La Obra

Hey,

What a week. 3 miracles, 1 heartbreak, 1 animal.

Miracle #1: Maria! We invited her to church at then end of our lesson and, being the timid woman she is, felt too scared to come. We decided to kneel down and all pray together. Maria gave the prayer and asked if she should come to church. At the end of the prayer we stayed kneeling and took a minute to feel the spirit. It was so strong. We probably knelt there for a full minute before Maria opened her eyes. She agreed to come! And she came! She is super shy so I couldn't tell if she was enjoying it but the members were soooo welcoming. It was great. 

Miracle #2: John. I was on an exchange with my sister training leader when we ran into a young man walking his dog. I started talking to him and at first he was kinda "whatever". BUT, as we continued talking, he opened up. We talked about our purpose in this world and the blessings of the Plan of Salvation. He was so into it that he walked all the way to our car with us because we had forgotten to bring Plan of Salvation pamphlets in English. It was awesome.

Miracle #3: We taught an amazing family and at the end the Mom committed the WHOLE family to study El Libro de Mormon together. As a family. She practically did our job for us. Plus I think she is the first Latino I've met who is 100% on board with the whole Apostasy thing. wow.

Heartbreak: You remember Miguel from last week? He desperately wants to take our lessons but his wife isn't having it so he dropped us :(((((((

Animal: So there was this dog in someones window watching us contact. Cute right? Wrong. He came outside and started stalking us.  He would follow us intently but everytime we turned and looked at him he would lie down and look away... I HAVE SEEN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. I KNOW THAT LOOK. Haha luckily we escaped :)

We saw the sun this week! Probably the first time since I've gotten here... The Hermanas have a joke that when they all take a picture together you know who I going home next because they are the most pale.

I love you all! The church is true and the Spirit is the best!

Love,

Hermana Lambert

-Squinting in what little sun we had

-This is the dog (wolf) that tried to hunt us ;)

Salvation Isn't Cheap!

Opossum

Helloooo!

WOW! It's been a crazy week. I have two miracles and three animal stories. 

Miracle #1: My first week out here we contacted into a woman named Maria who has a bunch of kids and her husband works in Alaska doing crazy fishing stuff. The first time we taught her she was really touched. When we came back this week she said that after we left last time, she felt the spirit "bein fuerte" and she knows that we were send to her for a reason. We gave her a BoM and she said that she couldn't wait to read it.

Miracle #2: We contacted into Miguel and chatted about the gospel for a while. He's not super religious especially after his brother was murdered in Mexico and then a bunch of people were trying to kill him too... BUT, he straight up told us, I know this is a sign that we've met. yayayayaay. Anyways, we tried to swing by late last night bc all our appointments fell through but no one answered the door. An hour later we were back in the area knocking on his neighbor's door when.... HIS DOOR OPENED. His son Angel was standing there staring at us eating ice cream. Before we could say anything he smiled sweetly at us and told us to come in. We were kinda like, "Uhhhh sus padres estan?". Thankfully they were. We came in and sat with the parents and just talked for 45 mins. We didn't give a specific lesson. We just talked the them about who we were, our purpose, why the gospel is the best thing in the whole world, and what it can do for them. THEY WANT IT SO BAD. Miguel was almost brought to tears when we talked about the atonement and how we can be clean and confident before God. He asked us "what can I do to join your church?". Hna Gunner and I were like, "uhhh well why don't we come by and teach the restoration before we get to that". AHHHHH. and then he and his wife were like, "when does church start? What's the address? what should we wear?". On the outside I was a picture of tranquil joy and serenity but on the inside I was like "YAS YAS YAS YAS YAS YAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!!". Basically I was up all night last night just thinking about the spirit and how happy I was. 

Also this family speaks ZERO English so they feel super isolated and a bit helpless out here. I was like I FEEL YOU! All those months in Guatemala being SO awkward and lost at church and in shops and in the street... I know it can be really hard. 

Animal #1: We saw an opossum and it let us get right up next to it.

Animal #2: We were talking to a man on his doorstep when his Chihuahua starting having a siezure... Hna Gunner and I didn't know what to do so we said a prayer but man said we could come back another time (he was calmly sitting there on the floor giving it CPR) heh heh... so that's good.

