Monday, February 24, 2014

Baptism

Baptism of Miiriam Giron B

New Companion

 
 
 
 
Hermana Soto, Hermana Sutton

1st Week As A Trainer

FAMILIA AMIGOS Y TODO!

WOW!!!  Sounds like things are moving right along with the wedding, with mission calls, and with everything!  It is so fun to hear what everyone is doing!  

This week was a great one!  The first week with my new companion - which is always really fun!  I remember my first couple of weeks in the mission and how big of a change it was!  I hope that I can give her some advice on how I made that transition in my mission (because it really wasn`t that long ago, but it was... but not... wow - time is so different here in the mission)  But it has been a great experience to train someone and I have learned more this week than EVER!!!! 

….1….  You had transfers, but are you still in the same city (Nuevo Casas Grande)?  And?

I am in the city in my wonderful ward and with friends; it is great!  It is a lot more responsibility though.  I have to remember where everyone lives and what their names are and all that jazz!  But it has been great and my relationship with the members has grown a lot more this week (but don`t worry, I still miss our ward back home like crazy!)  Make sure everyone knows I say hi and I love them!

….2….  New companion – name, what’s her background, speaks any English, family, anything you want to tell us about her.?.?.?

My companion’s name is Hermana Soto!  (hahaha - almost Sutton)  She is from Honduras in the capitol and she has 24 years and she is the oldest of 4 kids.  She studied architecture before she came on her mission and finished college!  She is such a sweetheart and really has desires to work hard to serve the Lord (ohhh yeah!!!!)  haha  She reminds me a little bit like Kendra Hunter! - who is going on her mission this week ;) haha  We work well together and have a lot of fun!  She is bi-lingual, entonces she can speak English perfect and same with Spanish.... (ugh, I want this) haha  It is helpful that she knows English but I need to work on making my Spanish better ;) hahaha

 ….3….  How’s the Primary coming along?

THE PRIMARY IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I never want to leave!  They are so sweet and so hilarious and like my little “littles”!  Nothing is better than all of the little kids running up to you at church and yelling Hermana Sutton and hugging you as tight as they can!  My heart literally melts with joy!  They are so sweet!!!!

….4….  Did you get your last box when you traveled to Juarez last week?

NO package... no worries!!!!

We had an amazing experience yesterday that was a little bit weird... but a miracle, none the less!  An hermano from Colonial Juarez called us after church when we were at our food appointment to make sure we were still okay for the appointment with him and his friend at 6....  Yeah, well, we had no idea who he was or his friend or anything... (a little weird ) but we felt like we should go so we met him and his wife at the church (yes, they are members - thank goodness) and then to their friends house.  And guess who was there... the most perfect family who are so prepared by the Lord!  They are called the family Carbello and WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW; they are literally a miracle!  We had a really special lesson with them and the spirit was so strong and they were so interested and want to learn and to change!  The whole story was really weird, but if you trust in the Lord with all your heart and do what you are supposed to be doing, He will lead you to miracles and to see His hand in this work!  I am a witness of that!

I know this work is of the Lord.  He lives and always wants to help and to lift us when we can`t go any more!  I AM SO BLESSED!!!!!  THIS MISSION HAS CHANGED ME!!!!!!! 

Have an incredible week and remember to read your scriptures and pray pray pray!!!!

I LOVE YOU!

Hermana Sutton

 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Long bus ride to Juarez



5 de Mayo


Off to Juarez


Off to Juarez for Training


HOLA HOLA HOLA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are things in good old Brigham City??  Warming up??  Because it sure is here!  It was crazy - we came home one day this week and I realized wow, I didn't use my coat all day long!  IT`S A MIRACLE ;) hahaha  I am a fan of the warm weather so all is good!  Happy late valentine’s day last Friday and happy presidents day??  What - I totally forgot that one! 

That`s exciting that more and more mission calls are coming along and that really the work of salvation is increasing every single day.  It truly is such an exciting time to be a live and be a member of the church! 

This week was a crazy one!  Unlike any week we have had in the mission!  On Wednesday night the zone leaders called me and told me that Hermana Jacobo and I needed to get on the bus to go to Juarez tomorrow, in the morning, for a meeting for new trainers in the mission!  Yup - you heard that right; I am actually going to train a new missionary....  No comment! ;)  I am just a little bit nervous because I feel like I don`t know anything because I just finished my training, but I am so grateful for the opportunity, and I know that the Lord will provide a way! :) :) :)  So anyway, we left for Juarez in the morning on a 4 and a half hour bus ride!  Let me just say that Juarez is a completely different world.... WOW  There are so many cars and people and buildings and noise!!!!!!!  At first I was a little freaked out; I am used to my cute little Casas Grandes!  But it was fun to be in a different place.  We stayed with some Hermanas that are there and then Friday in the morning I had my capacitation with all of the trainers in all of the mission!  It was such a great opportunity and I learned SOOOOOO much!  Now let`s just hope I can put it into action! ;) hahahaha  I need all the prayers you can give please!!!! hahahaha  After the meeting we worked in one of Hermana Jacobo`s old areas and visited a lot of her old converts and members.  Then on Saturday there was a meeting for all of the zone leaders in the mission and Hermana Jacobo (because she is the sister training leader), so I went to that meeting all day Saturday also, and then we came back to casas late late late saturday night!   So pretty much my week was spent, for the most part, in Juarez! (A little different than usual) but it was exciting and full of learning! 

