Peru!

Hola mi familia! Taylor is DEFINITELY no longer in Ahwatukee! We landed in Peru around midnight and after going through customs, getting luggage, and waiting for the bus to take us to the MTC, we didn´t get to the MTC until about 230 in the morning. I am most definitely in culture shock. It is so exciting to be in another country and see a whole new world, but it is definitely different. The city area by the airport looked a lot like Guadalupe, but it was like 3 houses stacked on top of one another. And it definitely has a weird smell... no surprise there to my sensitive nose. I´ll start by listing and telling you the important stuff and then finish with what time I have left about other things. My address here at the Peru MTC is (this computer won´t let me press enter): Hermana Taylor Nicole Smith Av. Melgarejo 159 Urb. Campo Verde La Molina, Lima, Peru. My p-day will be on Wednesdays. Mail goes out on Mondays. I don´t know how Dear Elder works here. Packages should not be sent here, they suggest adding money in my account if I need anything here. And lastly, for the last 3 weeks I´m here, send letters to my mission home address. So imagine this... you wake up at 6 in the morning. You only got 3 hours of sleep, traveled ALL day the day before, and you wake up to 4 latina girls talking to you in Spanish. That's exactly what happened to me. My companion's name is Hermana Carderas, but she hasn't arrived here yet, so that's all I know about her. There are four other sisters in my room, all are from South America or Central America, and they are all super nice! They have been very patient this morning as I spoke in broken Spanish. At breakfast, we talked about our families a little and then I'd point to things like napkins, spoons, cups, etc. and ask what they meant. I´m going to learn so much here! The MTC is GORGEOUS!!! There's a beautiful garden in the middle and it´s very small in size. I hope to feel at home VERY soon. So my companion and I will be together for companion study, meal times, church, temple trips, etc., but we'll be separated for classes, because the Latins are only here for 3 weeks to learn the gospel and we're here for 6 weeks to learn both. Hermana Kendell and I are in the same district and I am SO GRATEFUL we are together. We got to sit by eachother on both flights and I've grown to love her more and more. Today is a pretty chill day. I am going to take a nap because I am soooooo tired and exhausted (and we were given permission too). We meet with the MTC president and wife at 430, have dinner, personal time, and then go to bed. Tomorrow starts our regular schedule and I'm eager for consistency. What I´ve come to learn about myself is that I do not do well with change and discomfort. ALL the sisters have been so nice. Alma 26 and Helaman 5:12 have been very helpful scriptures to me. NEVERTHELESS... I am GREAT! And I am very excited for this next adventure in life. It is through our Savior Jesus Christ I can do this. It was SO great to talk to you all yesterday too. An LDS lady at the airport let me use her cell phone real quick to call AJ when I thought I had no time. It was a tender mercy of the Lord. I miss you all terribly and am glad to hear you are doing well. Please keep me in your prayers. Keep writing, because it helps me. I love this gospel and I wouldn't be here if I didn't have full faith in that. Sorry this is short, I am very tired and can't type as fast. I love you all so much. Have a great week :) LOVE LOVE LOVE Hermana Taylor Smith

Week 3

Hola Familia! How is everyone doing? I am doing so well :) On our preparation days we get to go to the temple in the mornings. Last week we did an endowment session, so this week my companion and I did initiatories. Both times have been so great. When we were finished, one of the temple workers asked me if I was a missionary. It's usually a 50/50 chance because the Provo Temple is always full of missionaries. I responded yes and she said "Great! I could tell just by looking at your face." That was so great to hear that someone could tell that I am a missionary without a name tag.

On our way back from the temple, Hermana Cochran and I stopped by the Travel Office to check about our Visas because we hadn't heard anything. It is official, they have our visas and passports and we leave Wednesday for the airport!! I'll buy a calling card from the bookstore, so expect a call from me during my layover :) I can't believe Wednesday will be my first time in a country other than America!!!!! Just some info on the Peru-MTC, I don't have the address yet, but they said written letters should only be sent within the first 2 weeks I am there because after I may not get them in time. They suggest using Dear Elder (it won't be free anymore though unfortunately, just the cost of postage).

