Letter from Jenna written on June 1st.
Hey family!!! How are you guys!!! I think I heard from everybody but Jake this week!!! It sounds like everybody is good!
So I have some good news...ready? I'm going to BRAZIL!!! Yep, I leave Tuesday to go down there. I found out about 4 hours ago, and I'm going to call home in about 40 minutes...hopefully. If my comp will let me! So mother dearest...I need that pack before I leave...so if you can please do that as soon as possible!
But yeah, so pretty much my whole district is leaving. Okay, not my whole district but a lot of us are leaving! Out of the nine, there are five leaving, then I think Elder Jorgensens district is leaving too. Elder Jorgensen is my traveling cordinator, or whatever they call him. I fly out Tuesday morning at 11:10 AM for NY, they I leave NY at 10:15 PM and arrive in Sao Paulo at 9:25 the next morning. It's a long flight, but I'm ready to be there!
Holy buckets..that's a lot of water! It has rained the past few days, but overall it is beautiful and warm! The rain is cold, but when it is sunny it is sunny! I've been able to stay pretty warm with my 3 cardigans I have, so it hasn't been bad.
The work is going good. My classes are practically all in Portuguese now, meaning that the class is required to speak Portuguese! That is hard, but it is good, I'm learning so much faster. I talked to an actual Brazilian a couple of days ago, and he understood me, but then he informed me that I spoke weird. Haha that could just be because I can't conjegate anything.
We haven't work on the phones at all, and I don't think I will since I'm leaving in a week! We have people that we teach in the TRC, but most of those are returned missionaries just acting the part. My progressing investigators are pretty good too! One couple, Jose and Fatima are committedc to baptism, but we found out jose smokes, so we are working on that. Maria and Gi are still stoned faced, and won't pray about anything! Haha, just so you know the investigators are my teachers playing the part, but it is good practice. All of our lessons to them have to be in Portuguese.
Hmmm...Dad, it is funny you mentioned Saturdays warriors. I had a sub the other day that claimed he knew me, and he looked familiar to me too. But we have never crossed paths. The entire class says it is meant to be, and that we met in the pre-existance. I told them we'd have to wait until I got home, cause nothing is going to stop my mission! So funny!
Well that is about all, I'm praying for unconditional love, so if you want to pray that I can find it that would be good!
Well fam, I love you much! I hope you are all doing well, and as a side not, I'm sorry if I bawl tonight on the phone with you! My emotions are everywhere!
Eu se que o livro de mormon e verdadeiro e contem a plentitude do evangelho, eu se que da igreja de jesus cristo dos santos dos ultimos dias e verdadeiro. Eu se que as familias ser eternas. eu se que eu amo voces muito!!! Eu se que jesus cristo e nosso salvador, ele pagou por nossos pecados, entou morreu por nos entou nos volter para nosso paj. En nome de jesus cristo amem...
Some of that is spelled wrong, but when you are typing in another language against a clock spelling doesn't really matter...and I don't think the last part is even right...but you get my drift! Love you!
Sister Rounds
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Week 4, Completed and Enjoyed
Letter from Jenna, written on May 25
Ola Family!!!
Hmmm...So nothing is new. I am still waking up at 6:30 in the morning wishing I could sleep in for another 30 minutes, and I am still loving every minute here.
The language is still a struggle this week, but I humbled myself down and asked for more help...yep I got myself a tutor! Well, the MTC has one, and I am going to start using Irmao Willardson now! Yahoo! He has already helped me and my comp a ton! We learn stuff in class, but it just isn't enought. I can understand what concept is being taught about the language, but some others in the class aren't picking it up as fast...so in a circle I'm struggling. Does that even make sense? I don't know how to phrase that in 30 minutes...time is ticking!
