My first week in the field!!!

Family and friends :)

 

So this week pretty much everyone is just going to get a group email becuase today was hectic and I only have about 30 min left online :). So here it goes... biggest news of the week I'M IN KOREA!!!! I finally made it!! This first week has been crazy! Starting with flying solo on Monday. My first flight I sat in the middle of two men and that was a bit weird, but we chatted and one is actually non religious and the other was a member of the church. I got the feeling the non member didn't really want info about the church but we did talk a bit so maybe one day. Then I had my four hour layover and my advice to anyone still in the MTC buy two phone cards! Mine was only good for one call so it was a bit hectic trying to figure out how I was going to call home for the four hour layover, but we figured it out and I stayed on the phone long enough to have the flight attendants rushing me onto the plane :). The plane was huge! It had two decks! Super cool right? And I was able to change seats to the very back where a Korean girl and I had four seats to ourselves it was awesome! We chatted a bit, she helped me with my Korean, and then she slept for about twelve of the thirteen hour flight! I couldn't do that but that's okay oh and I got fed plenty of the plane it was quite nice :). Sorry my sentences are not flowing nicely but I'm more concerned with quantity right now not quality. Next my mission president and his wife picked me up from the airport!! I loved it they are the kindest people ever! His wife is so sweet! She just wanted me to feel welcomed and at home! I loved! I also got to chat with them all the way back to their house. Nope I did not have to the subway like the rest of my group, sorry :( lol. That night I spent the night at their house then had the terrifying first interview with my mission president. It was great! I love my mission president he is an amazing person! And I am excited to serve under him.

 

The next day I was going to meet my first field companion or as they are called more often, my trainer :). But before that I went to a Zone Conference for a different zone because I had to travel with president and his wife. I didn't mind one bit because I got to see Sister Chestnut!!! I was so happy to be able to see her on my first actual day in Korea! I loved it. I then finally met my companion and we were off to our apartment! Holy hana was it hard transporting all my stuff to our apartment by subway! Thankfully Koreans are so kind! My companion and I were carrying my luggage up the stairs when three nice men took the handles and carried them for us! So nice right!! Love it! I'll send pictures of my apartment next pday I forgot my card reader today :( sorry. But guess what?? The rumors are true, we sleep on mats and eat with chopsticks, oh and every meal includes rice and kimchi! Yep!! I love sleeping on mats, honestly I'm not sure I want to go back to a regular bed the only thing I don't like too much is putting it away every morning. I love the rice so good!! Kimchi though well my love for that still needs to develop, lol. It's so spicy!! and fishy tasting. Everything in Korea has a fishy aftertaste except the bread and rice which is why I'm going to be fat lol.

 

Let's see other good news oh I gave away my first Book of Mormon on the street to an older man. We chatted a bit with him and he knew some English which was nice gave him a Book of Mormon and committed him to read the intro page :) Then gave him our number, but still no call. Hopefully some day. I really liked him a lot and hope he calls us. I also met two older ladies one at a bus stop and another on the bus and that was pretty awesome!! They talked to me after I initiated the conversation lol!! One complimented my curly hair :) and then reprimanded me for writing in my journal in English lol she said I should be writing in Korean. I tried speling out Korean in Korean and forgot a character so she took my paper away and wrote her name and a few other things lol I loved it!!! Super sweet and she lives near us so I'm hoping we will run into her again because I loved talking to her!! Another crazy experience my companion got yelled at by an elderly woman, not so much fun!!

 

Anyway, I think that's all for now next time hopefully I'll have more time. I'm so excited to be in Korea and I am working really hard to learn this language. There is a scripture that says that the gospel will be taught to everyone and in their own langauge I want to help be part of making that prophecy come true and I really hope to be able to I just have work hard! I love the people of Korea they are so kind and patient with my horrible Korean. I love this gospel and my Savior. I know that if we let Him He will mold us to who we are meant to be and who we can be. I know He loves all His children becuase that is why I'm here across the world bringing them His gospel! I love this work and for my friends and family at home please be part of it we can't do much without the help of the members, you are vital to work. I'm so escited to continue on this crazy adventure! I'll let you know how it goes! I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support.

 

Always,

 

Sister Tovar :)

November 3, 2013

Family and Friends!

