would be kinda cool! Except I won't be here, but that's okay! :P I am so excited to get my travel plans!! Dah this is really happening.
I do need a few things Mom... :) I accidentally dropped my alarm clock today....and it broke.... So I can send you a picture of it if you could possibly get me another one.... So sorry!! It was just from Walmart and I love it because it's cordless, small, and very light and it tells the temp in Celsius and Farenheit, which will definitely come in handy. I also could use another can of hairspray (the black Treseme I think.... anti humidity one....), like 4 AAA batteries, another Downeast white cap sleeve undershirt, and dry shampoo :) Sorry, those are things that I forgot to bring.... And what should I do for a calling card....? Like to call at the airport? I guess I can just see when I get my plans and I'll be sure to let you know what time-ish I should be calling. I hope it's at a time that I can talk to all of you!
I don't know what else you want to know, if there's anything you'd like to know just let me know and I'll be sure to write more next week... :) I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! Talk to you soon :D
Love,
Kristen
Honestly, I really don't have too much to write about so I will just apologize in advance for the short letter.... :) Some awesome news though!! We get our travel plans in 2 days!! :D I love it here in the MTC so much, but I am just so darn excited to get to Chile. Even though it's thousands of miles away, it's winter there right now, and I don't speak the language... But things are looking up regardless! :P Our teacher kind of gave us a reality check yesterday with our Spanish. We can understand pretty much everything, much more so if he repeats it, but it is coming. And I can form sentences, but it takes a little while. But it is coming! I get confused with all the different conjugations mostly, and Spencer just FYI, I wish I would have had you start to teach me por y para. :) Live and learn right? :) Hoy es un dia! :) We also taught someone via Skype yesterday, which was an interesting experience. I liked it, but I wished it would have been someone native because then I could test my knowledge.... :) But it was still good to teach! I feel like we've hit another wall with Pedro and Victor, but we're going to try something new tomorrow so we will see how that goes!
My testimony this week has been strengthened so much. I loved having Fast Sunday here at the MTC. We had a mission conference and the MTC Presidency spoke to us. It was pretty much 2 hours of them covering the whole gospel and I loved it! Something that I especially liked was how much they emphasized the Book of Mormon and what a miracle it is. The Lord truly is mindful of us and of our needs. What a blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the ability we have to be able to read it every day! Our devotional on Sunday night was about Joseph Smith, and it made me remember all the church history sites we got to go to as a family, and their importance! So many miracles happened, and still happen today. I wouldn't be on this mission without the miracle of modern day revelation through living prophets! :) Dah. I love this gospel and I love my Savior.
Last night for Devotional we had Elder Tad Callister from the Seventy Presidency I believe? He is a genius. I really want to read the Infinite Atonement when I get home. And my goal is to start (and honestly I could probably finish it on the plane ride) Jesus the Christ. So I'm very excited for that! There's so much to do and so little time around here it's crazy. I'm laughing because an elder in our zone just said, "I always don't know what to write home because I think, 'What did I do this week? Oh wait, it's the exact same thing as last week!'" All in good humor of course, but that's about right. Just learning until our heads hurt and studying like crazy so we can be the best missionaries we can be. :)
One challenge I would like to leave you all with is to read Preach my Gospel. That book is so amazing and it can help anyone, missionary or member, just the same. We were challenged to become Preach my Gospel Missionaries, but we can lead Preach my Gospel lives as well. Just some food for thought, and something to study if you are needing something to study. :) I love you all so much, thanks for your love and support and prayers in my behalf. Nos vemos!
-Hermana Tuft
Para mi Familia:
I love you all!! Just so you know. :D I really appreciate all the letters and thoughts; I wish I had more time to respond to them, but I like just being able to hand write them... I hope you had a great time at Girls Camp, Lindsay!! I would love to hear all about it. :) And it was so great to hear from you Spencer! I'll send a letter back either today or tomorrow. :) Are you all getting ready for trek?! That is going to be so much fun. I also loved those videos of Audrey, Megan! (And the meme made me laugh so hard. :D ) She is getting SO big!!! She is so adorable. :D Just to Jess & Kyle, I saw Elder Jordan Henstrom here so that was kind of fun! And I told the mailroom to keep their eye out for Nicole, because she is so great and they are going to love having her! :)
So some news for you all: I don't know if this has been announced and you already know about it, but apparently there is a mission conference 6 days after I leave at the Marriott Center. It's a huge deal, they're having 2,200 people in a choir (missionaries and members) and the rumor is flying around that President Monson will be there. That's purely a rumor, I don't know if that is actually true or not but it would be kinda cool! Except I won't be here, but that's okay! :P I am so excited to get my travel plans!! Dah this is really happening.
