August 27, 2012

August 27, 2012

 Hey so sorry about last week... but I will make up for it.

Lots of stuff happened. I'll start from the beginning. On Thursday the 16th we got a call from the Hermanas telling us that Vilma was in the hospital. So we headed over there and at first we couldn't find her but then we did. She wanted a blessing, so I anointed and Elder Ochoa whispered in Spanish what I should say then he sealed. I didn't understand much, but the Spirit was really strong. And as soon as we lifted off our hands she wasn't crying anymore. When we first walked in she was just crying and in so much pain, but as soon as it was over she was perfect. She actually wanted to leave right there but the nurses are like no you are not ok blah blah blah...haha it was so cool.

Then Friday we found 2 new 'gators, Powerful lessons with them. It was sweet. I really enjoy tracting and finding, it’s hard but I love it.

Then Saturday we had a baptism, the son of Vilma, Carlos. It was a great way to start the mission ha-ha. We found 3 more 'gators Saturday as well. Super powerful lessons. And 7 new potentials. Whew what a day!!

Then Sunday we had church and I didn't understand much but everyone was so nice and welcoming. Then we had dinner at a member's house then we went finding. We found Karen and she is from Jamaica, and so cool. I told her about the Moodies so she liked that. It was a good ice breaker!! She is looking for the truth (sadly we found out the other day she moved....) Tough luck.

Monday the 20^th, we had p day and went shopping-- got some gf food!! I got plenty of food so don't worry about that ha plus the members and other people feed us like crazy!!! We also found a couple new 'gators hopefully they'll get progressing. I have so much hope for them all.

Then Tuesday we had a lesson with Herber. The Hermanas passed him on to us and said don't worry it will be an English lesson, so I was like yeah sweet!!! We get there and it was literally an English lesson. He's from El Salvador and is trying to learn English ha-ha. But it was good. He is super humble and nice. We invited him to church too. We also found a guy who was familiar with our church and seemed interested ha. He asked a lot of good questions. Hopefully he'll get somewhere!

Then Wednesday, another busy day!!! We found a couple peeps and we were walking away and I saw this man and woman and I felt prompted to go talk to him, at first Elder Ochoa didn't want to. But we did anyway :) They turned out to be very interested, but when we went to teach for our return appt he wasn't there...but there is still hope :) We've been passing out BOM's like crazy, we actually had to get a new box full :D

Then Thursday we went tracting with one of the youth (this ward's youth is way strong) and it was good. We found 2 new 'gators and hopefully they will progress as well. They seemed open, so we'll see.

Then Friday we went to teach Edwin (got baptized several weeks ago) more about the priesthood and his cousin was there too and asked a ton of questions :) We will be teaching him more. Also it was Elder Ochoa's year mark so we burned a shirt ha-ha.

Then Saturday was his b-day too, the big 21 ha-ha. A ton of people gave us cake and took us to restaurants so we gained a couple pounds ha-ha, but the people here are poor but so generous and so giving of almost anything to us the missionaries, it touches my heart and I also feel kinda bad...but they will be blessed for it.

Then yesterday at church I felt I was already understanding a lot more. I know that is a blessing straight from God. It’s miraculous. Then we had dinner with the same family as last Sunday and I understood more and more. It’s cool how God blesses. Then we went tracting and looking for our return appts no one home though... but we found a member from Sierra Leon and he was cool. We talked a little soccer and he was poor but on our way out he gave us a home made ginger drink ,,,,it was way strong and I didn't like it, but just how generous he was touched me.. man some great people here :)

But yeah I fixed the pics so they should work, let me know. And also my coat???? and shoes??? What’s the word? :)

I've been keeping track of the countries people are from that I've met and each week I'll update it: Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Sedan, Peru, Jamaica, Ghana, Togo, Vietnam, Ethiopia (crazy guy from there said he was Christian, but I think he worshipped Moses instead ha-ha), Philippines, Egypt, India, and Sierra Leon. That’s it so far, cool huh?? You probably wonder how often I speak Spanish and actually use it? All the time!!! And only English a little, but it’s so cool. I love it here. The weather is how I like it, overcast and occasional rain, not too hot :) ahhhh it’s nice, trees everywhere. Oh yeah, the city I'm in is called Herndon. It’s pretty nice. It’s kinda like Draper and Sandy with some rougher areas mixed in, but everyone is really chill and nice here.

