Chicago is Amazing!

  President and Sister Fenn and missionaries

  Hermana Israelsen (Front Row Yellow Sweater) Hermana Davies (Front Row Pink Skirt, Black Sweater)

Hola Familia!!!!

Chicago is amazing!!! I love it, the weather right now is perfect and it is such an adventure! My companion's name is Hermana Davies. She is super, super good at Spanish, which is such a blessing! She also has the ability to connect with people very well, and knows how to be normal around them (meaning she can help them feel comfortable and not awkward) She also has a very strong testimony of the gospel and she is very obedient! Pretty much she is the perfect trainer for me! I hope I can be a missionary like her some day!

So we live in a pretty nice apartment, and there is even a gym right next to us that we go to in the morning. We live right across from the store and have a car as well. I feel kind of spoiled because it's all very nice. I am in the area of Bloomingdale. There are three sets of Spanish missionaries for our branch. The members here are amazing and are always so willing to help out. They also keep really yummy meals and are very kind to us. There are some cultural things that I'm still getting used to, such as just waiting for them to serve you, or having them give you the kiss on the cheek, and they always send you home with something. Which is so amazing! The Spanish people are so nice and willing to give you anything, even if they don't have much at all. It is interesting doing missionary work here because we are looking for specific people. We are looking for people who speak Spanish, and who are ready to hear the gospel, and in our area. At times it is hard, because we're not quite sure if they speak Spanish or not, but I think I'm getting used to looking for clues. It is fun though, because the people who do speak Spanish are from all over the world. Ecuador, Paraguay, Mexico,....etc. It is fun to ask them where they are from! 

Right now we are teaching an investigator  M_____. He had the missionaries over a couple years ago, but then it kind of died off. We had him set for a baptismal date this week, but he's not quite ready so we have to push back the date. It is hard because what we are asking people to do, is no small sacrifice. We're pretty much asking them to change their whole lives around, which isn't always the easiest thing.

It's crazy all the problems people have. There are some pretty crazy things, even with members, but you can tell those who rely on Christ to get through them have such a strong foundation! It's one thing to teach people in the MTC, but out here they have real problems. At times it's easy to think that I don't even know how to help them, but then I just need to remember that I'm not supposed to. The Savior is. We're just here to invite others to come unto Christ. We'll be the guide to show them the way, but Jesus Christ is the only one who really can understand. It is such a miracle and blessing. 

Yesterday, we talked to a lady in a wheelchair, who couldn't move at all! She looked pretty young though, and she said we could come back and teach her and her family. I really hope that we can because I want to tell her more about living with her family forever. I can't imagine not having that knowledge. It brings lots of comfort to me. 

I think it is amazing to see all the miracles that Heavenly Father sends his missionaries. Just little things, like maybe an appointment falls through, but we are able to contact someone on the street who needed help or was ready to hear the gospel.

We had a really fun experience teaching a family yesterday. The mom is a member (but not very active) but her son (who is nine years old) and her daughter  (who is eight years old) are very rambunctious at times. Before going into the lesson we were a little bit nervous because they have a hard time sitting down and listening to the lessons. We decided that we needed to do something a bit more interactive and so we had a little object lesson. We set out a bunch of ingredients to make cookies (like flour, oil,...etc) and talked about how they wouldn't taste good without all the ingredients or just having one or two together. We than related it to the apostasy and how they need the all the ingredients to have the full gospel (cookie.) Afterwards we than gave them a cookie. It was a really fun lesson to teach, but you could still feel the spirit. It was a good reminder of how simple the lessons can be, but how powerful they can be at the same time. The best part is the Mom helped teach her kids as well, and she was into it as well. I love missionary work, it is so hard but worth it!

I think the thing that I am having the hardest time with right now is the language. I feel like it's hard to connect with the members or say what I really want to say in a lesson. I want to be sincere or participate fully in the lesson, but just don't always have the right words to do so. All lot of times we'll get out of a lesson or a contact and I'll just turn to Hermana Davies and say "What just happened? or What did they say"  But I know it will just take time, and even if I can't speak the language perfectly I know that Heavenly Father called me here to speak Espanol, and so I will do my best. If the Savior can heal people’s relationships, raise people from the dead, help heal a wounded soul, then I know he can help me speak Spanish.

