This has been a very interesting week. The Swine flu has infiltrated the MTC. It is not bad, but they won't let anyone fly out until it has passed, so the MTC is going to be packed. Those in my branch didn't get to go and were very sad. Anyway I took my temperature and I am fine, I think. My Zone leaders companion had a 102 fever and was confined to his room until yesterday when he was quarentined for five days. I am not too worried about this flu thing. they say if we follow the rules, and don't go out if we are sick, wash our hands, don't shake hands, don't touch our face etc. we will be free of this in 5 days. I am sorry to hear that the stump is still there. Aaron, Dad will you commit to cut up the stump this week? I hope so. As to the launrdry question, I have enough clothes for whites and coloreds. So, I do two loads.
>
> The fireside was awsome. It was about being a good missionary like Ammon, and was taught by Elder Gonzalez and his wife from Uruguay. I thought of you right away Sandra.
>
> The language is coming along. I learned a whole bunch of adjectives like sjuk (sick) and konstig (weird) and Pinnsam (awkward) also Pigg (alert or awake) and trott (with two dotts on the o for tired) I also learned family words. You have to specify which nieces and nephews you are talking about. you can't say nieces and nephews it is brother son and daughter and sister son and daughter (only in swedish)
> This week in the TRC we talked to a native swede she was a really nice lady. I was excited because I could understand some of what she said and answered a little too. I have to write a story in swedish with words I got this week, and we are trying to speak only swedish at dinner. It is not very easy. There are only so many times you can say, "Hi, how are you?" We also have some scriptures memorized and the first vision. (not the whole thing, but the important part. The pillar of light
>
> Anyway I saw Brice twice this week. He is on the bottom floor of my building. Pretty sweet. He says Hi to all of you. Mongolian sounds really weird by the way.
>
> Thank you for the letters and E-mails. I love them. I am glad you are all doing well. Anita good job in state. Aaron keep up the good work.
>
> My favorite food is right now the sheperds pie I had yesterday Ella.
>
> Maggie the Elder is ok You just can't have words on the tie. I sent a letter with what Aldste Murri wants, I think he said he likes plaid. ( I don't think I spelled that right)
>
> Thank You Dad and Mom for the advice and encouragement.
> I Love you all. This is exciting.
>
> Tell Chelle I am sorry about the fire. and Mom wrote a letter that told about the crane incident very weird.
>
> Bye till next week. Laundry time.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Hermana Grindstaff 6-8-09
> Hola everyone!
> Whoa, the swine flu made it to the mtc in Provo?¿?¿? I heard a little bit about that whole swine flu thing while I was in the MTC in Argentina, but really I know absolutely nothing about what´s going on in the world right now…. Except that there is a swine flue that is going around the states. I don´t care too much about world news right now, but I do care about family news. How are all of you? I didn´t get any e-mails this week except the one from Isaac. :(
> Alright, so this week was pretty good. A couple in the branch here got married and me and my companion did a musical number for them at the reception because they requested it. It seems a little odd to me that the song they requested was “How Great Thou Art”, but that´s what they wanted. It was really hard not to laugh while I was playing the song because both me and my companion thought it was a little odd that this was the song they wanted played at the wedding reception. It was even better when everybody joined in on the last verse (and even better still when they wanted an encore). People here are so funny when it comes to choosing songs. They don´t care if the song really fits the occasion or not. For instance, at the baptism we had a few weeks ago, they chose as the special musical number “God be with you till we meet again” (which my companion sang on that occasion also).
>
> I like most of the food here, but I am not too fond of all the oil they use in it. People here are convinced that oil is healthy for you and drench all their food in it. Ah well, at least it tastes okay. I´m a little sad that they don´t have much cereal here, but that´s my only complaint.
>
> I had another experience with barn animals inside someones house this week. We had just taught a young family a lesson (and I was busy trying to understand what the kids were telling me) when all the sudden I turn around and see a horse. Yes, a horse was standing in the house right behind where I was sitting. I was very startled at this at first, but the man of the home explained to me and my companion in a very “matter of factly” way that they kept the horse in the back room with the pigs at night so it wouldn´t get stolen. :) I love the people here!
>
> Anyway, I need to get going now so we can do other fun p-day things (like attempt to wash a few things in a bucket and hope it gets a little dry on this humid, cold day. Unlikely, but we´ll try)
>
> I love you all…
>
> Good job on the competition Anita.
>
> -hna. Grindstaff
> Whoa, the swine flu made it to the mtc in Provo?¿?¿? I heard a little bit about that whole swine flu thing while I was in the MTC in Argentina, but really I know absolutely nothing about what´s going on in the world right now…. Except that there is a swine flue that is going around the states. I don´t care too much about world news right now, but I do care about family news. How are all of you? I didn´t get any e-mails this week except the one from Isaac. :(
> Alright, so this week was pretty good. A couple in the branch here got married and me and my companion did a musical number for them at the reception because they requested it. It seems a little odd to me that the song they requested was “How Great Thou Art”, but that´s what they wanted. It was really hard not to laugh while I was playing the song because both me and my companion thought it was a little odd that this was the song they wanted played at the wedding reception. It was even better when everybody joined in on the last verse (and even better still when they wanted an encore). People here are so funny when it comes to choosing songs. They don´t care if the song really fits the occasion or not. For instance, at the baptism we had a few weeks ago, they chose as the special musical number “God be with you till we meet again” (which my companion sang on that occasion also).
>
> I like most of the food here, but I am not too fond of all the oil they use in it. People here are convinced that oil is healthy for you and drench all their food in it. Ah well, at least it tastes okay. I´m a little sad that they don´t have much cereal here, but that´s my only complaint.
>
> I had another experience with barn animals inside someones house this week. We had just taught a young family a lesson (and I was busy trying to understand what the kids were telling me) when all the sudden I turn around and see a horse. Yes, a horse was standing in the house right behind where I was sitting. I was very startled at this at first, but the man of the home explained to me and my companion in a very “matter of factly” way that they kept the horse in the back room with the pigs at night so it wouldn´t get stolen. :) I love the people here!
>
> Anyway, I need to get going now so we can do other fun p-day things (like attempt to wash a few things in a bucket and hope it gets a little dry on this humid, cold day. Unlikely, but we´ll try)
>
> I love you all…
>
> Good job on the competition Anita.
>
> -hna. Grindstaff
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hermana Grindstaff 6-1-09
> ¡Hola!
> Mom, I am in a little town called Progreso. Our area covers all the little towns around Progreso also and I spend a lot of time out there also.
> I don´t know if I´d call it the sticks here, but well, maybe a little. The homes are made of cement and they are more then one room Scott, so it´s not as bad as it was in Paraguay. Most people don´t have much furniture (mostly cheap half broken tables and unmatching lawn chairs), but it´s not a big deal. I really do feel at home here and I love the people. I was at one of our investigator family´s home this week for a lesson and I remember feeling like I was with my own family because of the spirit that was there. I´ve learned that furniture and nice possessions are not what make a home a refuge and a place of peace. I was sitting on a lawn chair that had a beer logo on it and I felt right at home.