Well thanks for everything, sounds like fun back home. Sorry I didn't write you… no time ha-ha, but when I have time I'll try, I'm super busy. It’s great :)

Love you all so much!!!!! Let me know if I can do anything for you!!! God blesses!!

Con amor,

Elder Lifferth

August 20, 2012

August 20, 2012

 

Hey so I just went to send this email but it logged me out and all it saved was a tiny bit of the email :(  but we have had great miracles here already. I will try to write a letter... I am sorry. But a few quick things, my coat, shoes, and boots what’s the plan? It’s just been raining. Also when you send packages send usps. so they can forward it on to me, so just use the mission address. Man I love you all hope everyone is good. Sorry about this email...but I'll get a letter off today. But I am doing great!! I love this place. It’s nice--missionary work is amazing! I have met so many people. You all sound great :)

Love

Elder Lifferth

PS did my pics work???

Hey family,

Everything like you heard is all good. The flight was good, except I didn't get much sleep and I was exhausted ha-ha. But it was nice. At the Pres' house, it’s very nice, and it’s so much like the Porter's house, nice and cozy! Sis Riggs made me some gluten free lasagna, way good :)

Thursday morning I met my new trainer, Elder Ochoa. He's awesome, he's from Cali and use to be in a band ha. We get a long way good. We had different mtgs almost all of Thursday up ‘til like 3. Then we got to work. After the transfer mtg one of the Elders knew I had celiac and gave me a ton of GF food. Way nice, especially because today we go shopping. Super nice :) and it’s pretty good. But man we had a miracle my first day. We were out tracting and we got a call from the Hermanas saying the one of our m

August 9, 2012

August 9, 2012

 

Hola everyone,

A lot of cool stuff happened this week. This fast Sunday was a good one. I think God gave me strength so that I could fast until 4:30. On Monday morning after I worked out and showered I started feeling dizzy and then my vision started getting the weird "lights" in them ha-ha. I told Elder Simpson, "So I'll be getting a migraine today, I'll let you know when we need to go back to our room so I can sleep." He's like ok ha-ha. I think the last migraine I had like this was also after a fast plus when I lifted early in the morning. So I just need to avoid working out the following day I guess. But don't worry I'm totally fine, Nothing went numb, just a bad headache and bad pain in my eyes, but the nap helped :)

Then Tuesday after breakfast when I was walking to class, I walked past President Dr. – (pediatrician) ha-ha. That was so good to see him, then he gave me a hug and it was weird, like I felt so much love from it ha-ha idk. He said he was going to tell mom about us, but in case he didn't here ya go. He's going to the Dominican Republic. Awesome. Then later that day we have this thing called a workshop and they are way cool. We split up and visit and talk about teaching and I went with Elder Finua or Finau, he's in my zone. He's this huge guy from Hawaii, he's going to Pocatello, ID Spanish speaking. But me and him have been pretty close, good friends. But he told me to go into the hall real quick so we could be alone and he pretty much shared his life story with me and his conversion. It was so powerful and so personal, it made me wonder what I had done to earn his trust so that he was willing to share something so personal and spiritual. But he told me I can't tell anyone so I won't ha-ha. But yeah it was so cool.

This week my district decided to do a "English Fast" ha-ha its been pretty good and challenging but it really is so helpful. We are going to end it Sunday or Monday so we can say our goodbyes in English ha-ha. Also this Wednesday when I hosted I had a really good experience. The first Elder I helped is going to Germany, Berlin the same mission as Elder Zach Stanley and we actually ran into him so I introduced them :) then the second I helped was from my MISSION, Ashburn? Pretty crazy I met his family and they said they'd make me dinner he-he they were super nice. He's going to the Alaska Anchorage mission. Cool right?? He told me a lot about the area, I'm so excited to get there. So excited, ahhh 6 days and I'll be preaching in DC :) Everything is going good here. I've really fallen in love with the scriptures!!! Love them!!!! Man...they're so good, it’s sad though, every time I read I realize I don't know squat!!! Ha-ha but that’s ok. Also when I hosted I met a family who all go to Westlake, they said they knew Stephen because of football, but quien sabe??

