Jesus es Mi Luz

June 23, 2018

Hola y'all!

Really not much happened this week.... but I'll try to make this as interesting as possible ;)

Funny story:  Entonces, we were at a departing missionaries devotional, which we found out was actually a play about using members in the conversion process.  So we got there early to get front row seats of course.  Then this guy comes up and asks Hermana Hunter and I, hey, would you like to be in the play? Ummmm yeah!! So we got lines and everything and were in the play! I was the relief society president, Sister Lovelace, and Hermana Hunter was the primary president, Sister Childs.  It was SO funny and we had no idea what we were doing but for the rest of this week, people kept coming up and congratulating us on our fame.  It was pretty funny.  Good times.

This week I've seen a bunch of tender mercies.  One day, my companions and I were just doing the normal things.  We decided to go to the store before dinner and get some stuff, then go to dinner, then go back and get my companions packages.  It was kind of a messed up order, but that's how we wanted to do it and it seemed to make the most sense.  On our way back from the store, we noticed one of our friends from Honduras.  She doesn't speak hardly any English, and her companion doesn't speak Spanish.  However, her companion was in a wheelchair and looked absolutely terrible.  We couldn't really stop and talk, but we told her in our broken spanish that we'd pray for her.  After dinner, we went to go get packages, and they were returning from the doctor.  She threw a card at us and begged us to get sopa from the tienda.  We rushed there, bought the soup, and rushed back.  We didn't know what room was hers, but she "just happened" to be getting out of the bathroom when we got there and we were able to give the soup to her.  Then I knew we needed to do more, so we ran up to the second floor and I got her companion chocolate milk (her companion is SO tiny and my nutritionist inside knew she needed some milk and smart water), smart water, and purple gatorade for the Honduras girl.  She was so appreciative even though we couldn't really understand each other because she talks at about 500 MPH.  But I know Heavenly Father put us in the right place at the right time.  We needed to be there to help her and I needed to feel the promptings of the spirit guiding us.  It was a really cool experience and very humbling to be on the Lord's errand.  I loved it.  

I think the biggest thing I've learned here at the CCM is that there is no such thing as a coincidence.  It's crazy how involved the Lord is in our lives.  Literally, the smallest details are planned out so that we can do something as simple as buy soup for a girl who doesn't speak English.  Also, the gift of tongues is real.  I've had the hardest time understanding people.  My companions are rockstars at it, but I just can't seem to get it! However, when we were talking with the girl from Honduras, I was the only one of us who could understand what she was saying. I knew exactly what she wanted and needed and I was able to help because of that.  I know that was the Spirit helping me because I definitely can't do that on my own.  I know that if one of the Lord's children needs help, He will prepare a way for us to help them.  I seriously can't understand Spanish and it's an issue, but when I needed to understand it most, I was able to.  I think part of it is because I have a tiny bit of experience with nutrition, so I was able to know what the girls needed, so I was able to understand.  The Lord works in mysterious ways, but they always work out.  

A few nights ago, we had a great lesson with Hermana Jimenez.  After our lesson, we were heading back to our dorms, and we all burst into Jesus es mi luz.  It's our districts song and it's the greatest thing on the planet.  Our district is actually really talented and we all take harmonies and just sing! we just sang the chorus over and over because we didn't know the verses, but it was the most beautiful thing.  I loved it so much.  Jesus es mi luz.  I love Him.  I know He loves each and every one of us.  One blessing of being a missionary is the ability to feel Christ and Heavenly Father's love for all the people we come in contact with and that is SO amazing.  I love the Gospel.  

Also, the twelve apostles are just milling around the CCM.  So that's pretty flipping awesome.  The new mission presidents are here right now recieving training (I actually get to meet my president tonight), so the Apostles are training them.  Tomorrow, we have a devotional with all of them.  I might be REALLY excited.

Like I said, not a lot happened this week, but I leave for North Carolina on Wednesday.  If you have any advice for me regarding the language, companions, food, or anything else, please let me know! I really appreciate it! 

I love you all.  Things ALWAYS work out.

...And Loving It

Hermana Belliston

 

Super dramatic pictures of me walking away with my crutches in hand.... HAHA

Hermana Hunter and I​

This is my district with our Chilean instructor, Hermana Jimenez​

This is my district with our teacher, Hermana Bartholomew

This is my district with Hermana Jimenez​ again.

 

 

Ummm......MIRACLES

Hola Familia y Amigos!