> Well, this week has been wonderful, difficult, at times discouraging, and cold. (yes, while you are all burning up in the states, I am freezing in Uruguay). This opportunity to serve is worth all the is worth all the challenges and awful weather that I experience. Since I don´t have time to write all my experiences, I´ll highlight a few of them.
>
> Sometime last week (while it was reeeeaally cold outside) me and my companion were clapping at houses (because here we don´t ever knock) and one of the gazillion dogs in this country decided to follow us. All was going well until we stopped at one house to knock… that´s when the dog decided to mark his spot on my companion. Luckily she was holding a plastic bag and only a tiny bit actually got on her. It was during all this –(me laughing… um, feeling bad for my companions misfortune) that a man came out of his home and invited us in. We taught him and his family the first lesson and later in the week we taught them about the Book of Mormon.
>
> Another time last week, me and my companion were out clapping houses again and found ourselves at a home of a man that really wasn´t interested in what we had to say and was letting us know he wasn´t interested. It was at this time that a giant pig went tropping down the road and it made me laugh. Ahhh, I´ve got more animal (and investigator) stories, but I´ll have to write them in a letter later. I´m out of time now..
>
> Love you all mucho!
>
> -hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. Dad, I do try to teach at every lesson, but my companion does most of the teaching because she can say a lot more then I can. I understand a lot more now, but there are a few toothless old men who like to mumble and I can´t understand one word they say. It´s frustrating sometimes, but I´m working through it.
>
> p.s.s. Kara, the pictures of Connor, Ryan, and Kylie are adorable.
> Mom, I am in a little town called Progreso. Our area covers all the little towns around Progreso also and I spend a lot of time out there also.
> I don´t know if I´d call it the sticks here, but well, maybe a little. The homes are made of cement and they are more then one room Scott, so it´s not as bad as it was in Paraguay. Most people don´t have much furniture (mostly cheap half broken tables and unmatching lawn chairs), but it´s not a big deal. I really do feel at home here and I love the people. I was at one of our investigator family´s home this week for a lesson and I remember feeling like I was with my own family because of the spirit that was there. I´ve learned that furniture and nice possessions are not what make a home a refuge and a place of peace. I was sitting on a lawn chair that had a beer logo on it and I felt right at home.
> Well, this week has been wonderful, difficult, at times discouraging, and cold. (yes, while you are all burning up in the states, I am freezing in Uruguay). This opportunity to serve is worth all the is worth all the challenges and awful weather that I experience. Since I don´t have time to write all my experiences, I´ll highlight a few of them.
>
> Sometime last week (while it was reeeeaally cold outside) me and my companion were clapping at houses (because here we don´t ever knock) and one of the gazillion dogs in this country decided to follow us. All was going well until we stopped at one house to knock… that´s when the dog decided to mark his spot on my companion. Luckily she was holding a plastic bag and only a tiny bit actually got on her. It was during all this –(me laughing… um, feeling bad for my companions misfortune) that a man came out of his home and invited us in. We taught him and his family the first lesson and later in the week we taught them about the Book of Mormon.
>
> Another time last week, me and my companion were out clapping houses again and found ourselves at a home of a man that really wasn´t interested in what we had to say and was letting us know he wasn´t interested. It was at this time that a giant pig went tropping down the road and it made me laugh. Ahhh, I´ve got more animal (and investigator) stories, but I´ll have to write them in a letter later. I´m out of time now..
>
> Love you all mucho!
>
> -hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. Dad, I do try to teach at every lesson, but my companion does most of the teaching because she can say a lot more then I can. I understand a lot more now, but there are a few toothless old men who like to mumble and I can´t understand one word they say. It´s frustrating sometimes, but I´m working through it.
>
> p.s.s. Kara, the pictures of Connor, Ryan, and Kylie are adorable.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Aldste Grindstaff 5/27
>
> I might have spelled the greeting wrong but oh well. The Second week has been really great I got Two letters last thursday and two more today. I was so excited. Thank You for the letters and I will write you back. Also thank you for the E-mails it is awsome to here from you. By the way scott what day can I get Turkey legs? I can eat donoughts every day but am trying my best not to. It is very hard. The devotional yesterday was awsome. Douglas L. something (sorry) and his wife spoke. He spoke on Christ his Atonement and preaching of him. It was cool. Also we had it in the Gym which they just finished remodleing, so I got to sing in the choir. Aparantly one of the first shots of the elders was me and Aldste Perry. Pretty cool. I did not see it but everyone tells me it happend. Anyway we learned about school yesterday and started working on the first lesson in Swedish. the Volunteers at the TRC are awsome and teaching them is so cool, so much easier than teaching Sister Ronndahl our progressing investigator. Because she is our teacher she likes to challenge us. So, while she plays Jennifer, our investigator, she is well really hard to teach. We get to try and teach her again tomorrow. I hope it goes well. We have prepared a lot. The sit ups, well its not my sit ups it is P90X. I just heard of it here, but we do a whole bunch of different abb workouts in sets of 25. I like it though.
>
> I hope you get the stump cut up Dad. It is a big challange?
>
> Mom what is it like cooking for 4 people?
>
> It sounds like everyone is being busy. Oh yeah Maggie, All the Elders think your ties are the best. They would love to have some. Aldste Murry even said he would pay for some of them. But, as Aldste Hepburn found out there are no words allowed on ties. So, If you sent some ties Aldster (the elders, I think) would love it. So, If you are willing write back and I will tell them.
>
> Sandra, it sounds like a blast to be able to wash clothes by hand. I am so glad that you are doing well. In a Month you will be speaking great spanish and I will be in the MTC learning swedish.
>
> By the way I need Sandra's address to write some letters to her. I wish you all the best in your last 2 weeks of school and Scott I hope you don't crash on your bike. Thank you again for the letters and yes I will write back. What else do you do waiting for the laundry.
>
> hejda (with an o over the a, making an O-Ah dipthong sound.
>
> Your Aldste Grindstaff
> I might have spelled the greeting wrong but oh well. The Second week has been really great I got Two letters last thursday and two more today. I was so excited. Thank You for the letters and I will write you back. Also thank you for the E-mails it is awsome to here from you. By the way scott what day can I get Turkey legs? I can eat donoughts every day but am trying my best not to. It is very hard. The devotional yesterday was awsome. Douglas L. something (sorry) and his wife spoke. He spoke on Christ his Atonement and preaching of him. It was cool. Also we had it in the Gym which they just finished remodleing, so I got to sing in the choir. Aparantly one of the first shots of the elders was me and Aldste Perry. Pretty cool. I did not see it but everyone tells me it happend. Anyway we learned about school yesterday and started working on the first lesson in Swedish. the Volunteers at the TRC are awsome and teaching them is so cool, so much easier than teaching Sister Ronndahl our progressing investigator. Because she is our teacher she likes to challenge us. So, while she plays Jennifer, our investigator, she is well really hard to teach. We get to try and teach her again tomorrow. I hope it goes well. We have prepared a lot. The sit ups, well its not my sit ups it is P90X. I just heard of it here, but we do a whole bunch of different abb workouts in sets of 25. I like it though.