Wow the past week has been an adventure! =)
So awesome! A few things have happened  a)I got my travel plans =) b) I stepped out into the real world as a missionary =) c) there was a great devotional Tuesday =) d) Apparently feet are more important than I thought, who would a thought?

I'm sorry its been about two weeks since I last wrote its just been super busy. Okay so I'll start with my feet first. I had been having some pain in my feet top and bottom so I made an appointment with the foot doctor and apparently I have hyper mobile feet and at some point in my life, not now, I will have to have foot surgery.  It is very common so its not too much of a concern but thanks to it I had to get orthotic shoes.  So much fun =), no they really aren't that bad.  Well this is where going to the outside world comes in.  To buy the shoes my companion and I went to Modern Shoe. It was so odd to be in the outside world! A man came up to us and said, "Hello Sister." Small thing but it was so cool to be called a sister! I'm so grateful to be grouped as a missionary it really is an honor.

Okay so now for the big news........drumroll..... I leave November 7 for Korea! That is 4 days from when I am writing this.  Crazy right!?!? I'm so excited though and I know it will be great! I don't know the language but I know Heavenly Father will help me because this is His work.

Speaking of missionary work a few days ago I went to infield orientation and found out that only about 2% of all members do missionary work =(. How sad is that? I know I was included in that 2% before my mission but I hope never again. As a missionary I've been able to see how much we really do need members.

The scripture that has been in my head a lot this week is "Lean not unto thine own understanding but trust in the Lord with all thy heart, mind, and strength" (sorry if its not quoted 100% right. Bu the main idea is that we put all our trust in the Lord and our faith in Him.  We must learn to lean on Him.  Fear is not faith and we have nothing to fear if we have faith in God and if we are doing what we can to show our faith. Enduring to the end is our, is my goal.

I am sorry this is a short letter but I'm sure I'll have more to say next week.  I am so grateful for all my friends and for all my family.

Always,

Sister Tovar

October 20, 2013

Family and Friends,

Sorry I skipped a week of writing it is just chaotic here sometimes.

So this past week we had a visit from the Oaks. =) It was awesome to hear both of them talk.  It's funny I thought I would get more from what he said but I was wrong.

Sister Oaks told a story about when she was in the MTC in Hawaii! So cool right? She told us about one experience she had and what she learned. While she was at the MTC she was learning Japanese because that is where she was headed. For those of you who don't know the dynamic of it here is a quick overview. At the MTC you have your bedroom and then you have your classroom which is your home here. Second only to your companion your class or those in your class are the ones you spend the most time with so they are like your family, because of how much time you spend with them. Back to the story, Sister Oaks tells about when her class, all but me, finished their language book and they all understood it, al but one. Because of this they all began to celebrate, cheer and clap and be happy they had finished, he ran out of the room in tears.  Their teacher immediately stopped their celebration and said, "Don't you get it? If one of you fail you all fail. You came here to learn to as Jesus Christ love."

That line, "if on of us fail we all fail," really hit home.  We have not been put on this Earth to compete with one another we are all together because we are meant to help one another. I love  Mosiah 18: 8-10 because it tells us what our baptismal covenants are. If one fails we all fail! But we must remember President Uchtordf's  talk, we must respect agency. Some may choose to not accept our help or love which is always heartbreaking but not something we can change.

Which brings me to the next part I loved about her talk, "we are here to learn to love as Heavenly Father (and Christ) love." What does that mean? Well I'm still trying to figure it out but what I understood this weeks is that maybe it means we treat everyone as though they were family. That we care for and about them as if though they were family. Because they are someone's family here on earth and they do have spirits rooting for them just as we all do.

My favorite scripture is 2 Kings 6:15-17 because to me it reminds me of all those fighting for us with us and helping us.  Although we may not see them. For me I specifically think of my brother Ramiro David. That is my goal to love all as family to search for them as though they were lost family, to help and succor as though they were family because they are family. God love us all as His children and we must love one another as brothers and sisters.

A question I heard for the second time this week was, "If you were the only one on this Earth do you believe Christ would still have gone through the atonement?" The answer I know to be true is "YES", if I were the only one Christ would still have come down and atoned for me.

