Week 6- One more week!

 Hi guys!

I hope that you have all had an amazing week! I've been thinking about you guys, and I love you all.

This week has been so fun. It's my last week here at the CTM, I leave for the field on Wednesday! That is just so crazy to me. I've been wanting to leave the CTM since arriving, but now that it's pretty much time, I want to stay. 

Last Friday, my district and I signed a contract saying that we would only communicate in Portuguese. Which we have not been awesome at following. We start the day off super strong and usually end up forgetting by mid day. But, we are trying to be better! 

Also on Friday, my district was "asked" to do a musical number Saturday morning. The CTM does tours, and they like to end the tours with a musical number. We had two tours to perform for. I played the piano, and the other sisters in my district sang the primary song "I Lived in Heaven". They did it in portuguese! I am grateful that I had the opportunity to participate. I know God is real because I wasn’t nervous! Normally I'm a wreck the day of performances, but I wasn't this time.

On Tuesday, the Sisters and I were able to play games and bond during companion time. We played SkipBo and Uno. It was so fun!! I love card games, and I'm glad that Sis Ruchti thought ahead and packed some.

The highlight of this week was going to the temple. My mission does not have a temple, so Wednesday was my last temple trip for the next 17 months. I am going to miss the temple, there is no place on Earth that can match the peace that is felt inside those walls. There is no better place to be. A temple is a House of God. Temples are a gift, sometimes one that we take for granted. Utah has so many temples, it's easy to forget how special they are. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go one last time.

After the temple, we went to the distribution center. I bought paper copies of the Bible, D&C and Pearl of Great Price. I made the goal to read all of the standard works before I reach the one year mark as a missionary. So the plan is to finish the BOM, read PoGP, then D&C, then New Testament and finish Old Testament on June 21. Wish me luck! Oh and update, I am 75% through with the Book of Mormon! Right on track to finish before leaving the CTM.

Spiritual thought: I've been thinking about the Law of Consecration a lot this week. Members of the Church are asked to Consecrate 10% of our income to the Lord. We are asked to give back to the Lord. However, the Law of Consecration does not just include Tithing. It includes ourselves. Everything we are, and everything were can be.

We are commanded to consecrate our very selves to the Lord. Commanded, not asked. Sister Ruchti sent me a talk that was given at the Provo CTM back in 2008. It talks about being a Consecrated Missionary, but it can apply to us all, missionary or not. I will include the talk in this email. I encourage you all to read it and to ponder what it means to truly live the Law of Consecration. How much better will your life be if you dedicate yourself to the Lord? How many more blessings will you receive as you are more obedient?

I know that as we dedicate and give our all to the Lord, He will give us His all. He will pour blessings upon you. My mom told me something before I left. "Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles". I've seen this during the week as I strive to be more exact. Instead of hitting snooze and staying in bed and extra 10 minutes, getting up and getting out of bed. It's something small, but it has made a difference in my week. I have more time to study when I am not rushed to get ready. I have felt the Lord's hand more in my life the more I strive for exactness. God blesses us when we are obedient and devoted to Him.

I love every single one of you, and I hope you all have an incredible week!!💜💜💜

Here is the talk, it really is incredible!!

Becoming a Consecrated Missionary by Tad R Callister

Photo comments:

1- Signing the contract

2- Heading to service!

3- Best dinner ever! Cheese, parfait, and chocolate cake

4- Last temple trip! Campinas temple

5- My cute comp!

6- My district!!