Elder Russel M. Nelson came and spoke to us last night. That was the bomb.com! He and his wife talked a lot about being obedient...strict obedience! I think I'm already slacking on that, but I'm trying really hard not to! My comp is a huge slacker, so I feel I'm doing okay with what I'm put with. We have our moments when we would rather be away from each other, but overall we get along. I'm serving the Lord, not myself! Who cares about the emotions I'm going through, I'm focusing on the Lord. With the focus on the Lord I'll be able to pull through the hard times with the comp.
Visas are starting to come through! There were about 15 elders and sisters that headed to Brazil last week! We are praying the other visas aren't far behind. But there is something you can do to check on it! Google Brazil visa status...on the list of sites...in Portugues there should be something that says check status...fill it out. I don't have my confirmation number, so you'll have to do my birthdate and all that fun stuff! But tons of families are checking the status! Apparently Elder Jorgensen's is in processing, so his should be coming in the next few weeks!
Well fam, my time is up...I wish I had more to say, but I don't. All we do is sit in class and learn, so nothing really worth writing about, just remembering. Hmmm...yesterday we had a TRC appointment. I got to teach the second lesson to a lady. Her son died a few years ago, and even though she is a member, playing a nonmember, the spirit was so strong when we were testifying about everything! This Gospel is true! I love it! And I'm so excited that I have another 17 months proclaiming the gospel! It is going to be glorious!!! Elder Nelson said, "We follow Jesus Christ" oh how true it is! A simple yet profound message in just four words! That is what I will be proclaiming to the people of Brazil! I'm happy I made the decision to serve a mission. It is worth the time, and the exhaustion!
I love you all, and I hope you are all safe and sound. Life is good, I am good, and the mission is good.
Love,
Seester Rounds
Ola Family!!!
Hmmm...So nothing is new. I am still waking up at 6:30 in the morning wishing I could sleep in for another 30 minutes, and I am still loving every minute here.
The language is still a struggle this week, but I humbled myself down and asked for more help...yep I got myself a tutor! Well, the MTC has one, and I am going to start using Irmao Willardson now! Yahoo! He has already helped me and my comp a ton! We learn stuff in class, but it just isn't enought. I can understand what concept is being taught about the language, but some others in the class aren't picking it up as fast...so in a circle I'm struggling. Does that even make sense? I don't know how to phrase that in 30 minutes...time is ticking!
Elder Russel M. Nelson came and spoke to us last night. That was the bomb.com! He and his wife talked a lot about being obedient...strict obedience! I think I'm already slacking on that, but I'm trying really hard not to! My comp is a huge slacker, so I feel I'm doing okay with what I'm put with. We have our moments when we would rather be away from each other, but overall we get along. I'm serving the Lord, not myself! Who cares about the emotions I'm going through, I'm focusing on the Lord. With the focus on the Lord I'll be able to pull through the hard times with the comp.
Visas are starting to come through! There were about 15 elders and sisters that headed to Brazil last week! We are praying the other visas aren't far behind. But there is something you can do to check on it! Google Brazil visa status...on the list of sites...in Portugues there should be something that says check status...fill it out. I don't have my confirmation number, so you'll have to do my birthdate and all that fun stuff! But tons of families are checking the status! Apparently Elder Jorgensen's is in processing, so his should be coming in the next few weeks!
Well fam, my time is up...I wish I had more to say, but I don't. All we do is sit in class and learn, so nothing really worth writing about, just remembering. Hmmm...yesterday we had a TRC appointment. I got to teach the second lesson to a lady. Her son died a few years ago, and even though she is a member, playing a nonmember, the spirit was so strong when we were testifying about everything! This Gospel is true! I love it! And I'm so excited that I have another 17 months proclaiming the gospel! It is going to be glorious!!! Elder Nelson said, "We follow Jesus Christ" oh how true it is! A simple yet profound message in just four words! That is what I will be proclaiming to the people of Brazil! I'm happy I made the decision to serve a mission. It is worth the time, and the exhaustion!
I love you all, and I hope you are all safe and sound. Life is good, I am good, and the mission is good.
Love,
Seester Rounds
Sunday, June 5, 2011
3rd Week Complete!!!
Letter written from Jenna on May 18
Hi family!!!
