July 16, 2014

Hola familia! Thanks for the wonderful letters and the package. That blanket is perfect! Now I won't freeze. It's kind of fabulous to snuggle up in that softness. And the color is perfect!! I am so stuffing it in my suitcase. There is no way I'm leaving America without it. Well, I am halfway through the MTC! What? It feels like I just got here...but at the same time like I have been here for eternity. I love my district and my companion so much. They are my little family here.

So here is a rundown of this week, I will try to go in chronological order so it makes more sense. So Wednesday night we killed 13 nickel-sized spiders of all different colors in our apartment...13 in one night! I guess you could say we had a slight infestation going on. Hermana Gardner, Hermana Andrews, Hermana Storms, and I decided to extend our bedtime and kill any spiders we found searching the apartment because none of us were going to be able to sleep wondering how many more were crawling around. So, there we were at 11 at night in our PJs assassinating spiders. We found a NEST under my bed, of course. We got the Febreeze and sprayed them to death, and then Hermana Gardner attacked them with her shoe. We were all piled on the edge of my bed cheering her on and Hermana Andrews had her headlamp on so we could see them. Oh man, I'm sure we were super cute. We acted it out again for the Elders the next day. So that's what the picture with us all on the desks is. We talked to the office and they sent someone to spray our apartment, so it took a few days, but the spider killing count has gone down to like 1 or 2 every few days. We are preparing for Mexico already!!! Let's see...que mas? Oh! I got my VISA!! So I went to SLC with Elder Smith, Elder Lamm, and other people from different districts to the Mexican Consulate. I met two other Elders going to my same mission, but no Sisters that any of us know of yet. So far I'm the only girl leaving on the adventure to Juarez. This week after our devotional, Hermana Storms and I were really bored walking back from the Marriott center (we are having devotionals there until next Sunday..Mom, you were right there by me!! Did you see missionaries walking around while you were lost in Provo? I was in that crowd haha) and we started talking in Spanish in a British accent. Oh we are so pro!! It was funny to listen to each other; we stopped though because we don't want to get into that habit. We already struggle to pronounce things correctly anyway. The language is coming though! I can understand a lot, I just struggle a bit to form sentences. We got 10 new elders last week, fresh out of high school. One of them is related to Mitt Romney, so that's cool. And I met President Monson's nephew on Sunday. His mannerisms are actually a lot like President Monson's. He told us some funny stories about him, so that was my claim to fame this week.

This week we got a new REAL investigator named Ivette. She is 100% real! She is not a role-play!!! She is super sweet and is from NYC and speaks beautiful Spanish. She came out here because her friend going to BYU told her she could come here and find a happy change. (She wasn't doing so well in NYC). Please pray for her to feel the love of God and see His hand in her life. She wants to find truth, but fights against herself. I love her soooo much though!!! Oh boy, all I ever worry about is, "What can I do better to help Ivette?" She claimed to be Catholic growing up and became an Atheist in her teenage years. Long story short, she thought maybe God could be real and began investigating the Church. Our first lesson, we just listened to her and got to know her so we could better adapt our lessons to her needs. The second lesson, we went to teach the Restoration, and it kind of went there but not haha. We shared Mosiah 4:9 (Believe in God...one of my favs!) with her and she said, "Oh that is beautiful! I feel something. What book is this in?" We told her it was from the Book of Mormon (whoops, we should have said that before) and she said she really liked it and took a picture of the verse with her phone so she could print it out and put it in her room!!! So we ultimately spent half the lesson explaining to her who God was with scriptures. After, we moved on with our lesson and she asked the perfect question that led to us sharing Joseph Smith's story. We opened to James 1:5 and she LOVED IT!!! She went on to read 1:6 without our cue and really took off on her own. It's amazing to teach her because she thinks out loud and answers her own questions a lot of the time. All Hermana Storms and I really do is plop out a scripture and she finds everything on her own. The Spirit really works wonders if you let it. Anyway, we asked her what she was thinking about that scripture and she said, "I should follow Joseph's example I guess and ask God what is right and what I need to do." I almost leaped out of my chair. She figured it all out herself! She agreed to read the Testimonies at the beginning of the Book of Mormon and to pray. She said she would with so much enthusiasm I was going to cry. It was the best feeling ever! I'm really starting to learn I'm not here for myself; my testimony would have been fine without a mission. I'm here for the people, and I love my people already so much! I can't wait to teach her again tomorrow! I live for 4:20 pm now! (that's our appointment time.)