Animal #3: We were petting this friendly goat that was tied up in someone's yard. I looked away from it for ONE SECOND to take a picture, and it started trying to eat my hair D:

This picture was taken 0.5 seconds before I came to the terrible realization that my most prized possession, my curly locks, were in grave peril. O_O

Love,

Hermana Lambert

(p.s. Elder Holland gives a great talk about how missionary work is so hard and sometimes heartbreaking because "Salvation isn't cheap". Its a must. Listen to it. You'll probably cry [just a warning].) https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/03/missionary-work-and-the-atonement?lang=eng

Missionary Meets Mission!

The new missionaries hit the mission!

Hermana Lambert with President and Sister Rasmussen

   We are happy to have Hermana Lambert arrive in the Washington Federal Way Mission.  She arrived on Tuesday  and came to the mission home for dinner, an interview with President Rasmussen and some training from myself and the assistants.  She then went with Hermana G. to A. and started proselyting  that night.  We had follow up training this morning.  You will her from her on Monday which is her P-day.

     She is doing well.  Thank you for sending her to us.  We will watch over her.  Her abilities and desire to serve the Lord will be well used in Washington.  We have strong wards and stakes with members who love the missionaries.  It will be wonderful to watch her  progression as she dedicates the next two years to teaching repentance and baptizing converts in this beautiful part of the vineyard.  We are blessed to serve in such a beautiful state.

     We wish you and your family well and know you will be blessed as your missionary serves the Lord.

Warmest Regards,

Week 6: Last week in the MTC!

Good bye MTC!!!!

The MTC Campus

 

Hello hello!

Last week in the MTC! I leave this Tuesday for the field!

I'll kick things off with an awkward moment... So my teacher Hermano Hunsaker was saying goodbye to us at the end of class. He always gives all the elders a hug and then shakes the Hermana's hands. On this particular day, I was standing right next to the elders. Somehow, after 6 weeks of doing the same thing everyday, I forgot everything and when Hunsaker finished hugging the elders and turned to me, I extended my arms for a hug. Too late, I remembered, as I watched a look of horror cross his face. I apologized and shook his hand but luckily he seemed more embarrassed than me... My district still won't let me live that one down. 

On a more spiritual note, Elder Ballard came and spoke at devotional this Tuesday! It was amazing. I feel like he is such a straightforward, practical man. Basically what he talked about was how the height we climb depends on our attitude and how we shouldn't be afraid to set goals that will really press us. In the choir during this Devo we sang Lead Kindly Light. It was really powerful since that song is all about turning yourself over to God's will and letting him direct your path.

One more funny thing. This week we were in TRC and Elder Benham was talking to the teacher. The teacher thought Elder Benham was being sarcastic so he said "I can't tell if you're trying to pull my leg". To which Elder Benham responded, "I would never do that. I tried it once on him," (gesturing to his companion) "and his leg came clean off!". The district erupted in laughter because the companion, elder Poulson, is an amputee. Poulson is always making one-leg jokes so it was nice to have the tables turned on him for a change. :)

Looks like I'm really going to miss the MTC.

Love,

Hermana Lambert

Week:5 And Now We're the Trainers!

And now we're the Trainers!!! (n.b. the matching outfits!)

Subject: Week 5

Hola!

I can't believe I've been in the MTC for nearly 5 weeks! The first three weeks seemed like 3 years but lately time has flown by.  I remember when I first got here I thought the older districts were completely crazy but also old and wise. Now, being the oldest district, I understand. We are crazy. We've been doing the same thing every day for a month. The only way to cope is by making up songs all the time, taking jokes way too far, having everyone match outfits, and by being overly friendly and interested in the new people. And yes, the new districts do think we are cool. One sister asked my companion

how the Hermanas in our district coordinated outfits and if her district could do it too. Little did she know, our matchy-matchy outfits were the product of our late-night, post-class, deranged, thinking. Haha, oh well. She'll be in our shoes in a month. All jokes aside, I still love the MTC.

