Blah Blah Blah

January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T10:12:00.003-07:00

Hello Family!

This week has been amazing. We continue to see miracles as we are doing the Lord's work. It is amazing. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is the chance we have each day to go out in faith not knowing what will happen or who we will meet but knowing that the spirit will guide us and we will see miracles. Princesse was baptized on Sunday! She is an amazing girl we recently started teaching. She had a baptism date for a week later but she was so ready we all decided to move it up. She takes diligent notes each lesson and studies in between. I love her! I love those that realize the blessings of the truthfulness of the gospel and can't help but drink it all in. I love the people we meet and the examples they are to me. I learn so much from their faith, willingness and humility.

This week we had a mission wide harvest! So for 2 hours every missionary in the Ft. Lauderdale mission were out going into people's homes leaving the Savior's peace and blessing. We saw incredible miracles as a mission! It was awesome to be united and feeling the spirit guiding us. We had a cool experience last night with harvesting. We went by a potential investigators house he wasn't home so we gathered his whole family together and prayed. The feeling of the spirit was incredible. I love seeing people go from really reluctant and sometimes a little hard hearted to warm and wanting to embrace us. After we said the prayer and identified the spirit the grandfather, who we thought only spoke creole, said "we don't have much time and we can't pray that long but let's go." I wasn't sure what he meant but we followed him a few houses down on the street to his son and his family's home. This man said these two ladies just prayed for us and they are here to pray for you. We went in and blessed another beautiful family. It was amazing. I am still on a spiritual high. I love being a missionary. This is the most incredible time of my life. I love being a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ and I love the gospel and how it blesses every single person's lives. I love it!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

January 3, 2012

2012-01-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family!

Happy new year! I love this time that we have to recommit ourselves to doing and being even more! I am still working on goals and resolutions. It has made me very grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. That we even have the chance to repent, to change, for the better. No matter what has happened in the past or what weaknesses we have through Christ's atonement we can have hope. In preach my gospel under how to begin teaching there is a list of ten bullet points. One of my favorites says something like :we all make mistakes in life. These mistakes create feelings of guilt and shame that cannot be relieved without repentance and forgiveness. They can be fully healed through Christ's atonement. How amazing and true. I love the gospel. It brings us closer to Christ who can heal us of everything and we can feel peace and hope.

I love being in ysa! I have met the most amazing people in the world. As I have known people from all over the world I have come to the realization that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children the same. He truly does. I called a potential that was passed to us from other missionaries. His name is Brian. He had met the elders when they left a blessing in his home. He was really sick and went to the hospital only to find out he has heart failure. We talked on the phone for quite a while. He is a young 21 year old. I directed him to mormon.org and was able to teach him over the phone! It was an amazing experience. He said he wanted to be a mormon and will be if we add him on facebook hahaha. I am so grateful for our resources and the opportunities we are given to share the gospel. It truly is for everyone! Everyone needs the atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives. We are so blessed to have the truth and to have the opportunity to share it with our brothers and sisters! I love being a missionary. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it is for everyone and it is amazing that we have the opportunity to share it. Don't be afraid of your faith and to reach out to others and share the blessings you receive! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

December 12, 2011

2011-12-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

HI!!

This week has been outstanding! I am so loved by the Lord! That was evident all week long as the people I love so dearly gave me so much love! Time and time again I felt the spirit touch my heart and confirm to me that the Lord loves me. Sister Beck and I have been talking a lot about tender mercies with everyone and I saw them all week long as I looked for them. I know that the Lord knows each of us and he loves us! What made the week really amazing was seeing T'jon enter into the waters of baptism! T'jon we just met a few weeks ago. He is really good friends with a member in the branch and he brought him to church a few times. We didn't even realize he was a member for a few weeks he just fit right in and looked right at home. We began teaching him and invited him to be baptized. He was a little hestitant so Hermana Beck's first lesson I told her to invite him to be baptized for the 18 of December. She fearlessly extended the most beautiful invitation, my heart beaming with pride and love, and T'jon accepted without hesitation and asked if we could move it up a week! Of course duh! It was amazing the love and support at his baptism. Having his friends and family there was amazing. Sister Beck was smiling and saying to me over and over "I am so happy." I am too! T'jon is incredible and it is truly amazing to see people discover what they have been searching for, and to watch the spirit work and see them overcome with the satisfactory joy that the gospel brings.

It has made me think a lot about the blessings and joy that come from the gospel, and all of the people that don't have that. Especially the ones we know our very own friends and families and how important it is to share the basic principles of the gospel with them. Not only by living it and testifying of it, but by inviting them to have it as well. I loved seeing both the member and the investigator slightly hestitant and we were able to testify and help them both along, to see now the incredible blessings they both are receiving as a result. Christ has given us everything. His body and life and spirit so that we may have eternal life. Certainly I can give Him my time, me efforts, my so called comfort zone to share the blessings of His gospel. So that my brothers and sisters can come closer to Him and more fully utilize the power of His atonement in their lives. And we receive from Him more than we could ever give. I love this time of year. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know he is the Son of God. I know he lives. I have come to know him through living his commandments and coming closer to him. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it is the word of God. I am so blessed to be a missionary! I receive more than I can imagine or take in.

I was reading in the Helaman chapter 3 this morning and I loved these verses:

24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did ^ajoin themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance.

25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.

26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

28 Yea, thus we see that the ^agate of heaven is open unto ^ball, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

I know this is the Lord's work and he is indeed merciful! May we all remember Him this time of year, what he has given us and what we can give to Him!!!

And pictures next week if I remember:)

I LOVE YOU!!!

Hermana Pack

December 5, 2011

2011-12-05T19:31:00.001-07:00

This morning we went to see the sunrise except it was cloudy so we didn't actually get to see it but it was fun!

My dominican family Wady, Glori, and baby Wady! They made us a Domincan thanksgiving! YUM!

My Wady baby! He was 12 days old when I first met him. Now he is 4 months old and growing so fast!

Jaeuk took us to Korean bbq this week! Then after got us a bunch of Korean candy! It was so good!

Thanksgiving Florida style!

PIES! An elder in our district made us a pie for thanksgiving!

Me on the bus!

Mi familia!

This week has been amazing! I have a new companion named Sister Beck. People are only really confused when we introduce ourselves. She is INCREDIBLE! I am so blessed. She is from Lehi Utah and went to school at BYU but we have never met until now. She has an amazing attitude and willing to do anything so naturally we have had great success together. I a learning so much from her. This has been a great experience so far. As I am teaching her about missionary work I am learning about it! I am grateful to the Lord for guiding me. Since our first day together we have been working so hard. I swore I would never starve my companion but eating has been the last thing on my mind. Don't worry we got Jamacian patties to make up for it. yummy.

We also had 2 incredible baptisms yesterday!! Ian and James. We met them both a few weeks ago. James came to a friend's baptism in another ward and was passed to ysa. He is so sweet and quiet. He called us on thanksgiving to tell us he was grateful for us and he continues to melt my heart! He is haitian and 24. and his social security number is... haha I just love these people so much! I wish I could bring them home and introduce them to everyone because they are so incredible. Ian. Definitely sent to Florida to meet Ian. Ian is really fun and outgoing and jamacian. Our branch mission leader was worried he didn't have a testimony but just wanted to get baptized for social reasons. I didn't doubt Ian's desires but then last week I talked to Ian on the phone and he said he had a question and because of just talking with the branch mission leader I was a little worried. But we got there and Ian said he had randomly researched Joseph Smith and found the full version movie online and watched it (thankfully it wasn't anti) He loved it! He said he felt that Joseph Smith really was a prophet. Then he pulled out his phone and showed me a note he had written. It said something like "I prayed about the book of mormon and I felt like God was telling me it is true." AHHH!! One of the most incredible moments I have had on my mission. I can't even describe how I felt. The spirit confirmed to me that Ian knew, and that I knew too all over again. This is the truth. This is Jesus Christ's church and we are so blessed. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he truly did see God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. I love this time of year. When we get to focus on the savior and to see his love and blessings in our lives. We are so blessed. I love this work and I know the gospel is true!

LOVE YOU!

Hermana Elizabeth Pack

Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission

7951 SW 6th Street, Suite 110

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33324-3211

November 29, 2011

2011-12-05T19:21:00.002-07:00

We got a little behind, but here are some recent emails. Hello Darlings!!! Transfer week again?! It went by sooo fast. This transfer is going to be exciting! With our new zone added to the mission and always so many missionaries coming and going it will be a lot of change. But one thing I have learned during my time here is that change is good! Sister Hong will be transfered, but she will be in the same apartment and be Sister Mills and Holder's new companion! I will be getting a new missionary straight from the MTC! I am a little nervous but I am really excited! She is coming to the BEST area in our entire mission! I pray that she will have a wonderful experience. I love this quote from President Monson "The Lord picks you up where you are at and takes you where you need to be." I love that. We really are so blessed! I love being here. I prayed and prayed that I would get to stay here a little longer. I am so happy. I know that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. It is so amazing to think of how much Heavenly Father loves us. He has given us this precious time on earth to become like Him. He lovingly guides and teaches us, and gives us the families, experiences, trials and circumstances we all need to reach our divine potential. He knows what is best for us. My heart is full of thanks to my Heavenly Father and all of the incredible blessings He has given me. Presently I am grateful for post-it notes, the sunshine, and most importantly to have the opportunity to serve a mission! This is the best decision I have ever made. I am grateful for the loving support of my family and friends so that I can be here! I am grateful to be serving in this area! I am grateful for the love of our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and for His atonement. I am most grateful for the Rincon family for having us over for Thanksgiving! It was so much fun. They have a lot of family and there were a lot of people there. We ate by their pool outside! It was absolutely gorgeous it looked like a wedding reception. And it was a good mix of american and latin food!! The best of both worlds! They are the sweetest family! When we were driving to their house we saw the temple grounds! But not from the freeway this time the actual ground!! It was so great we got out and walked around imagining the time not to long from now that a temple will stand where we were! So much sacrifice and love and blessings come with the building of a temple. Things are amazing! I am so happy and I love being a missionary. There is no greater work! LOVE, Hermana Elizabeth Pack Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission 7951 SW 6th Street, Suite 110 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33324-3211

7/11/11

2011-08-01T11:43:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone!

This week has flown by like all the rest. We have been working hard in trying to get our area established. We will be having a training tomorrow about a new technique and I am really excited to learn what it is! There is a lot of potential here and I am happy to learn how we can better do the Lord's work. I love being a missionary. It is an adventure. I know the gospel is true and I love sharing it with others. I never imagined feeling this happy or blessed while serving the Lord. We are blessed to know of a loving Heavenly Father and his plan for us to return to him. Sorry it is short but I'll put pictures to make up for it!

Descriptions:

Sister Mata'u and I on the 4th of July!

Breakfast with the Porters. They are a senior couple who live in the same complex as us. They made us German Babies and it was delicious!

Today is 7/11 happy slurpee day!

We love slurpees

I held a yellow bearded dragon named Jerry. I was scared a little but it didn't hurt me haha.

Sister Peck our relief society president in Weston brought us a huge bag of bagels and bread and a whole bakery basically.

We love bread!

7/5/11

2011-07-06T11:47:00.000-06:00

What an incredible week!!!

First and foremost, President and Sister Anderson are here!! They are incredible and it is a very exciting time! I love them both and I am excited for our time together. We had a zone conference with them on Friday and we were able to meet them and get to hear from them. It has just been a wonderful week of miracles. I love being a missionary! I love hearing about old areas and companions and to hear that the Lord's work continues to move forward and people continue to progress. Everything is important and there are so many that are involved. There have been baptisms in Hialeah and in Riverside Park that I have heard about! It is so exciting. But baptism is just the first step. President Anderson told us we have to endure to the end..ownment. To make all of the covenants and all of the blessings Heavenly Father has for us. We met a young man this week who is a recent convert of only about a year. He has kind of slipped through the cracks with there not really being missionaries in this area and we have so much work to do. There is a lot of work to do here.