This is my testimony that has only become stronger while here. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of me and each of us and I know He loves each of us and that he knows us individually.  Heavenly Father has helped me so much, if I didn't have a testimony of Him of His love, of the truthfulness of His gospel I would not be serving a mission. But, I am and I do know this is His gospel, I know Joseph Smith was His prophet and that He restored the fulness of the gospel that Christ had established in His lifetime.  I know President Monson is a true and living prophet. I know that everyone can have this knowledge for themselves if they pray sincerely and with faith.  "Knock and it shall be opened, ask and ye shall receive." Nothing is easy its not meant to be, but it all will be worth it and we can all find joy in the journey and at the end.

I dont mean to be preachy but this/these are all things I have come to learn and are learning to apply in my life right now.  Remember you are never alone, I am never alone.  Trust and have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.


Always,
Sister Tovar

P.S. I leave for Korea in 2 /12-3 weeks! (as of her writing this letter, as of today she leaves in less than a week!!!!!!) Two letters from now I should have travel plans to write to all. =) (She leaves Thursday to Korea)

Conference Weekend

Family & Friends!                                                                                                            October 5, 2013

Hello all, hope you are all doing amazing!! We just finished watching conference (saturday session) and it was amazing! I would love to hear what your favorite talk was and your thoughts please! I hope you are all okay with me sharing thoughts and feelings about conference.
               Before that I'll update you on what's going on at the MTC that way I'll end this with conference review and on a spiritual high =). We got 22 newbies! =) So exciting! It's nice not  being the youngest/newest district. We got one newbie from Australia! And one from the Philippines =). The incoming missionaries this wednesday totaled 590!! And last week it was 500 so its been like 500 every Wednesday! Super cool huh! 80,000!!! I was so excited to hear that! What else is new? Well I leave for Korea in 5 weeks! So excited. This Wednesday I will have been on my mission for 1 whole month!! Crazy right?!
Earlier we had our district  meeting/discussion about conference and someone brought up Elder Hollands talk and being positive. I have a question......when they brought it up they said we should all be more positive but my comment was that we all have different ways of being positive/negative and so what may be negative for one person may not mean anything to another. My question is: What does it mean to you to be positive?? It is a matter of opinion? I would LOVE your input please??

Conference:

I’m not sure I had a favorite but they all said something I needed to hear.  If I had to choose a favorite it would be President Monson during Relief Society. The reason I like His so much is because it reminded me to pray. One part in particular hit me, when he referenced the hymn “Did you think to pray”. My mind continued the title/sentence……Did you think to pray when you were feeling alone, discouraged, sad, helpless, hopeless, joy, happiness, overcome by the spirit, etc?  I think this really touched me because it reminded me how essential and comforting prayer really is. You don’t always have to be on your knees or voice your prayers out loud.  He can hear the silent prayers in our minds and in our hearts and He will answer our pleas. He would never abandon you if you call for Him. How beautiful it is to know that if we reach out our hand, open the door and literally ask for Him, He will help.  That is not to say He will take away our burdens or make the world perfect, no that is not how He works because He loves us. We are meant to struggle but we are not alone. He will strengthen us, comfort us, He will help us do the impossible-even learning a foreign alphabet and language.  He will guide you and that knowledge gives you hope, that comfort helps hug you and touches you when you feel nothing else can, the strength He gives you help and you keep going even when you feel like you have nothing more to give.

            This is why I’m here to bring the world this joy and comfort that they/we are never alone.  That we and all have a Heavenly Father who loves us so much. He gave His only begotten son. That we all have a Brother who gave His life that we may return with Heavenly Father and that we could never have to bear things alone.  He suffered, bled, and died for each one of us for our sins, for our sorrows, for our illnesses, for us.  This knowledge and truth has made all the difference in my life and in the life of my families.  Because of this blessing this truth has been in my life I cannot help but share it with the world and with those I love.

            I think that is a good thought to stop on until the end of tonight’s conference.

Okay so I could probably go on and on telling you about my conference experience and feelings but I will spare you and my hand =)(handwritten letter). But I will share snip-its and one short though of each maybe. 

President Monson (again = he is the Prophet after all) “Never did he dwell on what he lacked but he was grateful for what he was given”  (warning: not exact quote)

Also like the poem he shared at the end.