It’s so good having Elder Moodie here, it really is ha-ha except he's probably mad at me, the other day we were talking and he had a bug on his white collar and I went to flick it off but it just exploded all over his collar hahahahahah it was really funny!!! Ooops ;) I really wish we could be comps but we have our own places to be. Es lo que hay. (it is what it is) But me and Elder Simpson are doing really good, he's a good missionary and I really am going to miss him, I'm kinda sad about that but we'll keep in touch!!!

Anyway, I did get my tweezers, gracias por todo. I'm really not stressing anymore about how bad my langauge is going to be just because it’s a given I am going to struggle, so what’s the use in getting more gray hairs from it right? I still study hard every day but I don't get butterflies or anxiety about it. Because this is God's work. He will bless me :)

Well what’s new? That’s crazy about Usain Bolt ha-ha but I'm not too surprised. Also does anyone know if I can eat maltodretrexin? Or however you spell that? It’s in a lot of stuff, so I was just curious. Hopefully I can but if not no biggie. Today for the temple I did sealings!! It for real was one of the coolest things I've ever done ha-ha, the Spirit was so nice...ahhh. Refreshing. The next time I'll be at a temple will be the DC one, how cool is that??!!?!?!?!? But my health is all good, don't worry about me :) how's Mom's health? How is everyone doing? Who will be the first to write me in DC? Shall we make it a contest he-he. I love you all sooo much, seriously thanks so much for everything you do. I should be sending off a package/letter today if not for sure before I leave :) hope you enjoy he-he.

Siempre con amor,

Elder Lifferth

PS.. Oooooo Pepeeeeroooniiii, hoooow muuuch III looove yaaaaa. Remenber that everyone? Do you miss my singing? haha love you all. write me :)

 

August 2, 2012

Hola everyone :)

How's everyone doing? As you can tell from my last week subject my Spanish is not good ha-ha, thanks for correcting me :)

So you probably heard from the Moodie's that I did host Justin, well now Elder Moodie! It was so cool, I haven't been that excited to see someone like that before ever. I sure have missed him. It was a miracle that I was able to do it, I was getting ready to host someone else, then I looked up and saw their car, so I had someone else take the other Elder. I had to run all the way down the hill because I was up top keeping an eye out for them.

I haven't heard much about the Olympics, poor Phelps, that man needs to learn about the Word of Wisdom ha-ha. How long do the Olympics last?? How's the soccer going? And track? Keep me posted.

But yes I have finally got my travel plans!!!!!!!! WHOOOO!! August 15 I have to report to the travel center at 4 am..... my flight leaves SLC at 7:05, then I arrive in Atlanta at 12:48 pm. Then from ATL at 1:40 to the Washington Dulles, DC airport and I arrive there at 3:29 (not sure why not 3:30???) But isn't that exciting???!!! I'm not sure what’s the deal with me calling you and stuff, but I'm sure they'll give me more info, I'm the travel leader and there is 5 of us going to DC south, then ten minutes after we leave another group of 8 fly to DC too. Not sure why we don't fly all together but it’s all good. I'm really excited, I've been praying for the right trainer, I hope you all are praying for that too.

That sugar cookie you sent, that same company makes these two cookies like that but a brownie one and a chocolate chip cookie one and I Love them, they probably don't make them in DC because it’s a bakery in Provo I believe.

