Christmas Card

One of the Hanukkah gifts that we sent to Hermana Breanna and her district was a box of Christmas cards. They were instructed to write their testimonies in the cards and mail them to their parents. Of course, this was intended to be a Christmas present to the parents.

My dearest, darling family,
I know you all gave these cards to me, but I’m
sending this one back to you with a little part of my testimony in it. I know that this gospel is true. Why else would I be out here when I could be doing so many other things? This is the truth, the word that everyone needs to hear about. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, that prophets of old from the America’s wrote it and that it is for our time. That God has a plan for us and that we should do all that we can to do what God wants us to do. I know that God has a perfect plan for all of mankind and that we have lived with our Heavenly Father before and that we will again and that we will be an eternal family. I love you all so much. I know that these things are true.
(heart) Breanna

Christmas in the MTC

Hello Family!
So, this week was Christmas and I didn't end up sending that letter that I told you about last week until today, SORRY! We're not allowed to write letters except on p-day so when I don't finish it on that Monday I have to wait until the next week to complete it, but we were allowed to write letters on Christmas. Speaking of which (even though half of this is all in the letter that I’m mailing to you) this Tuesday for the devotional Elder Neil L. Anderson came and spoke to us, and then on Christmas Elder L. Tom Perry spoke in the morning. We then had a talent show (the first one ever for the MTC on Christmas) and it was much better than I had been expecting. Then that night we had a devotional by Greg Olsen (I think he's one of mom's fav artists seeing as a bunch of his painting are all over the house) and he showed us some of his paintings and talked about them and it was amazing! First off he’s a painter, which got me listening. Then he was talking about Christ and it was just so good that it would have been hard not to listen.

So, I did open the presents that you sent me and they're wonderful. Funny thing though, we're not allowed to chew gum, here or in the field. But I think I can chew it in my room where no one can see me. The skirt does fit, but I haven't tried twirling around in it, but I love that it has pockets. I really enjoy the photo album, its rocking so far, and the Noah's ark is amazing! Did the achievement day kids help you? (I can never remember what those kids are actually called anymore, dang, a sign of how old I am!) The little nut cracker keeps me safe at night. Other than that, it was pretty much just like any other day, except we didn't have any classes.

Today starts the countdown to three weeks left until I leave for El Salvador! I'm so excited. I'm supposed to get my flight plans around Jan. 7, so the P-day after that I will let you know when I’m leaving, what my flight plans are like, and when you can expect to get a call from me!!

Spanish is coming along alright. My districts fav phrase to say is "es verdad" meaning "its truth" and our fav word is "sacapuntas" meaning pencil sharpener, but it’s just fun to say. As of this Saturday we get to start teaching the second lesson in Spanish, yea! Oh, Spanish is hard but is coming. I can't wait to be in El Sal and just learn the language.

My camera is working alright. It hates the cold, but as long as I’m inside it will turn on. Yippy. I think it'll last the whole mission mostly because I have awesome rechargeable batteries.

Ok. Time is running out. I love you all so much, I will write you again next week!!! love love love you and miss you tons!
Love,
Brea

P.S No crazy plans for New Years, I enjoy my sleep seeing as we're busy all day and are not allowed naps.

P.S. What did I get people for Christmas? I heard that there were presents from me under the tree.

Half way to El Salvador

email written and received December 21, 2009


This last Friday my district celebrated our one month anniversary and our half way mark all in one day. That was also the day that our teachers told us to say goodbye to English and that from now on they're only going to speak to us in Spanish. It was also the day that we taught the first lesson for the first time in Spanish.

In only a few short weeks we get our flight plans!!! This week has been pretty mild, nothing crazy and no more fire alarms at midnight. Yesterday Brother Stephen B Allen came to speak to us at the fireside, and he's a really good speaker. We're hoping that we get super cool people this week seeing as it is the holidays. Speaking of holidays, Hanukkah was wonderful! I love love loved it and thought it was so funny. At the beginning of each class we have a spiritual thought so I would give that day's Hanukkah message as the spiritual thought. I think every really liked the plan of salvation cut outs, and I think they will help us a lot as we teach the second lesson, its a really hard one to teach, mostly because there is just so much information in it.

Photo by Keith Johnson/Deseret News
Elder Richard G. Hinckley, right, and Stephen B. Allen, rear right, of the Church's Missionary Department are part of a formal presentation by Mack Wilberg, left, Sheri Dew and Mac Christensen of the Tabernacle Choir's latest release.

This last Saturday my district played a game called Native. Its where there are a bunch of cards and they each say a different name, but one says Juan/Maria and whoever gets that card is the native for the day and can only speak Spanish. But everyone is trying to trick everyone else into thinking that they are the native so we all try to speak as much Spanish a possible. So its a really fun "let’s try and speak and learn Spanish" kind of game.

For the next two weeks the Provo Temple is closed for the holiday, but our branch had the opportunity this morning to go and help clean it! It was amazing. Not the most exciting stuff, we scrubbed locker room lockers with toothbrushes and q-tips for the whole time, but it was just great to be in the temple.

Family, I love you so much, and I want you all to have a super happy merry Christmas. I'm writing you a letter today so look for that in the mail sometime soon. Mel, remember that you have my present to mom, and sorry everyone else, but I didn't buy you anything. Sorry. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! and miss you too.

Love,
Brea

P.S. from Dad- As one of the Hanukkah gifts, the missionaries received Christmas cards to write their testimonies in and send to their parents. I hope we get one from Hermana Breanna.