My trainer Hermana Davies is amazing at Spanish. She is a really good example and helps me to be a better missionary!
At times I have a hard time sitting through all of study time because I just want to get out there and talk to people. But she has helped me to remember that it is so critical to study and to make sure that we know the doctrine. Which is good. I'm grateful that we have the time to study because the more I learn about the gospel the more I realize that there are things that I don't know. Also, I've come to realize how important the Book of Mormon is. It is such an amazing book. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without the gospel, and it would be very difficult. I realize that when I am having a hard time getting the guts to speak to someone I just need to get out there and open my mouth, because that's what I would want someone to do to me if I didn't have the gospel. 

I hope that everyone is still reading the Book of Mormon! Please do! It can change your life for the better!!

I love the work, it is such a miracle. I'm excited to get going with it, and I hope I can give the Lord everything.

I love you all!!
Hermana Israelsen

Only Three more Days in Mexico!

Hola Familia!

 

First of all, Congratulations to Bobby!!!! That is so exciting!!!!! Washington sounds great, I´ve met a lot of people here who are going there as well. You´ll be a great missionary!

 

This morning we went to the Mexico Temple. It was great! It´s all in Spanish, but I felt really peaceful and calm there. The drive to the temple is crazy though, it reminds me that there are actually people in the world, who lead on with their regular lives. But the best part is, once you get to the temple it is so peaceful. And you can feel the Lord´s love.

 

So I leave for Chicago on Monday morning. I think my flight leaves around six in the morning from Mexico, so we will be up pretty early. I am so excited! The CCM is all I´ve known as a missionary, and so it´ll be humbling and a good experience to get out and talk to people.

 

Here is a journal entry from last night. Last night, was definatley one of the more spiritual days last week.

 

´Today was a good day. It started our normal--you know, teaching, Hermana Johnson and I wanting more bread from the the comedor (it´s really yummy) and other things. Elder Rowberry helped us with the language, past participle and remembering how to use command form. And later the other Elders helped us at the store (it´s all in Spansih)

 

Anyway, tonight (yesterday) we had TRC. (It is were you go and talk to volunteers about their lives and try to help them.) It was a very humbling experience. The lady we talked to was older, but I´m not sure if she has any kids. As we we´re talking to her, we found out that she has been a member for about 14 anos. We asked her what the greatest blessing in her life was from the gospel, and she said it was the atonement. I couldn´t understand all she was saying (she was speaking very fast-at least that´s what it seemed like), which is humbling in itself. But she has such a strong testimony of the gospel--especially La Expiacion. I think she taught us more than we could even teach her. We shared 3 Nefi 11:12, and then pretty much she taught us more about it than we could to her. It was great!

 

Afterwards Hermana Rasmussen (our teacher) came up and talked to us about how TRC went. I tried to explain, but it´s difficult to explain. At times I feel so inadequate to each. I tried to explain how I didn´t understand the language and other things. I think TRC is always a humbling experience for our district.

 

Afterwards we went to class and talked more about TRC. We talked about pride, what it is, and how sometimes it´s the sin of comparison. It was a very powerfull lesson, and I wish I could fully explain it. We read some good scriptures in Ether and Corinithians. About boasting in our God, and not ourselfes. I hope that I can give my self completely over to the Lord. I know God can help me with the task ahead. I know his grace is sufficient. I need ot remember ¨that discouragement will weaken your faith¨´ Yes, I might not be able to speak the language, Yes I might be teaching people much more educated than me, But I know in Christ I can do All things. I will not let my weakness break me, but make me stronger.

 

During the lesson Hermana Rasmussen went out and got another teacher, Hermana McKay. She told about her experience in a car wreck and how the Lord strengthened her throughout her mission. Even if it was just to walk another step. It was a very powerful and beautiful testimony.