How are ya'll??? How is it going in the real world? Do you think much has changed? I know for me it has!!! I must admit, all of your writing is so different from what you talk like...I don't know how to explain it, but I love it! It cracks me up! Nothing here is really new, but I'm growing so much! I feel like I'm not the same anymore. It is quite the feeling. Elder Hinkley came and talked with us last night, that was pretty cool. He left some time for questions and answers. One question was what did your dad teach you? He said the same thing I would have said! To love my family, honor my covenants, and to work hard! I must admit I almost started crying right there. Don't be alarmed though, this week my emotions have been all over the place! I thought I was doing so well, then bam! I'm bawling like a baby every time I turn around. I hear this is normal, so I'm not too worried.
It is funny, the more time you spend with someone the more flaws they have....not necessarily flaws, just things that drive me crazy!!! Sis. Smart is still cool, but I feel like an outsider when her and one of the other sisters start talking...it is like she only endures me because she has to. It is almost depressing.
So time for question answering.....
The new language program is pretty cool. They speak only in the mission language, and you are expected to teach in your mission language the first day! It is pretty hard from what I've heard, but they are switching to it, so it must be good! And it must work! Don't worry Jake, they won't start till August.
The spirit is so strong. It is always there. I love it! It is like there is something always hugging you...just peace and calm feelings all the time!
Dad, it is funny how you talked about the Atonement, that has been our theme this week. The Atonement, and what it means to our investigators lives. We are starting to teach the second lesson, which has the stress point of the atonement.
About the language...yeah I've hit a wall. I am understanding more and more, but for some reason I just can't say what I want! I know what I want to say, but I can't get it out! It is the weirdest feeling! I hope that I can climb over this wall soon! I'm getting left in the dust! I know how to conjegate...but I can't say it!!!! So frustrating, but I'm busting my butt trying to do it!...and yes I can say that because that is what Elder Hinkley said!
Daryl Ward is meeting with the missionaries huh? That is pretty cool! I remember hearing about him on Easter...Dad you are a part of that!!! Isn't it amazing how member missionaries work! That is the best way we get our investigators.
Well, my time is up! Love you family! God speed!
Seester Houngies
Hi family!!!
How are ya'll??? How is it going in the real world? Do you think much has changed? I know for me it has!!! I must admit, all of your writing is so different from what you talk like...I don't know how to explain it, but I love it! It cracks me up! Nothing here is really new, but I'm growing so much! I feel like I'm not the same anymore. It is quite the feeling. Elder Hinkley came and talked with us last night, that was pretty cool. He left some time for questions and answers. One question was what did your dad teach you? He said the same thing I would have said! To love my family, honor my covenants, and to work hard! I must admit I almost started crying right there. Don't be alarmed though, this week my emotions have been all over the place! I thought I was doing so well, then bam! I'm bawling like a baby every time I turn around. I hear this is normal, so I'm not too worried.
It is funny, the more time you spend with someone the more flaws they have....not necessarily flaws, just things that drive me crazy!!! Sis. Smart is still cool, but I feel like an outsider when her and one of the other sisters start talking...it is like she only endures me because she has to. It is almost depressing.
So time for question answering.....
The new language program is pretty cool. They speak only in the mission language, and you are expected to teach in your mission language the first day! It is pretty hard from what I've heard, but they are switching to it, so it must be good! And it must work! Don't worry Jake, they won't start till August.
The spirit is so strong. It is always there. I love it! It is like there is something always hugging you...just peace and calm feelings all the time!
Dad, it is funny how you talked about the Atonement, that has been our theme this week. The Atonement, and what it means to our investigators lives. We are starting to teach the second lesson, which has the stress point of the atonement.
About the language...yeah I've hit a wall. I am understanding more and more, but for some reason I just can't say what I want! I know what I want to say, but I can't get it out! It is the weirdest feeling! I hope that I can climb over this wall soon! I'm getting left in the dust! I know how to conjegate...but I can't say it!!!! So frustrating, but I'm busting my butt trying to do it!...and yes I can say that because that is what Elder Hinkley said!