This week we got our travel plans! I'm leaving on the 21st this month for Seattle. I'm so excited but also nervous. The whole district is frantically trying to learn Spanish, but time is running short. I think most of all, I will miss my companion. Hermana Davis and I get along so well and have become such good friends... I hope my other companions will be half as great. One thing I'm looking forward to is teaching real people. I also can't wait to meet my mission presidents!

I see their picture everyday in the main building here and they seem so nice.

One thing that an Hermana in my district said this week that I really liked was "above all else I want to be an example of kindness on my mission". I thought that was really important. Really this whole life is driven by love, so as representatives of Jesus Christ, love should always be at the forefront of our minds.

Well that's all for now!

Love,

Hermana Lambert

We coordinated outfits with the zone leaders this week when we did new

missionary orientation ;)

Week 4: Poco a poco...

Hola!

This week was pretty interesting. On Sunday the MTC choir sang Where Can I Turn For Peace. This is definitely one of my top favorite hymns. It made me so happy to think that all of us missionaries and members have a message for those people out there for whom "other sources cease to make [them] whole". That day we also watched a talk form Elder Holland called "Open your mouth". One thing that caught my attention was he said that every time we suppress a prompting to say something, we are letting the adversary win, because all the spirit needs to testify is for us to say something.

On a less spiritual note, during gym time this week I almost got killed. Well not really, but here's what happened. We were playing kings in volleyball, so I was standing in line to get on the court when all of a sudden everyone turned to me and gasped. At that moment, a blazing comet whistled through the air and plowed into my poor tummy. Turns out my district leader had been trying to spike the ball but was too fuerte. He felt really bad and everyone chewed him out for hurting a sister heheheh. The other elders also gave the elder in front of me (who ducked out of the way) a hard time, saying he should of taken the hit. It didn't actually hurt that bad, it just looked bad and made a loud noise haha (can you tell I'm grasping at straws for good stories?).

Okay, one last thing. "The Hope of God's Light". This is a mormon message that Hna Davis and I are going to share with our investigator next week BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING! Please everyone watch it. Make sure tissues are nearby.

Love,

Hermana Lambert

Week 3: The Gift of Tongues

At the Temple!

Holaaaaaaa!

Everything is very crazy time-wise today so I'll just through out some random things that I've been wanting to tell you all.

First off, I memorized 2 Nephi 9:39 in Spanish. It sure is a cool one. It made me think of Elder Soares's Devotional this week. He said that sometimes we have been forgiven of our sins, yet we still remember them, sometimes painfully, as a reminder that we never want to let them happen again. 

The "why" of the mission. Something that has struck me this week is that everyone who lives on this earth a one point made a decision. They chose, knowing full well that they would face many trails and sorrows, to live this life. They wanted desperately to come here to learn from and experience this life so that they could know, through their own experience, the good from the evil. They wanted to gain a body and learn to have faith. We as missionaries help them accomplish this. We invite them to do what they have wanted to do since before this life. 

The don de lenguas (gift of tongues) is real! My Spanish is by no means excellent, but somehow my companion and I are teaching lessons and understanding our investigators. Also, I am really bad memorizing things but even so, I am miraculously able to get down long passages of Spanish scripture and PMG. It's mind boggling. 

One last thing. We missionaries are conduits through which the Spirit testifies. That is why we have such high standards. That is why there are so many rules. We have to humble ourselves and acknowledge that we need the help of our God and the help of the Spirit, because the Spirit can only flow through us if we are pure and obedient. 

Well that's really all I have for today.... Thanks to the Maine Reynolds and WA Reynolds for the lovely packages. I love all of you guys!

Why am I so lucky to have the BEST COMPANION EVER!?!?!!!!!

At the Devotional

Week 2: Misionera Colocha

My MTC District!!

Hola Familia (Y amigos)!

This week was better than the first. The first few days here were super tiring and a little stressful because everything was new, but now I feel totally relaxed and happy. The food here has lost it's sparkle unfortunately... I'm trying my best to not eat dessert at every meal but.... haha. Exercise time is my favorite. My companion and I usually run on the track, up stairs, or play volleyball with the district. It's so nice to just have a little break during the day since we do so much studying here.