This area is all pretty much gated and we have to get a little creative to get into people's neighborhoods. I am getting less scared to approach these gates and security guards haha. This week we approached a gate and tried to get in and the security guard told us he couldn't let us in. But as I was about to turn around the gate opened. I looked back at the security guard, because he is the only one who can open it, I didn't understand why but I didn't hesitate to miss the opportunity. We got through a gate!!! It was the best feeling. Sister Mata'u and I were so happy! It was amazing! We were able to stop by people that we needed to and we were so grateful for that tender mercy.

Yesterday we had an incredible experience. Everyone has been busy because of the fourth of July and I was unsure about yesterday. We were able to meet with our investigator, Ciro, de Columbia who is incredible. But after him all of our appointments fell through. We were sitting in our car and after talking we decided to pray. We sincerely asked Heavenly Father to guide us to where we needed to be. So after the prayer we were talking and thinking a bit and we weren't sure still where to go. I had been thinking about Mcdonalds before from some reason and I wanted to get a drink. So I said well let's go to Mcdonalds while we decide where to go. We both don't really know the area and I just started driving. We eventually found it and at the drive up window working was a member of our ward, Alex! He said oh perfect my shift is almost over we can go visit some of my friends. Alex is a great missionary and will share the gospel with anyone. Sister Mata'u and I knew we were led by the spirit there! We then were able to go to Alex's house and teach a young man, Christen. He is 16 years old and from South Africa and has lived here about 5 years. Christen came to church with Alex a few weeks back and we gave him a book of mormon. This time when we asked about how he felt reading it, he said he knew that it was truth and described feeling the same feelings as when he came to church and when he reads the bible. He said he feels "satisfied." He is incredible! He is really sensitive to the spirit and he referred several times to the verse in Moroni 10:5 that we had read with him. And he recognized it when we watched the restoration with him, Joseph Smith's dad reads that verse. He said it is his favorite verse. It was the one of the most, if not the most powerful lesson I have ever been a part of. It was incredible!!! And to top it off when we stepped outside a million fireworks were going off simultaneously with the fireworks that were going off in my heart. I was so grateful to Heavenly Father for answering my prayer and for the spirit who is continually guiding us. I am grateful to be a missionary to feel of our Father in Heaven's love for me and all of his children. I know this is where I am supposed to be and I am grateful that the spirit has led me here.

Always LOVE,

Hermana Pack

6/27/11

2011-07-06T11:43:00.000-06:00

It's a bitter sweet time right now. President and Sister Hale are leaving. President and Sister Anderson are flying here right now. I am anxious to meet them. Change is good. You are always changing on a mission, never allowed to be in any sort of comfort zone but that is why we see and feel so much growth. Continually being stretched beyond your imagined capacities only to improve and be stretched once more. I love President and Sister Hale with my whole heart. I will miss them but I will see them soon. We should never be afraid to give people all the love in our heart for fear of being ripped apart one day and feeling the loss. But it's not too bad haha it happens every few weeks now. When you give people all you have and give the Lord your very best effort, it is in his hands and you can feel real peace knowing that you gave it your whole heart and soul.

This week has been wonderful. I am so blessed to have the most amazing companion, Sister Mata'u. Shoot. We laugh hysterically everyday, all day. And we love and embrace everything that comes our way. She has an incredible attitude and it's really easy to be easy going when your companion is. Even though we have a lot of responsibility, way more than we both ever have had, we just go for it and we rely and trust in the Lord. He takes care of us. He has prepared us for the challenges we face, and will continue to prepare us for the future. Our area is really rich, full of gated communities. You have to give your id and go through these security guards and blah blah blah to get through to communities. It's really annoying, how are we supposed to creep on our people we have responsibility to look after if we can't get through their gates?! Last night we tried for ever to get through a gate, it's really increasing my stalker abilities haha. so all of those facebook stalking times didn't go to waste but have prepared me for these gates haha. We didn't get through yet but I'm not giving up! But we left and decided to visit a less active member we have been trying to meet and as we were walking up to her place another member we have been trying to meet was going to her house. It was perfect timing and I love those moments. God puts people in our path and I love the feeling and confirmation that I am in the right place, where the Lord wants us to be.

We have some really awesome people we are working with right now that I am really excited about. Everyone is really receptive and happy to have "sisters." It is so great to be a sister here because they are all incredible and everyone loves us. I am so happy to be here and I am excited for the changes to come to see how we will grow!

Always love,

Hermanita Packita

6/20/11

2011-07-06T11:41:00.000-06:00

Oh hey...

So I am in a new area!!! Weston/Silverlakes BRAND New area! I am with Sister Mata'u, from Utah but samoan! Yeah! We are having a blast together she is incredible! We are covering an english ward, Weston, and a spanish branch, Silverlakes. Last transfer 2 Elders were covering silverlakes, pembroke pines (english) and kind of weston. Now 4 sisters are splitting the area. I am living again with Sister Mills who is covering also silverlakes branch and pembroke pines ward with her companion Sister Hawkes. We have sooo much work to do but I am so happy here. I feel so at peace that this is were I am supposed to be. I thought I was busy before..haha. We are so blessed to be here and I am truly happy and grateful for this transfer. I know it is going to be amazing, it already is. We have been busy trying to meet the members and juggle our time between these two wards we are assigned too. They just welcomed us with open arms. They are so grateful and loving to us. We met the relief society president, Hermana Alexandre, from silverlakes and she was in shock that 4 sisters were here!! She started to cry and said God really does answer our prayers! he sent us 4 angeles! I am grateful to be here!

We also had the temple groundbreaking this weekend!! It was amazing!! We were able to watch it at the chapel. It is so exciting to be getting a temple. The people of south florida have sacrificed and worked hard for it. We are so blessed at home to have several temples near to us. I long to be in the temple each week and it is a blessing to always be worthy of the blessings of the temple. Here is a link to some photos and you can check out the mission blog as well!!!! http://karensphotographix.smugmug.com/Spirituality/Groundbreaking-Photos-to-share/17631981_khZdFr#1343896921_Dh6Cbnn

God is good God is love!!!!

Hermana Pack

picture descriptions:

-Riverside Missionaries

-Goodbye Riverside!!

-Hello to Weston/Silverlakes/Sister Mata'u

-I fell running on my way to the car..

with Hermana Martha Rodriguez of silverlakes

-Sister Weisenburger, us, Sister Bentz and her son Garrison of Weston!

-Sister Mills and Hawkes making some maps!

-Me and Sister Fierce Mata'u

6/14/11

2011-06-14T10:52:00.002-06:00

Dearest loved ones,

I can't believe the transfer is over. I will be transfered tomorrow. I am anxious and excited to go to a new area, with more people to serve and love. I only served in this area for 6 weeks but I gave it everything I had and it's a little heartbreaking to leave these people you have been praying, teaching, serving with, and thinking about every day. The Lord has really blessed us here and stretched me and helped me to grow and become more of who He would have me be. The Lord has truly blessed and watched over Sister Sobkowicz and I. We both just had to go forward in faith everyday. Every time we would learn something we would reflect together about the time before and realized how much the Lord was really carrying us through this. But that is how He teaches us, line upon line. I love being a missionary. It is a roller coaster ride. And just when you figure it out a little bit, the Lord puts a twist on things and we have more opportunity to grow and learn. We have been blessed with an overwhelming amount of people to teach and serve this transfer and we have been really praying to know who it is we need to focus our time on. The Lord has been making it very clear, and not in the way we thought. But I know He hears and answers our prayers and this is truly His work. I am grateful for the priesthood and the blessings of the restoration of the gospel and the priesthood. And I know that it is the true church of Christ.

Love,

Hermana Pack

6/6/11

2011-06-12T10:30:00.000-06:00

Hello,

This week has gone by so fast I can't believe it! We've been doing lots of service this week which I love! We painted a kitchen, (that might have been last week..) did hair and makeup for graduation, One of our investigators Claudia called us at 6ish in the morning and we went and had to run a bunch of errands and do stuff for her. She has been in the hospital for a few days. We got so much done before 9am it was amazing. Who needs to shower and get ready?? Not us. Don't worry we shower daily. We realized how much we are taken care of and blessed. We are both so young and don't really know what we are doing. Looking back on the transfer we kind of laugh/awe at the fact that made it through. We have been blessed and helped! We have both learned and grown a lot but just when you figure it out, they "twist" it a little bit. But that's what makes it so great. I love the people we serve with and meet! One thing I love about being a missionary is all the match making we get to do. Thinking about who would be great for this person and who would help them feel loved and welcomed. We had a gorgeous inspired match this week. We have been teaching this less active member and we were inspired to bring a recent convert to the lesson. These two ladies hit it off and are a match made in heaven. It is so important that we love and support one another. It's safe to say that everyone we know is going through something difficult and we need to be there for them. As a missionary, we have the unique opportunity to be aware of most everyones situations and needs which makes it easy to know we need to help everyone and how. But we can always pray and need to for those opportunities to help others, and how to do it. Charity isn't selective. I love the example of charity I have seen from the people I am with. Latins are so loving and generous. They have nothing, but they are willing to give everything they have to you. What a blessing to be among people who truly understand the principle of love. Charity is defined by what we do. I love being a missionary and for the things that I am learning each day. I can't ever give back what the Lord has given me.

With all the love in my heart,

Sister Pack

5/23/11 - Pictures Included!

2011-05-26T10:40:00.000-06:00

Dearest Loved Ones!

This week has been great and we are definitely on the "steady upward trend!" We had 2 baptisms yesterday! Wesley and Davien they have 12 and 10 years old. We love them! Their mom Delcia, is a recent convert. They are from Dominican Republic o Santo Domingo. Wesley and Davien are incredible! I love going to teach them. They are always waiting for us with their books of mormon. After we taught them the 10 commandments they marked them all and were studying and memorizing them when we came by. They read the book of mormon and pray every night. Such incredible spiritual maturity from these two young men. They are really sweet, good young men. I gave a talk on el espiritu santo at their baptism and it acutally went better than I originally thought so I was happy. The branch is so loving and supportive. A member of the branch presidency, Hermano Gonzalez, got down on his knees so he was at eye level with Wesley and Davien and said "we are your family here, and we love you." It was so precious. The spirit is so sweet at the baptisms of young men and women and children. Sister Sobkowicz and I are young, inexperienced missionaries so we have a lot of fun learning experiences together. We forgot to fill up the font so we turned it on and went along with the baptism program. In my old ward there was a drain pipe thing in the font so it wouldn't ever overflow, and the Elders always took care of filling the font for us anyway. But here we have to do all that and neither of us really knew what we were doing. Haha so the font overflowed just a little bit. Oh I feel really inexperienced at times like that. But our members were super nice about it. Haha it was funny.

The day was a tad stressful, but we didn't let it get to us. We were stressed earlier that morning when one of our investigators, Anna Ruth, called and said she could come to church. She is super incredible and solid. She says doctrinal things all the time but doesn't even know. She just came here from El Salvador with nothing. We have been helping her a lot and getting the members to help us find her a job and clothes and things like that. But she is incredible. She prayed and promised God she would find the church when she got to America. She reads the Book of Mormon and has really incredible questions. I really feel like I knew her my first time meeting her. Even though she is a little difficult for me to understand. Anyway she hasn't been able to come to church before now so we were frantically trying to figure things out right before church, and trying to find rides for investigators whose rides had fallen through that day. But we got her there and Jose Ramirez came, who is also incredible. He is from El Salvador as well and can't read or write. But he has such an incredible testimony of God and how He answers our prayers. He was doubting what we were teaching him for a while because he can't read the Book of Mormon for himself. But we gave him the Book of Mormon on cd and he has been really progressing since then. He has been listening to it and loves it. When we gave him a cd he was holding it so delicately. He was a little bit more dressed up for church yesterday than he usually is. You can actually see the change in people it's incredible. I always know they are truly becoming converted to the gospel when you can see their apperance physically and spiritually start to change.