I've been feeling so much love from Dear Elder. They print the letters sent everyday in the evening, except they don't do them on Fridays because they close early (and they are closed Saturday and Sundays too). They were also closed on Monday for the MLK holiday. So on Tuesday evening I walked into class and the Elders said "Sister Smith, you got 10 Dear Elder letters", I felt so loved! It was so fun to read them :) Thank you to everyone that wrote me them and have throughout this week! I will do my best to write you back (at some point in time)!!!!

Here's some other updates: I am still feeling sick and coughing at night, but I am feeling SO much better! I'm just sick of coughing. I've been visiting Ren Noorda almost everyday! She's been amazing making us banana bread, updating us on the world, and bringing me the things I need. I am going to miss her!!! I've seen some more people I know here at the MTC. Hermana Ali Royal's room is 3 doors down from mine, a kid named Spencer Frame from my mission prep class is here and I've seen him at lunch/dinner. Whitnie Henrie from my church history trip is here going to Slovenia. And another girl that was in 5th ward with me freshman year is here too. I still haven't seen Ben Little's sister. Aunt Lori told me Dan Hall works here too. If she or anyone can tell me if he teaches and what room number, I'll make sure to stop by and say hi/meet him before I leave.

Another update is that I've lost 3 pounds. Thanks to our classroom being on the 5th floor (and we have to walk up and down those stairs 3+ times a day) and the food not being so appetizing...

Hermana Cochran and I have started to connect better too! We are to the point where we are comfortable and open to share how we're feeling and concerns, and able to laugh a lot. We had a companionship inventory last night and there was only one concern from her to me, which was that my kindness to the Elders can sometimes come off as flirting.... OOOPS :/ hahahaha. I guess some things are hard to change? But that is something I am working on this week :)

Now for the highlights of this week:

Saturday morning I woke up feeling MISERABLE! I was coughing so hard that I felt like I was going to throw up my lungs. Hermana Kendell suggested I sleep for a little. I said I'd sleep until class at 8:45 and that I'd ask for a blessing for the Elders. The sisters left and then came back shortly. Hermana Kendell woke me up and said "The Elders are down stairs to give you a blessing now, they didn't want to wait". I quickly made myself presentable and went down to the room where all 7 Elders from our district were waiting. Elder Anderson anointed the oil and all the Elders came together for the blessing. Elder Marchant gave the blessing and it was so great. I was told the Lord was proud of me and my desire to serve and for working hard, but that he wanted me to rest from missionary work. I was also told and reminded of the Savior's love for me. It was seriously amazing and I was in tears. I shook all the Elders hands, went upstairs, and immediately stopped coughing and was able to sleep all morning. I woke up for lunch and felt good enough to go to class. The priesthood is truly the authority to act in the name of Christ and when you have faith in Christ, you can be healed :)

In the evening, I had a one-on-one interview with Hermano Avila. It was great to talk to him and talk about why I decided to go on a mission, how I was doing, my fears for Ecuador, etc. Turns out his sister lives in Phoenix. He's my age. Served his mission in Mongolia and served with this guy who was in my EFY group who lives in Chandler. (His parents speak Spanish, so he's fluent in 3 languages) Anyway, he said some great things that helped me with my fears.

There's so much more I want to share, but I only have time for one more story :/

On Wednesday, Hermana Cochran and I had to teach Hermano Avila in front of the whole class and in Spanish. I was so nervous!!!!! I was truly prayerful and seriously felt the Lord bless me to speak Spanish (as much as I could). Hermano Avila acted like one of his inverstigators from his mission. Both my companion and I were prompted by the spirit of what to say. Our lesson plan went in a different direction than we had planned. And I could tell by the smile on Hermano Avila's face that we were saying the right things. I've had MANY other teaching oppurtunities/practices and it's amazing how much the spirit will guide you in what to say. I am SO ready to be able to speak Spanish, be comfortable in Ecuador and teach people :)

Well, it is time for me to go :( I miss you all!!!! Have a great week and I will let you know how life is in South America!

