October 12, 2014

hey yall! hows it goooiiinnn

transfers were this week! mynew sweet companion is hermana Orellana, shes from Mexico and is the biggest sweetheart! she is so kind and loving, and we are getting along very well. i love her so much! we are going to have an awesome transfer together!

one funny thing that happened this week, i went to a Guatemalan party! haha we were going to our friend Ariel's house to invite him to church, and what HUGE FIESTA! so we got to eat tacos and chat with some of our friends, besides the fact that they were a little borracho, they said they'd come to church!! buttt,,,, sad day when they did not. but still it was just a hit.

we've been super diligent in our tracting this week,and we met some really awesome people!

it amazes me how hard people work, and i love the members in my branch here because they work so hard, and they rely on the lord for everything. they know if they put god first, they will be okay. i think this is an attitude we all need to have, to trust in the lord with everything, and believe it will all work out the way its supposed to.

yesterday was fast sunday, and i love it here in this branch because the testimonies of my friends here are so strong! one lady was saying how she was so grateful for one more day, one more month to bear her testimony. that got me thinking. how grateful i am to have that opportunity EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE. as a missionary, i have the opportunity to bear my testimony all day everyday. i get to share the reason for my happiness, the reason for my comfort, and my confidence. the reason i know we can all get through this life, because we have a loving Savior who knows and loves us perfectly, and through him we can become perfect, and live with our families forever. 

we as members of the church have the blessing of knowing the restored gospel of Jesus christ, and by having this knowledge, we also have the blessing to share it. i encourage you all to share your testimony in as many aspects as possible. we are members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. at baptism we covenanted to take his name upon ourselves. we should show christ like love to all we come in contact with. 

hah i know this is cheesy, but the question, "what would jesus do?" is always in my head. its really cool too! i think, jesus would help that woman put groceries in her car, jesus would help that man clean up his yard, jesus would talk to that person.

i love you all very very much, and i hope all is going well in all your lives:)

seguir adelante con la fe

con amor,

hermana eastwood

October 6, 2014

Hey guys!! It's been raining all day it's so so fun:) cute fall day.

We had Weird week this week, as usual! Hahah the work is going so great, I love the Hispanic people they are so fun! And crazy, and loving. Feels right at home;) 

One random thing that happened, We went over to teach our friend Minerva, who has a baptismal date and she's such a cutie :), but we found out she moved! :( so we're gonna find her new address and send it as a referral to the missionaries in Nashville, so we were sad, but it's okay cause now like 4 men live in that house! We can teach them, miracle in the making?

We met some good potentials, I have faith that God is leading us to those who are ready, and he's preparing them, and me to be able to teach them :) 

TRAINING IS OVER! I made it! HOLLA!!!!! Hermana smith is leaving, she's going to be a sister training leader SO COOL, and I am staying in Murfreesboro! My new companion is Hermana orellana, I am so pumped!! I know God is working in this, and it will all work out if I keep trying, I am excited to work with hma orellana, we will do miracles :) 

Conference was SO good no?!

The last session, we had 4 investigators come! WOO!! And, MIRACLE, we set a date with one of them! Our friend Josue and his uncle Lionel, from Honduras. I am excited to teach them all the lessons and get them one step closer to Heavenly Father and eternal life.

Conference this weekend really made me take a step back. I am so grateful for this gospel. I am so grateful to have the knowledge that Jesus Christ, our savior, is leading us in this day, he loves us so much, he speaks to us through his prophet Thomas s Monson. It's so happy to tell people that and teach them! No matter how scary missionary work is, when I take a step back and think about it, OF COURSE ITS WORTH IT. As Missionaries we are bringing the happiest message to these people, that they are not alone, the have their savior with them always, and by acting on their faith, with our help, they can make the choices and changes so they can have salvation and eternal happiness with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and their families.

One thing I loved about conference this time, is this thought that came into my mind a million times:

I want to be just like Jesus. 

I want to be as humble as he is, as helping, as loving, as everything as he is!

