Ebbert, Alia

I hope y'all appreciated the clickbait title. We did actually have a ton of lessons this week though ;) my trainer says its the most fellowship and the most lessons she's had in a week her whole mission. This week I saw the benefits of hope. I've been trying to find the line between positivity and naivety. Ultimately, we learned that we can all be a little more like Rapunzel. They say to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, but I say hope for the best and prepare for the best.  Hope is a "confident expectation" and if you don't prepare, you don't expect, and if you don't expect, you don't hope.  POSITIVITY PAYS OFF So anyways, we had a great week and here's some pictures. We got to volunteer at the giving machines! Until next time, Alia

The morning of my first day in the field, before we got assigned our trainers or areas, we decided on a whim to go to the Mesa Temple open house. We shifted the schedule, President and Sister Goaslind put us in a couple of big vans, and off we went. Two van-loads of greenies walked through the tour with President, and it was amazing. One worker began to cry as we walked in the room, then told one of the last missionaries in line that she could feel the power of the Spirit we bring with us. Then as we proceeded through the tour, a man who I assume is the Temple President pulled us all into a sealing room, rerouting the tour to close the doors. We got to sit in that room as greenies with our president, pondering and talking about the role of temples in God's plan and in missionary work. It was such a powerfully reverent moment, and the Spirit was so strong. They then took us to a couple parts of the temple that aren't usually included in the tour, including the basement, where we...

WOO WOOOOOO Arizona is fantastic. We're teaching people, finding people, and loving people. I'm in a spanish area right now so I get to practice mi Español quite a bit. Its getting easier and easier to understand, so thats good! I got to help put someone on date for baptism this week, and what a cool experience. She told us about the difficult things in her life and it felt so good to be able to promise blessings that come from making covenants with God.  I've never really felt the authority that comes with my calling truly until then. I can speak with authority and power through the spirit, as well as personal experience that I've had in my own life.  My district is pretty cool. I only know some of them, but the ones I do know are super fun.  I'm loving the field so far. The spirit is strong and hopes are high.  Until next time, Alia

Parents of newly arrived missionaries to the Arizona Tempe Mission: Twenty four Elders and Sisters arrived, had lunch, went to Arizona State University for street contacting and some training.  They have dinner and evening arrival activities at the mission home. This evening and tomorrow they will be joined by one more Elder and one more Sister. Wednesday is more training and they meet their new companions.  Then off to their teaching areas to continue their missions in earnest. Watch this space for photos to follow in the next several days! We're moving as fast as we can.     Thanks,     Sister Linda Thorson Arizona Tempe Mission Secretary 1871 E Del Rio Drive Tempe, AZ 85282-2822 480-838-0659 2011050@ChurchofJesusChrist.org

10/4/21 - 11/16/21 -relentless positivity -dedication to learning the language -how to communicate with a companion humbly and with the spirit -how to love and appreciate prayer. 

I only have a few more days left in la ciudad de México. I'm super excited but also sad to be leaving. I'll miss being in México and I'll miss my district.  This week we took a grammar and a language test and let me tell you, I've never been so excited to take a test before. I knew I loved school but I forgot how much I like being able to study for something and then test it.  We watched the Joseph Smith film this week as well, and it was powerful. I LOVE church history. Now I'm considering ditching my music major and switching to religious education instead so I can teach church history. Weird.  Elder Montoya from the Area Presidency came and unfortunately, he did not know Inigo Montoya. His talk was really good though. Another amazing devotional we had was watching David A Bednar's Character of Christ MTC devotional. It is so fiery and bold and he even did a cookie monster impression. As far as life changing talks go, that one is up there with God Will Do Some...

One month down, 17 more to go! So far this month I've spent dedicated to learning the language and the gospel has been one of the most consistently joyful times in my life. The presence of the spirit is almost that of the temple here at the CCM.  Día de los Muertos was this week and WOW what a cool tradition. I am so in love. Theres so much color and life and joy and the focus on family history is nothing short of inspired by God. Its an example of the Spirit of Elijah in action.  Malachi 4:6 "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."  How grateful I am that we have temples, where we can perform ordinances for our deceased ancestors. How grateful I am that I know I will be with my family again, and that I will finally get to meet my grandma one day. How grateful I am to be able to teach this glorious doctrine to anyone who will listen, as a servant called of God.  We had an ofrenda of sorts at the ent...