Daryl Ward is meeting with the missionaries huh? That is pretty cool! I remember hearing about him on Easter...Dad you are a part of that!!! Isn't it amazing how member missionaries work! That is the best way we get our investigators.
Well, my time is up! Love you family! God speed!
Seester Houngies
Friday, June 3, 2011
Finished Week Two!
Letter written from Jenna on May 11
Ola minha familia!
Things are going pretty good here in the MTC. The food gives everybody gas, so the classes are always stinky...but other than that nothing to complain about. So Elder Neil A. Anderson came and spoke to us last night. That was really cool! He spoke a lot on the atonement, and seeing the unseen. It was absolutely amazing. He said this quote which I love, "Our plaques will be badges of honor, because we bore witness of Him." Afterwards the sisters and I went to the side of the building to go back to our classroom, when a bunch of missionaries were just standing around. We waited with them for about ten minutes when all of a sudden Elder Anderson started walking towards us. A few elders started singing, and soon others joined in, the spirit was so strong. Elder Anderson came up and shook hands with everybody that was there. So yes, I got to shake his hand! Yahoo!
Dad, tomato plants? At least it is an original idea! I actually kind of like it! I know that one girl has her visa in our zone, or at least it is almost here, but she is supposed to leave next Tuesday, so who knows where she will end up. But apparently there is a website that you can look at to find out if my visa is being processed or whatever. I have no idea what it is, but I bet you can google it!
We get to exercise five times a week for 40 minutes at the gym, on p-day we are supposed to do an exercise mission thing...it is a little weird, so I usually just work on my abs or something. It really helps me not get sick! The gas and food starts to move as I move, so it doesn't just sit and fester.(haha mom, I bet you don't like me saying that)
As for my schedule, it changes every day. But usually we have classes two times a day, and each session is 3 hours. Our teachers speak only in Portuguese, they know how to speak English, but to help us learn, they don't use it. I can understand most of what they say, but when it comes to talking back to them I am struggling. I can read, just not talk. So at times I wish I wasn't learning a language, because it is just one more thing I have to do, but I love the language! Definitely having some mixed feelings right now. Our teachers last Thursday decided they would be investigators, so we have taught them in only Portuguese...that is so hard! We pretty much have to write down what we want to say in English then translate it, then during the lesson read what it is we want to say! But it is coming along. When we aren't in class it is usually personal study, or language study, or this program called TALL, it is a computer program that is supposed to help us learn the language faster.
Yes I can bear my testimony in Portuguese, and I actually bore my testimony last Sunday in Portuguese in sacrament meeting! Scary! I had learned how to bear my testimony only two days before! I also know how to pray, and contact somebody!
I think I have the adjusting done, there are times when my head wants to explode because of everything I'm learning, but I love it! It means I am actually learning something! I haven't felt this way for a long time! I love that I'm learning something!
As for the glasses, I still love them! But the shoes I must admit They rub in weird places, and even though they are sometimes comfortable, other times they kill!!! But apparently I'll be able to wear sandals in Brazil! I hope I can!
As for the pronunciations, deus, is with a hard d sound, just like you would say it in Spanish, because the de is at the beginning of the word, or in the middle of it. But de is gee when it is at the end on the word or by itself. But if it is di, it is always gee. The rules are actually not as confusing as I thought it would be. If an r is at the beginning of the word it is pronounced with an h sound, but if it is an h, you don't say it. Even though there are weird rules, it is a beautiful language, a lot of the words are close to english, you just pronounce them weird usually with a gee, or chi sound at the end! :)
I am out of time! I love you all, and miss you! I'm glad to hear everything is going good back at home. Keep the letters coming please! I love them!!! This work is amazing, and the spirit is so strong all the time. The Holy Ghost always helps learning! It is incredible how much I have learned in only the two weeks I've been here. The teachers and other elders are incredible! I am seriously treated like a princess, the doors are always opened for me, and when we walk past all the elders say hi! Haha, it must be because I am just a fantastic person...or just cuz I'm a girl and it is so rare to see one these days!