We keep having great days and seeing lots of miracles mission wide. One day we went to visit a potential near the house of a member Hermana Portillo. After having a lesson with this potential we were coming down the stairs and Hna Portillo and her referral she had given us a few days before were sitting on the stairs. We were able to meet Carla and it was great! Hna Portillo wanted me to do her hair. So we went in for about 20 minutes and I did her hair and talked to her. I remember feeling that we were in the right place and the Lord's hand really is in our lives guiding us. I was so happy to be with Hna Portillo, we have a connection. and serve her because she is going through a divorce right now and having a hard time. Our member referrals have been increasing which is awesome because that's not something that happens often. Its all about charity and service. That is something I am learning from this area and from the latin people and from my companion. I love my mission!!!!

Take care of others and God will take care of you!

Love,

Sister Pack

5/16/11

2011-05-18T11:14:00.001-06:00

Wow can you believe it's already Monday again? We are SO busy here. It's interesting what changes come with a new transfer, with any change in our lives. Certain challenges we had before are no longer challenges, and the things we longed for before we are overwhelmed with. I am grateful for all the work we have to do. We work hard and play hard. Usually at the same time because we don't really have much time haha. We have had a specialized training this week and also a new missionary training for march and may arrivals since President Hale was gone for the march training. It was about half of our mission there and it was incredible! I am grateful for all the opportunities we have to get together and learn. There is a new study program for new missionaries that we get to test out. It is such a blessing. We now have 2 hours of companionship study for a new missionary's first 12 weeks. It is so great! I am really happy for this extra time to study! Hermana Sobkowicz (sub ko which) and I have been learning a lot together. She is an incredible missionary! We have so much fun together as well.

We had a really great day last week. I'm not sure what we did or why, but Heavenly Father really is looking out for these young missionaries! We don't really know what we are doing but we are working our hardest and it has been incredible the blessings we have received. I have thought a lot about humility this week. I realized that humility really is a sign of spiritual strength and that the spirit and humility go hand in hand. But when we are self-critical or discouraged that isn't being humble at all. And I am coming to learn that when we are humble, the Lord answers our prayers more readily and pours out blessings upon us. We had a great day together after not having such a great day the day before. But we had a really great focused weekly planning and then somehow we were lead by the spirit in everything we did. Everyone we said, the things we said, the spirit was truly with us guiding our every move. We felt so good and happy. I feel so good when I follow the spirit without hesistation and when I do what the Lord wants me to do. I am so happy that we are here having these life changing experiences together! I know Heavenly Father knows our needs and takes care of us. I have loved 3 Nephi 13:31-33ish I think. It has been a blessing to me and I know that it is true!

LOVE YOU

Hermana Pack

5/9/11

2011-05-18T11:13:00.002-06:00

Hello!!

It was so fun to talk to everyone and see your gorgeous faces yesterday!!! Thank you for being all together and letting me talk a lot haha I'm still the same talkative person! I love you all so much! I never knew my heart could feel so much love for so many people! My family, cubans, nicaraguans, hialeah, riverside park, everyone! That has been one of the coolest things about my mission the gift of charity. The Lord blesses you to have the capacity to love everyone! Love is not a pie though so don't get jealous.

Riverside Park West is where I am at right now and it is super busy! I don't really know what to say I already talked to you yesterday hah! This week has been hectic and gone by really fast. The days blend together and my mind is constantly racing. I am with Hermana Sobkowicz (subkowhich) she is from Canada! I will become so cultured on my mission with all these different people! She is incredible. She is so capable and an incredible missionary. She has only been here for one transfer so we are both young and learning! She is teaching me a lot and we are working hard together!

Last night after I spoke with you all I was talking the family where we were at. la familia Pena. I shared with them Moroni 7:45 and 48 incredible scriptures about charity. Hermana Hinalsy shared her testimony of charity and her gratitude to the Lord for the gospel (she was baptized in December and she is so solid!) We all felt the spirit so strong. Our hearts were full of love for one another and for the Lord. We all shed a few tears of love. In that moment it was all worth it. All the heartache and hard work and tears it was all worth it.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God....And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kindom of my Father!"

My joy is so great I can't even describe!! I have a testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He lives! I am coming to know him through mighty prayer, fast and study. This is the Lord's work and he allows us to be apart of it. What a tremendous blessing!

LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOO'S MUCH!!

Sister Elizabeth Sharon Pack

5/3/11

2011-05-06T08:49:00.002-06:00

First off:

KEVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooo happy!!!!!!!! I had a hard time getting to sleep last night because I was excited to come here and find out where my favorite little brother is going to be!! I am so happy for him!!! I keep turning to Sister Mills "i am so happy!!!!" I love my mission with all my heart. I know this is where I am supposed to be and I have never felt such joy in my life. This is the best thing of my life! It is my life!!

So we got the call last night that I am getting transfered and Hermana Mills will stay here and train! I am really anxious but excited. The whole mission will be at transfer meeting tomorrow and be able to learn from our beloved President. Sister Mills is incredible I am going to miss her! We have had a blast.

This week we finally saw Hector after stalking him ALL transfer. He moved and didn't tell us where, wouldn't answer his phone so I called him from the Elder's phone but he wouldn't give us his address don't worry I totally stalked and found him and I didn't even need facebook to do so! All you need is the spirit and no shame. But I am really happy we saw him. He was depressed he just feels like he has to be perfect and really wants to follow God, but hates himself when he messes up. But he seemed much better when we came back and I have total faith that Hector will be fine.

We have been really busy. We are focusing on working with the members and we are figuring out that it is so important. We have had to spend a lot of time looking for a new apartment because they won't be renewing our lease. We went to see this apartment the other day and met a lady who was rey jesus. I'm not sure the religion's name in english but we talked to her for a bit and she had a really solid testimony in her beliefs and was actually quite the missionary. I was trying to figure out what we could have taught her or said to her and the next day we had an incredible training on teaching people. On finding their testimonies that already have and building upon that. Truth is truth. Whether you believe it or not. I was reminded of how the Lord teaches us, "line upon line, precept upon precept." Our testimonies and knowledge do not come all at once it is given to us "poco a poco"

Sorry if this is a little scattered there are lots of thoughts and excitements in my head!! I am so happy for Kevin!! go and do this great and marvelous work!!

Love always,

Hermana Pack

4/25/11

2011-04-25T12:07:00.004-06:00

Hello!

Can you believe transfers are next week?! I can't believe it!! Time is flying by way too fast! Every night this week when I get into bed I think, "I was just here!" Then I blink and it's the next day. This week was a lot of fun! We were going by someone's house last week and we parked in front of this house. There were three men outside. I asked if we could park there then we just started talking. Sometimes my not understanding everything people say works to my advantage. They told us to not come in their yard because someone was sick but I didn't understand them so I just went in haha. We taught them the first lesson and they were really involved. We pulled out the book of mormon and one of the men, Jose, started going crazy. But he did commit to read it so hopefully he does. The book of mormon is powerful and I know that anyone who reads it with a sincere heart will know that it truly testifies of Christ. One of the men Ramon is from El Salvador. I told him that I loved pupusas and when Jose found out we were only on our missions for a year and half he said he would take us out to eat pupusas!! (I understood that Spanish perfectly!) So the next day we went ou to eat pupusas yummmmm and it was great. Everything was great then we pulled out the book of mormon and Jose freaked out again. I thought it was so interesting. I just started reading the book of mormon highlighting any references, words, and attributes of Christ. It has been incredible and has really been strengthening my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I felt inspired to commit all of our recent converts to read the Book of Mormon this way. We really want them to read it within the first year that they are baptized. I have felt the spirit so strong in commiting others to do this, because of what it has done for me personally. The Book of Mormon softens the hardest of hearts and has enduring conversion. I love sharing with people the Book of Mormon. It answers all and every question of the soul.

It was also Hermana Mills' birthday! I hope I get to celebrate a birthday with all my companions it's such a blast! We had our ward open house that day. The members worked so hard. The turn out wasn't as great as we would have liked but the people that did come were wonderful and the members loved it. They are so great we are so blessed with a wonderful Bishop and ward. It was so wonderful to go to sacrament meeting yesterday on Easter sunday. We sang I know that my Redeemer lives. I felt the spirit testify to me that I too know that my redeemer lives!

The Lord has blessed us so much this week. We really don't have to worry about anything. He always blesses us with what we need. I am grateful for that. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

4/18/11

2011-04-25T12:07:00.002-06:00

Oh hey everyone!

Wow this week I have really been reminded that through struggles comes incredible blessings. We have started passing "miracles" around our zone/district this week and we have seen many miracles. It is so fun to get a text that says MIRACLE.... We really begin to notice everything as a miracle and a blessing from God when we look and recognize them. Some "Miracles" of mine this week have been:

We were having a really hard day and we were kind of at a loss. In the last half hour of our day (which seems to always bring forth many miracles) We got a call from Hermano Calvo telling us to go by la familia Yera that we had been trying to see for the past week. So we went and had an incredible lesson with this family. They are so wonderful!!! Our ward is having an open house this week and I have a feeling its going to be great and bring forth miracles!

We have seen miracles in breaking through those mental barriers. With our long time on again off again investigator Yilian. She cannot get married and cannot get baptized..Long story. Too long. But we have felt like well she can't progress so we are at a loss. But she comes to church every week and she is progressing slowly. I was guided to the personal progress program this week and remembered that is where I began to gain my testimony and understand my divine nature. So we decided to apply these value experiences to help in Yilian's personal progress!

Another miracle I talked to an ASL missionary Elder Stohlton last week at a training and this week he sent me the information of a deaf lady in my area. So we went by and I know have 1 potentially 2 deaf investigators!!! The office is getting me materials so that I can study because there is a lot I don't know/forgot but I do know that the gift of tounges is a gift from God and he can also bless my hands and eyes too! I'm excited to teach this woman, Magaly.

Through struggling and striving to know what to do the Lord has blessed me with revelation and creativity of how to invite people to come unto Christ. As I come unto Him, I feel more power and desire in inviting others to do so. I know that He lives! And with easters coming up what a great opportunity to reflect about Him. The love and sacrifice and perfect example of our Savior, and because of Him the beautiful promises and blessings that are in our potential!! I have felt much more bold this week and I'm close to standing on a wall to cry repentance! Maybe just a crate...

Matilde is solid!! She is so happy! She wanted us to bring a tithing slip over because she wanted to start paying immediately! Wow what an incredible example she is to me! She is also making her son come to church for his "rent." I love when people are excited to share the gospel with others!

I love you all so much! I am grateful for families and for the gospel and how it blesses our families! We have had and will continue to have many miracles in our lives!! We have so many reasons to rejoice and be happy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE LITTLE BROTHER!!!!! The best birthday present he will ever receive is that Call to Serve!!! I am so grateful for my call to serve. I have never been happier and never been more sure of the gospel. It not only has blessed me but everyone! and Happy Easters! I'm not really sure how latins celebrate it. Probably with rice and beans and besitos and dancing!

Much love from South Florida!!!

Hermana Pack

4/11/11

2011-04-11T10:23:00.000-06:00

Buenas!!!

We have been so blessed this week. President Hale's surgery went really well, better than expected, and he should be home (here) soon!! I am so grateful that our Heavenly Father fulfills His promises and is always blessing us. We are never without His love or comfort.

Matilde Gonzalez was baptized yesterday!!! I must say that we are getting good at pulling baptisms together at the last second--only in Hialeah. Matilde has been investigating the church for a long time and she is incredible. She was truly ready to make this covenant. Matilde was first drawn to the church because of the example of a young woman she worked with. She wanted what this girl had. I love the scripture in 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Because of the example of this woman, Matilde has now changed her life. Matilde is one of my favorite people I have met here. She has taught me a lot. About trusting the Lord, about being "an example of the believers," because Matilde is an example to me, and to everyone in her life. Her baptism was so sweet. I was so grateful to be there. The spirit was strong and so joyful. Matilde is so happy!

