I'm drawing a blank.

Hello to all!

So I'm sitting here at the computer thinking to myself -What in the world am I going to write?- It was good to talk to the WHOLE herd on Christmas. Gotta' love modern technology. The only problem is... now I've got nothing.

So I'll talk to the rest of you!

Christmas in the mission field is a totally different expeirence. It's a normal day except that you get two hours for dinner and 40 minutes for a phone call home. The rest of the time you are just out visiting people and hoping they let you in. Going into the whole thing all the missionaries were scratching our heads trring to figure out what else we could do. At our last meeting our district leader stopped and look at everyone and said "So, this is all our first year out.... I've always heard that Christmases on your missions are suppose to be the best... did I miss a memo? What are you all going to do?"  We all just started laughing because we were all thinking the same thing.

I have decided that -as my sister-in-law, Cami, once said- Members who spoil missionaries on Christmas deserve bonus points in heaven. We were able to have dinner with one family on Christmas Eve and we came away with stockings and pj's and all sorts of treats. It was weird because we don't expect anything from any one so we were just sitting there super excited about the stocking full of toothbrushes and toothpaste and nail clippers, hair clips, and a whole stash of essentials! It was amazing. The father-in-law was there and gave us really weird looks because we were SOOOOO excited and screaming and clapping our hands like crazy 5 year olds. (We're very good receivers) Sister Tiaua was mostly focused on the fact that her stocking was GREEN! (*Waves Hi to Mandi Ryan!*) and then I was overjoyed because the PJ shirt had buttons that sparkled! After dinner we all went out Caroling in her neighborhood and giving out pass-along cards. It was great!

On Christmas I talked to the herd and then we made our way out in to the rain. We visited some of our friends and then we had dinner with another family and they -knowing that one of my favorite traditions was to have shrimp had it there for us. I smiled and thought good thoughts about Sweet Sue. :) We went home and opened presents with "Grandma" and then a ham dinner with her and her daughter and then we got to go out with all the missionaries in our district to different people that we all are teaching and sing carols. One of our friends is 70 and lives all alone because her son grew up and moved to China. We stopped by her house as a surprise and sang, along with some Christmas tunes, her favorite song "A Child's Prayer." She just stood there with a big smile and started crying. She was just so happy.

All and all a good day and I think it'll stay up on the top of favorite Christmases.

Hope all is going well for the rest of yous.
Keep the spirit alive!
-Love Chelsea

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The Poker of Choice

This week was one of those roller-coaster weeks.

Last Sunday was the Out going fireside. We were able to go with our friend Pat. Those are always enjoyable. I was so happy because there were a bunch of Spanish Missionaries going home and giving their testimonies. I understood everyone of those gringos! It was great. After there is a little bit of mingling in the gym and so Sister Tiaua and I got to see a lot of friends. Every person I talked to would start out the conversation with "I can't believe you're still here!" - Yep I'm still here. Last week I past my Six Month Mark. ("Yay Dad" -All I need is a flag)

One funny thing was we were doing another zone service project for a park in our area a few days later. President and Sister Jackson were going to be there and most of it was just going to be a bunch of manual labor. Mulching. Yippy Skippy. :) There was a moment where I was really annoyed with one of the other Elders. I turned to Sister Tiaua and said... I really hope they let me use a shovel. (...It's The Digger of Choice) *yeah I know, not the most Christ-like thing to say but hey, give me a break... I'm a missionary not a saint. *

The moment passed but I got my wish and was sent to scooping up and spread around large piles of wood chips. I enjoyed the manual labor and Daddy would've been mighty proud of my shoveling skills. Then someone pulled out the pitch forks and when I used that it was a lot easier. -I almost felt like I was cheating. When I looked at it all I could think about was when Randy and I were in Spain and he bought his Trident. (It's the Poker of Choice)

We did this for about 2 hours and I was beginning to gain some really legit blisters. All in a days work. I got to talk to President a little bit about what he's heard from Mission Travel. Still no word but he'll keep on them. -I think he feels the need to tell me that because he thinks I'm over in a corner going crazy.

We had an exchange this week and Sister Rajan came down. This was her first Area and so she was really excited to see everyone. That morning President called me again. I sent a letter to him that in this next transfer, if he thinks that I'm going to be here a while and he needs someone, I could change over to Spanish. I missed speaking a different language... even if it was broken. It is a little bit sad to spend an hour everyday trying to learn a language that you never get to practice. I've reconciled myself to spending my whole time here. After all, I'm going into my 7th month. There does come a time when they say "You might as well just stay put." -He said that he had herd from travel and that the last Brazilian Bound Elder received his visa. ( oh.. you mean the one that stopped doing his language study and didn't want to go? -Yeah that one. -Awesome.)