Much love! I miss you!
Love,
Seester Houngies!
Ola minha familia!
Things are going pretty good here in the MTC. The food gives everybody gas, so the classes are always stinky...but other than that nothing to complain about. So Elder Neil A. Anderson came and spoke to us last night. That was really cool! He spoke a lot on the atonement, and seeing the unseen. It was absolutely amazing. He said this quote which I love, "Our plaques will be badges of honor, because we bore witness of Him." Afterwards the sisters and I went to the side of the building to go back to our classroom, when a bunch of missionaries were just standing around. We waited with them for about ten minutes when all of a sudden Elder Anderson started walking towards us. A few elders started singing, and soon others joined in, the spirit was so strong. Elder Anderson came up and shook hands with everybody that was there. So yes, I got to shake his hand! Yahoo!
Dad, tomato plants? At least it is an original idea! I actually kind of like it! I know that one girl has her visa in our zone, or at least it is almost here, but she is supposed to leave next Tuesday, so who knows where she will end up. But apparently there is a website that you can look at to find out if my visa is being processed or whatever. I have no idea what it is, but I bet you can google it!
We get to exercise five times a week for 40 minutes at the gym, on p-day we are supposed to do an exercise mission thing...it is a little weird, so I usually just work on my abs or something. It really helps me not get sick! The gas and food starts to move as I move, so it doesn't just sit and fester.(haha mom, I bet you don't like me saying that)
As for my schedule, it changes every day. But usually we have classes two times a day, and each session is 3 hours. Our teachers speak only in Portuguese, they know how to speak English, but to help us learn, they don't use it. I can understand most of what they say, but when it comes to talking back to them I am struggling. I can read, just not talk. So at times I wish I wasn't learning a language, because it is just one more thing I have to do, but I love the language! Definitely having some mixed feelings right now. Our teachers last Thursday decided they would be investigators, so we have taught them in only Portuguese...that is so hard! We pretty much have to write down what we want to say in English then translate it, then during the lesson read what it is we want to say! But it is coming along. When we aren't in class it is usually personal study, or language study, or this program called TALL, it is a computer program that is supposed to help us learn the language faster.
Yes I can bear my testimony in Portuguese, and I actually bore my testimony last Sunday in Portuguese in sacrament meeting! Scary! I had learned how to bear my testimony only two days before! I also know how to pray, and contact somebody!
I think I have the adjusting done, there are times when my head wants to explode because of everything I'm learning, but I love it! It means I am actually learning something! I haven't felt this way for a long time! I love that I'm learning something!
As for the glasses, I still love them! But the shoes I must admit They rub in weird places, and even though they are sometimes comfortable, other times they kill!!! But apparently I'll be able to wear sandals in Brazil! I hope I can!
As for the pronunciations, deus, is with a hard d sound, just like you would say it in Spanish, because the de is at the beginning of the word, or in the middle of it. But de is gee when it is at the end on the word or by itself. But if it is di, it is always gee. The rules are actually not as confusing as I thought it would be. If an r is at the beginning of the word it is pronounced with an h sound, but if it is an h, you don't say it. Even though there are weird rules, it is a beautiful language, a lot of the words are close to english, you just pronounce them weird usually with a gee, or chi sound at the end! :)
I am out of time! I love you all, and miss you! I'm glad to hear everything is going good back at home. Keep the letters coming please! I love them!!! This work is amazing, and the spirit is so strong all the time. The Holy Ghost always helps learning! It is incredible how much I have learned in only the two weeks I've been here. The teachers and other elders are incredible! I am seriously treated like a princess, the doors are always opened for me, and when we walk past all the elders say hi! Haha, it must be because I am just a fantastic person...or just cuz I'm a girl and it is so rare to see one these days!
Much love! I miss you!
Love,
Seester Houngies!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
