One Month Done!

Hello Family and Friends!

I can hardly believe that it has already been one month since I left. I get reassigned next Thursday, and I am so excited! I think teaching in English is going to be a huge challenge for me, but I can't wait :) One Elder in our District got his visa today which is really exciting because he has been wanting to go straight to Brazil really badly, and tomorrow is his 19th birthday! Luckily he will be leaving the 28th like the rest of us.

Last week I was able to "talk to" a girl from Maceió. I say talk to, but I really mean she talked to me in Português and I tried to understand what she was saying :) She told me that the beaches are very pretty and it is very hot. Her stake is the Farol Stake, I think. It was cool to hear a different accent than the one my teachers have.

There is an Elder in my District that has been having a really hard time. The Sisters all fasted for him on Tuesday, and it was such an incredible experience. Elder Dallin H. Oaks came and spoke that night on having a change of heart and why our church is true. It was one of the most incredible talks! My faith in prayer and fasting was definitely strengthened. It reminded me that Heavenly Father is so mindful of us and exactly what each of us needs. He is so willing to bless us when we ask Him to. 

On Wednesday I was able to host. It was so much fun! The Sisters were all just so excited to be here and I loved being with them! One Sister was actually from Vancouver, WA and had been an ordinance worker in the Portland Temple!

I am loving my time here in the MTC and I have grown so much from this experience. Thank you for all the prayers in my behalf; they are much appreciated. I know this Gospel is true and I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else. I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Sister Lopez

Halfway done!

Well, I reached 3 weeks at the MTC on Wednesday. Time is a very weird thing here. I feel like I have been here for an eternity, but it has just flown by. I love everything we do. General Conference was amazing. I especially enjoyed all of the talks on Saturday about missionary work. It's probably the first time I have heard a talk about missionaries and not felt guilty that I wasn't doing enough! :) 

It is very chilly here. Lots of people (especially unprepared Brazil visa waiters) have been getting sick. I got a little bit of a cold this week, but the studying and teaching must go on! Teaching is an interesting experience. Sister Chadwick and I have gotten to the point now that we will decide a topic we want to teach about, we will study it in personal study, and then we go and teach. We try really hard to teach the investigator and not just teach our lesson. Everyone in our district jokes that we have telepathy because we are really, really good and giving and taking during the lesson. It's also amazing to have the Spirit impress upon you what you need to say to help them strengthen their faith in Christ. I believe in the Gift of Tongues 100%! 

One thing I have gained is just a greater love of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. There is some seriously good stuff in there! I have been reading the Book of Mormon with the questions, "What is my relationship with God?" and "What exactly is my divine nature?" I can't even believe the things that have stood out to me. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He has endowed us with so many gifts and resources. He wants us to be happy, but more than that, He wants us to choose that happiness for ourselves. I love this Gospel, and I love sharing this message of joy and love with those I teach. Thank you for all your love and prayers. I hope you all have a great week.

Love, Sister Lopez

Sister Chadwick and me

This is Sister Weiman and I before the broadcast

The District! Left to right: elder woodbury, me, elder marquez, sister chadwick, elder richards, sister weiman, elder groesbeck, sister richards (no relation), elder delbatzo