I love you tons!

Love Always,
Hermana Taylor Smith

Week #2

Hello family! I can't believe how fast this week has gone! The first 5 days felt like FOREVER! But the rest of this week has gone by super fast! As you heard from Ren Noorda, I am sick with a cold. I have been having coughing attacks and a runny nose since I've been here. I've been taking medicine too and I haven't really gotten any better. Yesterday I woke up with rashes all over my body (legs, arm, chest, face), but then they went away after gym and showering. But when I got back to my room last night, I had a rash on my face and legs again (and then on my foot this morning). I don't know what it is, if this continue I'll go get it checked out. I'm just not getting a break here. Even though I've been sick and feeling weak, I felt the Lord bless me with energy to get through the day and to learn. I've seen almost everyone I've wanted to see here at the MTC. I saw Ben Halverson on Saturday. He teaches on the floor below me, I'm going to stop by and say Hi again tonight. I've seen Ren a couple times in the Health Clinic, because I've been sick. She brought me a care package which was really nice. And Steven Hopper and Jared Tate have stopped by my classroom to say Hi! It's really comforting to see a friendly and familiar face around here.

I've gotten some hand written letters from friends and TONS of Dear Elder letters (Thanks Mom :) ). All have been so fun to get! Dear Elder is so awesome! I LOVE it! And it's free and prints the day of, so spread the word please :)

Just a general update, I am struggling with my Spanish. Even though Hermana Kendell has said she's heard me talk in my sleep in Spanish, I don't even think that's helping either. I am definitely learning patience with Spanish and am trying my best. I know I am going to freak out when I get to the Peru MTC. The sisters got our travel itinerary for leaving the MTC. We fly from SLC to Atlanta, then to Lima on the 26th. The Peru MTC is ALL SPANISH, so I should be able to pick up Spanish much faster there, but it is still so scary. I don't think I'm ready to leave the MTC-Provo, I'm finally getting comfortable. I met some Mexican sisters on my floor who said they'd help with Spanish, but we'lll see how that goes.

Wow, there is really NO TIME to write! I have so much to say and can't say it all! I have to let out a Joe Bang yell...AHHHHHHHHH!!!

I'll just write the highlights of my week:

Sunday was AMAZING. In Relief Society we had an awesome talk by Cathy Clayton and she talked about how our missions are like a story and we have to make the best of it. We got to walk to the temple with our district and we had some great bonding time! In the afternoon, Brother Gubler gave a fabulous and inspiring devotional about our missions. He shared the scripture in D&C 18:15 about bringing one soul until Christ and how the one soul can be us. He also talked how we gain 40 years of gospel experience and knowledge. It was all and all just amazing.

There is SO SO SO much more I want to tell you. My experiences teaching a lesson and Spanish, getting a blood test, but I'll just have to tell you the highlight of the WHOLE week.

On Tuesday night's fireside, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came and spoke. It was AMAZING. He has so much power and emotion and it really touched all of us. He talked about how our life before our mission is over. Jesus Christ asks "Do you love me?" and because I do, he tells me to "Feed his sheep forever", It was just overall a wonderful fireside.

Well, I have to close this now. Just know I am happy and doing my best. I am loving my district (I was quoting Hot Rod with the Elders the other day...made me miss AJ a bunch) and I am seeing the atonement work in my life everyday as the Lord makes me stronger than I was yesterday. I love you and miss you tons! Thank you for all the letters!

Love Always,

Hermana Smith :)

Saturday January 8, 2011

Hello family! Today is my first day to actually tell you about everything. My district's scheduled p-day is on Fridays, but because we entered the MTC on Wednesday, we were given a half p-day today to do laundry, emails, and letters. I realize I am slow at writing/typing and only am given 30 minutes to write emails. I have so much to say in such little time, but I will do my best!