 

After the lesson she came and gave me a hug. It feels good to get a hug, I have to say. But as she was, she whispered in my ear, [You might want to ask the Lord what he thinks of your efforts{. That was something I had never thought about doing before. For some reason it had never crossed my mind that  the Lord might actually be pleased with my efforts. (Yeah, I don{t know why that never hit me before), but it was very powerful. It was just what I needed to hear. Not that I don{t need to improve--but just to remember that God loves me. He knows my exact feelings. I know I need to be better, but I think at times I forget Heavenly Father´s love. I felt his love tonight, which was amazing and such a blessings.

 

Love, Hermana Israelsen

 

(Ok, sorry I hope that journal entry made sense) Also, I hope you don´t get the wrong idea. I am so so so exciting for Chicago, and I don´t feel discouraged, it was just a good reminder to trust in the Lord.

 

I liked hearing to Tina´s letter. That is so awesome, and sounds so hot! Wow! Here in Mexico it really has not been hot at all. But my claim to fame this week is that I have a watch tan line. Whoot! It sounds like things are going so well with the family. I loved the pictures. They are all so precioius. Also, is that a pictures of Addie on the marry-go-round, because if it is. She looks so old! I can´t believe it! I love the cupcakes, they look delicious. I can´t believe school is starting up so soon! That sounds crazy! Kimmy, you will do well in Spring Creek. My one piece of advice is make sure that you hang around good friends. Ones who are nice to everyone and are excited about the gospel. You´ll do fine, if you can just remember that.

 

It´s good to hear that the sheep sold well. Congratulations! Once again, I liked the pictures.

 

I love being a missionary. It is definalty the best things that has ever happened to me. If anyone is trying to decide if they should go on a mission. They DEFINATLEY should! I have heard several talks this week from Elder Holland and Elder Scott about how their mission has brought about everything good in their life.

 

I only have three more days here in Mexico, so the next time you hear from me I´ll be in Chicago. I´m excited!

 

Love, Hermana Israelsen 

If we Listen with Love we won't need to Wonder what to Say

Hermanas Johnson and Israelsen..Soaked!

Hola Familia!!!

 

Wow! William is so cute!! I was so excited to write today because I wanted to see pictures. He looks adorable. I´m so glad that he was finally born (because if he hadn´t I think I would have a cow)....Haha, just kidding... Jade, you look like your doing great! I prayed for you and Trevor. I prayed that you will be able to feel confidence with William and be able to know how to best care for him. I´m sure that you are! William is lucky to be with such great parents!! Trevor, have you changed a diaper yet? Last I remember, you said you never had. I´m  sure that you´ll be a pro in no time, though :)

 

This week has been so great! Did I ever mention to you that a mission humbles you like nothing else? Because it does, but it is so great!!!!! Last night we we were talking as a district about teaching people, not lessons. Our maestro, Hermano Rasmussen is really in tune with the spirit, and he came over and talked to Hermana Johnsen and I. I realized that I have been too worried about time and fitting in all the material, that I had been jumping over the investigator. It was a humbling experience, but so good. I think that this sort of thing happens all the time to me though, I just have too much on my mind, that I forget the most important part--people! I love the quote in preach my gospel though, it says¨If we listen with love we won´t need to wonder what to say.´I had always thought of that in just a spiritual sense, but lately I realized that it applies to Espanol as well. If I listen and ask inspired questions, it doesn´t matter that my verbs might not be conjugated right, and that I don´t understand present subjunctive, and other stuff like that.

 

I really love the Spanish language though! I feel like I can usually understand what people are saying to me. I especially love reading the Book of Mormon is Spanish. It´s the best. I have to go slow, and so it makes me think about every word. There are also different ways that they word things, that make it sound so beautiful!! It´s such a blessing because I usually don´t feel nervous talking to people. I think Heavenly Father has blessed me a lot, because even though I know I´m probably saying it wrong, I know that the spirit can take what I can´t do. It´s amazing. I never thought I would ever have confidence in Spanish, but this is just an example of how Heavenly Father works through imperfect people.

 

This week we had some interesting and fun things happen.

 

I saw a green bird in the tree!! It was like a green parrot-looking bird for real....it was so awesome!!