So yes... there are cambios (transfers) this week and yes, Hermana Jacobo is leaving to Dublan (a little city pretty close to Casas Grande) and a new missionary from Honduras is coming to be in my area with me!!!!  I haven`t met her yet and I know nothing about her except that she is 24 and from Honduras!  I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! :):):)  She will get here tonight! 

So that is pretty much it!  It was a good week!

OHHHHHHHHH - But I want to tell you about a family that we met earlier this week called the family Torres!  They are both pretty young and work for the law or something, and they have 2 little kids that are adorable.  They are Catholic, just like every other person in Mexico, but really aren`t religious and never have been.  They were a reference given to us and we have been trying to contact them for a long time and finally found them!  The first lesson with them started out a little shaky and they, at the beginning, weren`t really interested but as the lesson went on something changed inside of them and they began to be a little more attentive and interested.  By the end of the lesson the husband stopped us and said, “I think that I need this in my life! I have never let anyone in my house to talk about religion or anything and for some reason, I let you sisters in...  This isn`t a coincidence!”   AMAZING HUH??????  When he said this, the spirit testified to me once again how incredible this message is!  IT IS TRUE!!!!  And it is incredible to see the miracles!  And to feel the power of the Gospel in the lives of others!!

I hope everyone is reading and praying and going to church - if not.... I will hunt you down when I get back!!!! ;)  I love you so very much and I am so grateful to be here on a mission serving my Savior and growing with His help!  This is the true church; I know it with all my soul!  Take advantage of the teaching experiences you receive!  There is no greater joy than preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ!

CON AMOR!!!

Hermana Sutton
 
p.s.  Thank goodness I didn`t have to eat Menudo yesterday....!!!!

 

Monday, February 10, 2014

Sisters Jacobo & Sutton at the Juarez temple


The Utah Hermanas

Sisters Nunez, Sutton & Lindsley

The Beautiful Hermanas

Sisters serving in the Ciudad Juarez Mission

New Food I Tried!


BUENAS TARDES!!!!!!!!!  (Great Spanish mom, you had better study up so we can write only in Spanish) hahaha
 
It sounds like things are going great at home and everyone seems to be enjoying the time without the favorite child there ;)  hahaha  NOT!  But it is good to hear that you are enjoying the little things and working hard!  (don’t work too hard ;)  
 
This week was a little different than most; we weren`t in our area too much.  I spent a lot of time in Dublan (which is like Utah here in Mexico) helping the other Hermanas in their area.  It was great, and I learned a lot!  But it was a good week and it is starting to finally warm up... I hope!  Hermana Jacobo says just enjoy the cold when you can because once summer gets here, you will fall over dead from the heat and you will never sleep!  Hahaha  But I still miss short sleeves!
 
Make sure the ward knows how great they are, how much they mean to me, and how their examples have been priceless in my life!  I know they are such a blessing.  Make sure everyone is practicing their Spanish and reading the scriptures everyday!!!!!!!!
 
So tell me about this wedding?!!  It is coming up super soon - I think... right??  What are the colors and the FOOD (the most important part) and all the details!  I am pretty sure it is wedding season or something.  Trevor Thornton is engaged and so is Kara, and I am pretty sure Mitzi is too! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH hahaha  I am glad I am in another country  ;)
 
…1…       Are all the roads in your town dirt?  (I noticed in one of your pictures it looks a little like the wild wild west…. :) hahahaha

Wild Wild West is for sure!  Most of the roads are dirt and rocks and lovely for walking!  But a part of our area is a little city too, so the roads are paved....ish!  You always have to watch out for pot holes no matter what road you are on, but I love it!!!!!!!!!! 

…2…       When are transfers and how many sister missionary  groups are in your mission?  (Do you anticipate a change?)

Transfers are on Lunes - I think!  And I bet we are going to get transferred... but who really knows!  I shouldn`t say anything or else I will curse it or something like that.... but all is well.  I just hope that I stay in the Colonies; I am not ready for the big city Juarez ;)  I hear it is a whole different world there. 

…3…       What is the best thing you’ve eaten since you’ve been in Nuevo Casas Grande?  (Do you know how to make it?)

 
I LOVE ALL THE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!  And I am not just saying that!  But let me tell you about something disgusting that I ate this week!  One of the elders had heard that I hadn`t tried “Menudo” so he brought it for me to try.  Menudo is cow intestine!  And wow - let`s just say it was a miracle that I could keep it down!  IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GROSS!!!!!!!!!!  Let`s keep our fingers crossed that I won`t have to choke it down at one of the members house :)  EHHHH YUCK!