I definitely know the most Spanish out of everyone in my district so it can be frustrating sometimes when I try to practice with them outside of class (like we are supposed to do) but no one knows what I'm saying. But honestly, that's a nice problem to have compared to the poor Elders and Hermanas who can't say or understand ANYTHING. I have a lot of respect for those missionaries who start at 0 and work so hard at the language. I've decided that even though Spanish class is a piece of cake, I need to start studying harder on my own because I am SO far from being where I need to be in the field.

Sundays here are the best. This past Sunday my whole district sang "Praise to the Man" in the MTC choir. WOW. I don't think I have never felt the spirit so strongly during a song. I also wanted to tell you all that I seriously love Joseph Smith. From such an early age, he was so humble and Christ-like. Yo se que el era un profeta de Dios. (BTW its only been 10 days and I have already had to memorize the missionary purpose, first vision, baptismal invitation, and Moroni 10:4-5 in Spanish. Yikes!). On Sunday we watched David A. Bednar's "Character of Christ" talk. GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW. I felt so much peace and joy, and felt like so many of my worries were put to rest when I listened to it. Seriously, it's amazing, and probably the best part of my experience here so far. Well, hasta la luego! The Church is true and the Book is blue!

Love you all,

Hermana Lambert 

let me know if the pics work!

MTC Pics!

Thanks to the Finlaysons for getting me to Provo and an the Teichert Exhibition too!  I loved this last chance to see them and my sisters!!!

At the Provo Temple!

Grandpa Reynolds dropping me off at the MTC

And Grandma too, of course! 

Look who I ran into!  The Stevenson's--Aunt Laura's mom and dad!

Las Hermanas!  

Los Hermanos

Ready To Preach!

Studying hard!

Still  Having Fun!

Hola Familia!!

So... Saturday is my P-day (duh). I love the MTC! I also LOVE my

district. Honestly, after 9 hours of classes, their good humor and

positive attitudes are the only thing that keeps me going. The MTC is

unlike any other place in the world. It is stuffed full of young

missionaries who are trying so hard to put their trust in God and

become a tool in His hands. The leaders and teachers are so supportive

and think the world of us. I think that we really benefit from their

confidence because it's hard! Spanish isn't nearly as hard as

Mongolian or Chinese and it's hard not for us to remain optimistic

about our language skills.

Let me tell you about my district. My compañera is Hermana D. She

is amazing! She is from California, she is super outgoing, and she is

so so funny. We sometimes have trouble focusing and just dissolve into

giggles while working together, but I think we need that. The two

other Hermanas are Hna R and Hna T. Hna R and I lived

in Helaman Halls at the same time last year so we recognized each

other on the first day. Both these sisters are so sweet and kind. We

all get along really well. As for the elders, Elder P is our

district leader and he is so great at it. He does a fantastic job of

keeping our focus in mind, leading us, and encouraging us. His

companion is elder Z. He is a cancer survivor and he is a

little quiet but studies very hard. Elder P is an amputee. He is

very upbeat and keeps us laughing with his made up Spanish words. His

companion, Elder B, was born in Japan (lived there for 11 yrs)

and is remembers quite a lot of Spanish vocabulary from high school.

We are all in class together ALL DAY. Let me tell you, by the end of

the day we are completely exhausted. Yesterday we taught our first

investigator in Spanish. I was surprised by how long it took to

prepare. When we were in the lesson it was pretty good, but my comp

had trouble understanding the investigator's questions and didn't

understand my responses to her. So.... that is something to work on

haha. Sometimes Spanish is a little frustrating because I feel like I

need to say something but I have no clue how. Nevertheless, el don de

lenguas (gift of tongues) is real so we will get there eventually!

The food here is really good. Exercise time is a blessing. I'm certain

that companionships and districts are inspired. The people are

amazing. 

Last night, a girl in the exact same situation as one of our

sisters randomly came and knocked on our door. She was able to comfort

a sister who had never learned any Spanish before and had had a

meltdown after her investigator lesson. It was amazing that God cared

enough about her to send someone who had been in her shoes two weeks

ago.

Bye! Love you!

Hermana Lambert

These pictures capture the different personalities well!