I'll start off by telling you about my life the moment I said good-bye. The Elders led me to a Sister who helped me do EVERYTHING, drop off my luggage, get my nametag, take my picture, get my books, etc. And finally after running around, she took my to the classroom where my whole district was. I was the last to arrive because I was the last group to arrive. The moment I walked in, this beautiful sister named Hermana Kendell, said "Come sit next to me!" I immediately felt excited and loved. My companions name is Hermana Cochran, she is from Alaska and my complete opposite! She is very nice, but we are just different in many ways. Our personalities, our dress, the way we talk, how much make-up we wear, etc. It all balances out to a good companionship, but I won't lie, it's very hard always having someone with me (and being the same person all time). The other two sisters in our district is Hermana Kendell who I mentioned in the beginning. She is from Ogden and then Hermana Falls is also from Ogden and reminds me a lot of Lydia Peterson. All four of us are going to the Ecuador Guayaquil South mission and have the same plans to go to the Peru MTC. We're excited to come home on the plane together and be able to talk in Spanish. We have 7 Elders in our district (one is a trio companionship) and they are all going to Mexico. 1 is 18 almost 19. 5 are 19. And Elder Beazer is 23, he was baptized a year and a half ago.

The rest of the evening was "go go go", we had classes, new missionary meetings, and teaching practices. Throughout the evening I was constantly reminded of why I am serving a mission. Especially in the teaching practices, I really felt the spirit and was excited all over again to serve a mission. It wasn't until the end of the night when I went to bed that it all hit me. I knew coming into this, that it was going to be hard. But now that I actually know all that is asked me, I became extremely overwhelmed. It was hard to sleep. When I thought about mission stuff, I'd stress out. Then I'd think about stuff from home and get really sad. It was a rough night of sleeping, especially in a new place.

First thing the next morning we had gym. We are given gym time from 635 to 730 and then had class at 815 (which we have to be 10 minutes early to). We are only required to exercise 30 minutes. Of course, I was done after 30 minutes, but my companion wanted to stay the whole time. I got a little frantic that I would not be able to get ready on time. I did have to rush to get ready. Later on, we made a comprise that we'd meet in the middle and go to the gym for 40 minutes.

This day was the hardest for me. I continued to be overwhelmed. I was realizing how much was asked of me and I kept questioning if I could really do it. Before I entered the MTC, I was constantly reminded of my capability to serve a mission by everyone. But the second I entered the MTC, I became like everyone else there. I felt like a small fish in a very big pond. Everyone seemed so strong and every part of me just wanted to sob. And so I did, at lunch time I started to break down. I even went to class, thinking I was ok, but continued to cry. I was so embarassed that I couldn't stop crying.

It was then, in class that I realized how the atonement can work for me right now. Our teacher Brother Avila, taught a lesson on the love Christ has for us. It was there that I could feel the Savior's love and him telling me that I was capable to do everything he has asked of me.

I was still down the rest of the day, but was constantly reminded of my purpose as a missionary. It felt like a rollercoaster, I'd get excited talking about the gospel and learning Spanish and then I felt overwhelmed, like I couldn't do it. At night we met with our branch presidency. There are 3 districts that make up a zone and our zone is our branch. We got to meet one on one with the presidency and I shared with them the feelings I had been having, especially feeling home sick. Brother Gubler reminded me that I was truly meant to be a missionary and then shared a scripture. It was D&C 100:1 (you can read it yourself), but he told me my family would be blessed for the time I am out serving the Lord. Overall, I feel tremendous love from the presidency and their wives and I am so grateful to get to know them better.

Friday was a MUCH better day. I am starting to really LOVE the MTC. I woke up and realized throughout the day how the Lord had strengthen me in my weaknesses. The atonement is real and it works for me and for everyone. It is truly amazing. I am enjoying learning more about the gospel and Spanish. I am loving everyone in my district. The Elders and Hermanas are amazing and we have so much together.

I am left with no more time to write. I miss you all so much. I am home sick, but I know I will be O.K. I love you all tremendously and know we will be blessed for this time a part.

Love Always,
Hermana Taylor Smith