…4…   Does your mission have a facebook page?
 
I don´t think there is a facebook page, but all the members like facebook so just add everyone that adds me and looks Mexican ;)  hahaha 

This week we had the most amazing opportunity!  We got to go to the temple in Colonial Juarez!  It is the smallest temple in the whole entire world!  And let me just tell you, it really is TINY - but so incredibly beautiful!  It really doesn’t matter the size because the same spirit is there!  It was an activity for the 2 stakes in the colonies to do family history week and then baptisms!  We have been working with the members to find names and it turned out to be really great :)  I LOVE THE TEMPLE SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I wish I could go there every single day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If you get the chance, go do baptisms or just go to the temple and take some time to think!  The spirit there truly is a piece of heaven on this crazy earth we live in!

I love this gospel with all of my heart and soul!  I know that this is the Lord`s work!  He lives and He blesses us every single day, we just have to look for it!  I truly testify with all my heart that God has a plan for all of His children (which is every single person on this earth) SHARE THAT PLAN!  It brings TRUE "joy" into lives!

I love you with all my heart and pray for you daily!

Hermana Sutton

Monday, February 3, 2014

My Mexican Family


This is Hermana Beltran and Itzel and honestly they are the best! She is pretty much my mom in the mission! We go every week to work on family history with them and anyone else we can convince to come with us!

Mexican sleepover


This is Hermana Rodriguez and she is awesome!!! This was during our little activity! (Hermana Rodriguez is actually going home in 2 weeks, crazy!!!!!!!!) she doesn´t want to even think about that.... but don´t worry i´m not quite to that point!

February is Already Here!


HMMMMMM - I don´t know where to start!  Another week gone, and I honestly it went by so fast!  I don´t know where the time is going!  AHHHHH slow down please!!!!  Hahaha

I´m glad dad is still alive after the Klondike Derby and also glad that I didn’t have to sleep outside in the snow... my house is cold enough ;) haha  

 Make sure that Grandma knows I wished her a Happy Birthday, and sang to her!! Haha

Also, I hope the birthday of Derek will be great (on the 7th right??) and make sure he finds himself a girl!!!!  Happy birthday Derek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is one Hermana in our ward that is amazing.... hahaha  

Also, Happy Anniversary to Amanda and Eric :)  WOW!  How crazy it is already February!

..1..        Have you found a new apartment yet?

WOW!  That is a long story...  We found one really nice but then who knows what happened and craziness..  But the Hermana that owns the house that we live in now is redoing her house so that we can live in the back part of it.  Yes, it is a lot nicer and I am excited!  But it won´t be ready until the end of February so hopefully I am still in this area!!!  Almost transfers already... how weird!!

..2..        What part of Guatemala is your comp from?  Is she a convert or was she born into the church?  Does she have any siblings and/or where does she fit into her family?

She is from the Capitol of Guatemala and she has been a member her whole life and so has all her family; her dad actually works for the church!  She also has 2 siblings, an older brother and a younder brother!!  It’s a small family like us, and she also has a nephew!  hahahaha 

..3..        What kind of cooking facilities do you have in your apartment (stove, fridge, oven, microwave, etc.) or are things like Derek had them – a hot plate, sink and fridge….?

Well... our kitchen.... hahahaha we have a stove top and a microwave that sometimes work!  and a little fridge like you buy for students living in dorms... but we are happy and always have food!  So no worries :)  We just have to be really creative!!! 

..4..        Did you send something with Raul (from Mexico)?  Do I need to call and reconnect with him?  I am going to send him pizza via Amanda when she remembers…..for being my currier.

Yes, I did send a little surprise with Raul but he has been really busy (says his mom) so he has the thing but you could give him a call and make sure!  It´s nothing big, but I just wanted to send something little for everyone :)  I hope you know how much I love you!!!!! 

 
This week we had exchanges with the Hermanas that are in a city really close to ours.  I stayed with them for a day and one of the other Hermanas came to my area.  It really was a fun experience and I learned so much!  It is good to get out and work with other Hermanas because you are use to your comp and how she works... Entonces - it was an experience really great! :)

 
We also had a little activity with those Hermanas yesterday and this morning, we stayed at their house and made cookies and talked and planned an activity for later this week!  It was fun!  I will send you pictures...  They all are Mexicans (well one is from Dominican Republic) so they all made fun of my Spanish... haha  but it is getting better so no worries!!!!!  It was fun to relax and remember what a sleepover is like :) 

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We went to someone’s house last night and the Super Bowl was on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And guess what ???   They showed David Beckham right when I looked at the TV to see what was going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, miracles do happen!!!!!!!!!!  hahahahahahaha

I love you with all of my heart and soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO for everyone!!!!!  I truly am so blessed to be serving the Lord right now and that He gave me the amazing support system I have!!!!

I know this work is the work of our SAVIOR!  We truly need Him every hour!!!

Con Amor, Hermana Sutton