Other than that, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be with all my heart. It's so wonderful when you know you're on track, and I know I am. So I'm just at peace with that. This is probably the best calling I will ever have aside from being a mom, so I'm just soaking it up! I love you guys a lot and sure miss you! But time flies like crazy, so I will be back before I know it. I hope Dad's ankle is getting better and that all is well at home. Have a great week!!

Love,

Hermana Anderton

Reenacting the great spider hunt.....   Notice Raegan is supporting from as far away as possible.

Sisters at the Provo Temple

July 9, 2014

Hola familia! Como estan?! Did you get my letter yet? I sent it out on Saturday...but I don't think the mail was running since it was the 4th of July. I'm snail mailing the letter for Grandma Anderton to you; can you please type it up when you get it? My handwriting is absolutely atrocious because I was writing super-fast because I needed to get all my thoughts down. I will drop that in the mailbox tomorrow morning probably. Thanks for the letters and packages. I really appreciate them, you have no idea. Even though I don't have time to write back very much, I really appreciate receiving letters. I pretty much marched around showing the family pictures to everyone; I was super excited to see them. We are the cutest family on the planet...I'm pretty sure. How is the car from the guy in the gas station on the 4th of July? I started laughing out loud reading that letter Mom. You are funny even in writing. Dad, your letters make me soooo happy! I love them! I know my daddy loves me :)

Well, this week my schedule didn't change much. Dad's right...it's a lot like "Groundhogs Day" here. But it's a good day every day. However, there are quite a few highlights and thoughts I will tell you guys about. Once again, please forgive me for my scatterbrained-ness. There is limited time here! So here we go: On Monday the other Hermanas and I were going crazy. We had been studying super hard and it was HOT in our classroom. I mean, we would laugh about everything. So in our crazy-state, we decided to give everyone in our district "Spirit Animals" which are basically what you would be if you were an animal. So here's the list, it's awesome: Elder Lamm is a mountain lion because he is an outdoorsy guy who knows everything about nature, Elder Pinder is a panda bear because we just adore him (he's like the baby of the district and we all want to take care of him), and Elder Smith is a puppy because he's eager to please people and is very obedient. Hermana Andrews is a sea-otter because she is attached to her baby blanket (just like sea otters get attached to their favorite rock). Hermana Gardner is a dove because she is super graceful and fluttery. Hermana Storms, aka the best companion on the planet, is a bumbstermel (a bumblebee, hamster, and a camel. she drinks water like crazy and is super cute so yeah...that's where we got that animal haha), and I'm a fainting goat because I get really excited about things and stuff. (Go look up fainting goat on YouTube and you will totally see me as a fainting goat. It's so realistic it's ridiculous!) SO yeah, that's what we do for fun. To celebrate the 4th of July, we watched "17 Miracles" which reminded me of trek and stuff...then "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul" started playing during the middle of the movie...that's my favorite hymn...and I cried for the first time since I've been in the MTC. Haha, most people cry for the first time for other reasons...and I cried because of a movie. But really, the pioneers hold such a special spot in my heart because of the sacrifices they made and their legacy of faith they left. So I guess I was just not prepared for my 4th of July celebration to leave me in tears, and that's why I probably cried harder than anyone else during the movie. Anyways, after the movie we went outside and watched the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire and we could hear Carrie Underwood singing! So that was cool and fun. We got to stay up past our bedtime, hooray! I really am struggling with this sleeping schedule, I won't lie. I'm not a morning person. But luckily my companion is, so she just turns on the light and then I can't sleep anymore so it all works haha. A funny thought the hermanas and I had this week: We have no idea what everyone is talking about when they say you will gain weight in the MTC. If anything, I'm losing some because I can't keep the food in me for more than 20 minutes, none of us can haha. So we are super excited to see what Mexican food does to us! So if you want, feel free to send me food! (Hi-Chews, green apple flavor would be FABULOUS!) On Sunday, Hermana Storms and I were called to be the Online Coordinators for our zone...we had no idea that those existed, but said yes anyway. The mystery was solved and now we can do our job. I also was asked to pray for the beginning of fast and testimony meeting in Spanish, I cannot tell you how terrified I was to pray in front of people in Spanish. Oh man, I about peed my skirt. I am super nervous to pray in front of people in English...let alone a language I'd been learning for only 10 days. But I just went up there and words came out and it was fine. My Spanish is actually coming along pretty good. I have to try hard, but my efforts are paying off fast. I don't feel too stressed about the language at all, so that's been a great blessing. I seriously struggle for some English words now. Today we went up to main campus and I seriously can't say "Hello, how are you doing?" without thinking about it. Down here on West Campus we have our own little Spanish village, so saying stuff in Spanish or at least Spanglish is just the way we roll.