How blessed we are to have him as our perfect example to follow, and how blessed we are to have the scriptures in our hands, to learn of him and to grow closer to him. As I learn more of him, I love him more and my gratitude grows. I know he knows us individually and I believe he loves us more than we can imagine, he wants us to do our best, and he is with us every step of the way helping us, he will never leave us alone. It's so comforting and happy, I am very grateful I have this time to dedicate my life to him and his gospel, and to share this happy message with those who need it.

We all should strive everyday to Become more like Christ :)

I love you all! Peace out from Tennessee :)

Hermana Eastwood

September 29, 2014

HEY YALL!

this week was GREAT!!!!

we set 3 baptismal dates!!!

one with juan carlos-we reset it :) HAPPY!

and one with Marivel-shes a doll!!! shes like 22 and from Belize. and shes such a cutieee!!!

we taught her about prophets and the book of mormon like 3 weeks ago, and havent been able to meet with her since! and on tuesday, we were just gonna stop by to set up an appointment for another day, but then we were able to have a lesson! we taught the restoration, and she wants to be baptized!!! it was soooo cool! i felt so happy! heres a selfie of us after we told president ;)

and the next one is with Minerva-i met her on the street on exchanges! we went over and taught the restoration, and she wants to be baptized as well!

it was such a happpy week! all dates are in november and i am so happy!!(:

we met a lot of nice people this week too.

i just have such a strong testimony of prayer and enduring to the end!!

i know god hears our prayers, and knows our struggles. i know he is helping us, even when we feel alone.

i know in his own time we will recognize the blessings we have, and see his hand in our lives.

i am so happy to be here!!!

this is the last week of transfers, then im out of training!!! yay! i am so excited to see how much ive learned and to do this!! (:

we get to watch meet the mormons tomorrow hehe yay!

its still hot here, but the leaves are changing and its so pretty! cant believe its like 90 degrees and its almost OCTOBER! weird!!

we were able to go to an Olive Branch Baptist church on saturday-OH MY. best thing ever haha

there were baptisms, singing, and baby dedications. crazy. but so fun.

life over here in tennessee is pretty good!

its coming along, and spanish is so fun!

love you all, cant wait for conference!!! tell me your favorite talks okay?:)

con amor,

hermana eastwood (:

September 22, 2014

HI!

this week was good, we had exchanges on thursday! it was so great! Hermana Jensen is  A DOLL! she's going home in a few weeks, and she taught me so much.

I've learned i need to take this moment by moment, work hard, but also enjoy it! laugh! smile! yeah.

i’m still very afraid of knocking, but I'm glad i endured this week! we met so many awesome people! todo van a ser bautizado!!!

:) seriously though, i am excited for this week, to go back and visit them and teach my little heart out! and i am excited to meet more people this week too. Imma work so hard!

i had a fun experience, we were at the door of one of our investigators, we were gonna set up a date with him and everything!(saturday) and he wasn't home, so we were waiting for a bit. then he called us, (he's in North Carolina) and Hermana Smith talked to him, cause she can understand phone spanish better than me haha) so while she was on the phone, hermano kaelberer and i were chatting, and then i saw a guy so i walked over and talked to him! WHAT! (i was scared but did it (: ) and we were talking and he was like i wanna go to church! and i was like well perfect thats what we’re here to do. so we gave him a pamphlet and the address and our phone number and everything, and it was an amazing contact! and i felt so good, cause we have the church and he has been looking for it, and the cool thing is, he didn't even live there! talk about right place right time!

and earlier that day i had been talking to hermano kaelberer (ward mission leader) about how i have been so shy on my mission. and after this contact, he was like HERMANA EASTWOOD great job tonight! you did so good and you had an amazing contact.

i seriously wanted to cry! it was so nice, and just what i needed to hear:)

then after we had about 20 minutes before we could go home, so we went to kroger to tract! and we played an ‘i dare you’ game and when we see people we dare each other to talk to them. i was so scared! but i did it, and i am grateful because i had fun and we talked to nice people, no hispanics though haha we need to go to a mexican gas station next time :)

im pumped cause we’re gonna go get ice cream today, cause its half off somewhere haha fun fact for ya ;)

we have about 2 weeks left of this transfer, and im determined to work so hard!