We have a lot of fun in Hialeah! From what I see daily and gather, Hialeah is unlike any other area in the South Florida mission. It is truly unique. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is contacting. I love knocking on doors. You never know or can anticipate who you will meet or what will happen. It is so exciting! People here are really interesting and everyone is so different and that is the norm. Sure I'm a weird, but so is everyone. I love Hialeah!!! I am entertained all day long. So this week we had a real "hialeah experience." We have met this guy Luis at the library and the grocery store a few times, haha he actually just came up a few seconds ago and talked to us! Anyway, so we go to his house to teach him. He and his mother are there. This woman, Bella Maria, just starts talking so much and sooo fast. She kept repeating herself and would not let us talk. She kept saying I don't want to change but you can teach my son, but then she wouldn't let us talk. She recited several poems and sang several songs from different churches. And it was hilarious because Latins speak very dramatically, especially when she was reciting these poems she had written. And most Latins are tone deaf so it was fun to hear her sing haha. Needless to say she was a little bit kookoo for cocoa puffs. This went on for about an hour. Hermana Mills and I were exhausted by the end. It was really funny though.

But all kidding aside, I love being here and I love being a missionary. I am so blessed. I know that this is the Lord's work and he loves everyone, even the crazy ones. It's amazing the way the Lord has blessed me with love. Love that I feel from Him for myself, but for all my brothers and sisters. I am living the dream!!!! (as you can see from the beautiful sunset)

All my love,

Hermana Pack

We have gorgeous sunsets every night!!!

This was from a few weeks ago I forgot I had. Hermana Vance and I had to go to Miami Beach to get a baptism suit and it felt like we were on a vacation it was so beautiful!

People have been leaving us notes on their doors lately saying they aren't home. So funny only in Hialeah.

This is what I'm talking about! You never know who is going to open the door! This is Jose! He was on his way to a party.

Matilde's baptism!!!!

4/4/11

2011-04-11T09:33:00.000-06:00

My dear loved ones,

How special this week has been. We are so blessed to hear the prophet's voice! I have never loved and appreciated general conference as I have this past weekend. The words of our leaders are inspired and the spirit has taught me much! I feel closer to heaven now and have trust and faith in the Lord and his promised blessings that are ours.

Our dear President Hale gathered us all in a conference call last night. He shared that he has a tumor in his lower spine and will be having surgery this Thursday in Utah. Of course we are all worried and concerned. I love President Hale, he means everything to me. He reassured us that his work in South Florida is not finished and will be able to return in a few weeks and he and Sister Hale will finish their mission. Their family would of course appreciate your mighty prayers and fasting this Wednesday. Please pray for the Hale family, especially Sister Hale. President Hale has incredible vision and peace and trust in God. He sees this as a great opportunity for us to unite as a mission and to see results and blessings like never before. The Lord has vision for South Florida, and will not let it be stopped, it is not His will. I have faith Him. I know this is His work, and things are done according to His will.

This week I have been studying and thinking a lot about the people we find. How we are lead to those we need to find, and they are lead to us. This has been evident throughout my mission, but as I have strived to recognize it I see it more than ever. A few weeks ago I saw a young couple who lived across from a potential we were trying to see. I felt I should go talk to them, but they were getting into their car and we had just knocked on another door and dumb reasons but I didn't. I felt so guilty for weeks and I keep wanting to go back. We went this week and met Laurisa. She just had a baby a week ago. She said that is so funny you are here, I was just telling someone I wanted to take my baby to church. Wow. Not such a funny coincidence as the Lord has prepared her.

Another time we went by a media referal, they were not home so we started talking to a neighbor. We sat down to teach him and after a few minutes a woman walked by. The man got a phone call and left. The woman asked where is your church? We said how do you know who we are? Erica, this woman, had been baptized 3 years ago in Georgia and just had moved here a while ago and didn't know where the church was.

Another day we were teaching a family that is investigating the church. (We were also led to meet this family a while back) but as we were leaving and walking to our car we saw a young man from our ward. He and his mother were at a house of a potential investigator. Neither of us knew why this house was on our potential sheet, I couldn't remember meeting them and we weren't sure but then we saw a family from our ward there. We were able to talk to the potential investigators with their friends who are members of our ward.

Just to give a few examples! But we are truly doing the Lord's work, and it is done the way He wants. He leads us to people. I know that. This week my faith has been increased and I am coming to know the Lord more and I want to follow His path, and do His will. I love being a missionary. I have never felt such joy in my life. I know the Lord leads us in our lives. How incredible that the Heavens are open and we are guided! We do not have to be alone. We do not have to wander in darkness. The Lord is with us, guiding us. Guiding us back to where we want to be with Him and our eternal families. I hope we all remember that as trials and afflictions most definitely are ahead, but are our opportunity to be refined and sanctified and draw nearer to Him.

With all my love,

Hermana Pack

3/22/11

2011-04-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

Buenas,

Everyone is talking of the weather this week, I never think about weather anymore because it is perfect everyday in Florida. Just another blessing of Heavenly Father! It makes it easier for the missionaries to get out there and work! It is transfers week and I will be staying in Hialeah! I am so happy about that! I love Hialeah and our investigators. We have a lot of work ahead of us and a lot of change and growth! Hermana Vance will be going home....we only cry a few times a day now so we are in good shape. She is incredible! I love her so much! She will forever influence me and is a truly incredible friend. The Elders staying in Hialeah are very young and will both be training. So we will all need to rely on each other and we are going to have a fun time! They are incredible and will rise to the challenge beautifully. We are very excited for this transfer and for the change and growth that is in store for Hialeah!

Another life changed forever this week- Juan M. Ramirez Jr. was baptized! It was the most humorous baptism I have seen, but I'm coming to realize this is the norm for Hialeah. Juan is great. He came to us a few weeks ago and said I want to be baptized! So we set his date the first time we met him. He was truly prepared by The Lord and he is so happy to be baptized! I love Juan. The first time he prayed he said "Hey God, it's me. Juan M. Ramirez Jr." haha I love him. I know The Lord loves Juan because I feel it! That has been an incredible blessing as a missionary, you really do see people and love them as their Heavenly Father does. I have learned, am learning, that Heavenly Father loves ALL of his children.

I love being a missionary. There is no greater joy. I am so grateful that The Lord has allowed me to be a part of this incredible work. He knows us, He loves us. Pray for the people to have open hearts and minds and to recognize those representatives of Christ.

Always Love,

Hermana Pack

3/14/11

2011-03-21T16:04:00.001-06:00

This week we had the opportunity to have Elder and Sister Giddons come and speak to our whole mission. It was incredible! I learned so much about the gospel and things I have been pondering about. It was fun to be together with the missionaries of The Great Florida Ft. Lauderdale mission. This mission is truly unique. I am so blessed to be here. President and Sister Hale are wonderful. I will be sad to see them leave, but the new President and his wife seem great and I know they will help this work move foward.

Hermana Vance and I are working hard and having a great time. We may tear up at the thought of leaving each other, but we are headed for great things. She is an incredible missionary and teaching me by example of how to be. We have a beautiful new, limited pass along card of the South Florida Temple. These are very special. It is of course computer generated, but these images are exact. We are told to place these cards as guided by the Spirit, to those who are ready to receive the blessings of this temple. I am allowed to send one home so you can see the great work that is coming forth in South Florida. And it truly is. We can accomplish what the Lord wants us to by breaking through those mental barriers and pushing foward, working day by day. We see that is true by the great work before now through the building of a temple.

I love being a missionary with all my heart. One of my favorite parts is seeing investigators come to church on Sundays. To see their progression. My favorite investigator, Yami, came to church last week with her mother and sister and this week brought them again as well as her father and brother and a friend! It made me so happy! Yami is very spiritual and a great leader and example to her family. We went to her house last week and she was excited to share what she had been assigned to read in the Book of Mormon and she even found an additional scripture. She wanted to say both the opening and closing prayer (we have to pull teeth to get people to say prayers!) And she even reminded us to kneel. Her faith is growing. She is truly incredible. Her family is incredible!! They will follow her example and be baptized and one day receive the blessings of the temple as a family.

We also have been teaching a young boy Henry. He wasn't progressing much but we still kept teaching we felt we had too. Then we met his brothers Marcos and Marc. (It's normal to have pretty much the same name in latin families. Their niece and nephew are Brian and Brianna.) Anyway these young men are spiritually starving! They have so many questions and they want to know the truth so bad. Last week Marcos called us in a panic, "my brother and his friend are here and they want to talk come over right now!" So of course we did! I wish we could sit down with them all day and go through everything.

This work is incredible!!!

Hermana Pack

3/7/11

2011-03-14T10:25:00.001-06:00

Hello mi amors!!!

This week has been incredible. Of course. Every week is incredible because missionary work is incredible! No but sincerely! I'm not a faker. I LOVE THIS WORK!!!!! We had exchanges this week and I was blessed with Sister Zitting coming to Hialeah! She is incredible and we secretly wanted to be companions since the moment we laid eyes on each other, but this being her last transfer and all we weren't sure how that would happen. But The Lord heard and answered our prayers and we were companions for a glorious 2 and half days! We worked hard! Sister Zitting is an ASL missionary but now every missionary is spanish whether they are called to be or not. I don't know how you couldn't be here and not speak spanish. I've heard there are white people that speak english in South Florida, but I'm not so believing. Rumors. So I was worried that we both aren't fluent in spanish or understand a lot. But somehow we taught the gospel and understood what people were saying. Not their words, but we understood. It was a great experience!

We had another beautiful baptism this week. Ulises Quintana. He is nine years old and SO smart. He understands the gospel a lot faster than a lot of grown adults we teach. His family is less active and they have been coming to church a lot more now so that is great! And Ulises dad, Ulises, was able to baptize his son I was very excited about that. There was such a sweet spirit at this baptism. It feels incredible when families follow Christ together and live His gospel. I love these people with all my heart.

We have been teaching the sweetest girl Yami. She is 15 and so elect. My heart jumped for joy when her and her sister and mother came to church yesterday!! I love this family with all my heart! They are very special and The Lord has prepared them. I love being here!! Heavenly Father loves us so much and blesses us constantly! Every little thing. One thing this week, we had to go to the Church but they have new locks and we didn't have a key yet. But we just went and knew that the way would be provided for us. Sure enough Hermano Castellanos came right after us and he opened the door. It was a simple thing but it really testified to me that The Lord's hand is in everything. I love this work. I love seeing miracles every day.

Ok. bye. ciao. nos vemos. ok. bye.

Les quiero,

Hermana Pack

2/28/11

2011-03-14T10:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

This week has been incredible. A lot of work, but incredible results. Hermana Vance and I worked so hard to get our investigators to come to church. We haven't had any attend for the past few weeks, and we know how important it is to get them there. We did everything we could. All week we taught the importance of coming to church. We made phone calls and spent much time making arrangements. We prayed mightily and fasted. And a miracle happened. After weeks of no investigators coming to church 6 investigators came yesterday. I was blown away. The Lord has blessed us so much. South Florida is truly preparing for incredible things!

We also had my first baptism on the mission! Hector Jimenez was baptized yesterday! It was a little disasterous and everything had to be done at the last second because the man in charge didn't show up, but we got it all worked out and it was wonderful! Hector is so incredible. He loves the gospel so much and has great righteous desires. He wants to change and has already changed so much in these few short weeks.

It was Hermana Vance's birthday yesterday! We had a wonderful celebration and the Elders in our district baked a cake for her! We had fun celebrating her life! I love being a missionary! There is no greater joy!

Love you all very much!!!

