Dear wonderful family,

 

I've been getting excited to email you! It's been another great week, but not always easy of course. My companion was struggling a little, but this week she got called as the Sister Training Leader (like a Zone Leader for sisters) and it has worked wonders for her mood, her spirit, and our companionship! She is way happier. The spanish is coming along, although I need all the help I can get. I really need to rely on the Lord because I don't have a very good memory :) I can't remember conjugations to save my life! We've been teaching our two "investigators" in Spanish and it's hard to get our thoughts out in a way that makes sense, but even harder to understand them, AND pay attention to the spirit, because the spirit is the one who knows exactly what they need to hear and what God wants them to hear. Sometimes it's discouraging because we're focussing so hard on teaching the doctrines of the lessons, or our spanish, that we forget about what the investigator needs, especially here in the MTC when the investigators aren't real. I have been praying for charity and love for my investigators because when they know that we care about them, they will also be able to feel how much God cares about them. I know that God lives and that he loves us SO much. He has a plan for each of us and He will help us discover that plan when we turn to Him in prayer, humility and obedience.

 

I was looking back in my spiritual journal and remembered feeling the spirit of comfort strongly in a hymn, hearing these words, "Why should this anxious load press on your weary mind? Haste to your Heavenly Father's throne and sweet refreshment find." and "Come, cast your burdens on the Lord and trust His constant care." Although people and things aren't constant, God is, and our Savior Jesus Christ is. He wants us to come unto Him and cast our burdens upon Him so He can lift us up. I am so grateful that God sent His son to suffer and die for us so that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven in joy and peace.

 

Thanks for the mail this week :) Especially to Michelle Davy (your letter was beautiful, thank you), Tara, and Uncle Rob (for your email)! And thank you so much for the package Teals and Ashcrafts! I feel so loved :) Oh, and Mom, I got your package too with the Canadian candy and my driver's liscence! Thank you! My companion loved how she got one of everything too, and she's now hooked to Canadian candy! :) Yesss.

 

So, funny story that happened last Friday night... (you can take this out if you want dad) I lost my little card that we need to swipe to get into the Cafeteria, and so my name was on the Front Desk list on a TV screen. Me and my companion went to the Front Desk and this lady proceeded to lead us down a different hallway and I was wondering why my card was in some other room - we got into an office, and I realized it was President Nally's office, the MTC president. All of a sudden I was being guided into his office and then my heart sank because I realized I was meeting with the MTC president, and I thought "You only meet with the MTC president when someone has died..." Out loud, I slowly said "oh no..." and then went slowly into his office and started to cry as I was waiting for him to tell me who had died - I thought for sure I had lost my Dad two weeks into my mission. President Nally realized what was going on and said "Oh, you don't need to worry!" and I realized then that he wouldn't say that if someone had died, and so I had to completely change my mindset and I was so confused and still crying and I had to collect myself, and he asked if I needed a tissue, and got me one haha and then proceeded to tell me a confusing story of how my dad had written the MTC about how I was sick that one night and politely suggested they get on-call MTC nurses...I was worried he was going to tell me to tell you guys not to send mail to the MTC haha but all it was was that he likes to write back to any parent who writes to the MTC, and he wanted to meet with me to tell dad that he met me and that I was a great missionary. Haha so anyways, it was so kind and thoughtful of him and I was so impressed that he would take the time to do that for each missionary and their family. But boy, did he scare me to death and I was an emotional rollercoaster for the next hour thinking about how awful it felt literally thinking one of you had passed away. It was awful, but it did cause me to think more about  my faith and my faith in God's plan of happiness. Anyways, haha that was exciting :) I'm glad you're all safe and sound and I want you to know how much I love you!!! I know that even if one of us did die, we'd all get to be together someday. Thank goodness for that. Dad, did President Nally email you? I'm excited to hear your side of the story. Oh, and by the way - that pain/sickness was a one time thing and it hasn't been a problem at all. I couldnt remember if I told you that last week or not! But all is well :)

 

So, you went on a trip to California!! Hahaha dad, I love how in your short letter I got yesterday you said, "As you've probably heard, we..." and then proceed to tell me everything I had no idea about!! Haha you're the only one that would have told me these things :) I'm glad you're all having fun! I'm excited to hear more about it, and I'm pretty jealous!! I had a smile on my face and a jealous pit in my stomach as I read that letter.

 

Oh, and someone pleeeease tell me more about Tyler and Madeline's wedding! Madeline sent me a letter this week with a package from Jenny (thank you!!!) and it had some great details. It was awesome! However, I have no idea when or where they are getting married!! I'd love to know some more details :) I'm so excited for them. I'm pretty sure everyone at the MTC knows about how my brother is getting married and how I'm getting an amazing new sister-in-law, especially since she and her mom spoil me with cookies!! It's awesome.

 

I'll send photos in a few hours! :) I love you all!

 

Love,

 

Hermana Vance

 

Ps. We got a new district this week and two Hermanas are coming to Calgary! Oh, and there's a "special event" which we think is a worldwide mission leadership training something or other that we're in a choir for on June 23rd - i dont know if you're watching it or can, but look for me!!