I do need a few things Mom... :) I accidentally dropped my alarm clock today....and it broke.... So I can send you a picture of it if you could possibly get me another one.... So sorry!! It was just from Walmart and I love it because it's cordless, small, and very light and it tells the temp in Celsius and Farenheit, which will definitely come in handy. I also could use another can of hairspray (the black Treseme I think.... anti humidity one....), like 4 AAA batteries, another Downeast white cap sleeve undershirt, and dry shampoo :) Sorry, those are things that I forgot to bring.... And what should I do for a calling card....? Like to call at the airport? I guess I can just see when I get my plans and I'll be sure to let you know what time-ish I should be calling. I hope it's at a time that I can talk to all of you!
I don't know what else you want to know, if there's anything you'd like to know just let me know and I'll be sure to write more next week... :) I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! Talk to you soon :D
Love,
Kristen
Friday, May 31, 2013
MTC Pictures
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| Kristen and all of the sister missionaries in her districts! Way to go Hermanas! |
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| Kristen's whole zone gathered for a group picture! |
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| Kristen got a rice crispy treat from her Mama Quezada across the street! (Thanks Patti!) |
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| Kristen and Hermana Heslop (her companion) in class! |
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Week 3 in the MTC!
The MOM says this blog thing is getting easier and BIG THANKS to Jessica Tuft for helping/DOING so much. :)
Hello all!
Every week the Elders count down to when we leave and this week they were freaking out because we only have 2 more Wednesdays here! It's a really weird thought... It's been a fantastic week though!!
Last night we had our Tuesday Devotionals, and guess who came?! Elder Zwick and his wife! I was so so sooo excited because I just read his book a couple months ago, and Hna Heslop was nice enough to go down and meet him afterward. It was so exciting. :) He focused a lot on Christlike Attributes and how to develop them. He gave us 6 steps to follow, and he likened it to before he was called to the Seventy when his construction company was building the Portland Temple. I wish I could share the whole talk, but I'm just going to share the steps... :)
Okay! Some stats for you all: 48% of the MTC right now is sisters. SO AWESOME! :D Our zone (as of today when the new district comes) is half & half. The other district of all elders left for Mexico on Monday at 3 am, so that was sad.... They were in the same spot we are right now when we first got in. So they've been "big brothers" to us. And now...we're the oldest district. Kinda a freaky thought. But it's fun. :) The West Campus opened yesterday!! Elder Zwick kept saying that it was a historical day, because the devotional had to be broadcast over there last night! (Some of the people here got transfered down there, and people will be dropped off there I think today.) We have 4,000 missionaries here right now, but as of the end of July they say it'll be up to 7,000. 1,300 a WEEK will be coming in by the end of July. Right now they only have 700ish per week, and before the announcement it was 200-500 per week. So needless to say Wednesday's are pretty crazy around here. :)
Dad asked about how investigators worked here at the MTC, so I thought I would share more on that. Right now we are teaching "Pedro" and "Victor". They are actually just our teachers, but they are role playing investigators that they taught on their missions. Pedro is 18, he's graduating high school in a month, and works after school every day with his dad. He lives in Argentina, and he's really receptive to the things we're teaching. Victor is a 34-year-old dad that has 3 kids and a wife that he is trying to support, but doesn't have a good job. He's very discouraged and unhappy, but he's starting to understand more from our lessons and it seems like he's happier the past couple days. :) We rotate teaching, so we teach them twice a week for the first hour of our class time, and we only teach one lesson per day. Kinda confusing, but it's such great practice, and it's nice to have people to study for. Our teachers have NEVER broken character before (even with previous classes), but Hna Heslop and I broke Hno Staples the other day. We couldn't think of the word for men because we were trying to explain how women can't hold the priesthood. We literally sat there for about 5 minutes just trying to think of the word! Hno. Staples smiled for a split second. And we lost it; we just started laughing because we knew we knew the word, and he could have easily told us. But he didn't. As we were leaving and he was closing the door, he said, "Los hombres." And then we lost it again. Because it's such an easy word. Dah. It was frustrating, but hilarious at the same time. And it doesn't sound as funny through email, but it is what it is. :)
We also had the chance to teach in the TRC again yesterday. We spoke with a lady named Hna. Silva and she shared her conversion story with us, and by the end of the 20 minutes, we were all crying. I understood most of it! And the spirit was so strong. It's just another testimony builder that we aren't the teachers, but rather the Holy Ghost. And he knows what we need to hear and teach. It was an incredible experience.