Hermana Pack

2/22/11

2011-03-14T10:21:00.002-06:00

That is a sign I always see. It means no! how cheap! Doesn't make sense. But it's Hialeah, you can do whatever you want here and it's normal. Sooo. This week was incredible! Elder and Sister Golden from the 70 came to our zone conference. They were incredible and I learned so much from them. They loved the missionaries with good reason. We really do have the best of the best here and this is the GREAT Ft. Lauderdale mission. Also the temple plans are all approved so hopefully the building will start soon! It is very exciting to be a part of the building of a temple! South Florida is changing and great things are happening. The people have been and are being prepared to receive the gospel. We are working on an open house for our ward so the members can invite their non-member associates to learn more about the church. It is a great opportunity for the members for their missionary work. The members are key, and we couldn't do it without them. I will be a missionary for the rest of my life!

We are teaching a boy named Henry. He is 12 and has great faith. We were talking to him about his baptism and he said "Is the prophet going to baptize me?" So cute. But we told him that the prophet lives in Utah and is very busy so he will just have to settle for someone in the ward. He was asking us a lot of questions about the priesthood and I'm really excited to teach him about it this week and that he can have it! It is amazing! I love the people of Hialeah.

We were out a few days ago and ran into a testigo, they are jehovah witness missionaries, and this lady was just screaming at us about the end of the world and all kinds of things I didn't understand her english wasn't very good, but the spirit witnessed to me in that moment of the truthfulness and the peace of the gospel. Anything from God is good. It is peaceful and happy and true. And that is the message we bring. I know that the gospel is true. I love being here! There is no greater joy than serving a mission. I have never felt such deep happiness in my life. It feels like Christmas everyday except way better!!!

I hope all is well!!!!!

les quiero muchisimo!!

Hermana Pack

2/15/2011 (Picture links at the bottom)

2011-02-15T20:39:00.001-07:00

Buenas Familia!

I am here in Florida!!! It is so exciting! We are the only state without snow right now, but it has been a little "cold." Well for Florida anyway. I am serving in the Hialeah East area. It is a beautiful area near Miami. It feels like I am in a foreign country here. Not like the states at all. We have met so many different kinds of people. People from Hondoras, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru, Cuba. Oh the cubanos! Spanish and Cuban spanish sound very different. It's hard to describe, their accent is different. The first Cuban I spoke to, yeah I didn't know what they were saying. But all the people are incredible! I am so happy to meet people! My companion/trainer is Hermana Vance and she is WONDERFUL. We are having so much fun and working hard. The spanish is coming along. It will really improve here in Hialeah because everything is in spanish! It's great! President Hale and Sister Hale are so wonderful. I love and admire them so much. We had the opportunity to have a sisters conference/training this past week and spend some time with them and their family. They are so loving and make everyone feel so welcome. I have pictures but I forgot to bring the equipment to upload them..next week. I am just so happy to be here! I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. It is the best decision I have ever made! I love Florida and I love the people. The Latins are incredible. They are so sweet and loving and have great faith. Our ward members are incredible and are excited to build God's kingdom, as am I! We are so blessed. We have the knowledge of God. That he is our Heavenly Father and that he loves us and has a plan for us. What an incredible knowledge that is not so common. It is exciting to share these things with people who have never in this life heard them. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that it is the reason we are happy. My heart is overwhelmed with love and excitement. Thank you for your love and support!

les quiero!

Hermana Pack

Pictures: here, here, and here.

2/7/2011

2011-02-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

AH! My last DAY in the mtc!! I'm very excited to get out there! Half of my district is gone today and my compain and I are leaving tomorrow. This week has been a great one. Yesterday was especially good and it just made me very excited to meet my mission president and get to work! I really never thought this day would come, but the time has flown by! I don't have much else to say I have a lot of jumbled spanish and english thoughts and i'm really excited! I hope all is well in ptown cause I'm peacing out! Love you all!!

1/31/2011

2011-01-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

WELLLLTTSSS,

This is my last week and a half in the MTC! I can't believe how fast it has gone by. I got my travel plans last week and I was very excited! I'm leaving at 3am and fly to Dallas, then we fly to Ft. Lauderdale!!!!!! My first transfer! The MTC has been a great experience and I have really enjoyed it. At our sunday devotional last night the speaker told us that this is a sacred place and he is right. The spirit is very strong here and everyone is working hard to be guided by the spirit. I'm trying to do all that I can to prepare myself for Ft. Lauderdale. I'm really anxious and a little nervous. I just pray I can follow the spirit and know what the Lord wants me to do. I love you all and I pray for you!

Les quiero,

Hermana Pack

1/24/2011

2011-01-25T09:07:00.002-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Another week has come and gone and it went by so fast I don't have much I remember to write about. We are teaching lesson 2 in español this week and the palabra de sabiduria or the word of wisdom. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by I only have 2 weeks left in the MTC! It has gone by really fast. I'm just trying to do everything I can and learn as much as I can before I head to Florida. My companion and I met the new MTC presidency and last night at the devotional we had to go up, along with Hermana Shields and Cox in front of the entire MTC and make some comments. It was terrifying. Now everyone knows my face and I can no longer keep a low profile. But it was a good thing because I met a lot of people going to my mission. About 20 people got here on Wednesday and they are spanish speaking. I think there are 8 sisters and I met a few of them. I also met 2 english speaking sisters that just got her, but we will be going the same time because they are only here for three weeks. I must say the MTC is great, but I'm officially done! I can't wait to leave! I'm so excited and so terrified at the same time. But I'm sure those nerves will fade, and I have no reason to be scared because I have the best news in the world! la restaurado de el evangelio de Jesucristo! The restorated gospel of Jesus Christ! I'm so happy to be able to serve the Lord for these short 18 months. We are so blessed! We have the truth, we have the happiness that comes from the blessings of the gospel, and most importantly we have our families! I know that the gospel is true, and that it teaches the way to be happy. I love you all! Thank you for your love and support! Yo se que el libro de mormon is verdadero!

Salud a la familia!

Hermana Pack

1/17/2011

2011-01-25T09:06:00.002-07:00

All the weeks are blending together!

So some exciting news from my mission president; our mission is expanding to the Bahammas and Cayman Islands! As if my mission couldn't get better, oh wait it has!!!! I am excited the work is expanding and that more people will have the opportunity to hear the gospel!

This week has been one of spiritual edification. On Tuesday we got a new MTC presidency. Elder Jeffery R. Holland came and spoke at our fireside. It was an incredible and inspiring talk! My companion and I have made friends with the executive secretary Brother Beeson and he came and ushered us to the second row right before we sang the opening song! I could see Elder Holland spit I was so close. He talked about us as missionaries and what we are lacking. I love Elder Holland and how he doesn't sugar coat anything. He talked about loving the Savior and how when you serve a mission you can't go back. It changed me forever as a person and as a missionary. I feel as though my mission started on Tuesday night! I wish you could have heard him speak! You can feel the power and the spirit he walks into the room. He truly is an apostle of God.

Ever since then I have been striving to have every experience be a spiritual one. We started teaching in spanish this week. It is very humbling to not be able to express eloquently what you want to say. It has been a great experience though, I have to trust in The Lord and understand that the spirit is the teacher, I just need to have it with me and open my mouth, even if what I'm saying isn't perfect grammer. Even though I don't speak spanish yet, I can teach lessons and gospel truths and I know that is through the gift of tounges and the help of The Lord. As a class we read the Joseph Smith story in spanish. Even though I didn't fully understand the language, I felt the spirit SO strongly. The whole room was filled with the spirit. We then taught each other about Jospeh Smith and shared our testimonies of him. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that through him the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. That is message as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or la iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias en espanol. If you don't have a testimony of Joseph Smith that he was a profet of God, and if you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, then you have no testimony. If those things aren't true, the church isn't true. And I testify that IT IS TRUE.

It is truly incredible to be here in the MTC and to build my testimony every day. I am so grateful to be here. I am so happy to be serving The Lord! I love him so much!

Le quiero,

Hermana Pack

1/10/2011

2011-01-13T09:19:00.002-07:00

Hola mi familia!

So this week was legit! Elder Makahilahila says you have a great daughter and you should be very proud! AHOLA it's ok he is hawaiian. Ok so we got a new teacher this week because of the new semester at byu. His name is Hermano Milne and he is great! He has changed my life! But a mission is all about changing so it's great! We started teaching in spanish. We are practicing for the TRC on Wednesday where you teach people you don't know. So we are speaking in spanish the whole time at the TRC on wed!!! AHH!! It's actually really cool. I always panic because I think I don't know spanish and then somehow the lesson is taught and I say things that make sense and I don't know how it happens...oh wait I do it's called THE GIFT OF TOUNGES. It's real! The spirit is the real teacher so it doesn't matter if you speak perfect spanish, if you have the spirit then the Lord will make it happen! I love being here! Sorry I never have much to say. So much happens and I want to write it all but I can't remember all of it and I always forget my notes and I only have half an hour so yeah. I am so happy and grateful that I am here! The Lord has blessed us all so much. I am so grateful for the book of mormon and I'm obsessed with now. "What is this great book and why hasn't anyone told me about it?!" That's how I feel everytime I read it and I'm grateful that my testimony has had the opportunity to grow. I love you all and it's good to from you! Thank you for your support and love! Mucho apreciado!

CAUSE IM AMAZING! JUST THE WAY I AM! I have to sing this to myself everyday to keep my spirits up and self-esteem.

Ps. Elder Makahilahila and I necesito some brownies asap!

1/3/2011

2011-01-07T09:02:00.002-07:00

Hola Buenas tardes!

This week has been great! We were really spoiled with Christmas, but it was good to get back to work. We don't really celebrate New Years here in the MTC, but that is ok because I have never really liked New Years. We started working on teaching the plan of salvation this week, and next week we will begin teaching in spanish. Hermana Berg and I are really smart, awesome sisters--humbly stated. We were saying the other day, "it would be so easy to go english speaking!" Then it hit me--oh that's why I'm going spanish speaking, humility, DUH! I'm really glad I have the opportunity to learn to teach people to the language of their hearts. It is not me, it is all the Lord. I couldn't do any of this without His help. The spirit is the true teacher of the gospel. I've come to realize that having your testimoy solid is more important than being solid in spanish. Although that is important, but helping others recieve the Doctrine of Christ is our purpose. I'm really blessed to be here. I'm really blessed to have a great companion and district y zona. I love you all and thank you for your support and love.

Salud a la familia!

Hermana Pack

12/27/2010

2010-12-27T13:01:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas was great! We spent the day with Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Nelson. It was really awesome. We also had a talent show where some russian missionaries sang "you missionary now" to lady gaga's bad romance. It was incredible and it is quoted throughout the MTC. It was a really special day to think about our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can't even comprehend the atonement completely, but I have a testimony that Jesus did atone for our sins, and that he loves us. I hope everyone had a meaningful Christmas! Thank you for all the presents and letters. I had a really great day. The best Christmas yet! Now it's back to business. My spanish must be getting better though, because I really struggle in spelling english now. The weeks are flying by. It's almost been a month. I only have 18 precious months to be here and one is almost over! That makes me sad! I'm so happy to be here and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to go on a mission. I love the gospel with all my heart and I know that it is true. It is the only way for true happiness. Heavenly Father loves us so much. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I am grateful for this time of year that we can remember what the Savior has done for us. I love you all and I'm grateful for you.

Love from your missionary,

Hermana Pack

12/20/2010

2010-12-21T20:57:00.002-07:00

Hello Everybody!

This week has gone by so FAST. I can't believe it is Monday or should I say Lunes already. The MTC is much better than last week. I am really enjoying myself. The spanish is still coming at us way fast. Apparently we are ahead of some of the other districts in our zone. The teacher explained that they will teach us everything, meaning spanish, in 5 weeks. And the other 4 weeks will be spent reviewing what we learned. Just to give you an idea of how much we are "learning." I don't know that I'm getting all of it, but it will come in time. We watched music and the spoken word yesterday with the celebrity named David Archuletta. It was really good! And we also had an awesome fireside by Ted Gibbons. This week is super exciting. We have a district in our zone leaving to El Salvador which is bittersweet. Everyone in our zone y districts are really good friends so it is sad to see some leave, but we are happy they are getting out of here. We also have lots of exciting firesides coming up. They didn't say for sure but I'm betting one of the 15 is coming!!! Unfortunately I will not be calling home on Christmas. There are 2000 missionaries and 4 telephones, so that wouldn't really work. But I will be able to write letters! We won't have class on Christmas so that will be a nice mental break. It's hard to explain anything that has happened this week because so much has and we are in the craziest time warp. But it is awesome to have the constant companionship with the spirit. If I didn't have the spirit, I wouldn't be able to do this. It is incredible to be here. I am so happy I am on a mission!! I love you all and I hope you have a great Christmas!!! FELIZ NAVIDAD.