>
> I hope you get the stump cut up Dad. It is a big challange?
>
> Mom what is it like cooking for 4 people?
>
> It sounds like everyone is being busy. Oh yeah Maggie, All the Elders think your ties are the best. They would love to have some. Aldste Murry even said he would pay for some of them. But, as Aldste Hepburn found out there are no words allowed on ties. So, If you sent some ties Aldster (the elders, I think) would love it. So, If you are willing write back and I will tell them.
>
> Sandra, it sounds like a blast to be able to wash clothes by hand. I am so glad that you are doing well. In a Month you will be speaking great spanish and I will be in the MTC learning swedish.
>
> By the way I need Sandra's address to write some letters to her. I wish you all the best in your last 2 weeks of school and Scott I hope you don't crash on your bike. Thank you again for the letters and yes I will write back. What else do you do waiting for the laundry.
>
> hejda (with an o over the a, making an O-Ah dipthong sound.
>
> Your Aldste Grindstaff
Hermana Grindstaff May 25
>
> Hola familia!
> Things are going great here in Uruguay. It is completely different then what I expected, but I love it. I was going to send a few pictures that I thought were especially cute, but this computer is not the best and is refusing to do it. Ah well... later I guess.
> My companion is great... she has made sure we stay busy and I love it.
> The people in this area where Im serving are really friendly. Most people live in tiny little cement homes with tin roofs and have very little furniture (if any) that is really tattered. But, the people are wonderful and we have found some great investigators. I am coming to know the people and I already love them. My companion does most of the teaching, but I do a lot of testifying and a little bit of teaching. I try to talk as much as I can with the people here and they are all very patient with me. In fact, they really seem to like it when I attempt to talk to them and Ive had some great complements from the members. I still dont understand everything, but its okay because I have a companion who does and she helps me out a lot.
> The branch is kind of small here, but very friendly. On Sunday I played the piano for them and had to bear my testimony (and ask for refferels) in sacrament meeting to introduce myself. It was a good experience and it made me feel very supported when I saw the members smiling at me. They know its not easy to learn a language and are doing their best to help me feel comfortable trying.
> The food here is pretty good also and members give us soooo much food its unbelievable. Our fridge is full of leftovers. Yesterday I ate at a part member families home and the woman who made the food kept plopping more food on my plate. I kept eating it because I didn´t want to be rude, but geesh. It was a lot. I have some funny stories about the food here and members, but I don´t have time to write anymore. I will write it in my letter home.
> Love you all!
>
> Hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. you can forward this to Aldste Grindstaff for me because I don´t have time to write him an e-mail. Thanks.
>
> p.s.s.
> keep letting me know how things are going there.
> Hola familia!
> Things are going great here in Uruguay. It is completely different then what I expected, but I love it. I was going to send a few pictures that I thought were especially cute, but this computer is not the best and is refusing to do it. Ah well... later I guess.
> My companion is great... she has made sure we stay busy and I love it.
> The people in this area where Im serving are really friendly. Most people live in tiny little cement homes with tin roofs and have very little furniture (if any) that is really tattered. But, the people are wonderful and we have found some great investigators. I am coming to know the people and I already love them. My companion does most of the teaching, but I do a lot of testifying and a little bit of teaching. I try to talk as much as I can with the people here and they are all very patient with me. In fact, they really seem to like it when I attempt to talk to them and Ive had some great complements from the members. I still dont understand everything, but its okay because I have a companion who does and she helps me out a lot.
> The branch is kind of small here, but very friendly. On Sunday I played the piano for them and had to bear my testimony (and ask for refferels) in sacrament meeting to introduce myself. It was a good experience and it made me feel very supported when I saw the members smiling at me. They know its not easy to learn a language and are doing their best to help me feel comfortable trying.
> The food here is pretty good also and members give us soooo much food its unbelievable. Our fridge is full of leftovers. Yesterday I ate at a part member families home and the woman who made the food kept plopping more food on my plate. I kept eating it because I didn´t want to be rude, but geesh. It was a lot. I have some funny stories about the food here and members, but I don´t have time to write anymore. I will write it in my letter home.
> Love you all!
>
> Hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. you can forward this to Aldste Grindstaff for me because I don´t have time to write him an e-mail. Thanks.
>
> p.s.s.
> keep letting me know how things are going there.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Isaac is in the MTC now 5/20/09
I have half an hour to write this so please forward it to Sandra. I forgot to bring her E-mail address with me to the computer room. Swedish is going fine. My companion is Elder Perry and is from California. I am the senior companion and he is the district leader. My roomates are Elder Hepburn from Canada and Elder Clarke from Southern Utah. My teachers are Bro. Neilson and Sis. Ronndahl. Sis. Ronndahl is a native from Sweden and it is fun to here how she speaks the language different than Bro. Neilson. Swedish is awsome. I can bear my testimony and pray in swedish now. We just started the noun conjugation for past, presant,futer and supine. I also now know the word for cookie smakaka (it has an o over the first a and is pronounced smoahkahka) cool right? Anyway the whole duck and spirit "anden" thing is a Norway thing. (Our Zone leaders are going to Norway). I love the MTC the food is pretty good and I think I eat too much. they have doughnuts every morning for breakfast and it is hard not to eat them every day. When they have ice cream I eat it because it is awsome Ice cream. Sunday we had a devotional about our purpose inviting others to come unto Christ. Yesterday we had a devotional about letting the Lords light shine though us and working hard to get the most out of our mission. (Elder Neuenschwander from the seventy and his wife) The Question that Elder Neuenschwander asked was "Will I do the work the Lord sent me to do or not?" So, if we answer yes we will follow the rules and if not we won't. The point is that we have to make that decision to do the work. He said, what we persist in is what we become. I hope I can become a tool in the Lords hand and I hope you all will be too.
>
> Back to Mtc life. Laundry is today and we get to go to the temple. we get 5 days a week for Gym and Elder Murrey (also going to sweden the next room over) has us do a abb work out every other day. There are 2 swedish districts one is mine with me and my roommates and the sisters (all 3 of them). The other District has 6 Elders. They have one class and we have another. Sis. Ronndahl alternates between them because they have three and not four Swedish teachers. I have learned a lot and have learned which showers are the warm ones. My first Shower was ice cold. Since then I try to get the other showers. Time is almost up. How is life going? Aaron what is going on? Anita how is band going? Dad I hope the priests are being good? Mom keep them awake in Seminary. I have to get up every day. Thank you for being great examples to me and helping me out. Vi ses (see you later)
>
> Love Aldste Grindstaff
>
> ps. I will probably repeat all this in my letter today but will try to expound on it
>
> Back to Mtc life. Laundry is today and we get to go to the temple. we get 5 days a week for Gym and Elder Murrey (also going to sweden the next room over) has us do a abb work out every other day. There are 2 swedish districts one is mine with me and my roommates and the sisters (all 3 of them). The other District has 6 Elders. They have one class and we have another. Sis. Ronndahl alternates between them because they have three and not four Swedish teachers. I have learned a lot and have learned which showers are the warm ones. My first Shower was ice cold. Since then I try to get the other showers. Time is almost up. How is life going? Aaron what is going on? Anita how is band going? Dad I hope the priests are being good? Mom keep them awake in Seminary. I have to get up every day. Thank you for being great examples to me and helping me out. Vi ses (see you later)
>
> Love Aldste Grindstaff
>
> ps. I will probably repeat all this in my letter today but will try to expound on it
Sandra is in Uruguary 5/20/09
Hola family!