 

Ok, next interesting thing. On Tuesday night we had a devotional at 7:30. It was about 7:00 and my district had to switch classrooms so we thought we should leave a bit earlier so we could take all of our stuff to the new classroom, which was all the way on the other side of the CCM. So we had a ton of books and things and we got to the door and it was hailing and raining really really really hard. I mean really hard. Remember how I said bathtubs of water...I felt like this was swimming pools of water on the ground. One of the elders offered us his umbrella, but we decided an umbrella was probably more of a hindrance than a help. We decided to make a run from building to building. Hermana Johnson and I started sprinting out, but I took about five steps and slipped in a huge puddle. My skirt flew up and everything I dropped my stuff. That was an adventure.. We started  laughing, and made a run for it to the next building. It was crazy, but kind of fun (rather embarrassing though) By the time everyone made it to the devotional we were soaking. All through out the devotional my skirt and shoes were dripping, but it was fun. We took a picture, so maybe I´ll try and send it.

 

The devotional was about temples. President Pratt (the MTC president) has done a ton for the church in South American. It´s so amazing the good you can do, just by one person and sharing your talents. I feel blessed to be in the company of so many good people.

 

The other day we also watched a devotional from Elder Holland (from the Provo MTC). It was similar to his talk in general conference about Peter after Christ was crucified and the apostles went back to their nets. He talked about the line ´´feed my sheep´´ It made me think about Kimmy. Kimberly did you know there are a lot of scriptures about feeding sheep. You should read about them with Mom and Dad.  See 1st Peter 1.19 and other scriptures, Ezekial 34, and Isaiah 53.3-6. They are really neat! I think you would like them! Elder Holland also talks about 3 things that missionaries don´t do very well. They don't Study well, don't prepare well, and don´t teach for commitments. It was exactly what we needed to hear, because those are things I feel like I really need to work on.

 

The CCM has so many people! All the other MTC´s are at full capacity and they are sending extra unplanned people here, and so  there are really a lot of missionaries. It is so fun!! I love it!!! The work is moving forward and the work is exciting. The more I´ve been teaching or being taught the more I realize how important member missionaries are. We need you!!

 

Mom, I think that story from Band Camp is hilarious. That is so funny! That´s not something that you ever imagine happening....I bet that was the talk to of the night.

 

I´m glad that Todd is loving Band Camp! That is so fun!! I can just see him being such a good marcher and hard worker. Hard work is so important. That you Mom and Dad for helping me to work hard. In preach my gospel it says that is no substitute for work. I pray almost every day that I can lose myself in the work. Sometimes it´s hard though. It´s hard to forget yourself, because most of my life I´ve just been thinking about myself. But the days that I do serve I can feel a difference.

 

I´m so glad that everyone is reading the Book of Mormon. Keep it up! It is truly the best book in the world. It´s the best book to solve any problem along with the Lord. The Bibilia is also truly amazing! I love scriptures! They are the best! If anyone does not feel that they have time to ready the scriptures, they need to make time. I wish that I had done that more often. Even ten minutes can do the job!!

 

My favorite scripture this week is D and C 64: 31-33. It is a good reminder to act.

I´m glad to here than Jennie is doing well!! I´m sure that she is such an amazing missionary.

 

Also,  Dad I hope that things are going well for you! You are such a great example to me, and I always look up to you. I know that you were called of God to be a bishop, and thank you for being such a great example to me! I hope that I can be as humble and loving as you are, and as hard working.

I love you!

 

I love you all! I love all the pictures of Sammy and of William... They are adorable! Jade and Trevor I´m so proud of you!!

Love,

Hermana Israelsen

 

Also, Todd and Kimmy I sent a letter for you! It might take a couple weeks in the mail, but keep an eye out for it. :)

 

I Triple Dog Dare Ya

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, I can´t believe that William is not born yet! That´s crazy! Wow and 9.5 pounds, that´s so fun and exciting! I hope that all goes well for Jade and Trevor.

 Nathan and Trevor good luck studying for the GRE, that sounds like it´s a big test! I hope all goes well.

Todd, I hope marching band is going well! It´s hard work, and you have to do a lot of push ups, but I bet you´re doing so well. I hope that Band Camp goes well. It´s so fun!!!! Are you with Colton Hines as well?