I honestly am starting to think in "Spanglish," which I am so excited about! Little by little, each week gets better. :) It truly is a miracle. Thank you all so much for the prayers and support in my behalf. I really do appreciate it. Sorry this letter isn´t super exciting! Each week is pretty much the same, just with a few little stories here and there. My schedule is pretty much the same every day. But it´s okay! It´s the same schedule, but the stories within the day change. I did get to see Elder Willmore before he left! His companion had a camera, but neither of us did so hopfully I´ll get the picture one of these days. I also saw Hna Kelsi Jensen last Thursday!! I didn´t realize she was coming in so soon, so it was such a great suprise when I saw her! And I also saw Sister Leishman last Sunday, so that was fun to!! :D
This is an amazing work, and I am so grateful I get the opportunity to serve right now. I feel so blessed every single day. This week I realize how unimportant it is to focus on learning Spanish right now, so I'm just focusing on teaching and listening to the Spirit, and I know the language will come. The Lord takes weak things and makes them strong. So I have no doubt. I love this gospel. I love my Savior, and I am so grateful that I get to teach the people of Chilé so soon. Until next week!
Con amor,
Hna. Tuft
Hello family!! :D
(I only include this because then I don't have to send it out to ALL the family on email.)
I hope all is well at home, other than Mom stabbing her finger...and the mixer exploding.... But other than that it sounds like things are pretty great! :P Just a random side note really quick; I can roll my r's now Mom, because Cynthia helped me regain that talent in voice lessons.... Hahaha so that is not a problemo. :P So you didn't ruin me. :P I've been loving the rain!! The Conce missionaries in our district hate it, because that's what they're going to be welcomed with when we get to Chilé, but I love it because I know I probably won't see it for a couple years! (Unless I'm in the mountain areas I learned, closer to the Andes...so who knows. :P) I hope the first week of summer is fantastic! Don't waste the days by sleeping in every day Spencer and Lindsay.... Too much to do, and too little time... :) Please send a picture of the dress you made Lindsay! I'm glad to know that Mom didn't bleed on it... ;) Small world moment: I got the picture/bio of my new mission president, and Hna Hutchinson in my district is from Moscow and knows his son! He's getting married this summer she said... So that's going to be a crazy next couple weeks for their family.... I'm glad you got to run into Mrs. Giffing the other day, Dad! And that the plants are doing well. :) I loved that class. :) If the peas come on within the next couple weeks I sure would love a small bag of them if at all possible... :) And Dad your comment about saying hello to me as you drove by made me chuckle, because we all think about how we used to pass by here and wave to the missionaries, but now we are the missionaries.... So it's weird being on the other side of that scenario... :P I'll write you both back separately like I've been doing. I like that best because then I can actually think of what I want to say, instead of feeling rushed with our computer time... :) I love you all so much! Thanks for everything and for being my family. I couldn't have asked for better. :) Lots and lots of love,
Kristen
Hello all!
Every week the Elders count down to when we leave and this week they were freaking out because we only have 2 more Wednesdays here! It's a really weird thought... It's been a fantastic week though!!
Last night we had our Tuesday Devotionals, and guess who came?! Elder Zwick and his wife! I was so so sooo excited because I just read his book a couple months ago, and Hna Heslop was nice enough to go down and meet him afterward. It was so exciting. :) He focused a lot on Christlike Attributes and how to develop them. He gave us 6 steps to follow, and he likened it to before he was called to the Seventy when his construction company was building the Portland Temple. I wish I could share the whole talk, but I'm just going to share the steps... :)
- Start with the end in mind. Who do you want to become at the end of your mission/life?
- Strong Desires and Commitments. What are the desires of your heart? Set prayerful goals now!
- Willingness & Discipline to Work Hard. God is patient with our efforts; ask Him to show you your weaknesses that they may become strong.
- Prepare for challenges. You will have setbacks, but you will be changed by a profound new knowledge of who the Savior is.
- Structural and Spiritual Integrity. "Called to Serve," Elder Perry, 1991
- Total Dedication to the Lord. This is what we do, and WHY we do it. What is the intent of our heart?