Let me paint you a picture: Monday morning - I woke up, hacking up a lung.  I couldn't breathe and I was SO tired.  Not ten minutes after I stopped coughing, Hermana Wright promptly threw up in the trashcan next to my bed.  Awesome.  Not ten minutes after that, Hermana Hood pokes her head in our door and tells us Hermana Oakerlund is really really sick (she has a blood issue that causes her to be really dizzy and kind of see the world upside down).  Awesome.  Then we head to breakfast and NONE of our elders are there.  Huh, weird.  Hermana Oakerlund was unable to go to class, but the trio felt okay, so we did.  Elder Randall and Elder Reed weren't there, so we asked the zone leaders where they were.  Elder Randall has diabetes, and his blood glucose level was at a 28....... normal is 100.  So literally, he almost died.  Luckily another elder in our zone, Elder Housely, also has diabetes and knew exactly what to do for him.  So at lunch, Hermana Oakerlund comes in in a wheelchair, followed by Elder Randall in a wheelchair because both are too weak and dizzy to walk.  So there's me on crutches, and those two in wheelchairs, my other companion is sick, and our district is just like.... UM WHAT? You really should have seen our teachers faces when we got to class...... Priceless.  Needless to say we got some pretty hilarious pictures with our very broken district.  In essence, it was a pretty rough start to our week.... Not to mention my companion dropping a burrito on my favorite skirt.  I died laughing but my skirt was in rough shape.

PERO.  It doesn't stop.  Oh no, miracles are real.  Okay.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday.  For those of you who are unaware, I had a tibial plateau fracture right before I entered the CCM and have been on crutches ever since.  I got it playing kickball, and I can tell you I heard it crack... Super nasty.   I saw the MRI, saw the white little bone with the little line showing me where the break was.  I was told that if I put weight on it, the bone could do something like slip off and cause some huge damage (I'm no doctor so don't quote me, but that's what they said).  Anyway, when I got here, I got a CT.  Because I'm a missionary and they don't have an Orthepedic on call here, I had to go outside the CCM to get it.  Because of that, I never heard back from the Orthepedic. I just heard back from the family doctor here.  He told me yep, CT shows that  you have a tibial plateau fracture and probably will need to be on crutches for 12 weeks.  I was terrified because I wasn't sure if they were going to send me home to recover or if I would be able to stay here for an extra six weeks.  Either way, it wasn't a super bright picture and I was slightly worried about it.  I think that's enough back story.  So, we go to the real orthepedic again.  I knew that he would tell me if I would be able to leave or not when I was supposed to, so I was a little nervous, but I knew it would work out because it ALWAYS does.  So, he comes in, sits down, and says "So, the CT shows no sign of a tibial plateau fracture.  I think  you just hyperextended your knee a little, and maybe got a bone bruise.  So, really, whenever you feel ready, toss those crutches and start walking!" I was stunned.  Still am, actually.  I came out of that office BEAMING.  Crutches at the CCM is not an easy experience folks.  Most people get off them in less than 24 hours because they're just so inconvinient and hard.  But en serio? I got a better brace because my leg is super weak, but I've been walking and even running a little more.  I've never been happier to carry my own lunch tray and my books with me.  I've never been so grateful for everything.  It truly was a miracle.  Because of that, I can go on my mission in a week and a half.  I get to go serve the people exactly on time.  Honestly, the Lord qualifies the called.  I always thought that was just spiritually, but I know without a doubt that it's physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to share it with you all.  Miracles are real.  They honestly happen every day if we just look for them.  Thanks for all your support and Love!

So I leave on Wednesday, the 27, for North Carolina.  If y'all have any advice for the mission field or anything else, please let me know! I need all the help I can get!

The Gospel is true.  Heavenly Father loves His children and He will help them.  Things ALWAYS work out.  Always.  There is no such thing as coincidences.  Look for the good and everything will be okay.  

...... And Loving It.

Hermana Belliston

Asistiendo La Iglesia

June 9, 2018

Hola familia y amigos,

This week was actually super boring so there won't be a lot in here.

Funny story (at least I think it's pretty funny).  We were playing charades in class one day, trying to figure out how to use present progressive tense correctly in Spanish.  My companion gets up and hers is "attending church" or "asistiendo la iglesia."  Anyway, she hops up and pretends to get the sacrament and pray, so my team of course thinks that it's partaking of the sacrament.  However, she jumps up and shakes her head, and points directly to Sabado, Saturday, on our calendar at the front of the class.  My team is then very confused, but I whip around and say "It's attending church!" our zone leaders look at me like I'm super dumb because she's clearly pointing to Sabado, but then I say "She doesn't know the difference between Saturday and Sunday in Spanish!' the whole class burst out laughing and I say "Asistiendo la iglesia!" and we got it right.  Oh man my whole district lost it.  I'm hoping I didn't offend her too much but she's a good sport and just laughed and said she knew it was true.  Side note: she now knows the difference between Sabado y Domingo.