That's pretty much my life this week in a nutshell: Working hard and playing kind of hard. I know I'm where I am supposed to be! I keep having Deja vu moments like crazy. I can't tell you how much I love this. I mean, I already loved this gospel so much, but I'm just growing to love it more. It's crazy. I just want to run around the entire world and tell everyone! Elder Andersen came and spoke to us for Tuesday evening devotional and he talked about the Holy Ghost. I was sitting there just thinking about all the opportunities I've had to feel His influence and His comfort this week and reflected on how grand of a gift it really is to have a member of the Godhead with us always. SOOOOO SPECIAL!! Saturday was actually a little rough for me and the Holy Ghost really just assured me that being myself was sufficient and that I was going to be okay, it was awesome. I just really can't explain how excited I am to be on the Lord's errand. I volunteered to be here, and I'm so happy I answered the call extended to me to come. SO HAPPY! Well, I hope all is well with you all. Don't worry too much about me, I am being watched over and my district is my little family here. I love them so much. The hermanas are my soul-sisters, pretty sure! Well, have a great week! XOXOXOXOXO I miss you guys! But I will see you every day for the rest of my life, so we are all good :)

CON MUCHO AMOR,

Hermana Anderton

Study or blow bubbles?  Blow bubbles!

Raegan insisted I post this!

Who knows?

Mustaches for everyone!

I'm guessing 4:00pm and have had enough with class!!

Raegan and Samuel Smith (first missionary)

USA.......   Happy 4th!

Watching the fireworks on the 4th.

July 2, 2014

Hola familia! Como estan? Estoy muy feliz aqui! I loooooove the MTC!! I have the best district in the entire world! Did I already tell you where everyone was going? If not here's the deal: My companion, Hermana Storms, is going to the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center in New York; Hermana Gardner, Hermana Andrews, and Elder Pinder are going to Cancun, Mexico; and then Elder Smith, Elder Lamm, and myself are off to Juarez! My district is seriously an insta-family. We get along great and already all love each other. I attached a photo.

We've been teaching an "investigator" named Martina in Spanish! That started on Friday. My vocabulary was NOT ready for that haha. I walked out of the first lesson super frustrated because I could understand her pretty well, I just couldn't talk back! And I knew exactly what I wanted to say in English...but I had to speak Spanish...so it came out in really bumpy sentences. Who knows what I really said haha. But every lesson since has gotten better and I just let the Spirit guide me. People!! The Gift of Tongues is real! I mean in a 24 hour period my vocabulary sky-rocketed. I have to work pretty hard, but I'm learning really fast and my brain thinks in Spanglish ALL THE TIME! It's awesome. I'm super exhausted but super happy.

So my thoughts are all scattered, and I'm sorry if this email makes no sense. There is so much I want to tell you guys! So here is my attempt to do that. Anyways, one day we were practicing teaching and inviting people to pray. I forgot to ask the Hermanas (the pretend investigators) if they would like to pray. Instead I finished teaching, asked if they understood, and the said, "Arrodillarse!" (Which means 'kneel') We had a good laugh at my being a demanding missionary. So my goal is not to forget to invite people before commanding them to do something haha. And then, when it was my turn to be the investigator, I said my name was Clara. My teacher thought I said "rara" which means "weird." HA! SO FITTING! So the hermanas laughed uncontrollably for a solid 5 minutes. Of course, this probably doesn't sound that funny to you guys, but when you've been cooped up in a classroom for the entire day, almost anything has you laughing. One more story: We were walking to class after dinner one day and saw a momma duck and her ducklings in the pond. Hermana Andrews and I  basically chased them around the pond to get a better look. I mean, hello, BABY DUCKS! Anyways, for some reason when we turned around to walk away, I had a major deja vu moment. Like I had been in that EXACT place before having the EXACT conversation with someone. I know I haven't been here before and I didn't know Hermana Andrews until last Wednesday...so it was crazy. I blurted out in the middle of Hermana Andrews' story: OH MY GOODNESS I'M WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE!! and was super excited about it. The hermanas laughed at my enthusiasm and randomness, but I really believe that! Anyways, now the district quotes me on that all the time. Elder Smith says I'm the comedic relief in the district, I don't really try to be...it just comes out. My district has a theme song, it's "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' in Spanish. We performed it for our teacher the second day here. Oh, we are soooo cool haha. We have so much fun while learning.

