Ebbert, Alia

We had exchanges this week! Sister Linford (a housemate) came into our area and it was so much fun. We had some FIRE street contacts and I think I've decided I like street contacting. We also went to the funeral of a one month old. That was rough. I played piano and accompanied a musical number of two girls singing families can be together forever. I have felt really fulfilled in playing piano for church functions. I think it's one of my favorite uses of that gift.  Sister Linford then got transfered (in the middle of a transfer) this morning, which is super unusual. Our president usually rotates us around every 6 weeks, but this is a weird time.  In other news, we had an awesome zone conference. Sister Linford and I played a musical number and I felt the spirit.  ALSO! We were walking down the street when this car passes. We wave, then keep going. About 30 seconds later, we turn around to see this car reversing from all the way at the end of the street. The window rolls ...

We did a LOT of street contacting this week. That means that we walked around parks, neighborhoods, etc and talked to anyone who would listen. Most people reject us, either right away or when we ask if they want to learn more about Jesus Christ. With some people we are able to share a message that they need to hear! They share their struggles and we help them feel the love of God. Hopefully we can continue to help some of the people we met come closer to Christ. There was another baptism in our ward this week. One of our friends came to watch and hopefully we can start teaching her soon! Not much else happened. We went to a small cave today. Got tacos on Tuesday. Life is good.  Until next time, Hermana Ebbert Pictured: the Phellowship of the ring  

Our ward is KILLING it right now. They are so welcoming and bold in sharing what they love. This weekend we had the baptism for Julio! He was so happy and the ward gave him a great big welcome. We taught Julio about baptisms in the temple and how you can be baptized for deceased relatives. He immediately asked if he could be baptized for his son who passed away recently. The gospel brings so much joy and hope to people!  We got our trainee this week! She's amazing. Her spanish is great and she also attended the MTC in person in Mexico. Right now our area is somewhat dead, so we've been doing a lot of street contacting. I've gotten a lot more courageous since I started my mission.  Until next time, Hermana Ebbert

12/29/21-2/8/22 Hermana Savannah Toner -How to be funny in an unassuming and genuine way -How to be very physically capable and fit -How to go with the flow -How to ponder on deep questions -How to keep going when things are hard -How to ask deep questions and do deep studies on those questions Hermana Rachel Tucker -Look for spontaneous, small ways to serve -How to be observant of people and tell them what you notice -How to have a genuine interest in having a connection with the people you're teaching, asking questions, etc. -How to serve in a Christlike way -How to see things that are annoying at first as miracles -How to not be trunky even when you're going to see your family in a matter of hours

I got called as a trainer last night! Sister Toner and I will be training the only spanish sister coming into the mission this transfer. We'll be staying in Phoenix! I'm so excited. Also, for those who aren't aware, in the mission we call our trainees our children and our trainers our mothers. Currently there's 5 generations of posterity in the mission as of Wednesday which is somewhat rare.      We had a really cool cultural activity this week! We got to eat food and see dances from all sorts of South and Central American cultures (Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Etc.) It was really cool.      We also milked a cow. Cows are really fun to pet. And we went to a dairy place nearby and bought cool milk. The sun was super bright.      I graduated training! Two transfers (3 months) down in the mission field means I'm officially out of training. Sister Gasperoni and I got to see each other and eat bread. Twas goo...