Also, tender mercies are real.  We got Chick-Fil-A for dinner on Monday.  Hermana Hood was literally in tears, and the rest of my district was so pumped about it.  The food here really isn't terrible, but it's nothing to be desired ;)

This week was filled with awesome things.  On Sunday Sheri Dew came and spoke to us.  What a lady.  She talked about  coincidences and how they don't exist.  She also talked a ton about President Nelson leading the way with missionary work.  As a companionship we've been listening to ALL of his talks and they are incredible.    Would recommend.  On Tuesday Elder Gong came and spoke.  I had the opportunity to meet him a couple months ago which was incredible, and it was super cool to see him again.  Every time an apostle comes into the gym, the whole MTC just hushes.  We got over 500 missionaries this last week, so we were packed and it was a little noisy, but the instant an Apostle of the Lord walked in the room, it goes dead silent except for the choir singing.  I LOVE it.  Elder Gong spoke on quite a few things, but one of them that stood out to me was that every nation, kindred, tongue, and people starts with one person at a time.  Missionary work is the most personal work out there.  I know there are people in North Carolina that I can help specifically.  They've been prepared for me.  One person at a time, poco a poco, paso a paso.  The Gospel is the greatest thing.  There are so many incredible blessings that come from this work.    Christ is the reason I am on a mission, and love is the motivation to stay on the mission.  Love for Christ, love for the people.  It's not hard to love someone when you have felt Christ's love for them. 

This Gospel is the most amazing thing on the planet.  I hope you all have a great week!!

...and loving it!

Hermana Belliston

Si, Yo Puedo!

Saturday, June 2, 2018
Hola familia y amigos!

This week was phenomenal! I wish you all could be here to feel the spirit and hear the things I hear every day!! It's pretty fantastic.  

This was a week of tender mercies!!! 

First, I was talking to my Zone Leader one day, just catching him up on my health and my knee, and I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice said "Hermana Belliston?" I turned around and it was my bestie Hermana Zook!!! I almost literally threw my crutches because I was so excited to see her.  It totally made my whole life.

Second, my district made me get a wheelchair which is rediculous and I only use it to go up to the temple and up to the field because going up and down hill on crutches takes a talent that I don't have yet... Anyway, we were going up to the field for exercise and I see this car pull over to the side of the road and this lady jumps out.  She's across the street we needed to cross, and as I looked closer, it was my Aunt Janine!!! It was AWESOME! I wanted to jump up and run and give her a hug, so it's a good thing my companions pretty much held me down.  We finally got across the street and I gave her a hug and we chatted for a couple minutes and went on our way! It was so great.  Pictures to follow. 

Okay, so, I REALLY hope y'all watched the Priesthood devotional yesterday, and if you didn't I'm going to call you to repentance to watch it.  It was the best Friday night movie I've seen in a long time!!! ;) All the missionaries were so excited and it was so great to listen to some great jazz-like music and just feel the spirit flooding the room! We all loved it.  It testified to me that God really does love His children so very very much, and I'm so glad I get the opportunity to preach that word to His children! It's amazing.

One more thing.  I love Sundays.  They are awesome here at the CCM.  Last Sunday we watched a talk by Elder Holland and of course it was a home run.  One thing that stood out to me was that he said "If this is 'His work, His glory, preach His gospel, it needs to be done His way."  Lots of missionaries struggle with obedience because they don't understand why they need rules.  Well, it's because this is the Lord's way, not mans way.  The same thing happened to Nephi when he was called to build a boat.  It wasn't after the manner of men, but of God.  The same thing applies to the CCM.  I've been trying to learn Spanish how I've always learned everything else, but now I get to learn in the Lord's way, which is very different (and much more effective, in case y'all are wondering).  

Anyway, I hope you all have a great week.  I love you so much!! The Gospel is true and I love it!

.....and Loving it ;)

Hermana Belliston

PS - the "......and Loving it" comes from an old TV show I used to watch with my family and it perfectly describes how I feel every single day :)

Lo Siento Por Mi Spanglish

Saturday, May 26, 2018
Familia y Amigos,

First off, MTC computors are really rough, so dont judge my grammar and my spelling too hard... This computor doesnt have any letters on it and all the keys are messed up so I have no idea where the apostrophy is... Lo siento.