> I have made it to Uruguay and I love it! So far I have had my blood taken and took a bus to Progresso, my new area, with my trainer. My trainers name is hermana Blocker and she is just wonderful. This is her last transfer before she leaves, so she is really experienced and knows a whole bunch. So, she will be taking me to all our appointments that we have this week and I guess I´ll just be learning as we go.
> My new home is really small and I learned that we do all our laundry in a little bucket outside and then hang our clothes up to dry. I can hardly wait to wash all my clothes with my own hands. :) It should be pretty exciting.
> We have a baptism on Saturday apparently, so that is pretty exciting (I have no idea who the person is, but I´m happy about it anyway). We also have a few teaching appointments and I have a feeling that my companion will be doing most of the teaching.
> My new P-day is Monday, so I will be writing you again then.
> I Love you!
>
> Hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. remember to forward Isaac´s e-mails to me and get me his e-mail address.
> p.s.s Since the pouch system is so picky about letters it would be better to send them to the mission home through regular mail.
> I have made it to Uruguay and I love it! So far I have had my blood taken and took a bus to Progresso, my new area, with my trainer. My trainers name is hermana Blocker and she is just wonderful. This is her last transfer before she leaves, so she is really experienced and knows a whole bunch. So, she will be taking me to all our appointments that we have this week and I guess I´ll just be learning as we go.
> My new home is really small and I learned that we do all our laundry in a little bucket outside and then hang our clothes up to dry. I can hardly wait to wash all my clothes with my own hands. :) It should be pretty exciting.
> We have a baptism on Saturday apparently, so that is pretty exciting (I have no idea who the person is, but I´m happy about it anyway). We also have a few teaching appointments and I have a feeling that my companion will be doing most of the teaching.
> My new P-day is Monday, so I will be writing you again then.
> I Love you!
>
> Hna. Grindstaff
>
> p.s. remember to forward Isaac´s e-mails to me and get me his e-mail address.
> p.s.s Since the pouch system is so picky about letters it would be better to send them to the mission home through regular mail.
Sandra's last MTC letter
Hola!
> yep, I´m the know it all at the MTC. :) ...actually I don´t feel like I know all that much, especially since there are so many natives here that speak so quickly. Ah well, today I leave for Uruguay and I am so excited. I have worked hard to learn as much as I could here at the CCM and now it´s finally time to leave my sheltered life here. It´s a little scary, but exciting at the same time. One of my favorite things about the CCM here is the opportunity I´ve had to go tracting for 7-8 hours every Saturday. I started out not even knowing how to ring the doorbells here and now I can hold little conversations with people and share my testimony of the restoration. Since I don´t have much time to write, I´m just going to tell one story... Last Saturday I was with my two companions and we were about to end a good day of tracting and head back to the meeting point. As me and Hna Denzer were knocking at one of the doors, Hna. Bailey stopped a woman coming down the street (which we have become pretty skilled at doing now). This woman ended up being the best contact we had all day. I understood just about every word she said (she spoke slowly and clearly) and I felt really comfortable talking with her (even in my broken spanish). Since I still get nervous speaking spanish, it was miracle that I felt completely comfortable speaking with her and sharing the gospel. I had other experiences the same day that I had talked to people, but every other time I still had those feelings of being very limited in my ability to speak. it was nice to get to know this woman a little bit and I feel like she was really ready to hear the gospel. Other missionaries will get to teach her (since I will be in Uruguay as of tonight), but it will all turn out alright.
> Thank you for all your e-mails. I´m so excited to have a new little niece named Kylie and also to have a younger brother serving the Lord on a mission. It´s fun to imagine Isaac in the MTC right now sitting in class all day, especially since I´ve just finished that part in my mission.
>
> I love the gospel. I know that this is the true church, that we have a living prophet on the earth today, and that Jesus Christ lives and is the head of this church.
>
> Keep writing me letters and e-mails. I enjoy reading them even if I don´t get to respond to everything that I read about. It´s nice to hear about your lives.
>
> Mom- Yes, that girl needs to be taught by the missionaries pronto! :)
> Oh, and be sure not to let the missionaries hang out too long at our house. They are missionaries and need to be doing the Lord´s work. (remember they are on the Lord´s time)
>
> I love you all so much. I don´t know when my next P-day is, but I will definitely write some letters and a few e-mails to keep you updated.
>
> Oh, happy birthday to Tavian, Abbie, Sherrie, Aaron, Scott, Kylie, and anyone else who recently had a birthday!
>
> hna. Grindstaff
> yep, I´m the know it all at the MTC. :) ...actually I don´t feel like I know all that much, especially since there are so many natives here that speak so quickly. Ah well, today I leave for Uruguay and I am so excited. I have worked hard to learn as much as I could here at the CCM and now it´s finally time to leave my sheltered life here. It´s a little scary, but exciting at the same time. One of my favorite things about the CCM here is the opportunity I´ve had to go tracting for 7-8 hours every Saturday. I started out not even knowing how to ring the doorbells here and now I can hold little conversations with people and share my testimony of the restoration. Since I don´t have much time to write, I´m just going to tell one story... Last Saturday I was with my two companions and we were about to end a good day of tracting and head back to the meeting point. As me and Hna Denzer were knocking at one of the doors, Hna. Bailey stopped a woman coming down the street (which we have become pretty skilled at doing now). This woman ended up being the best contact we had all day. I understood just about every word she said (she spoke slowly and clearly) and I felt really comfortable talking with her (even in my broken spanish). Since I still get nervous speaking spanish, it was miracle that I felt completely comfortable speaking with her and sharing the gospel. I had other experiences the same day that I had talked to people, but every other time I still had those feelings of being very limited in my ability to speak. it was nice to get to know this woman a little bit and I feel like she was really ready to hear the gospel. Other missionaries will get to teach her (since I will be in Uruguay as of tonight), but it will all turn out alright.
> Thank you for all your e-mails. I´m so excited to have a new little niece named Kylie and also to have a younger brother serving the Lord on a mission. It´s fun to imagine Isaac in the MTC right now sitting in class all day, especially since I´ve just finished that part in my mission.
>
> I love the gospel. I know that this is the true church, that we have a living prophet on the earth today, and that Jesus Christ lives and is the head of this church.
>
> Keep writing me letters and e-mails. I enjoy reading them even if I don´t get to respond to everything that I read about. It´s nice to hear about your lives.
