Off to Carlsbad California!!!!

My new address:

Hermana Stacey Lythgoe

451 West Bobier Drive

Vista, CA 92083

August 14, 2012-- Tuesday


Oh gosh... where to even begin!! Maybe the fact that I forgot you guys were even alive until today! I have been so focused on the work that it has been crazy! It's a good thing. Leaving the MTC was the best day ever. I was worried that I was wasn't worried. I loved it so much (the MTC) and learned so much from it. The mission President introduced us new missionaries and he told everyone that I am fire and chainsaw certified! (Important Info.... )What in the world?! It was so embarrassing, see if I put that on papers again.

My companion reminds me of Sarah Haderlie, Laurie Lythgoe, and Janessa Roney (surprisingly). No one can compare to Janessa. We teach so many lessons a day, it is crazy! Contacting is my favorite part people are soooo good! I am shocked at how people just open up and share their deepest desires and feelings when you are a representative of the Lord, people need help.

So, a funny story that I will share with you:
We see this little old lady across the way, and I suggest to go over and talk to her, so we do. We passed her crossing the street and I said, "Hola, can we help you out?" Because she was carrying some bags. She yells, "Go to Heck...." But she really said the word! We looked at each other, kind of taken back, but then I just lost it and started cracking up, secretly of course. It was funny.

I have been called to teach the humble. It is amazing and it feels so right. The people here, oh my gosh, are so humble! We are not in the ritzy area of this mission. They are such poor people and just need to be loved first. I keep thinking to myself  "Of course I was suppose to come here to California so I could meet you," or "Of course I was suppose to come to this area."


August 21, 2012-- Tuesday


Preparation days are hard! It is a funny thing. They are probably the hardest days because we are not constantly teaching, so it is tough. This week we got in a car crash, no one was hurt. The lady we hit, she told us that everything happens for a reason and asked us for a quick prayer, she was a preacher of some religion. But when her husband came, he was beyond mad!

We set two baptismal dates this week, so exciting!! And, they came to church this Sunday.  I tried to bear my testimony during the lesson, I started in and was getting a little chocked up so I had to stop for a bit. Everyone thought that I was struggling with the language, so they moved on (dang it). Yesterday we had a Zone conference. It was so fun getting together with the other 20 missionaries and talk about how we can improve. It was all about Faith and how we can strengthen our Faith. President Cook is awesome! I can compare my life as a missionary to that of running a half marathon. I am learning how to mentally keep moving, it is so hard! But so good at the same time. Some days I feel like crying. I seriously feel like I did when I hit mile 11 in my races... exhausted... can't keep going... but somehow get through it and I am able to finish the day.

My companion and I sang "I know that my Redeemer Lives" at the Zone conference. Kind of nerve wracking, but definitely brought the spirit, I loved it!

Pictures in the MTC

Roommates in the MTC. (L-R) Hermana Garner, Hermana Adams, Me, and Hermana Whicker, my companion. This was my first day in the MTC and we are all going to the same mission.

                                       
                                            My district attending the temple in Provo, Utah.

Me and Sister Moon-- I ran the dirty dash with her before we entered the MTC. She is going to be serving in Washington, Spanish Speaking.

                                                        Missionaries serving the Lord.

Elder Nelson from Heber (the one standing to my left) and his companion is an Elder I met while I was in New Zealand last year.



July 17, 2012

I was sitting in sacrament meeting and lots of changes were being made. Everyone in my district now has a calling, except me. So I knew right when they called the last few in my district that I would be speaking that day in sacrament meeting.... I just knew it... and I was! This was my first talk in Spanish and it was great! 

I leave in three weeks and I am very excited! My companion is a bit nervous to get out there to California, but I can't help to just feel SOOOO excited! I'm ready to just do this!

July 24, 2012

I'm going to miss the TRC. I want to come and be an investigator when I get back, it is such a neat experience! Life is great! The MTC is the best place ever. It is not a jail like some people say, it's one of the closest places to Heaven in my eyes. 

On Sunday, I got called as Coordinating sister which they say is the closest thing to Relief Society President. It will be my responsibility to make sure the new sisters feel welcome and get them settled, it should be great! I also get to go to a lot more meetings now and I am glad. I love leadership opportunities, it forces me to be a better person.

July 31, 2012

My companion and I got chosen to demonstrate how to begin teaching in front of the new missionaries that come in on Wednesday. It's kind of a big deal actually! I remember going to it the day I got here. There are about 50 missionaries and the "Pro" missionaries (I felt they were Pro at the time) would come in and demonstrate with an investigator. I never thought that I would be that missionary who would now be demonstrating. It's quite an honor! There are 16 missionaries chosen, and me and my companion were two of those who were chosen.

Well I'm calling home in ONE WEEK!! We are leaving the MTC at 5 a.m. August 7th to head to the airport to fly out to California. I am very excited to hear your happy voices!!