This week was fantastic!! I learned a ton about a ton.  For those of you who dont know, we actually get to teach real investigators here in the CCM.  People actually come into the CCM to get taught.  Our investigator right now, Andrea, doesnt speak a lick of English.  Im glad the Spirit is real and can testify the things that I cant.  

Story:

So, Ive had to go to lots of doctors appointments because of my knee, so we got to go outside the CCM.  Yes, we were basically acting like tourists in downtown Provo porque we took pictures and vlogged our day.... It was almost sad.  But also super hilarious.  Anyway, we went in for a CT scan (because the orthepedic surgeon saw something on an xray that he didnt like about my knee), and when we came out, this old lady greeted us and asked us about our missions and stuff.  She then said, 'my grandson is in the MTC, and my companions were like oh, cool.  Whats his name? and she said Elder Rogers and we lost it.  Yes, there are TONS of Elder Rogers in the CCM, but ya never know, right? anyway, we asked her what his first name was and she said Gavin!!! Gavin Rogers is a missionary not only in our zone, but in our district!!! Hes super great and we all love him so much.  We about died and we had to take so many pictures with her and when we got back to the CCM, we told Elder Rogers and we didnt believe us at all but then we showed him the pictures and he just stared. It was awesome.  He jokingly told us one time that if we saw his family to say hi (he lives in Provo) and we jokingly responded that we would, but it actually happened!! totally made my life.

We had a Zone Testimony Meeting on Thursday and it was amazing.  One girl stood up and promptly said, I have a testimony of Satans reality.  And I couldnt agree more with her.  Me and my companions have had a really really tough week.  Hermana Wright and I have been SO sick, and my leg has been hurting, and Hermana Hunter is homesick beyond belief.  Satan knows that if he can get us now, we wouldnt be out disturbing his kingdom, like Joseph Smith said.  To be a disturber and an annoyer of Satans kingdom is one of my hopes for my mission.  This week has had so many ups and downs, but there is ALWAYS good in everyday.  My companions and I sometimes just start laughing super super hard.  Its awesome.  

There are so many good things in everyday.  There is so much to be thankful for! I love the gospel more than I can begin to describe, and I know that love will continue to grow.  I love you all and pray for you every day!!! 

Hermana Belliston

First 3 Days

Saturday, May 19, 2018
Hola Familia y amigos!!!

I LOVE THE MTC!!!!!!! (ask me about it in 4 weeks and I can assure you, my answer will be the same ;)

I arrived safely on Wednesday and it was super great.  Everyone stared at me (and still stare at me) and were like, why in the world are you here hermana? You're crazy! It's pretty funny.  I'll see if I can send pictures because I've got some really great ones.  

Companeras

I have two companions and they are amazing! Hermana Wright is very nice and is going to serve in Georgia Atlanta.  She is quieter than us other companions but she's super awesome and kind of weird.  Love her a lot.  Hermana Hunter is super hilarious.  She never stops talking.  She talks CONSTANTLY and it's soooo funny.  Most of the time Hermana Wright and I completely zone out and Hermana Hunter doesn't even seem to notice so es bueno.  We now have a running tally of how many times we've cried in the CCM, and it's super great because Hermana Hunter is at 12, and Hermana Wright is at 7 I think.... I'm proud to say I'm at none! I'm just so happy to be here I can't even handle it!

My district is also the best ever and my zone is pretty cool.  My district leader is set on getting me a wheelchair and I just shake my head and laugh (he wants one for himself just because).  My district is super cohesive and we have a really great time together.  We found out each others first names yesterday and we vowed never to do it again because it was SUPER weird.  Would not recommend.  

Spiritual Stuff

SOO good.  I LOVE THE CCM! I'll say it a lot, I know.  The teachers are phenomenal and the spirit is awesome.  So many good things are happening here! we were talking about the missionary purpose, and my favorite thing was "Inviting others by helping them."  We invite by example, we invite with our light, we invite with our happiness etc etc etc.  It's SUPER awesome.  Also, it's only been three days,  but I'm sure I'll have more to share next week.

....And LOVING it!!!

Hermana Belliston

Also, I can receive emails all week and read them, but I just can't respond.  It would be nice to hear from y'all through the week ;)

I'm Here!

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Dear familia,

Estoy bien!!! Mucho mucho bien!!!!   My P-Day is on sabado (Saturday) so I'll write to you fairly soonish I suppose.....

....Already loving it

Hermana Belliston