>
> Mom- Yes, that girl needs to be taught by the missionaries pronto! :)
> Oh, and be sure not to let the missionaries hang out too long at our house. They are missionaries and need to be doing the Lord´s work. (remember they are on the Lord´s time)
>
> I love you all so much. I don´t know when my next P-day is, but I will definitely write some letters and a few e-mails to keep you updated.
>
> Oh, happy birthday to Tavian, Abbie, Sherrie, Aaron, Scott, Kylie, and anyone else who recently had a birthday!
>
> hna. Grindstaff
Thursday, May 7, 2009
5/7/09
> Hola!> Happy Mother´s Day mom! I´m so sad that I don´t get to call you. I leave for Uruguay in a week and a half, so I barely missed it. chagos!> This last week has been just so much fun. I´ve been having an english fast for most of it, but even that isn´t as bad as it usually is. next week will be the real killer though because one of my teachers (hno. Melerio) has bribed us as a district into having a weeklong english fast. I personally don´t think the bribe of cheesecake was worth the suffering, but it will be good for me. Speaking more of this crazy language is what I need to be doing. my MTC Pres. said that speaking spanish will invite the spirit to help us, so I´m going to trust his word´s. Actually, there is a worker here, who doesn´t speak english, who came into my district´s class this week and completely complemented our district on our spanish. He told us we understand more then most missionaries do after they´ve been out in the field for 2 months. That was really comforting for me because it is tough to learn a language (especially in two months). having so many natives around is one of the biggest helps because they don´t speak english and to communicate we have to speak spanish.> Last Saturday I went tracting and it was really great. me and my 2 companions (I got 2nd companion last week) sang to a few of our contacts and it was so powerfull. I´ll have to write about my experiences in a letter because I have just run out of my e-mail time. ah well...> I love you all and am so gratefull for all of you. > keep writing me letters because I love them... :)> > hna. Grindstaff> > p.s. Good luck (again) Isaac. remember to write me, or else!!! (death glare)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
April 30th
> Thanks for all the e-mails. I´m glad to know that Isaac´s farewell was a success and that the family was able to crowd into our house. I kind of liked having a crowded house... it´s always intertaining when there are 27 or more people all in one house.
> Spanish is coming along (slowly it seems), but it´s coming. last Saturday was my favorite day of proselyting so far. I understood a lot of what the people said and I was able to bear my testimony to them better then I have in past weeks. Me and my companion were able to teach the Joseph Smith story about 7 times while we were out and it was incredible. We also taught other brief lessons, but teaching people about the resteration is my favorite thing to do.
> The neighborhood that we were assigned to was in a very wealthy neighborhood, but we had to walk through an extremely poor neighborhood to get there. That was a real eye opener for me. I´ve tracted in poor areas before (or areas that I thought were poor), but nothing like the one we had to walk through to get to our area. In the area we were in the people weren´t really interested in listening to us (I spoke through a lot of intercoms and had a lot of people turn us down that way). fortunatly some of the really large homes had lot´s of servants that were really nice and we got a few contacts that way.
> Walking around the streets of Beunos Aires with a little map with only a few street names is definitely quite the experience. (especially when my companion is no good with maps and leaves me to do the navigating... which is also not so good because I am not very good with maps either. It´s fun. but, I´ve only gotten lost a few times in this country. )
> There is one experience that I had tracting Saturday that is pretty incredible, so I´ll be sure to include it in my next letter home. (my time is running short on e-mailing... I hate the time limits here. geesh)
>
> Isaac- good luck on your last week at home. I can hardly believe you will be leaving soon. I´m on my last 3 weeks at the MTC and now your starting. Goooood luck. Be prepared to sit in class forever and feel like your head is going to explode with information.
> Remember our spanish class together? Well, I´m pretty sure I learned more in my 1st 3 days here then I ever did in class. grammer is still a killer for me, but I understand most of it. I just can´t apply most of it in my speaking which is a problem. I spend hours reading my Book of Mormon in spanish each week and that has been a huge help. I recommend it. I also spend a lot of time reading my grammer book ...the Book of Mormon is much more effective though.
>
> I love you all MUCHO!
> -hna. Grindstaff
> Spanish is coming along (slowly it seems), but it´s coming. last Saturday was my favorite day of proselyting so far. I understood a lot of what the people said and I was able to bear my testimony to them better then I have in past weeks. Me and my companion were able to teach the Joseph Smith story about 7 times while we were out and it was incredible. We also taught other brief lessons, but teaching people about the resteration is my favorite thing to do.
> The neighborhood that we were assigned to was in a very wealthy neighborhood, but we had to walk through an extremely poor neighborhood to get there. That was a real eye opener for me. I´ve tracted in poor areas before (or areas that I thought were poor), but nothing like the one we had to walk through to get to our area. In the area we were in the people weren´t really interested in listening to us (I spoke through a lot of intercoms and had a lot of people turn us down that way). fortunatly some of the really large homes had lot´s of servants that were really nice and we got a few contacts that way.
> Walking around the streets of Beunos Aires with a little map with only a few street names is definitely quite the experience. (especially when my companion is no good with maps and leaves me to do the navigating... which is also not so good because I am not very good with maps either. It´s fun. but, I´ve only gotten lost a few times in this country. )
> There is one experience that I had tracting Saturday that is pretty incredible, so I´ll be sure to include it in my next letter home. (my time is running short on e-mailing... I hate the time limits here. geesh)
>
> Isaac- good luck on your last week at home. I can hardly believe you will be leaving soon. I´m on my last 3 weeks at the MTC and now your starting. Goooood luck. Be prepared to sit in class forever and feel like your head is going to explode with information.
> Remember our spanish class together? Well, I´m pretty sure I learned more in my 1st 3 days here then I ever did in class. grammer is still a killer for me, but I understand most of it. I just can´t apply most of it in my speaking which is a problem. I spend hours reading my Book of Mormon in spanish each week and that has been a huge help. I recommend it. I also spend a lot of time reading my grammer book ...the Book of Mormon is much more effective though.
>
> I love you all MUCHO!
> -hna. Grindstaff
Thursday, April 23, 2009
April 23rd letter
Familia,
> Thank you for the letter. I was so happy to receive it (last night). I get so excited over the little things now, it´s a litte ridiculous. One of the elders in my district finally decided to share some of the peanut butter, that he got in one of his packages, with us this (the other members in our district) and I was so, so happy. (who would have thought that something like peanut butter would make me so excited).
> The english fast that we had last Friday was a failure. Some of the elders in our district forgot about it and eventually lost all interest in fasting from english that day. The teachers were a little dissapionted (and we were a little dissapionted too... kind of). BUT, me and my companion decided to have an english fast yesterday without the elders, and it was a success. I feel so much better when I try to speak spanish even though it is agonizing not to be able to communicate much during the fast. I think I understand why babies cry so much now. They have so much they want to say, but they can´t form the words to do it.