Mom and Kimmy, I´m so impressed with making jam and applesauce, This morning we had pancakes for breakfast, and I wish I had some of that jam to go with them. But actually they were amazing anyway....I think they put a lot of sugar in them....but hey, I´m not complaining. They´re way yummy!

I hope that reading the Book of Mormon is still going well, since everyone is pretty busy. This week we talked a lot about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. There are a bajillion reasons that we should. I was trying to take notes, but there were so many blessings I couldn´t even get it all down. I think that everyone should reread President Gordon B. Hinckley’s conference address about reading the Book of Mormon. And then do it.  I triple-dog-dare you to!  Haha, anyway here are some of the blessings I wrote down about reading the Book of Mormon:

-Nearer to God

-Teaches Truth

-Testimony of Christ

-Power in Book, into our lives

-Resist temptation

-Power to avoid temptation

-Power to stay on the straight and narrow

-Will find life in greater and greater abundance

-Calm an agitated soul

-Bring peace, hope, a restoration of confidence to overcome challenges

-Unlock revelation

-Holy Ghost invites

Heal emotional challenges

-Excel physical healing

-Speaks to your heart

-Love in families

Opportunities to observe, learn and teach family (from discussion and reading)

-Know how we're doing and how to do better

Will change your life for the better

Will lift, guide, and embolden you

 This week has been really good! I can´t believe how fast it has gone! I´m actually past halfway until out in the mission field. Which is crazy! Yesterday Hermana Johnson and I decided to only speak Spanish the whole day, not a word of English. We told our district if they would,  that we would go buy them cookies. We made it about to lunch time, It´s is pretty hard. I feel that in Spanish I have to pick my words so carefully, because I don´t have very many. It´s kind of like a game though, you have to figure out ways to say stuff using other words, rather than the direct word. If that makes sense.....

We´ve been singing Himnos 88, Placenteros Nos Es Trababjar. I like to think of Grandma and Grandpa Briscoe every time we sing it. It´s a fun song!

This week all the Hermana Sisters sang, Because I have been Given Much, (in Spanish of course). But we all sang it at a devotional. It was so fun! But while we were practicing, a man came up to me and said that he was in Uncle Jeff and Aunt Daryl´s (The Thornton’s ward) and he was just saying hi from them. It was so fun! Thanks for thinking of me!

I´m trying to think what else we´ve done this week… A lot of teaching. But it is so good! Last night we also talked about why people need to go to church to really receive conversion. There are a million good reasons to go to church, but the reason we all need to go to church is to take the sacrament. It was a good reminder.

So, it´s crazy! The CCM is filling up with so many people. You won´t believe how many missionaries there are. Gym time is crazy, there are so many people. They said that the numbers are supposed to double though....I´m not quite sure how they´re going to do that!! It´ll be interesting.

My companion, Hermana Johnsen it always so thoughtful. The other day she gave a note and some Oreos to one of the lunch ladies. She is always so kind, and thinking of others. It was so nice!!

Do you think that you could get me Jennie´s address and Annalise’s address. I´m not quite sure if I should email them or write them. But I´d like to have their mission home addresses just in case. I hope that they are doing well! Jennie (Sister Moon) is already out in the field. That is so exciting!! The other day I was sitting there thinking about her out there, preaching the gospel. I´m one hundred and ten percent sure that she is one of the best missionaries in Georgia!!

I picked out a scripture for each person in the family. I just thought you´d like them!!

Dad: 2 Timothy 4:7

Mom: Isaiah 53: 4-5

Nathan, Kristie and Addie: Luke 22: 31-32

Trevor, Jade, and William: Genesis 1:27

Katie, Mike, and Samuel: (Also, I really love the way they say Samuel here, it´s awesome!)       2 Nephi 32:8-9

Todd: Alma 31:5 (My new favorite scripture of the week)

Kimberly: Alma 37: 35-37

Friends and Family: Last two paragraphs of the Introduction to the Book of Mormon

I hope that all is going well! Things here are going great! It´s hard, but totally worth it!!

Love,

Hermana Israelsen