Okay! Some stats for you all: 48% of the MTC right now is sisters. SO AWESOME! :D Our zone (as of today when the new district comes) is half & half. The other district of all elders left for Mexico on Monday at 3 am, so that was sad.... They were in the same spot we are right now when we first got in. So they've been "big brothers" to us. And now...we're the oldest district. Kinda a freaky thought. But it's fun. :) The West Campus opened yesterday!! Elder Zwick kept saying that it was a historical day, because the devotional had to be broadcast over there last night! (Some of the people here got transfered down there, and people will be dropped off there I think today.) We have 4,000 missionaries here right now, but as of the end of July they say it'll be up to 7,000. 1,300 a WEEK will be coming in by the end of July. Right now they only have 700ish per week, and before the announcement it was 200-500 per week. So needless to say Wednesday's are pretty crazy around here. :)
Dad asked about how investigators worked here at the MTC, so I thought I would share more on that. Right now we are teaching "Pedro" and "Victor". They are actually just our teachers, but they are role playing investigators that they taught on their missions. Pedro is 18, he's graduating high school in a month, and works after school every day with his dad. He lives in Argentina, and he's really receptive to the things we're teaching. Victor is a 34-year-old dad that has 3 kids and a wife that he is trying to support, but doesn't have a good job. He's very discouraged and unhappy, but he's starting to understand more from our lessons and it seems like he's happier the past couple days. :) We rotate teaching, so we teach them twice a week for the first hour of our class time, and we only teach one lesson per day. Kinda confusing, but it's such great practice, and it's nice to have people to study for. Our teachers have NEVER broken character before (even with previous classes), but Hna Heslop and I broke Hno Staples the other day. We couldn't think of the word for men because we were trying to explain how women can't hold the priesthood. We literally sat there for about 5 minutes just trying to think of the word! Hno. Staples smiled for a split second. And we lost it; we just started laughing because we knew we knew the word, and he could have easily told us. But he didn't. As we were leaving and he was closing the door, he said, "Los hombres." And then we lost it again. Because it's such an easy word. Dah. It was frustrating, but hilarious at the same time. And it doesn't sound as funny through email, but it is what it is. :)
We also had the chance to teach in the TRC again yesterday. We spoke with a lady named Hna. Silva and she shared her conversion story with us, and by the end of the 20 minutes, we were all crying. I understood most of it! And the spirit was so strong. It's just another testimony builder that we aren't the teachers, but rather the Holy Ghost. And he knows what we need to hear and teach. It was an incredible experience.
I honestly am starting to think in "Spanglish," which I am so excited about! Little by little, each week gets better. :) It truly is a miracle. Thank you all so much for the prayers and support in my behalf. I really do appreciate it. Sorry this letter isn´t super exciting! Each week is pretty much the same, just with a few little stories here and there. My schedule is pretty much the same every day. But it´s okay! It´s the same schedule, but the stories within the day change. I did get to see Elder Willmore before he left! His companion had a camera, but neither of us did so hopfully I´ll get the picture one of these days. I also saw Hna Kelsi Jensen last Thursday!! I didn´t realize she was coming in so soon, so it was such a great suprise when I saw her! And I also saw Sister Leishman last Sunday, so that was fun to!! :D
This is an amazing work, and I am so grateful I get the opportunity to serve right now. I feel so blessed every single day. This week I realize how unimportant it is to focus on learning Spanish right now, so I'm just focusing on teaching and listening to the Spirit, and I know the language will come. The Lord takes weak things and makes them strong. So I have no doubt. I love this gospel. I love my Savior, and I am so grateful that I get to teach the people of Chilé so soon. Until next week!
Con amor,
Hna. Tuft
Hello family!! :D
(I only include this because then I don't have to send it out to ALL the family on email.)
I hope all is well at home, other than Mom stabbing her finger...and the mixer exploding.... But other than that it sounds like things are pretty great! :P Just a random side note really quick; I can roll my r's now Mom, because Cynthia helped me regain that talent in voice lessons.... Hahaha so that is not a problemo. :P So you didn't ruin me. :P I've been loving the rain!! The Conce missionaries in our district hate it, because that's what they're going to be welcomed with when we get to Chilé, but I love it because I know I probably won't see it for a couple years! (Unless I'm in the mountain areas I learned, closer to the Andes...so who knows. :P) I hope the first week of summer is fantastic! Don't waste the days by sleeping in every day Spencer and Lindsay.... Too much to do, and too little time... :) Please send a picture of the dress you made Lindsay! I'm glad to know that Mom didn't bleed on it... ;) Small world moment: I got the picture/bio of my new mission president, and Hna Hutchinson in my district is from Moscow and knows his son! He's getting married this summer she said... So that's going to be a crazy next couple weeks for their family.... I'm glad you got to run into Mrs. Giffing the other day, Dad! And that the plants are doing well. :) I loved that class. :) If the peas come on within the next couple weeks I sure would love a small bag of them if at all possible... :) And Dad your comment about saying hello to me as you drove by made me chuckle, because we all think about how we used to pass by here and wave to the missionaries, but now we are the missionaries.... So it's weird being on the other side of that scenario... :P I'll write you both back separately like I've been doing. I like that best because then I can actually think of what I want to say, instead of feeling rushed with our computer time... :) I love you all so much! Thanks for everything and for being my family. I couldn't have asked for better. :) Lots and lots of love,
Kristen
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