> On Monday, Elder Aidukaitis (who spoke in conference a while back) came and spoke to us... in spanish. I could understand almost everything he said (much to my surprise) and it was wonderful. We had a translater, but after the first few minutes he (the translater) realized we didn´t need him and stopped talking. Elder Aidukaitis gave us N. Americans some advice about learning a language that I thought was very applicable to me in my situation. he told us (in spanish) that we we need to make at least 5,000 mistakes while talking beforewe will speak the language well. Since almost every single sentence I try to speak is grammatically incorrect in about 5 different ways, I believe I am well on my way to achieving that 5,000.
> On Saturday we went tracting all day again. It is always nice to get to leave the MTC and it always makes for some good experiences. I´ll be sure to write about a few of them in my next letter.
>
> hmm, there is one fruit that they have here that I´ve never seen before. I don´t remember what it´s called, but it´s not all that wonderful... so it´s not a big deal.
> The weather here is pretty good right now. It´s definitely fall. The leaves are falling off the trees and everything.
>
> I love you all, Thanks for the letters and the prayers.
>
> hna, Grindstaff
> Thank you for the letter. I was so happy to receive it (last night). I get so excited over the little things now, it´s a litte ridiculous. One of the elders in my district finally decided to share some of the peanut butter, that he got in one of his packages, with us this (the other members in our district) and I was so, so happy. (who would have thought that something like peanut butter would make me so excited).
> The english fast that we had last Friday was a failure. Some of the elders in our district forgot about it and eventually lost all interest in fasting from english that day. The teachers were a little dissapionted (and we were a little dissapionted too... kind of). BUT, me and my companion decided to have an english fast yesterday without the elders, and it was a success. I feel so much better when I try to speak spanish even though it is agonizing not to be able to communicate much during the fast. I think I understand why babies cry so much now. They have so much they want to say, but they can´t form the words to do it.
> On Monday, Elder Aidukaitis (who spoke in conference a while back) came and spoke to us... in spanish. I could understand almost everything he said (much to my surprise) and it was wonderful. We had a translater, but after the first few minutes he (the translater) realized we didn´t need him and stopped talking. Elder Aidukaitis gave us N. Americans some advice about learning a language that I thought was very applicable to me in my situation. he told us (in spanish) that we we need to make at least 5,000 mistakes while talking beforewe will speak the language well. Since almost every single sentence I try to speak is grammatically incorrect in about 5 different ways, I believe I am well on my way to achieving that 5,000.
> On Saturday we went tracting all day again. It is always nice to get to leave the MTC and it always makes for some good experiences. I´ll be sure to write about a few of them in my next letter.
>
> hmm, there is one fruit that they have here that I´ve never seen before. I don´t remember what it´s called, but it´s not all that wonderful... so it´s not a big deal.
> The weather here is pretty good right now. It´s definitely fall. The leaves are falling off the trees and everything.
>
> I love you all, Thanks for the letters and the prayers.
>
> hna, Grindstaff
Thursday, April 16, 2009
April 16 letter
Hola everyone,
>
> Since everyone´s been asking... the english fast was hard (and I have another one tomorrow). They want us to speak as much of the language as we can, and I understand why, but geesh... a whole day of no english!?!
>
> Last Saturday I went proselyting in Buenos Aires for 7 hours. It was a very different experience, and a real eye opener. We (me and my comp.) were not as succesful as we would like to have been (obviously), but we did have one miracle while tracting. We had been ringing doorbells at the end of all the gates (people here all have gates and fences that you are not supposed to cross) and were not having much success, when we saw two young men on the corner (by their little wooden box that they work in. In nicer neighborhoods the corners all have watch boxes where gaurds watch the streets for theives and stuff). Since it was during siesta time, the gaurds were pretty bored and were really interested in what we were teaching. So, me and my companion taught them the 1st lesson and I even got to recite one of the scriptures that I memorized last week. (the 1st vision). It was not a perfect lesson, but the spirit was there. it was a great experience.
> most people here are really nice, so while we were out tracting we got to talk to a few people, but unfortunatly our conversations are not able to go very far because even when we do understand what they are saying, we don´t know how to respond. ugh.
> I had one breakdown this week (I cried in the middle of one of our spanish lessons that we weren´t allowed to use cards for)... so it´s been a good week. :) I feel like I´m learning really slowly sometimes, but the teachers tell me otherwise. I guess it´s normal not to learn the language overnight. ah, if only I could though.
>
> I look forward to receiving letters from you ALL. So far I´ve only received one letter from the family. I know you´ve sent one though and I´m excited to read it.
> I love mail!!!
>
> I love you all,
> hna Grindstaff
>
> Since everyone´s been asking... the english fast was hard (and I have another one tomorrow). They want us to speak as much of the language as we can, and I understand why, but geesh... a whole day of no english!?!
>
> Last Saturday I went proselyting in Buenos Aires for 7 hours. It was a very different experience, and a real eye opener. We (me and my comp.) were not as succesful as we would like to have been (obviously), but we did have one miracle while tracting. We had been ringing doorbells at the end of all the gates (people here all have gates and fences that you are not supposed to cross) and were not having much success, when we saw two young men on the corner (by their little wooden box that they work in. In nicer neighborhoods the corners all have watch boxes where gaurds watch the streets for theives and stuff). Since it was during siesta time, the gaurds were pretty bored and were really interested in what we were teaching. So, me and my companion taught them the 1st lesson and I even got to recite one of the scriptures that I memorized last week. (the 1st vision). It was not a perfect lesson, but the spirit was there. it was a great experience.
> most people here are really nice, so while we were out tracting we got to talk to a few people, but unfortunatly our conversations are not able to go very far because even when we do understand what they are saying, we don´t know how to respond. ugh.
> I had one breakdown this week (I cried in the middle of one of our spanish lessons that we weren´t allowed to use cards for)... so it´s been a good week. :) I feel like I´m learning really slowly sometimes, but the teachers tell me otherwise. I guess it´s normal not to learn the language overnight. ah, if only I could though.
>
> I look forward to receiving letters from you ALL. So far I´ve only received one letter from the family. I know you´ve sent one though and I´m excited to read it.
> I love mail!!!
>
> I love you all,
> hna Grindstaff
Thursday, April 9, 2009
April 9th letter
**Emily Disclaimer-I'm not editing Sandras letters, the wonderful spelling is all hers and all Grindstaff**
> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:55:17 +0000
>
> Hola! Another difficult week at the CCM has past and I´m still trying to drink as much from the firehose(all the info they´re trying to stuff into my head) as I can without talling apart.
> Last Friday we got to go out proselying again. I don´t know if I mentioned it, but there are about a batrillion dogs here in Buenos Aires... and me and my companion had the priveledge of meating like 100 of them during out 2 hour proselyting time. Most of the dogs are nice, but then there are a few that are just plain mean. At one time we had a whole neighborhood of dogs barking at us (it was a little frightening :) Fortunatly for us, one of out teachers taught us that if you bend over like your picking up a rock, the dogs will run away. We were a bit skepitcal when he told us this, but to our great surprise we learned that it works! Oh, and I´ve also learned not to way "let´s just see what the dog does" while approaching (sp?) a house. Most likely the dog with the evil glare in his eye, sitting on the porch, will chargeat you and scare the living daylights out of you. ah, good experiences.