we have a few people who can be baptized, we just need to meet with them and get them to commit! i know if i work hard, and have faith in the lord, i will have the confidence to do what i need to do, and they will be able to know the truth. i get nervous when thinking of inviting them to be baptized, but i know i shouldn't. baptism is the door to eternal life! to happiness! to being able to live with our families, and our HEAVENLY FATHER once again! its so happy!

i had some humbling experiences this week-i cant use a lot of details cause confidentiality and what not:)

but there is always so much to worry about, sometimes we forget about what others are going through.

as much as we pray for ourselves and our own safety, success, and happiness, we should [pray for that for others as well. i’ve learned, especially being a missionary, as much as i want something for myself, i should think of others first. i should want it for them MORE.

i want to be with my family forever, i am here helping others realize they want that too, and HOW they can get it! i want to be happy, and i am here sharing the gospel, the way to everlasting happiness, with those who dont have it!

thank you for your prayers, i can feel it. i know i couldn't do this alone, without the help of our father in heaven. i am so grateful for the power of prayer, and that he knows us perfectly. i know if we try our best, we will be blessed by his help for our efforts :) we are never alone!

love you all, have a great happy week! :)

con amor,

hermana eastwood:)

September 15th, 2014

holaaa!!!

this week was goood, its getting cooler here so holla! haha i can see my spanish improving a lot, still got a long ways to go, but i know i can do it! i have the lord on my side :) (<—thats what the mission president said to me my first Pday here, so i’ve kept that in mind ever since :) )

MIRACLE! Juan Carlos CAME TO CHURCH OH MY GOODNESS!!! #PRAISE

hes the one we set a baptismal date with my first 2 weeks here!

and we told him a few weeks ago he needs to get married, and we were finally able to meet with his woman, sofia! and they talkedabout marriage, and we’re like hey we can help!

haha so we’re so happy! he finally came to church!

its cool, cause hma smith wanted to give up on him, but i had faith and felt that we shouldnt give up just yet. HEY good thing we didnt, cause looky! miracle! he came and we were so happy, and he liked it! :) i have faith that he and sofia will get married, and he will get baptized, and we will also be able to convert sofia  (catholic) and it will be a whole family of happiness YAY!:)

we went to the temple this friday, it was absolutely amazing and perfect timing!

i have had a hard time this week, because i just havent been feeling very good about myself, cause i havent been feeling loved.

But, at the temple, i just felt an overwhelming feeling of the Lord’s love for me, and it really just changed everything. i know whenever we are sad, we can turn to him and if we are patient, in his own timing he will help  us. all we need to do is keep the faith, and show our trust in him. Give our Will’s up, and do His. he knows better than any of us what is best, and we need to trust him :)

this week, is finally my first exchange, im excited! ill be staying in my area, so im nervous, but i trust that god knows what he’s doing, and i’ll be able to do it :)

i am also determined to be so diligent at knocking this week!

this literally freaks me out like nothing else-i have no idea why also! its just talking to people inviting them to salvation and whatnot…no biggy. but its just super scary and i am determined to LOVE it and to keep trying, and not give up-even when i feel awkward. its fine haha.

we met some cool people this week, and had some really good lessons.

my favorite is teaching about the Atonement, because the spirit is always so strong, and i know im in the right place, doing what im supposed to be doing.

i hope everyone has the happiest week ever!

remember Christ knows exactly how we feel at all times, and when  we reach out to him, i know he will bless us with the comfort and strength we need, if we are patient and trusting :)

con amor,

hermana eastwood

September 8, 2014

heeyyyyy!

so weird week, not too exciting. i dont know what to say. haha saturday my trainer was a bridesmaid in a wedding for her recent convert! so we roadtripped up to nashville!