He said that he would change me over if he thought that I would be here a while but that if he did move me and then I left mid transfer then that would create bigger problems. He said he had a hunch that I would be getting mine soon so I would stay here. I was a little disappointed but I was OK with that.

It was personal study time and so I started with my normal routine. 30 min in the Book of Mormon and then a chapter in O Livro De Mormon and then Jesus the Christ if I have time. I had started over in O Livro because the first time I was reading through it I didn't feel like I was understanding enough. I was in 1 Nefi 4 -or Page 10 approximately. I was reading and the craziest thing happened to me. I understood it. Every Word. -Not just the words but the story and all. Sure, I've heard that part of the Book of Mormon a thousand times so I knew what was happening but still, I hadn't been memorizing all those words in Portuguese. I was so grateful. I was reading and I just started to cry. Not because the story was that of something that would normally bring tears to my eyes but I cried because I knew that the Book of Mormon was true. I knew that God remembered me. I knew that no matter how long I was going to be here it wouldn't matter that I hadn't been speaking and hearing the language the whole time. God would show me the miracle.

Normally, I try to keep these fun and so you all wont tire of reading my random stories. Sometimes it works out better than others. I really just try to be myself. I know that a lot of the time the things that I write home are weird or of minimal worth, if any, but I want to tell you what keeps me going: I know that the Book of Mormon is true no matter what language you are reading. I know that God has a plan for each one of us and when we just keep going without complaining, He'll show us his Miracles.
There isn't much else I have for this week.

Merry Christmas. :)

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Happy Birthday Morgana!

Morgan! Happy Birthday!

It's been too long and it's going to be even longer... It's sad but think about it this way: I'll be there for your next birthday! In the mean time, Just search for your name on here and know how much I love you! PS, We are SOOO working out when I get back!

<3 Sister Xelsé

Under-qualified

This week we did a full day of service at a Creche exhibit in one of the adjoining areas.We were going to help the night before with passing out free hot Chocolate but that got rained out. We got to have a tour earlier and it really was amazing. The church really goes way out to make it a big deal and over 10,000 people visited it this year! Well, we got the fun job of tearing it all down. We Started at 8 am and spent most of our time taking them off the walls and then folding them and then staking them. Most of the Elders spent their time taking down trees and lights and sorting all of that fun stuff but when all that was done they started to join us. Our job was to help take down all the fabrics and then organize them and put them away in the 40 crates that were all pre-labeled by someone who was thinking too much. It was obnoxious really, It made you feel super under-qualified but we went along with it. We had about 5 8 foot tables staked to the top with Black silks, Black linens, and then black jersey, we also had satins and plaids and burlap and laces, shefons and denims and many others in every color of the rainbow! Sounds exciting doesn't it! I think my favorite box had to be the "Blues and Funky Blues" box. One of the Elders walks over and is just standing there not knowing what to do next and a nice old lady sees him and starts to explain what he should do. "Well, here we have to separate and stack all the fabrics into their assigned boxes... for example, this box says 'Sages and Sands'..." The Elder looked at her with a slight bit of horror in his eyes and backed away. We all just busted up laughing.

Well tis the season for Christmas songs and unfortunately for everyone someone found out that we sing and they've decided that they want us to sing at every activity anyone can come up with. Normally I would be fine with that except that in every activity they want it "Church Approved" -meaning out of the Hymn book. Now there are only 10 or so songs that we could chose from. Believe me... the moment is fast approaching that I'll be wishing for the Last Noel.  So I've made it my business to rewrite some of them and add some of my own twists and turns. :) I'll experiment and get back to you.

Well, right now we are teaching some pretty awesome people. One of my favorites is Bob. He's 99 and quick as a whip. He is also a Mason. I always want to ask him if he had to go through any trial or anything to be apart of it... 'Cross a burning dessert' or something crazy like that. He does have a special ring which makes it all the more interesting. Anyways enough with my musings. He's awesome.

Well Hope all is going fanatically in your neck of the woods.

Remember:
Don't Worry...
 Be Happy. :)

Chelsea

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Smile... It's Monday!

Hello!

Well this week has been great. Lots of lessons and lots of fun.

Today we are going to be setting up the Christmas Tree at Grandma's. Sorry mom and dad that I wont be able to set yours up but I'm sure you'll manage.... just make sure to set everything back exactly as you found it in the boxes neatly tied and wrapped with care. -Thanks.

...
...
Seriously.
...
...