> Conference was really good. It was nice to have 2 full days of hearing a laguage that I understand (it was even better that the speaking came from prophets and leaders of the church)
> On Sunday we had a testimony meeting before conference started. The meeting was completely in spanish and I surprised myself and stood up and bore a simple, short testimony (despite my fears of speaking spanish). The presidents wife told me I´d be blessed for my efforts to speak the language. There have been times that I have felt like giving up (don´t worry though, I won´t give up even when I feel like it)
> Tomorrow is my first English fast and I am a little nervous....
>
> I love you all and I look forward to receiving all those letters. Don´t be slackers in writing your missionary OKAY!
>
> -hermana Grindstaff
> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:55:17 +0000
>
> Hola! Another difficult week at the CCM has past and I´m still trying to drink as much from the firehose(all the info they´re trying to stuff into my head) as I can without talling apart.
> Last Friday we got to go out proselying again. I don´t know if I mentioned it, but there are about a batrillion dogs here in Buenos Aires... and me and my companion had the priveledge of meating like 100 of them during out 2 hour proselyting time. Most of the dogs are nice, but then there are a few that are just plain mean. At one time we had a whole neighborhood of dogs barking at us (it was a little frightening :) Fortunatly for us, one of out teachers taught us that if you bend over like your picking up a rock, the dogs will run away. We were a bit skepitcal when he told us this, but to our great surprise we learned that it works! Oh, and I´ve also learned not to way "let´s just see what the dog does" while approaching (sp?) a house. Most likely the dog with the evil glare in his eye, sitting on the porch, will chargeat you and scare the living daylights out of you. ah, good experiences.
> Conference was really good. It was nice to have 2 full days of hearing a laguage that I understand (it was even better that the speaking came from prophets and leaders of the church)
> On Sunday we had a testimony meeting before conference started. The meeting was completely in spanish and I surprised myself and stood up and bore a simple, short testimony (despite my fears of speaking spanish). The presidents wife told me I´d be blessed for my efforts to speak the language. There have been times that I have felt like giving up (don´t worry though, I won´t give up even when I feel like it)
> Tomorrow is my first English fast and I am a little nervous....
>
> I love you all and I look forward to receiving all those letters. Don´t be slackers in writing your missionary OKAY!
>
> -hermana Grindstaff
Friday, April 3, 2009
April 2nd letter
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 16:28:11 +0000
>
> Hola Everyone!
> It has been so nice to get your e-mails and hear how you are all doing. Unfortunatly I don´t have a lot of time to reply, sorry.
>
> Last Saturday me and my companion were sent out tracting for two hours. Even though we could only say a tiny bit in spanish, we were so excited. We were so excited because for 2 hours we were free from our MTC confinement. It was actually a very good (eye opening) experience for me. The people we tried to talk to in our broken spanish and give folleta´s (pamphlet´s) to were pretty nice. Some of them even took the time to show us folleta´s they had already received from previous missionaries before sending us away with a nice "buen dia!"
> Me and my companion did have some success though. One of the first doors we knocked on was a young mother (named Sandra) who listened to us and seemed interested in what we were trying to say. She accepted the Book of Mormon (that we were told to be careful about who we gave it out to) and even accepted our invitation to come to church. I don´t know if anything will come of our efforts to talk to her, but it made me happy anyway.
> There was one lady that we talked to, while we were out tracting, that tried really hard to hold a conversation with me and my companion. She wasn´t interested in our message, but spent about 5 minutes talking to us... I have no idea what she said, but she was very nice and seemed to be saying good things about us. (who knows?!)
>
> yesterday I embarressed myself trying to speak in spanish. I was in class and my teacher wasn´t letting us say anything in english.. anyway, I was trying to say something like "I don´t say", but instead I said " I don´t shower". I still don´t know why I got those words mixed up in my mind, but it was pretty embarressing. My companion got a kick out of it though.
> I´ve often heard the phrase that you should think before you speak. That is especially true when your trying to speak a foreign language. I have to think really hard to say something that makes since and even harder to conjegate the words correctly (which I rarely do, hence the reason one of my roommates said I sound like Tarzan when I talk).
> I´ve decided that going stateside on a mission isn´t such a bad idea. :)
>
> Isaac, you are pretty lucky that you don´t have all those conjegations, but there are plenty of other things in the Swedish language that you will have to struggle through. ha ha ha (me laughing at you)
>
> Aaron, I haven´t heard much from you yet. You better be writing me lot´s of letters.
>
> Anita, sounds like your having trouble speeping on my nice big bed. :)
> Are you still enjoying band?
>
> Mom, thank you again for that e-mail. I wanted to hear from you so bad...
>
> dad, the branch sounds like it is keeping you guys really busy. don´t forget to tell me all about what´s going on.
>
> I love you all, I have to go now (Thur. is temple day)
>
> -hermana Grindstaff
>
> Hola Everyone!
> It has been so nice to get your e-mails and hear how you are all doing. Unfortunatly I don´t have a lot of time to reply, sorry.
>
> Last Saturday me and my companion were sent out tracting for two hours. Even though we could only say a tiny bit in spanish, we were so excited. We were so excited because for 2 hours we were free from our MTC confinement. It was actually a very good (eye opening) experience for me. The people we tried to talk to in our broken spanish and give folleta´s (pamphlet´s) to were pretty nice. Some of them even took the time to show us folleta´s they had already received from previous missionaries before sending us away with a nice "buen dia!"
> Me and my companion did have some success though. One of the first doors we knocked on was a young mother (named Sandra) who listened to us and seemed interested in what we were trying to say. She accepted the Book of Mormon (that we were told to be careful about who we gave it out to) and even accepted our invitation to come to church. I don´t know if anything will come of our efforts to talk to her, but it made me happy anyway.
> There was one lady that we talked to, while we were out tracting, that tried really hard to hold a conversation with me and my companion. She wasn´t interested in our message, but spent about 5 minutes talking to us... I have no idea what she said, but she was very nice and seemed to be saying good things about us. (who knows?!)
>
> yesterday I embarressed myself trying to speak in spanish. I was in class and my teacher wasn´t letting us say anything in english.. anyway, I was trying to say something like "I don´t say", but instead I said " I don´t shower". I still don´t know why I got those words mixed up in my mind, but it was pretty embarressing. My companion got a kick out of it though.
> I´ve often heard the phrase that you should think before you speak. That is especially true when your trying to speak a foreign language. I have to think really hard to say something that makes since and even harder to conjegate the words correctly (which I rarely do, hence the reason one of my roommates said I sound like Tarzan when I talk).
> I´ve decided that going stateside on a mission isn´t such a bad idea. :)
>
> Isaac, you are pretty lucky that you don´t have all those conjegations, but there are plenty of other things in the Swedish language that you will have to struggle through. ha ha ha (me laughing at you)
>
> Aaron, I haven´t heard much from you yet. You better be writing me lot´s of letters.