Love,

Hermana Pack

12/13/2010

2010-12-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Family!!!

It's so weird to think about you for this half hour solid. I have had no time to think about anything except the gospel y espanol, teaching the gospel in espanol, on and espanol. You english speaking missionaries had it easy, but I'm grateful to have the opportunity to learn spanish. We can so far pray, bear testimony, meet someone and I just memorized the first vision in spanish. Mind you it sounds like a 4 year old speaking spanish but it's coming along. The MTC is awesome, aside from the food. It's super busy and I learn so much everyday. It's like learning a months worth in a day. Mi companera es Hermana Berg. She is awesome! She is from Heber. We have two other Hermanas in our district/room. They are all nice girls but their interests include basketball, politics, and guns. So I don't have much input on some conversations hahaha. I've met a lot of awesome people here though. It's a weird world this MTC, but enjoyable. Tyler and Ashley thank you for the package! Please tell Bish thanks for the brownies. All the Elders love me because I give them treats. Oh and keep sending those letters and packages. I have a reputation to uphold. I'm popular. haha. But it is the best part of my day to recieve something in the mail.

This week we have been watching short clips about people describing themselves and their lives blah blah and we have to think of how to invite them to come unto Christ. There was one woman named Peneolpe. She was harsh and straight foward and seemed cold. Her trust was broken. I felt such a conncetion to this woman and I loved her. Everyone in my district said they would be scared to teach her and didn't even want to. No one saw what I saw in this woman. The spirit then testified to me that I am in the right place. There will be people out there that I am specifically am supposed to meet. I was so grateful to catch a glimpse of that and to know even though the MTC and a mission is so incredibly difficult and a lot of hard work, it is all worth it. I love the gospel and I know it brings happiness to my life. I know that people are out there that are desperately searching for happiness, and the gospel can bring that to them.

ps. Don't even worry I'm totally werid now. I saw some girls on our temple walk with cap sleeves and I freaked out a little inside. But they were not missionaries so it's ok haha. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!!

saturday.

2010-12-07T10:24:00.001-07:00

buca di beppo with the hottest girls in town!

" it's soupy"

21 yo.

this past week has flown by.

i am so grateful for my friends and family.

everyone should go on a mission, i swear you will feel more love than you have ever felt.

i love you all!!!!!!!

see ya in 18.....

months that is.

friday.

2010-12-04T15:09:00.001-07:00

girls night with my mom.

manicures...can't quite get a pedicure yet.

nordstrom shoes. duh.

ok so i'm going to be a missionary, but i'm still the same.

i had to buy just one more pair.

this movie is incredible. we love the story. read the book too.

thursday.

2010-12-03T00:59:00.001-07:00

barbie's princess swan lake.

babysitting.

christmas decor.

wednesday.

2010-12-02T01:26:00.000-07:00

just calling in our order.

layered cheese fries.

dipping sauce.

we all got the stripes memo.

we are depressed that provo training table closed, but we'll head up north from time to time.

tuesday.

2010-12-02T01:25:00.001-07:00

zebras.

monkeys.

lions. oh my.

bangkok grill.

joe bandido's!

jacqueen macqueen and martikins.

2010-12-02T01:17:00.002-07:00

some people look like their dogs....

or my dog.

farewell.

2010-11-29T17:59:00.001-07:00

so long. farewell.

thank you to everyone who came and everyone that helped out. it was an overwhelming day of love and gratitude for the people in my life.

i might miss them.

repeat.

2010-11-21T17:02:00.001-07:00

these have been the only songs i have wanted to and have listened to all weekend.

there is no rhyme or reason as to why. it's just what i want.

1. teenage dream--katy perry.
2. i'll be missin' you--p. diddy.
3. your woman--white town.

i don't get it.

impulse.

2010-11-17T01:55:00.000-07:00

i'll wait a year or so....

leg up.

2010-11-13T01:40:00.003-07:00

i had surgery on my foot.

luckily i have a wonderful dr. uncle who took care of me.

hopefully i'll heal up in time for the mish!

frownsmile.

2010-11-02T23:52:00.001-06:00

can you be happy and sad at the same time???

WE CAN.

the first known frownsmiler next to chad.

family ties. i mean...three's company.

I've gotten better.

an accidental frownsmile. still counts.

jason bateman

how do you feel about hammock swings?

meh. frownsmile.

other known frownsmilers:

bobby flay

reese witherspoon

matthew perry

obama

:][

no emoticon for frownsmile.

hot chip mess

2010-10-20T15:22:00.000-06:00

i am on a hot chip high.

great. the best. hot chip mess.

great dancing...me obviously.

great friends.

HOT HOT HOT

hc hc hc

CHIP

do you know what i mean?

2010-10-16T16:40:00.003-06:00

i find myself quoting this video frequently.

i love it!

halloweener

2010-10-15T01:51:00.001-06:00

here are the festive things i've been checking out lately:

food:

meringue bones

mummy dogs

Pizza

meringue hearts... not halloween but adorable

decorations:

spooky

this would look good with a graveyard!

jadore

family portraits

creepy!

I want to have a halloween wedding! For real though...

fyi: you only start thinking about marriage after you decide to go on a mish.

love the decorations.

love the cake.

love it all.

save the date for my october/halloween/fall wedding...in a few years.

in the meantime i will have to settle for decorating and baking!

2010-10-05T01:14:00.001-06:00

i love my ear pick. it is a nightly ritual.

pjs. brush teeth. climb into bed and pull out the picker.

did you know there are two different kinds of ear wax???

i tried to go for a week without the picker, i didn't last three days.

i'm obsessed.

it's fiesta time.

2010-09-27T18:29:00.000-06:00

joe bandidos aka the fiestaurant.

best. restaurant. ever.

i used to see the fiesta time sign and laugh hysterically...little did i know how life changing it is.

well now i know. joe bandido tuesday is the best day of the week.

chiz.

2010-09-21T17:29:00.004-06:00

oh my chiz.

have fun in frisco without me (for just a few years)

sniff sniff.

fun has been had.

2010-09-20T02:57:00.000-06:00

2010-09-20T02:43:00.008-06:00

I am going to be serving in the Ft. Lauderdale Florida Mission

Spanish speaking.

I report to the MTC on December 8, 2010.

I am so grateful for the support of friends and family. Missionary work is incredible and I can't wait to get out there and get to work.

I can't stop smiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-15T02:03:00.001-06:00

From Geneen Roth's Women Food and God.

"What if what you needed was right in front of you and you were not recognizing it?

You already have everything you need to be content. your real work, despite the corporate ladder you are climbing, is to do whatever it takes to realize that. And then it won't matter if you're Someone Special or No One in Particular because you'll be fully alive in every moment--which is, I imagine, all you ever wanted from Going Places to be Someone."

2010-09-07T23:36:00.000-06:00

labor day was fun.

????

2010-08-23T01:23:00.000-06:00

...

2010-08-05T00:41:00.000-06:00

steven torrence rocks my world.

peeved.

2010-08-05T00:39:00.000-06:00

It's hard knowing who to share personal information with.

Not like it's a secret necessarily, but you just don't want everyone to know your business.

And you know those people who for some reason air all of your dirty laundry...

Thanks a heap. Get a life and tell people about yours instead of mine.

a new pack.

2010-07-30T00:44:00.000-06:00

Last week ...

These two got married.

and all their friends and family came.

It was a beautiful day!

My favorite part of the day. Girls love Kevin. I wish juniper and her awesome parents lived here so we could hang out everyday. They reminded me of my favorite family that I miss so much.

It was a wonderful, long, wonderful day. I had a lot of fun seeing everyone.

I'll upload more pictures...

when Tracy uploads more pictures.

2010-07-14T00:17:00.000-06:00

I've started watching season 1.......again. I don't know how many times I've seen it I can't count that high. but The OC does teach me life lessons.

I do more than watch t.v.

just finished reading...

and

these books weren't on my summer list, but they were on the read these someday list.

good things

2010-07-01T21:36:00.000-06:00

duff goldman...

new line at michaels.

fondant. stencils. spray icing. gum paste. oh my.

also...

cricut cake...

this makes me want to own a bakery even more.

my phone takes pics too

2010-07-01T01:45:00.002-06:00

i was going through some of my phone pics.

here are some of my favorites.

haha

jon and kate plus 8....i don't know why i took this

walkie had me clip all these flowers on his head haha

this is my podiatrist uncle clipping my grandparents toenails...this happens oftten.

liz takes me to practice the organ sometimes.

crazy lady i saw in san francisco

beach

i'd like to go back now please

i love them too.

my precious math teacher mr roth. that's as straight as he can stand.

i love these catz

someone parked this close to me...seriously?!

i usually take pictures of ugly people in grocery stores, ideas i like, the number 69, or things i have "people watched"

meesh

2010-07-01T01:19:00.000-06:00

this is my friend stephanie.

hilarious

thoughtful

spiritual

adorable

smart

witty

creative

caring

i miss having her around.

summer reading

2010-06-06T01:31:00.003-06:00

Abigail and I went to the park the other day with a picnic and a blanket and lounged around for a few hours both reading eat pray love. It was awesome! I love reading.

I've been slowly reading this for over a year, and was motivated to finally finish it when I saw the preview for the movie. So good.

Geneen Roth writes a column in the magazine Good Housekeeping which I have read and loved for a while. I saw her appear on Oprah talking about her new book Women Food and God. I went and bought it immediately and have been loving it. I will discuss it more when I finish.

It's odd, but this is the first book I can remember being really passionate about reading. I want to re-read it again this summer. I hated the movie version. That is how it always is though... The book is ALWAYS better. One example that comes to mind is My Sister's Keeper by one of my favorite authors Jodi Picoult.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. This is one of my favorite books. It is a beautiful story about the balance of give and take. The little boy takes from the tree, and keeps coming back for more. The tree is so willing to give and give but eventually dies because it has given all it has to offer, and the boy still wants more. I am reminded of this issue often and always come back to this book.

My favorite children's author is Patricia Polacco. She writes beautiful stories from her childhood about important lessons she has learned. She is also a talented artist with the most wonderfully, colorful illustrations. She has a book called The Bee Tree. It's a story about the importance of knowledge and continuing to learn. I heard my mom read it to her second grade class a few weeks ago and talking about education and learning and how important it is. I got choked up thinking about education. Knowledge is power. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to receive an education and also the ability to keep learning. Once your looks and possessions all fade away you will have your knowledge left. What you have learned will stay with you. That, along with our families and experiences is what we take with us in the next life.

I have so many books that I want to read this summer, ever. I have a big long list but if you have any recommendations of your must-reads, send them my way.

Some of mine that you can start this summer:

Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani
The Bean Trees Barbara Kingsolver

and of course twilight......bahhahahahahahaha. Don't get me started. Don't even get me started.

violence awareness month

2010-04-06T23:26:00.000-06:00

I went to the clothesline project today at UVU. T-shirts are displayed made by survivors of violence. Each color shirt represents different types of violence.

White - For individuals who died as a result of violent acts.
Yellow - For survivors of domestic violence and other forms of physical assault.
Red, Pink or Orange - For survivors of rape or sexual assault.
Blue or Green - For survivors of incest or childhood sexual abuse.
Purple or Lavender - For individuals attacked due to (perceived) sexual orientation.
Black - For individuals who became disabled as a result of an attack, or for those attacked because of a disability.
Gray - For survivors of verbal and/or emotional abuse.
Brown - For survivors of spiritual abuse.