Well, This week seemed to be a slow week for you all.... that's good for me because that means I recieved lots of letter to go through later when I get home. :) I also received many wonderful packages from my amazing family. Including Gloves, Scarfs, and and extra pair of long running pants... -Thanks for caring. haha if I'm cold now It's my own fault. Randy and Cami thank you so much for the CD's I was so excited. I'm a huge fan of listening to talks while in the car (It's how I was raised) and it just made my day.  I'm kind of weird like that and would rather listen to talks than the same 5 cd's of EFY music over and over and over.... (*Bobby shutters*)  hahah in truth it's not quite that bad but... It's still a nice change. :)

We listened to one that talked about the meaning of the Atonement. It got me. I had heard it before but a repeat was just what I needed. The birth of Christ would've meant nothing if it hadn't been for the atonement. And we would be lost and without a chance to ever improve if it were not for our Savior Jesus Christ. I really am nothing without Him. The message that we as Missionaries share is that He Lives and that He speaks to prophets today that lead and guide us. His Priesthood is on the earth once again and we are heralding in the Second Christmas where He will return and there will me 1000 years of peace on earth and good will toward men! It's such a freeing thought!

I can be better! I CAN progress and I CAN live with my family forever!

Yesterday was Fast and testimony meeting in church. That's always one of my favorite days. That is the day where once a month we are able to share what we know to be true with everyone. One of our friends got up and told a story about a little child who was walking around the mall and, seeing the line for Santa, asked her mom "Where's the line for Jesus?" She said that she was thinking about that question when she was listening to the testimonies being shared one after another from the people in the congregation about our Savior Jesus Christ. It made me think...

I don't know everything. I'm not able to answer all the questions that came my way. I'm probably the last person that you should trust on a lot of things... but I have been called by a Prophet of God to share what I know.

I know that this message is true.

The line starts here.
------------------------------

I love you all dearly and really need nothing more than what I have. Keep the letter coming!

-Chelsea

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Pictures!

Just a few pictures from Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoy!
 

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Thanksgiving Pictures!

Dinner with the Lamocas

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Giving Thanks!

Some Thanksgiving Memories. :)
-Courtesy of Mikko Lamoca

Sister Tiaua and I saying hello to Manhattan

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My 8th Birthday

I remember my 8th birthday so well. I was getting ready to be baptized and I remember saying to my parents one time that it would be so cool if Natalie could be there. She was up at BYU and I was in the habit of bugging her every once in a while by dialing *9. Because my birthday is during the school year, however, I didn't really expect it to happen. I specifically remember Randy repeating my hope a day or two before. -This could've made me mad at him for throwing salt on the wound... but he had this since of hope in his voice -like parents do when they talk about Santa Claus coming down the chimney- It kept me dreaming. Still, even at 7 going on 8 I was realistic enough to not expect it.

Because of the size of some congregations now a days, they have a set day for all the children's baptisms in a specific region and they are always on a Saturday. However, my birthday was on Sunday that year and, unlike how things are done today, I was able to have my baptism that day. So on Friday, I remember my dad coming up with some really weird reason for me to go with him and my mom to the airport "just to watch the planes land and take off" because, apparently, he used to do it all the time as a kid just for fun. -Even at 7 going on 8, I thought that that was a pretty lame way to pass the time, but I just chalked it up to one of the many weird things people did when they didn't have TV. I went along to humor him. haha.

I ended up jumping in the back of the station wagon that we had at the time. I was just planning on laying there until the activity was over. We pulled to a stop at good 'ol Sky Harbor International. All of a sudden, I see Natalie tap on the window of the car -complete with big hair, big smile, and big sunglasses. (gotta love the 90's)- I was completely surprised. I don't remember much about the weekend other than the baptism itself but I do remember that moment. -This was also a time I spent kicking myself for not putting things together and seeing the signs... but I digress.- I was supremely happy. I got my wish of being able to share such a happy moment with my big sister.

When I decided to go on a mission I didn't tell any of my siblings or their families. -I wanted a good video- But because Natalie wasn't going to be there I told her things as they happened. She text me at 10am on the first possible day I could get my call saying "Hopefully today is the day!" A friend of mine hadn't gotten her's yet and she sent her's in a week before me so I was sure it was going to be another week. At 1:20pm, I drove home from school and up to the mailbox just in case and was stunned to see it there under a bundle of normal mail. My plan wasn't to open it until I told everyone, 3 days later, but I HAD to tell someone! So, I sat in my car and I called my big sister. We were both freaking out, laughing, and even crying. I was, again, supremely happy to have her right there to share it with me.

Love and Miss you Nat,

Happy Birthday!