>
> Anita, sounds like your having trouble speeping on my nice big bed. :)
> Are you still enjoying band?
>
> Mom, thank you again for that e-mail. I wanted to hear from you so bad...
>
> dad, the branch sounds like it is keeping you guys really busy. don´t forget to tell me all about what´s going on.
>
> I love you all, I have to go now (Thur. is temple day)
>
> -hermana Grindstaff
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Hola Family
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:28:37 +0000> > >
mom, dad, and family,>
Thank you so much for the e-mails (those who wrote to me). It is so great to hear from you.> A good way to describe the MTC here is to say it´s like trying to drink water from a firehose. There are so many things to learn that it´s kind of overwhelming sometimes. The good news is that I´ve only had one breakdown (in the middle of one of my classes) where I just started crying because I felt so overwhelmed. Aparently this is normal among sister missionaries (and some elders)... it was a little embarressing, but I expect I´ll have a few more of them before I leave the MTC. > I really am loving it here though. The latinos are so fun and love to talk to us. (80% of the missionaries here are natives of S. America) I still struggle to communicate with the natives (and my sharade skills are getting pretty amazing), but talking to them in my spanglish is really helping me speak the language a lot better. I´ve already had comments about how I´m improving in the language (I still have a long way to go though). One of my roommates commented the other night (as we were trying to talk to eachother) that I sound like Tarzan. I laughed when she said that because I know it´s true. I can´t congegate worth beans!>
My companions name is hermana Bailey and she is just wonderful. We get along really well and the natives here love to talk to us at mealtimes. Speaking of mealtimes, the food here is different then I´m used to, but it´s pretty good. They do serve cow tongue regularly, but it´s never the main dish. (it´s just there as an options)> >
Isaac- Thank you for your e-mail, it´s nice to know your life didn´t crumble after I left. :) > The MTC experience is the hardest thing I´ve ever had to do, but it´s also the most fulfilling. Prepare as much as you can, because it is tough!! I love you lot´s and I´m glad I don´t have to learn Swedish. Gooood luck.> >
Aaron,- I expect lot´s of letters from you! I hope school is going well for you... write me and tell me about it okay.> >
Anita- happy birthday! I thought of you a lot on your birthday and wrote happy birthday at the top of all my papers. :) how does it feel to be 15?> >
rest of the family- sorry I don´t have time to write to you all. I love you and will write you letters.> > My P-day is every Thur. and I write e-mails at 1:00 pm.>
Love you all, > Hna, Grindstaff
mom, dad, and family,>
Thank you so much for the e-mails (those who wrote to me). It is so great to hear from you.> A good way to describe the MTC here is to say it´s like trying to drink water from a firehose. There are so many things to learn that it´s kind of overwhelming sometimes. The good news is that I´ve only had one breakdown (in the middle of one of my classes) where I just started crying because I felt so overwhelmed. Aparently this is normal among sister missionaries (and some elders)... it was a little embarressing, but I expect I´ll have a few more of them before I leave the MTC. > I really am loving it here though. The latinos are so fun and love to talk to us. (80% of the missionaries here are natives of S. America) I still struggle to communicate with the natives (and my sharade skills are getting pretty amazing), but talking to them in my spanglish is really helping me speak the language a lot better. I´ve already had comments about how I´m improving in the language (I still have a long way to go though). One of my roommates commented the other night (as we were trying to talk to eachother) that I sound like Tarzan. I laughed when she said that because I know it´s true. I can´t congegate worth beans!>
My companions name is hermana Bailey and she is just wonderful. We get along really well and the natives here love to talk to us at mealtimes. Speaking of mealtimes, the food here is different then I´m used to, but it´s pretty good. They do serve cow tongue regularly, but it´s never the main dish. (it´s just there as an options)> >
Isaac- Thank you for your e-mail, it´s nice to know your life didn´t crumble after I left. :) > The MTC experience is the hardest thing I´ve ever had to do, but it´s also the most fulfilling. Prepare as much as you can, because it is tough!! I love you lot´s and I´m glad I don´t have to learn Swedish. Gooood luck.> >
Aaron,- I expect lot´s of letters from you! I hope school is going well for you... write me and tell me about it okay.> >
Anita- happy birthday! I thought of you a lot on your birthday and wrote happy birthday at the top of all my papers. :) how does it feel to be 15?> >
rest of the family- sorry I don´t have time to write to you all. I love you and will write you letters.> > My P-day is every Thur. and I write e-mails at 1:00 pm.>
Love you all, > Hna, Grindstaff
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The time has almost come!
I have been waiting for this time to come for a long time now. It is finally time for me to leave on the mission I've been so excited about for the past year now (well, I've probably been looking forward to it for longer than that actually).
Preparing to serve a mission has been quite the process, but it was worth it. It was worth all the times I've had to be (ruthlessly) stabbed by a needle. It was worth all the hours spent searching (and stressing about) finding the proper clothing (I spent hours and hours searching stores and coming out with nothing. I've never disliked shopping so much in my life!)....(and thanks to all those who so kindly spent hours of their own time to help in that agonizing effort). It was worth all the studying (which I have not been as diligent about as I should have been). It was worth all the hours spent scanning groceries (to help pay for the mission). Yes, it was ALL worth it!
I received my mission call (for those who don't know, it's a big white envelope that comes in the mail) on the 28th of November 2008. As soon as my older brother (Scott) walked in the house after checking the mail and started talking about the mission call envelope, that I'd been anxiously waiting for, my heart started beating extremely fast. I couldn't stop smiling and it was even better that I got to share my excitement with most of my family (who were still there the day after Thanksgiving). It was on this day that I learned that I would be serving for 18 months in the Uruguay Montevideo mission.
This coming Sunday will be my, uh, last Sunday here in Texas (okay...it's my farewell). It should be fun. :)
Preparing to serve a mission has been quite the process, but it was worth it. It was worth all the times I've had to be (ruthlessly) stabbed by a needle. It was worth all the hours spent searching (and stressing about) finding the proper clothing (I spent hours and hours searching stores and coming out with nothing. I've never disliked shopping so much in my life!)....(and thanks to all those who so kindly spent hours of their own time to help in that agonizing effort). It was worth all the studying (which I have not been as diligent about as I should have been). It was worth all the hours spent scanning groceries (to help pay for the mission). Yes, it was ALL worth it!
I received my mission call (for those who don't know, it's a big white envelope that comes in the mail) on the 28th of November 2008. As soon as my older brother (Scott) walked in the house after checking the mail and started talking about the mission call envelope, that I'd been anxiously waiting for, my heart started beating extremely fast. I couldn't stop smiling and it was even better that I got to share my excitement with most of my family (who were still there the day after Thanksgiving). It was on this day that I learned that I would be serving for 18 months in the Uruguay Montevideo mission.
This coming Sunday will be my, uh, last Sunday here in Texas (okay...it's my farewell). It should be fun. :)
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