Survivors can go and make a t-shirt in a private area at the exhibit.

A gong is played every 10 seconds which represents women who are battered every 10-12 seconds in the United States every day. A whistle is played every 3-5 minutes to represent women who are raped. (keeping in mind only 1 out of 4 rapes are reported.) A bell is rung to represent the 3-4 women killed every day by their partner every day. I heard the bell twice.

Seeing this exhibit disturbed me. I didn't realize the amount of abuse in our precious bubble of Utah County alone. Not to mention the rest of the United States. We never talk or hear about these horrible acts, so we don't think it happens often. I haven't thought about this issue much since it hasn't happened directly to me, but it does happen to people we love and know everyday. It was very intense. This will only be at UVU for one more day. I would recommend going and seeing this if you can. The more aware we are the more we can do to prevent this from happening to anymore people.

Go to this exhibit.

Some pictures. None of the shirts are censored so if you are offended don't read the shirts.

i am t-pain.

2010-03-23T12:17:00.001-06:00

thank you t-pain for providing countless hours of entertainment, laughter, and a helping hand in developing a beautiful hidden talent.

stuck in my head.

2010-03-16T23:32:00.001-06:00

lately.

2010-03-09T23:09:00.001-07:00

spring seance.

march moustache.

lovelies.

sank you, sank you.

it's just a little crush

2010-02-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

doppelgagner, doppelganger, doppelganger. who ist your doppelganger? please to post as your facebook picture.

all the doppelgangerness made me think of this. but it also made me think of celebrity crushes. oooh la la.

here are a few of mine:

oh baby.

since even stevens

scruuffff...

what a babe.

he is so adorable, i just want to put him in my back pocket

he serenades me

does it get any better than andy and justin?

"the ceranader" and my most beloved celebrity crush above all the rest.

do you see a pattern???

i never want to meet them, just michael, i'll just admire them from afar.

vd love

2010-02-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

I love baking desserts. With v.d. coming up I can't stop salivating over what I am going to bake! Here is my inspiration from martha stewart.

brownie heart

chocolate ganache handwritten

chocolate ecalir hearts ooohhhh

molten mocha cakes

conversation heart cookies

Not that I want to make every recipe by Martha, but she has great ideas. I just choose to do things my way. For the brownie heart recipe I think I will skip the cupcake part all together and make my mother's brownies or buy brownie bites from costco and decorate with pink cream cheese frosting.

Brownies

mix:

1 cup butter softened

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

add:

4 eggs (one at a time)

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

pour into greased 9x13 pan bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Ganache cupcakes I would make chocolate cupcakes from a cake mix. For ganache I use semi-sweet chocolate chips warmed and mixed with whipping cream. Dipping the cupcakes into the hot ganache then using a pastry bag and white icing to write when the ganache is cooled.

Chocolate eclairs, EASY. Martha's way looks hard, but not mine!

I haven't made a chocolate molten cake but Brookie's dad Brent (my new bff we love talking food) has a great recipe for molten cake that is easy.

Conversation Hearts:

I buy pilsbury sugar cookie sheets. Cut out small hearts and bake cookies. When the cookies are cooled place them on a drying rack over parchment paper. Make a very simple icing powdered sugar with milk, very runny. Run icing over hearts and let completely cool overnight. I do another layer to make the color more saturated. Then use icing and a small tip to write words.

Yummy Valentine's Day treats!!!!!

fevah.

2010-02-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

I woke up after 5 days of sinus infection, headache, and sore throat to...

SPRING FEVER.

I've been teasing myself with these..

I want every color.

Perfect for my Spring Fever.

Love the Orange.

Bike rides, snow cones, gardening, music, sunshine.... I can't wait. I'm excited for sandals, dresses, skirts, and shorts. 43 degrees today and I think its warm. Yeah I'm ready.

chocolate croissants

2010-01-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

after watching it's complicated this is all i can think about making.

1 package of puff pastry cut into triangles.

1 chocolate bar.

take a piece of chocolate and roll it up into the croissant. cover with egg wash and bake for 15 minutes at a 425 degree oven.

a picture says a thousand words

2010-01-03T02:42:00.006-07:00

These photos represent the people, the experiences, and the best moments of 2009.

jibjab

2009-12-14T20:44:00.002-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Frozen Hot Chocolate

2009-12-02T00:08:00.005-07:00

Since we all don't live near serendipity.

1 cup milk

1 cup hot chocolate mix

3 cups ice

Blend.

Top with whipped cream.

Yis. It is zat easy. Delish.

My Song

2009-11-22T17:22:00.004-07:00

I don't know T.I.,

She might be better than you.

Lonely

2009-11-06T22:02:00.006-07:00

One day I get on the UVU shuttle at stop number 1.

Two people get on with me.

At stop 2, they both get off.

I am alone on the shuttle from stop 2-the end.

It was very strange.

Yesterday I got on the shuttle.

I saw this girl's face take on relief when I stepped on.

If I had not gotten on, she would have been alone on the shuttle.

This is a VERY rare occurrence.

Hey Girl

2009-11-06T18:58:00.006-07:00

Beautiful

Intelligent

Talented

Creative

Honest

Thaaaaaaaaatts ME!

Hiatus

2009-11-03T00:44:00.001-07:00

Blogging is not what it used to be. Who cares to read my crap anyway? So all I have to say is that I am so happy that on October 31 at midnight I am not the only one who starts listening to Christmas music.

Frisco

2009-10-21T00:05:00.018-06:00

Stressedoutofhermind to figure out where we were going....so I took over driving.

The beautiful city

I made more friends on this trip, than I have my entire life. Our new friends at this shop made us try on these glasses. As if Brooklyn wasn't entertaining enough with her dancing.

Ghirardelli Square

Boudin sourdough bread bowl and clam chowder. YUM.

The beautiful bridge at Golden Gate Park.

I'm at the beach. "I got my flippy floppies."

Santa Cruz boardwalk

Huge nordstrom...along with rest of the stores.

Fisherman's Wharf

Lovelies

Delicious cupcakes with flavors like nutella... Two please!

Alcatrez Island

Sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf

Highlights

Loonnngggg drives

Driving in the City

One eyed vallet

Barack Obama!!!!!!! Saw him!

Chiz

Flip

The beach

"Stop"

Frisco break dancers

Walgreens

Trader Joe's

Lombard Street

Castro

Cinnamon ice cream

Bijou

The Nugget...and the buffet

Chocolate shakes

Jack

New friends

Flying

Salt water taffy

chiz on a stick

Solitare

Driving

I LOVE Frisco! I had such a great time. Which city shall I visit next???

Open Your Golden Gates

2009-10-12T22:49:00.002-06:00

I'm in Love

2009-10-05T21:28:00.006-06:00

The top ten

Every time I talk to her I can't stop laughing. I feel like a giddy school girl.

She radiates pure joy and love. I can't get enough.

One of my earliest memories of Sienna is when I saw her whip out a purse from her backpack at school. Whatafreak. She just laughed at herself--that's when I knew I loved her.

She is the only one to call me Lizzard.

She would give me a ride from seminary to school every morning because we were both that lazy.

Drives and chai.

Traditionally mamas.

She was my prom date. I wish.

We make music. Well she makes it I approve it!

My love cannot be hidden. My love for only you. My love can be controlled by only those who know the truth.

Lost and Found

2009-09-28T13:03:00.020-06:00

I found my old camera the other day and found some old pictures on the memory card. It was a really nice camera. Took excellent photos. Here are some of my favorites.

Little Gab...when she was still little.

I deserve a big juicy burger!

Dancing in the rain.

I love that I still where the same clothes I bought over 3 years ago.

Rick.

Nice camera right?

Efy...there is always only one good looking..but Liz and I make 2! Lucky them.

I wonder why we became friends? Mind you this is the first time we met.

I had braces.

This makes me laugh.

You know when you have to take 8000 pictures? Jaden kept me entertained with his 8000 different poses just as hilarious as this one. Why even bother photographing the rest of them?

She is not a baby anymore...

Jr. Prom

Jenga.

Kevin made me a mini snowman for my 16th birthday.

16th birthday

Isn't my cake the ultimate?

Sunday Dinner

2009-09-07T00:47:00.006-06:00

It's been a long time since I have posted a recipe, or made anything for that matter! I love to bake/cook. Baking more than cooking, but I am getting better at cooking. Tonight I made dinner. On the menu:

Lime chicken--so easy. I just kind of went with it.

Chicken...I did about one breast per person.

Stick it in a croc pot on high or low depending on time, high for about 2 hours?, low for about 3. Really I just checked on it from time to time, so I have no clue. When you put the chicken it pour italian dressing all over it. I made sure all sides of the chicken were covered. When the chicken is cooked remove from croc pot, cube, and add lime juice and cilantro. Serve and enjoy.

Rice...again super easy.

1 cup instant rice

1 T garlic powder

1 T onion powder

Cook according to rice instructions but use 2 cups of chicken broth instead of water. After the rice is done add 1 can of green enchilada sauce, about half a bunch of cilantro, and fresh lime juice according to taste.

Dressing

In a blender combine

1 packet of ranch dressing mix (hidden valley)

1/2 cup of sour cream

1/2 cup of buttermilk

1 cup of mayo

2-3 tomatillos

1/2 bunch of cilantro

2 T lime juice

2-3 cloves of garlic

1 jalepeno--i didn't add this time. My family isn't huge on hot, the dressing was still good without it.

Let refrigerate 1 hour before serving. (It gives it time to thicken.)

Mexican Fried Ice Cream

I used Rachael Ray's recipe.

2 cups cornflakes crushed

cinnamon...maybe 1 T?

Put on ice cream and drizzle with honey.

Easy right?! It was such a yummy dinner. My mom suggested I make dinner once a month--any suggestions for next time?

I bought this fabulous book! It makes me so happy!

I don't think I have the time, money, or patience to attempt her recipes, but I do love her ideas. She used one letter on each cupcake for a birthday cake, so that is what I did!

Mummy

2009-09-07T00:37:00.004-06:00

I love my mom! It was her birthday yesterday. The day included the usual birthday routine: pedicures, lunch at brick oven, family, presents, cake, and lovelovelove! We (everyone but me) also watched the game, vomit, and rode the sundance moonlight lift. It was a very fun day.

Aren't we just precious??? I love my mom very much. I can't even begin to describe what a wonderful woman she is. So I'll just free associate--strong, independent, beautiful, silly, giggle, do you know what that means?, practical, surprisingly spontaneous, thoughtful, friends, give give give, understanding, patient, and love.

My mom has taught me everything I know. Each year I grow to appreciate her more and more. We've always had a close, intense relationship. I am soooo lucky that she is mine! I love you mom! Happy, happy birthday!

Demoney

2009-09-07T00:32:00.004-06:00

I love Haylee Demoney.

She makes me happy

She makes me frownsmile..ish.

She makes me laugh.

She makes me choke on my gum.

I Love ME

2009-09-06T21:37:00.002-06:00

Last week my mom invited me to enrichment. A woman (forgot her name) came and spoke to us about body image. She works at a treatment center for eating disorders. I have already brought up this issue, but it is really important, and interesting to me.

She started out by asking us a few questions. What size and weight and height is the average woman? How many women in the world describe themselves as beautiful? We all guesstimated and were way off the real answers. She told us a few things like:

-Girls are more afraid of becoming fat than they are afraid of cancer, nuclear war, or losing a parent.

-Only 2% of woman in the world describe themselves as beautiful.

-The average woman is 5'4, 140lbs, and wears a size 14.

-75% of woman are dissatisfied with their appearance.

-The diet industry takes in over $40 billion per year, and is still growing.

-50% of woman are on a diet at any one time.

Wow. Our perception is quite skewed. She also talked about dieting. She said, "every diet works." But she went on to explain the "diet dance." You lose weight, gain it back, plus 10%. Explaining why the average woman has grown in weight. (Earlier years the average woman was...smaller-not exact on the numbers.) Sources.