Ah I'm having a blast here! Except I do miss running and hugs. I'm stuck on a stinking machine for exercise...but it's fine because I can study at the same time. I've memorized the First Vision and My purpose in Spanish!!! :) There isn't a moment to waste here. It's super busy and I feel like my mind is going to explode all the time, but I've been super blessed so far. I miss you guys, but I'm not homesick and I have been able to keep level-headed even with everything going on. I don't feel overwhelmed and like I can't do it...because I CAN!! Si, puedo!! (Con Dios of course.) Missionary work is the best. I might not be able to change the entire world like I would like to, but I can change at least one person's world in Mexico. 

Con todos de mi amor,

Hermana Anderton

Raegan's District: (L to R) Elder's Smith, Pinder and Lamm, Hermana's Andrews, Gardner, Storms and Anderton

Hermana Anderton, Storms (companion), Andrews and Gardner

First letter home..... in the mail!

Study induced Coma's

First Letter from the MTC

Raegan’s First Letter from MTC

6/26/2014

Hola! Como estan? Estoy muy content aqui! I’m so happy here, I ‘m worried I’m doing something wrong, haha. The Spanish is coming along super well. I’m pleasantly surprised. My companion is fabulous, we get along great. She’s heading to the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center! In my district it’s 3 Elders and 4 Sisters and we’re all awesome. The other sister companionship is in my apartment and they are off to Cancun, along with the other Elder. Then me and 2 of the Elders are off to Juarez. We all get along well and enjoy working hard. Sometimes I think my brain is going to burst with all the knowledge I’m stuffing in it … but I feel calm. The Lord has definitely blessed me with keeping a level head. I’m teaching my first investigator tomorrow! Que? (I think in Splanglish now, haha). My P-day is on Wednesday, so that’s when I’ll email you. I’m on West Campus, which is a little bit away from the main MTC, but I like it here more than there. Well, I need to get to bed. Love and miss you!

Hermana Anderton

June 25, 2015: Onward to the MTC!!

Today is the day......  The family loaded up in the car and drove to Provo to drop off Raegan at the Provo MTC.  It is a bitter sweet event.  On one hand you are happy to see you children make good decisions, on the other....  you're going to miss them while they are gone!

We stopped by Krispy Kreme and grabbed some donuts and juice, but nobody seemed really hungry.  Raegan was feeling pretty nervous.  Another family was there with a young Elder who had recently graduated from high school.  He looked like he was going to be ill!

We then proceeded to the Provo Temple to say our final goodbyes and take a few pictures before proceeding across the street to the MTC.   What they say is correct, you open the door and there are missionaries there to grab bags and they are off.   Since I was a little hobbled from surgery on my ankle I almost missed the whole event.  I took a picture as Raegan was leaving and she turned and waived with a smile on her face.  She never looked back!  She will be a great missionary.

It was a long drive home......

In front of the Provo Temple.  Dad, Mom, Hermana Anderton, Madison, Kennedy

Sisters.....

Dad, Raegan and Mom

Last hugs goodbye...

Mom...

Dad.....

Bags are out.

One last wave goodbye!

Onward!

June 24, 2014: Setting Apart

On Tuesday, June 24th, Raegan was set apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Long time friend and Stake President Scott Barfuss set Raegan apart to serve in the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Mission.  Her immediate family and Bishop Rdale Price were present.

Look out Mexico, Hermana Anderton is on her way!!!

Mom, Hermana Anderton, Dad, Kennedy and Madison

Raegan and President Barfuss

Raegan and Bishop Price

Dinner a Chili's!