there were 4 hermanas and 2 elders in the wedding!

so i got to hang out with everyones companions, while our companions were all in the wedding! it was so fun to get to know other hermanas, and to talk about missionary work and to get motivated and advice and stuff(: elder spiker, was in the wedding! holla! i remember when we were in 9th grade we were office aides together, haha now we’re serving the lord together, in spanish!(: he’s doing awesome!!

this week we had the car and had to fix a bunch of things on it, (for whatever reason we always have problems ha a) so that cut into our missionary time!!

we went tracting and met this lady named esperanza-shes so cute! shes like i wanna come to church!! and so we are gonna go back this week and teach her and shes gonna get baptized :)

we had zone conference on wednesday!! it was so good! we learned about the power of prayer, the atonement, integrity, and our power and authority. it was so motivating! i got so pumped to go out and work!!!!!

that night, we were at dinner at a members house (what!? thats a first, no just kidding hah) and the mom was not being too nice to me about my spanish, and i felt so bad! especially since earlier that day i was so motivated and pumped to be a missionary!

i realized fast it was satan, he could tell i was doing okay, so he hit me again!

i prayed so hard and i just realized i am so much stronger than him, we all are! we can overcome anything, through prayer and having faith not only in ourselves but in our heavenly father, and our savior jesus christ.

i know through praying to our heavenly father we can receive strength. HE LOVES US SO MUCH. he knows exactly what we go through, and he is there to help. i am so grateful i know i have a loving father on earth (S/O DADDY YOU ROCK!) and in heaven.

i am so grateful i have the gospel in my life, i’ve seen it bless me so much, and i am SO GRATEFUL to know i can be with my sweet sweet family for ever and ever! knowing that, makes it easier to be away from them for 18 months. i dont know what i would do if i thought we couldnt be an eternal family. thats why i am on my mission, to bring this happiness to those who dont know! this gospel brings me happiness even when im sad or feeling like a terrible missionary, and knowing there is a way to happiness, motivates me to keep going, to share my happiness~!

i feel like i say that always, but its true!(:

its whatever.

haha

i don’t really know what to say now…

im thankful to be in a place where i can hit taco bell whenver—doritos locos for dayysss!!!

shoot i remembered i need to email my president, hah so this is all!

love you guys!!!!!

September 1, 2014

Hola amigos!
This week was preeetty cool it rained a ton! Haha I don’t know what to
say in these emails cause I forget everything. We have zone conference
this Wednesday, get to drive through Nashville YAY! And were gonna do
my first exchange on Friday yikes! Haha nah it’s chill. I gave a talk
yesterday and it was good! Hana in Spanish what!? Everyone said I did
good, and I’m very grateful. They’re so nice.
My Spanish is really improving I can tell! I’m speaking up a lot more
and getting more comfortable every day:)

We had two homies come to church yesterday! Euguino and vicente ,
(somehow it took us 7 weekdays to realize his name is Eugine in
English.. Haha no idea how it took so long for that, but it was a
happy time haha k random by sorry)
But they’re awesome!
We have a bunch of friends! (Investigators). And today the branch is
having a party cause #diadetrabajo and so we invited all our friends
to come and play futbol! WE GET TO WEAR PANTS.  Yes. And all our
friends love futbol so they’ll all come and make friends then they’ll
come to church :) hehe yay.

We met some cool people this week, and just hearing how much they open
up to us at the first visit, really strengthens my testimony on how I
have the spirit, and am representing Christ.

I really just want to help these people. Honestly. I want to help them
find the happiness I have through this gospel. Because I know I can be
with my family forever, and that is so comforting. (CAUSE I LOVE YOU
GUYS YALL ARE MY ROCK-seriously though, where would I be without you
guys? ) I want others to know that too. I want to let them know how
they should live their life, and that it’s not hard to keep the
commandments when you look at the big picture. I mean it’s always
hard, cause satans cray, but I know if we pray for strength, not for
no temptations, we can do it! (:

Imma go play futbol now YAY! Happy Labor Day!(: