Ultimo Semana en CCM (10)

This was my last week in the MTC. It's super weird to think I will be in Guatemala in 2 days and leave the MTC tomorrow night. I have definitely enjoyed my time at the MTC and will miss the people I have met here. I can't wait to get into the field!

Monday.. 2/20
Today was interesting experience. We were on splits, so my companion and another hermana could perform for the incoming senior missionaries. Hermana Penner (my companion for 3 hours) had to get needle therapy for her back at the Physical Therapist's office. I got to go with her and it was pretty cool to watch. The physical therapist joked and said, "if you don't pass out watching this, you will pass nursing school." We also don't have any investigators, so we are role-playing within our district.

Tuesday.. 2/21
We taught our substitute teacher and had to do it through "cold-contacting." (you don't know anything about them) It was hard to plan a quick lesson for someone we knew nothing about. What I love is that we don't need to know them, because Heavenly Father knows them and will help guide us to know what we should say through the Spirit. We sang "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer," during the devotional. Something I learned is that the Lord gives you challenges that seem improbable, so that you can do the impossible later. Also, we should use every single moment of our missions (lives for non-missionaries) to improve and serve the Lord with a glad heart.

Wednesday.. 2/22
Nothing much happened on Wednesday.. My life in the MTC is class, exercise time and more class. Not the most exciting, but I have enjoyed it and growing from it.

Thursday.. 2/23
We had in-field orientation. It was helpful, but really long. Something I learned during the training was that we need to be the missionaries that people will feel the Spirit the minute we walk in. I love this gospel and I can't wait to share it with the people of Guatemala. I hope that I will teach and be the missionary that people will feel the Spirit when I walk in and invite them to come unto Christ.

Friday.. 2/24
It was our last full day of class. It was the Hermana's last class with Hermana Singer, because we all leave a day earlier than the Elders. It was kind of sad, but I know we are all moving on to bigger and greater things. It'll be weird not to see everyone everyday.

"If you lower your expectations, your effectiveness will decrease."

Your favorite Hermana,
               Hermana Tibbits (:

Our last picture with our STL, Hermana Paskins

                                           Look who I found a the Provo Temple!!

                                          We are so excited to head to Guatemala Tomorrow!!

So I looked up at my alarm clock today and realized I have been here a month exactly today...I feel like I have been here forever some days and other days I feel like I just got here.  I also did a really bad job at writing in my journal this week..Lo Siento!

Monday 2/13
Our lesson with Fernanda went well.  She has committed to be baptized in a month. (pretty sure she's already a member and playing a part)  We also got to Skype with a member in Argentina and share a brief message with her.  We had a goodbye party for our STLs.  That was a little sad, since they are the ones that have been with us from the beginning of our MTC experience.

Tuesday 2/14
So I got sick on Valentine's day...we went to the doctor's office after class.  I had a slight fever and the doctor thought I might have the flu.  So he gave me some medicine for the day and told me to go take a long nap.  When I woke up, I felt worse, but thought maybe eating something would help.  We got to the devotional and everyone was so excited.  M. Russell Ballard came and spoke, that was awesome.  He talked a lot about goals and attitudes.  Something that he said that I liked was "the height you climb depends on your attitude" and "don't wait to be great."  It definitely changed my outlook throughout the week.

Wednesday 2/15
I was tested for the flu today and it came back negative (thank heavens).  We did get to walk off campus to the BYU Health Clinic to get some meds.  We were told to take another nap and I felt much better by the end of the day.  We taught Fernanda and she agreed to go to church this Sunday.  Something I have learned while being at the MTC is that Christlike love is so easy to have for people even in such a short amount of time.  Time has gone by so fast!  I am going to miss the MTC, even though it gets boring and repetitive some days.

Thursday 2/16
We taught a less active member today.  That was interesting and a fun, new change.  Gym time was probably the highlight of the day, because nothing really happens on Thursdays.  I love being able to play volleyball almost everyday.

Friday 2/17
Today was a fun day, because we got to celebrate 2 birthdays and we are in the MTC.  Gifts are really hard to find in the MTC and be creative.  We taught our last lesson with Fernanda, muy triste.  We are going to miss teaching her, but we are so ready to serve the people of Guatemala.  At 8:30, our substitute teacher had us go "contacting" (we looked for random people and bore our testimonies in Spanish.)  It was a lot of fun, especially since most of them didn't speak Spanish. :) I love this gospel.  I love that I can share my testimony every day, whether its through words or simple things.
"Missionary work isn't easy, because salvation isn't a cheap experience." Holland
Hermana Tibbits:)

1.  We love the temple.
2.  All the Hermanas in our District
3.  Our "breaking free" picture to get my meds

Semana Cuatro

Sunday...2/5
I LOVE Sundays at the MTC, expecially fast Sundays.  There is so much spiritual strength here.  My companion and I leave in 2 weeks from today.  Something to think about...The Lord can't direct our footsteps, if we're not willing to move our feet.  I hope and pray I am moving my feet in the Lord's work so He can direct me with my adventures here and in Guatemala.

Monday...2/6
Today was a good day with Fernanda and Inocencio.  Today felt empty, because a district in our zone left for their various missions.  In our lesson today, I said "sorry" in a Spanich accent and then corrected myself with lo siento.  I feel like a lot happened, but didn't at the same time.

Tuesday...2/7
Life is good and I am happy.  The MTC is a great place for happiness and growth.  The food gets old and so do the classrooms but a day hasn't passed by that I haven't learned something.  Life isn't comfortable, but there are means in which we can be comforted.  I hope that I am sharing the love and comfort this gospel brings.  I love this gospel and sharing it with others.  I am grateful for my companion.  The Lord definitely knew what He was doing when He put us together.  He knows what He is doing and all we have to do is trust and act.

Wednesday...2/8
I know that the Book of Mormon holds answers and truths.  Today, our teacher told us to write down a question and then we read 3 Nephi 17.  We all received answers to our questions as we read.  The Spirit is the teacher and uses the Book of Mormon as means of teaching.

Thursday...2/9
Nothing really happens on Thursdays.  I was reading 1 Nephi 3-10.  I came across 3 Nephi 3:7.  The Lord has called me to this work and I can do it, no matter how hard it gets.  Spanish is a weakness that can be made a strength through the Lord.

Friday...2/10
Something that is a reoccurring lesson taught at the MTC is that the Lord chose you for whatever reason, but expects you to be more than you are as you grow and come unto Christ.  1 Nephi is so cool.  I have learned so much from it in the past 2 days than I have from reading it several times before.
Your Favorite Hermana,
Hermana Tibbits

1.  My companera and I at the Provo Temple.
2.  We kinda like socks.  Thanks Mom(:
3.  Elder Jordan...and his companion
4.  Running joke is that we are privileged, so we (tried) to take a picture of it(:

Semana Tres

Sunday...

I love Sundays at the MTC.  They are awesome!  My companion and I taught relief society about the Book of Mormon.  I'm so grateful for being raised in a family that read the scriptures and had time as a family to learn and grow closer as a family as well as to Christ.  We also got to go to the Provo Temple for a walk. Most of the Elders (4/6) went with us, which was fun.  I really do enjoy being so close to a temple and being able to go twice a week.

Monday...

Today was a roller coaster, but it ended well.  I love that the MTC allows (more like forces:)) missionaries to give back to the MTC by doing 75 minutes of cleaning the MTC each week.  We got another appointment for my companion to go to the dentist on Tuesday, because she chipped it again.  My companion and I got to watch our district teach their individual investigators, because ours didn't show up.  (there's cameras in the room so the teachers can watch)  It was really helpful, because we got one on one (companionship) with our teacher and he helped us and asked us how they could improve so it could better our lessons.  We have a lot of work to do.

Tuesday...

I feel like I say almost every day is good, which is true.  The atmosphere is just great here.  I  can't explain it.  We set language goals in class and talked about them with our teacher one on one.  My goal is to learn 20 words a day and 5 verbs..We'll see how well this will go.  During/after the devotional, I felt the prompting that I am where I am supposed to be, even though it wasn't originally the plan.  For some reason, I was supposed to go to the Provo MTC instead of the Guatemala MTC. (I haven't figured it out yet)  I know the Lord loves us and He knows our strengths and our weaknesses.  Regardless of what we've done or what weaknesses we have, He still wants us and calls us to do His work and live righteously.

Wednesday...

So on Tuesday an Elder told me to do my hair differently instead of my usual hair down and straightened.  We knew he wouldn't expect me to do it, so as a joke my companion did my hair into boxer braids (hence the picture with said Elder).  The elders were surprised.  I actually got compliments all day about it from random people.  I didn't write much for this day...Lo Siento.  We hosted new missionaries which was fun.  You basically just show them around and then drop them off at their classrooms with their district and go to pick up another one(: It was sad to see people say goodbye to their families, but happy because they're serving the Lord.  I also received donuts (donas in espanol) from Molly Cherrington which was the Cherry on top of my day.  I feel loved and love all that y'all do for me:)

Thursday...

We taught one of our investigators, Inocencio.  His daughter (2 yrs. old) passed away the day before.  I was prompted to talk about Jordan and how families can be together forever.  I can't wait till I can be with my family forever.  I love them so dearly.  My companion and I got our flight plans.  We leave Sunday night at 12:40 am (so technically Monday to Georgia and then Guatemala.  (Sound familiar Sam?)

Friday...

The happiness this gospel brings is amazing.  I love it!  We taught our investigator, Fernanda, and read the scriptures with her.  She couldn't stop smiling (:  I got a package from my family and it made my day (:  My companion and I tried to only speak in Spanish today and it was really hard.  Tosino is bacon in Spanish..Fun word of the week I guess.

Read Mosiah 18, it's awesome(:

Love you all!!  Have a good week!!

Hermana Tibbits(:

Semana Dos

After a week in the MTC, I can finally announce..Hermana Tibbits is heading out of the MTC to Guatemala on February 26th!!!

Sunday:  

My first Sunday was good.  So at the MTC, they don't assign talks so everyone prepares one and hopes they don't have to speak, because it has to be in the mission language(:  I didn't get called on, thankfully.  The devotional was amazing.  I forgot my spiritual journal to tell you exactly what wen on, lo siento.  After the devotional, we watch a Sunday "film" (Devotionals at the MTC in the past).  We watched the Character of Christ and I LOVED IT!!  My companera and I decided to do a Turn Outwards project.  we do a small act of service for our district a day and so far it's been good.  It really does make you happy to serve others.

Monday:

So somehow mi companera and I convinced the Elders to play basketball with us and they haven't stopped yet(:  We played knockout, and we didn't win one round.  They're kind f good and tall.  We have been teaching an "investigator and our lessons have been going really well.  I know Espiritu Santo (Holy Ghost) definitely is the teacher and we just guide them and create an environment where they can feel the Spirit.  I miss my family and friends but know I am at the right place at the right time.

Tuesday:

Everyday in the MTC feels like a year.  The days blend together.  I have to check my calendar to know what day it is...I have a love for the MTC and it's environment, but not its walls.  (yellow and white walls=prison)  My companion chipped her tooth, so we got out of the MTC and broke free.  Also, it is now super weird to not have someone by me all the time.

Wednesday:

The missionary daily schedule has been changed.  We now go to our residence at 9pm and can go to bed between 9:30-10:30.  Mi companera and I surprised our district with treats and small "You're Awesome" notes before their 3-4 lesson with their investigator.  I don't really remember what happened this day tbh...lo siento

Thursday:

This is the day when we found out our departure date.  We may have screamed a little, because they never told us a date when we would be leaving the MTC.  While at the front desk, we saw an Elder leaving with his mom and before he even got in the car he teared up and hugged her.  I was so jealous. I want to hug my mom...but I am happy here and know I am doing what I needed to be doing.  "Bear with thine afflictions with patience and I will give you success" (I think that's the scripture Alma 26:27)  Also, writing in English is getting hard.  I have had two dreams in Spanish.  I got to see Jace Jr. a couple times which was fun to see a familiar face.  I also saw one of Kedryn Peregoy's friends.  He approached me and I was super confused until I realized I met him in Japan.  That was cool, the world is small.  Also, we played 3v3 with the elders which was super fun.  Exercise time is so crucial to distressing.

Friday:

My companion dragged me out of bed to go to a 6 am aerobics class.  Everyone here is so special and talented.  I love the MTC  Our lesson with our investigator went well. We committed her to baptism in May, so great but not what we wanted.  (We asked for February 10th) Life is good!  I love my companion.  We have so much fun together, but can also focus together really well.  

Remember to turn outwards this week and serve someone, no matter how small(:

I love you all!  Have a good week!