The media has a huge image on our perception. But the media is not reality. Every photo is airbrushed. They can spend up to 5 months editing one photo. Most of the photos we see have more than one woman. Use one's arms, another's eyes, etc. Some are not even real women, but generated through photoshop. Even the celebrities are not a reality. She talked about Jennifer Aniston. She spends 8 hours a day exercising. 8! And how Nicole Kidman has osteoporosis in her 40s. While filming Moulin Rouge, they put a corset on her so tight that it broke 3 ribs...because she wasn't skinny enough.

People go to other extremes including plastic surgery, airbrush/sculpting tanning, and extreme crash dieting-that can potentially lead to eating disorders. From BBC, a documentary of two journalists that race to a size00. These women change dramatically in the five week experiment. If you have 40 minutes, I would recommend watching it.

This is so sad! It has not left my mind all week. I think about how insane it all is, how we all hate ourselves, how we all wish we were different. How are we going to ever be happy??? It is attacking us from all angles. Every time we turn on the t.v., walk outside and see ads, magazines--she told us that after only 3 minutes of looking at a magazine, people become depressed. 3 minutes is all it takes. The self-esteem of the women in the world is at an ultimate low. We get it from the media, others, friends, mothers in some cases :(, and of course ourselves. Ah sad!

But she did tell us some new rules to live by and things to remember.

Prevention:

1. Fight fatism--yucky word

2. Question the media--remember those women aren't real!

3. Accept genetics--everyone is different. The sooner you know that, the better.

4. Fight the diet downfall--remember the "diet dance."

5. Understand that emotions are skin deep

6. Befriend your body--you can be your number one supporter!

7. Form identity outside body--your self-esteem doesn't depend on what you look like.

She also had some great points on intuitive eating. Notice that these habits are very similar to a healthy child's eating habits.

1. No weighing yourself or food.

2. No label reading and or calorie counting--sounds like this goes against everything we are taught.

3. Never diet again--unless you want to eat that way the rest of your life.

4. No good foods and bad foods--don't call them good and bad. Instead eat everything in a moderate, healthy portion. If you eat a lot of this, it's time to eat more of that. Not "your done eating that bad food." Balance it out.

5. Exercise you enjoy--exercise is good for us. Don't abuse your body by forcing exercise to make you lose weight, especially if you don't enjoy it. If running isn't your thing, do something that is your thing!

6. Taste and enjoy food--remember how Julia Child enjoys her food in the movie Julie and Julia?

7. Honor hunger/fullness--this might be difficult if our eating habits are not healthy, but listen to your body.

8. Eat three meals per day, 3 snacks--NEVER skip breakfast. It starts your metabolism, by the time lunch comes around you have already burned off lunch. Your body needs nutrients to start the day. It is recommended that you eat every 2 and 1/2 hours.

She also talked about building your self-esteem. This really stuck out to me: Reward yourself and treat your body--don't wait to lose ten pounds to buy new clothes or take a vacation, do those things now! You deserve it! We don't ever pamper our bodies for what they are. Have the spirit of gratitude and pride in yourself.

I also think of Trinny and Susannah. They are on BBC's What Not to Wear. There is a new show on TLC called Making Over America. I think these women are great examples of embracing and loving our bodies for what they are. They are very blunt and dead-on.

I have been fortunate enough to have a mother that never brought me down, or discouraged my body, or even led me to believe that my body is what made me beautiful or important. I am very grateful for that. I know that is not the case with many people, and it makes me very sad. I cannot believe how mean we are to ourselves, how we are never satisfied or happy with who we are. But it can end now. I am making a personal goal to not hate myself! I'm going to start with what I like and hate about myself and I hope will grow to love. We should be grateful for who we are and what we are blessed with. A beautiful, healthy body that allows us to do anything. Lets love what we have!

Check out a really awesome project on body image.

Late

2009-08-28T10:51:00.003-06:00

I was late to class about 4 minutes.

Oh I'll take the shuttle and get there in no time. 5 minutes late.

Miss the shuttle by a second. 5 minutes and one second late.

Wait for a new one to come. 8 minutes late.

Sit on the shuttle for an eternity. 15 minutes late.

Shuttle is slow. 17 minutes late.

I get don't get off at the spot I'm supposed to. (I swear I've been coming to this school for a year.) Ahhhhhhh. 19 minutes late.

I finally get off half way around campus. 22 minutes late.

Walk to the building where my class is held. 32 minutes late.

Think about whether it's actually worth going to the 50 minute class that I'm 35 minutes late for.

Walk to the library. Right on time.

I'm Five Years Older and in College!

2009-08-27T00:33:00.002-06:00

I'm back!

To school...and hopefully to normal.

I'm taking:

Biology--huge class, teacher seems intelligent and efficient.

Ethics&Values--huge waste of my time, but it counts for two graduation requirements.

Math--lowest level-950-teacher is oooolllllddddddd. He reminds me of my grandpa. Class has a total of about ten students.

Spanish--really fun, my teacher is really entertaining. Already forgot what we learned today.

Total of 14 credits.

I love school! I really do, always have, always will. I'm bummed that all the ASL classes were full, but I'll get right on it next semester. I'm glad I didn't take this semester off. I would be missing out on so much. And I'm not sure if I should take institute....Do I really need to?

You Make My Dreams

2009-08-21T20:45:00.005-06:00

GIDDDDDYYYYYYY with gleeeeeee.

You make me so happy!

Thank you for filling my emotional bank account....

it's basically EMPTY.

1000 Words

2009-08-18T22:38:00.021-06:00

I love those pictures that completely capture someone's personality. These people are full of it!

All You Mother Stalkers

2009-08-14T23:48:00.002-06:00

Leave me a comment from time to time.

Back to School Shopping

2009-08-10T17:15:00.025-06:00

Every year before I went to school my mom gave me a certain amount to spend, once it was gone I was done. I have had to learn to get the most bang for my buck. You can still look like a million dollars without spending a million.

I try and find things that will work for summer/fall. Layering pieces, lightweight fabrics, bright, but saturated colors.

Lightweight cotton sweater in pink. Great for layering. Old Navy

Roll up cargo pants in charcoal. You can roll up for warm weather and roll down for fall. Old Navy

I love jeans so I always want to get one great pair that I can wear all year long. If you don't LOVE the fit, don't buy it. This is the one item I will invest on. (time and money) It can be discouraging, but try on every style and size. I have grown to love the Gap jeans. They are great quality and around 60 dollars. I look for a dark wash that will last longer. Wash cold inside out and hang to dry.

Try the long and lean in dark wash. You don't have to be long and lean, they make you look long and lean. Gap.

If it's in your budget, go for something classic and modern like these skinny jeans in charcoal. Gap.

The boyfriend look is very popular this season. Slouchy clothes, plaid, yellows, blues, scarves, hats, You can do it very easily and inexpensive. Ashley and I bought mens shirts at DI for 4 dollars, and altered them. We both aren't amazing seamstress', but we managed to pull it off. Hanes white vneck t-shirts come in a 5 pack at wal mart for 9.50. These are also easily altered. A great buy that I am dying to get is the boyfriend jean. These are around 60 dollars at Gap.

I would look for shoes at Ross, Old Navy, Target, and Nordstrom Rack. They are very reasonably priced so you can get more than one pair.

Ballet flats at Gap.

I would never spend more than 20 dollars on accesories. I either make them or buy a few headbands at Forever 21. I would check that store out for leggings, jeans, and tops. VERY inexpensive.

Headbands all under 4 dollars. Plaid and bows come in 2 pack for 2 dollars. Forever 21.

Before you even think about going out shopping for new clothes, go through what you already have. Try everything on that you own and decide if it's worth keeping. Anything you don't need show your friends-they might give you something in exchange! Asses what you need in your wardrobe and buy only those things. And only buy what you really have your heart set on and that will be versitle throughout the year.

There is one thing that I really like about the reccession, people use what they have and they get creative with how to get what they need. Especially now....I never buy ANYTHING for full price.

Good luck on your back to school shopping!

Bachelorettes

2009-08-06T00:34:00.009-06:00

Dem Derb

2009-08-05T18:26:00.006-06:00

I went to my first Demolition Derby a few weeks ago!

That whole day Ashley and I kept saying "fail." We failed...bad.

First we go to DI to buy shirts for this classy night. We took our sweet time altering these shirts making us late. Fail.

We realize neither of us has cash and we both bank at completely different sides of town, and are nowhere near an atm. Fail.

We decide on Ashley's atm, but first we head out to Wills only to turn around because Ashley doesn't have her wallet. Fail.

It gets better. She can't find her wallet. Fail.

Ten, fifteenish minutes later she finds it in a spot in plain sight. Fail.

We go to Wills. Oh I'll buy the drinks, my card doesn't work. Fail.

We go to the atm. Ashley doesn't remember her new pin. Fail.

Tyler is pissed, but luckily we had made previous "deposits in his emotional bank account" so it was forgivable. Finally we catch a break.

We have a great ride up and easy parking, oh and we accidently sneak in for free. Score!

We did sit in some great seats. They were only available because a brawl had been broken up previous to our arrival so the cops came and told us to settle down. haha. It was so fun! The people sitting behind us knew everyone in the derb and had done quite a few paint jobs. And they knew and talked about ALL the drama. I felt like I knew them too.

The herby derby was little cars. So funny.

Then the truck derby. A van made out of tin foil won..the underdog if you will.

The woman's derby. These chicks were crazy! Katie and Tausha crashed. Kirsten (pronounced Kuuurrstiiin) who is Katie's sister, ran out to see if Katie was ok. Kurstin then faints and the ambulance pulls around right in front of us. The crowd goes crazy. "WE CAN'T SEE!!!!! MOVE!!!!"

All in all a very good day! I can't wait until the next derb.

24th

2009-07-24T23:54:00.007-06:00

Sweet little Tiago Jay Abrantes Richman arrived early this morning! He came early and fast. Sofia's water broke around 4 am and Tiago was born around 6!

T&T

So Tyler and I took Gabi for the night. I love her. I am going to miss her so much when she moves away from me in a few short weeks. Milo came and played too. They used Tyler's legs as a slide.

Then Corinne made a fabulous pie that was absolute perfection!

The best pioneer day of all!!!!

Are they Serious?

2009-07-16T00:21:00.002-06:00

Do some people honestly not get it??

I know that a person can't possibly know everything, but they must know something.

I understand that men don't get certain things, and that they never will, simply because they are men. And I'm sure women don't understand certain things that men 'just get.' And a 16 year old isn't going to understand a 40 year old in some aspects. But aren't we all blessed with common sense??

Apparently common sense comes from experience and knowledge which brings me to my next question; What about people who have repeated history time and time again? Shouldn't they have loads of common sense? Shouldn't they stop, haven't they figured out by now that that behavior, hum ah, doesn't work?

Maybe they don't understand consequences. They can't possibly be that stupid or mean to do what they are doing. But maybe they don't understand that every action has a consequence. I've heard...somewhere "we are free to choose what we do, but we do not decide our consequences." Something along those lines.

At times like these I really do hope karma is a bitch. I hope what goes around comes back around. Thanks JT.

Will I Ever See You Again?

2009-05-29T01:17:00.003-06:00

I love, NEED, adore, NEED, cannot function without, NEED, keeps me going, NEED, am so grateful for, NEED.....

alone time.

This is the time that I get to be alone. I don't have to talk, please, look at, think about anyone. I can do whatever I like. It keeps me happy and sane. Trust me it is better for all if I get my alone time. Many of my close friends do understand this (and they haven't even seen the bad.)

Well.....Some don't respect my alone time. They don't understand that me going to the bathroom by myself does not count for alone time. And sleeping can never count.

Some people need to eat regularly or they get very irritated and grumpy. Some people need to sleep for a long time before they feel normal again. I need to be alone!

It is hard to see anytime in the near future that will be mine. So I am sorry if I have seemed irritable, or angry, or grouchy...I just need my needs met and then I will be fine.