It is easier to be selfish and have self-pity but this life isn’t about doing the easy things, going through the refiners fire is not easy. We must learn to turn outwardly especially in the hardest time.  That is what Christ, our ultimate example does.  I am trying to do this everyday but I fall short everyday.  But my stake president told me before I started my mission, “you never fail until you stop trying”. As long as I do my best and keep trying really trying then I have not failed.  This is true for everyone. 

My own personal thought from Elder Neil L. Anderson:  “The testimony of a mother will bless the lives of her children. You are important and a vital part of our kids spiritual future.”

This is time for all women and father/men/boys/girls. Our testimonies are key for our posterity so lets not let them down.

Kevin Hamilton: “When you start to consider commandment options you are in danger.” Let’s be who we are meant to be.

Russel M. Nelson: “Decisions determine destiny”

Goes perfectly with Elder Hamilton’s quote above. It also reminds me of a scripture. “Choose ye who you will serve as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Sorry no scripture reference, but look it up.

It is true though with every decision we make we choose whose side we are on and what our future will be. Or what type of consequences we are exposing ourselves to.

Always,

Sister Tovar

Third letter from MTC

                                                                                                    September 29, 2013

Hello Family & Friends,

   I hope you are all doing well and I hope you are in my prayers. Guess what? By MTC timing this is my third week! My fourth starts Wednesday, crazy right? By my calendar its only 2 1/2 weeks and three weeks on Wednesday. We were looking up our departure date and it is only 5-6 weeks away, crazy?! I don't know if i'll ever be ready but, ready or not here I come.....=) The reason I'm thinking about my departure date is because its exciting, but also because tomorrow at 3 am about 30 missionaries from my MTC zone are leaving for Korea. I'm thrilled for them but also very sad because I've gotten close to some of them. But we've exchanged contact info and write in our journals (yes like a year book) Time flies by, it really does.

What has happened since last sunday?? Well I started the week feeling sick but now feeling just great :)
I organized a zone picture because I wanted one of my zone before everyone leaves tomorrow. This was quite a task because my zone is the second largest in the MTC w/74 people :)! Cool huh! Well the picture should already be up hopefully. These are amazing fateful missionaries and we are all ready to do his work.

So every Sunday and Tuesday we have devotionals that feel like mini General Conference. Well each of these devotionals are life changing and wonderful! My patriarchal blessing has never come more to life than during my mission and especially during these devotionals. They also help me know what type of missionary I want to be and what type of person I want to be.

We found out last Tuesday that there are a little over 85,000 missionaries right now.
Last Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to hear to hear from Elder Clark my now favorite member of the Quorum of the Seventy. I could not help help but cry, tears rolled down my eyes as the spirit filled my heart. One story touched me more then any other story has.

A man who had heard about the missionaries and the church looked out his window and saw the missionaries coming towards his house, he saw them knock on each door and get closer. He ran to set up a table with the bible asked the kids to sit around the table and his wife to open the door when the knock came on their door. They waited , and waited, one minute went by then two, three, four five etc. The knock never came. It would be another 7 years before they joined the church. As this story was being told and every time I think about this family my heart breaks.  This family was ready to hear this wonderful message. It is my hope to never be that missionary. In my journal I wrote always knock, and before you go home pray and listen to the spirit.

There is so much I learn in the devotionals I have filled many pages of my journal. I will try to include as much as I can.

Please bare with me as I open my heart to all of you. I have an unshakable testimony of the  truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of this gospel. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet I know that we will always need a living prophet. I know how much The Lord loves his children because I've felt it. I have felt a small percent of his love for the people of Korea and it's not only grand but beautiful beyond words and description. I say I've only felt a small amount because I know His love is greater even than what I felt. I know He loves each of his children individually.

Never forget or doubt God's love for you and that H
e gave his son for you. Jesus Christ died for each one of us. He died that we may forever live with God. He died for our sins but also for our sorrows. This is the toughest thing I've ever done in my life but I am learning to give it up to him. He paid the price but only we can accept his sacrifice. You are never alone. Never be afraid to open your mouth and share your own testimony. It is our duty always. Thank you for the letters and emails they are amazing. I love hearing from all of you it means so much! I'll write again soon.


 Always,
Sister Tovar

P.S. I had the opportunity to host incoming sisters and it was an amazing experience. So much fun! I'll be doing that every chance I get.:)