Hermana Tibbits

Week 1 in the MTC

Well, I made it into the Provo MTC on January 18th. It's been a whirlwind. The first 30 minutes I was ushered from station to station receiving things. SO MANY BOOKS. Thankful for JoAnne and Elizabeth for taking me to Chick-fil-A before I went in or I would've been hungry. The food is okay. It's definitely made for 19 year old boys, I mean Elders. Mi companera (my companion) is Hermana DeRosier and going to the Guatemala Guatemala City Central mission!! Everyone is so nice and happy at the MTC, especially if you're wearing the "dork dot" (the first day orange dot on your name tag.) It makes me happy that there are so many people here and are happy about being here. Funny story from Wednesday, my companion and I were getting ice cream when an Elder came up and started talking to my companion and I. He introduced himself as "Elder..." and then my companion's thought process was to say Hermana but he was English so she thought just sa

y what he said... My companion introduced herself as Elder DeRosier. I just stood there and laughed as she corrected herself. She's a great companion. Keeps me laughing as well as studying hard. One thing I really learned about being a missionary on Wednesday is you become the investigators friend before you teach them a lesson or doctrine. Those relationships are so important. 

Thursday...

Today was hard. There was Spanish I knew and Spanish that just flew over my head. I have started praying in Spanish and although I can't say everything I want to say in Spanish I can say what I need to and some in English (: Something I learned is the most important relationship is between missionaries and the godhead, but the one we focus on the most is the relationship with others and the Godhead as we are trying to bring them unto Christ.Our district is pretty good. There's an Elder that knows so much Spanish that I just look at him and wonder where it all comes from. Another Elder I could talk to all day in English, because he knows so much about the gospel and I learn something every time he talks. Funny story of the day includes my companion again as an older lady spilled orange juice all over her and then continued to just hold my companions arm as she repeated how sorry she was. Luckily, she was wearing a black skirt. (:

Friday...

It was a good day. We spent a lot of the day studying for our first lesson in Spanish that night with an "investigator." My companion and I were the last ones to teach so we sort of "investigated" the Elders and got to know them a little better. I was so excited to teach, I couldn't stop smiling. It was a good feeling. My spanish may not have been perfect, but the spirit was there and we will hope to do better next time. 

I love this gospel. I am so thankful to be at the MTC and learning about the gospel as well as Spanish. 

I would love to hear from you guys. If you go to DearElder.com I can read y'all's letters throughout the week and it's free (: 

Adios amigos,

Hermana Tibbits

My address:

Sister Tibbits 

Gua-Guac

2005 N 900 E Unit #139

Provo, Utah 84602

A Week: 7 days

1 week left to enjoy time with my family.  1 week left to talk with my friends everyday.  1 week left to eat as much Chick-fil-a a firl could ask for.  I week left to stress about actually leaving.  1 week till one of the greatest adventures of my life begins.

I have loved my time with my family as I am transitioning from college life to missionary life.  I love the laughs I share with Shelby and seeing how much she's grown up since I have been gone at college.  For heaven's sake she's turning 16 this year.  I don't think that should be allowed. I love the "fights" between Karley as she lets me invade her room and call her my "peasant."  She will always know how to push my buttons, but I can push hers just as easily.  I love the sweetness Sydney shares, even though she may or may not be transitioning to the awful teenage years. :)  She is already taller than me; she got the tall genes, I got the redhead genes.  Who really won?  I love how Thomas can use his imagination and make a game for Benjamin, Kensley and him to play.  I love how genuinely happy Benjamin is.  He is such a sweet kid, that has some cool dance moves on the basketball court.  I love my little Kensley and all the sass that comes with her.  She has perfected the talent in teasing until it's time to act innocent in front of mom and dad.  She knows how to keep her siblings in check.  (she's pretty much got everybody wrapped around her little finger)  I love how my mom puts up with me and plays with my hair, even when she's tired.  I love how my dad lets me drive his fancy new car (and doesn't freak out as much as mom.)  All I am trying to say is my family is pretty great!  I don't want to leave them for 18 months, but we have the eternities, right?

These next 18 months wouldn't be possible without my family, friends, YW leaders, this gospel and my Savior.  I love this gospel dearly and can't wait to share it.  I know my Savior loves me and wants me to share His love with the people of Guatemala.  I CAN'T WAIT!!(: My next post will be from Guatemala.  I love you all!  Guatemala City, here I come!!  See you in 18 months;)

**Little did I know that I would be switched to the Provo MTC shortly after making this post.  Provo MTC, here I come!