Loving Mission Life

Oh my goodness what an AMAZING week! My companion and I taught our new investigator. We have two new ones now. Cesar and Eduardo. We taught Ceasar first and what an amazing experience that was. We were both so nervous, probably because Ceasar is really our teacher and is such an amazing teacher, so it was pretty intimidating going in to teach him but I can honestly say that it was by far our best lesson. The spirit was SO STRONG! It started off a little rough but then after finding out more about him we both were able to adjust our lesson we had planned to meet his needs, although it was such a simple lesson, it was still so powerful. It's amazing that Heavenly Father can place the words in your mouth the very minute you need them. I definitely can testify of this now. The next day we had a lesson that didn't go very well, it's funny the high and lows that we have. The reason being that I could not understand a word that Eduardo (our other investigator) was saying. He was talking so fast! The spirit was not there at all, it was a hard lesson actually. One thing that I have definitely gained is a testimony of the power of the atonement! I know that Christ suffered for EVERYONE and that we can be completely forgiven of guilt and shame!

We also went to the TRC this week... that's where you just go in and teach a member who has come in and volunteered. Everyone talks about how it is so scary and I can see why, but I thought that my companion and I did a great job! We taught twice, back to back. The first one was an older man. LOVED him. It was so easy to just talk with him and feel Gods love for him. The spirit was so strong with this older man. Then we got to teach another woman, not the same effect for me. Although we did a great job, I just didn't feel as connected to her as the first one because I wasn't able to understand her, but it was still good and a great experience. We get to go into the TRC every Thursday.

We have had the best devotionals this week! It's missionary president training this week so a lot of the apostles are in and out, I haven't seen any yet but I think there will be one speaking to us tonight!

Love you all and thanks for all the letters!!
Hermana Lythgoe

Time flies when your on the Lord's side!

Oh my goodness! What a great few days! After arriving at the MTC and getting all situated, I met my companion. We have the same major at BYU and actually were in a few classes together. She's so amazing. We're perfect for each other and we both work well together, I love it! My other roommates are all so great, we get along so well! They are all so determined to serve the Lord which is so great. Well where to begin... I've already taught 3 lessons in Spanish... umm WHAT?? me?!? talking in Spanish?? yup! Heavenly Father has definitely just taken over. i would not have been able to do what I've done in the last few days without him. And because of it, i feel confident for the upcoming week. Ok so I'm going to share a hilarious Espanol story: So there we were, my companion and I, teaching mateo. We start off and we're doing great. We followed up on comments, we taught the lesson... it was going great. So my companion was sharing her testimony about the Book of Mormon and then turned to me so that I could share mine. So I start in and I was doing pretty good but then I couldn't remember, for the life of me, how to say, "Peace" in Spanish. I looked at my companion and asked her and she hesitantly said, "Suave." I looked at her like, "uhh I don't think that's the right word," but I said it anyway. Everyone in the room started cracking up (Oh dear what did I just say??) When we got done teaching the lesson we quickly looked up what suave means. So apparently I said that reading the Book of Mormon helps me feel smooth! Well it definitely could have been worse!

The food is fine here in the MTC, the gym time that we get is amazing, even though I made a complete fool of myself in kickball. The district that I'm in is great! The elders are so stinkin funny.... so immature but funny. I can't believe that I've already been here over a week! I'm already starting to see and understand why mission are so great! I've done a lot of things in life... bungee jumping, skydiving, you know, the usual. but NOTHING compares to the feeling of helping/inviting someone to come to Christ. The spirit is sooo strong every time we teach. We recently worked on door contacting.... scare me to death. But my companion and I were the only ones that actually got in! Being here has been tough but amazing at the same time! I can't wait to see what the next year and a half brings me!


Love you all,
Hermana Lythgoe

And the journey of a lifetime begins.... now!

Sister Stacey Lythgoe entered the MTC on June 6th 2012. It was a great day, yet at the same time it was a very sad day. We know that Stacey is doing the right thing by serving the Lord, but it's hard to see such an amazing person leave us for a little bit. She has been called to serve the people in Carlsbad, California Spanish speaking. She will be in the MTC for about 2 months learning the language. She is very excited to start teaching people of Carlsbad, CA the Gospel and we are excited to hear her amazing stories and experiences. 

She had to say goodbye to her puppy Champ. One last squeeze of the ears!!!

 We ate at Brick Oven before dropping her off. I don't think Sister Lythgoe ate anything, she was very nervous and excited to start her new journey in life.









  

After eating at Brick Oven we quickly stopped by the Provo Temple and took some pictures

Saying goodbye for just a little bit! See you in 18 months Hermana Lythgoe!!

You forgot your sack lunch!

 "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand." We love you so much Hermana Lythgoe!