Also Amanda's b-day is this Saturday, Happy birthday sister!! I hope It’s good, make Stephen and Michael do stuff for you :) I would do stuff for you but I'm out serving the Lord, but in 2 years I'll be there. Any more oreo truffles??? mmmmmm yummy, those are heaven. Any word if they sell the "think thin" gluten free bars in DC, or will you all need to send me them? ;)

Life is good, I can't complain. At times it’s difficult, Spanish can be frustrating....but one good thing happened last Friday in our TRC, we taught a guy named Devin. The spirit was so strong during our lesson, I bore a strong testimony of our Savior, it was a good lesson on the Plan of Salvation. Afterwards we get a slip kinda like a report card from the person we taught, and he said it was life changing for him. He said our Spanish was good, but the thing he liked about our Spanish was that dared/threw ourselves out there/tried new stuff (sorry can't think of the word he used....:() He said it was exactly what he needed to hear. Which is amazing, because that means the Spirit was able to teach through us!! And he was a real person not just a teacher pretending, he is a member but still, come on!!!!!! It was such a good experience!!!

Well I love you all, can't wait to hear from you all soon.

Love,

Elder Lifferth

 

 

July 26, 2012

July 26, 2012

 

Dear Family,

How is everyone doing?? Before I forget, next Wednesday my district will be hosting so tell Justin to look out for me so I can host him!!!!!! I'm praying that I will see him and his family.

Everything is good here, time is going really fast. So that’s good. My Spanish is continuing to improve, the hardest part is to not get discouraged. This past week I've been waking up early to study Spanish, it seems to help so I might keep doing it.

Today the temple was finally opened so we were able to go and I really missed going. I love going to the temple and feeling the Spirit and getting that extra boost!  

Today I got a haircut and sent a package off to Charley.  I felt prompted to do it so it should be good. It feels like I haven't heard from you all in awhile, besides Michael, I got his letter today.

That’s too bad RSL isn't in first place ha-ha, they better start winning. For Christmas I was thinking I would like an RSL jersey :)

It’s weird, you know the district movies? A lot of the missionaries in it are now teachers here, so it’s weird to see them in real life, they seem like celebrities ha-ha. Also today as I walked out of lunch I saw that blonde kid who plays Joseph Smith and also that one LDS movie about the guy who gets his ear pierced and then changes?? IDK, well anyway he's a missionary now. Pretty cool I guess.

But yeah I heard about the shooting, that was terrible. So if they have signs that say no guns, people who have their concealed permit still can't bring them? Hmmm that’s scary, especially after that. The world is dangerous, and you always need to be prepared for anything.

How is everyone doing? Everyone really busy getting ready for the Porter reunion? That'll be fun, tell everyone I say hi and love them all.

This week we just learned how to use subjunctive. Have you gotten any of those Spanish and English helps ready for me? Will I be getting a package with stuff before I leave? Also with the boxes that I've gotten, do you want those back or should I throw them away?

Everything here is good, just studying and teaching. Nothing I can think of.  How's Amanda, Annslie, and Stephen? I heard Matt's graduation was fun and so was Sea World. Did you take pictures?

How's work going Pops? Everything still going good? Are you still running from our house to downtown? I enjoyed our times when we went running together training for soccer. That was always fun for me.

I got Oaklie's picture ha she is getting better at staying in the lines! That’s good. Are Oaklie, Porter, or Annlsie any taller than when I saw them last? Ha-ha I miss them.

Thinking how close the field is, brings a smile and an excitement to me. I really am so excited!!! AHHHHH!! Just three more short weeks here then next thing you know, I'll be calling you all from the airport, then I'll be in DC. I hope I'm fluent by Christmas, but we'll see. What is that like 5 or 6 months from now? Is that reasonable??

I really love the devotionals and firesides here, they're so powerful and uplifting. The other week we had this older gentleman who I'm pretty sure is an unreal genius. He said he has read like 10,000 pages in the past month or so, and he just had everything memorized even though he was old ha.

Ask mom if I need a pillow ha-ha I'm not sure, I can't remember if you're going to send mine to DC or if I get a new one? Let me know of things I need to be aware of as I travel and etc..

Today after the session, we ate breakfast there and wow it’s good, I had an omelet, hashbrowns and bacon, and it’s really cheap too.

Well I hope everyone is healthy and happy.

I love you all soo much.

Esta iglesia es verdadera, y el libro es azul ;)

Love you all,

Elder LIfferth