Missionary Tabernacle Choir ! MTC 3-26-2012

I'm starting a new study journal organized by topic. Heidi has one just like it. I think it will help things stick a bit more. I tend to forget things easily.

No, singing in conference is not an April Fool's joke. We are singing in the Saturday Afternoon Session. We are practicing every morning from 7-8. I'm singing Alto 1, with Hna Noble and Hna Rogers is singing Soprano 1. I am so excited!! I can hardly wait. We are singing Glory to God on High, Lead Kindly Light (my favorite hymn!), and Praise to the Man. We have a dress rehearsal tomorrow. I haven't chosen an outfit yet, but most likely the coral shirt that I am wearing in a few pre-mission photos, or the cute purple one. But we will all be wearing similiar colors so I don't know if the color will help that much.

Physical therapy is going well. He said my spine doesn't have a curve where it should, and that is why there is a lot of pain. He also said that it may be from when I injured my shoulder a few years ago. I'm going twice a week to relieve the tension, and I'm doing exercises twice a day to strengthen my back. I know that it'll be fine and when I get to New York (in two weeks!) that it will be as strong as ever.

Dallin H. Oaks came and spoke to us last Tuesday. He spoke about the importance of the Spirit. It is so true! I've noticed how much I need to rely on the Spirit during lessons and in my interactions. The spirit is the ultimate teacher, and without Him you aren't teaching in the Lord's way (D&C 50:18). I am making a greater effort to rely on the Spirit.

Spanish is coming, but I feel like it's plateaued a bit. But I will pick it up more! I wrote out each verb tense ending, laminated them, and cut them out so that I can use my hands more while I am practicing. I think it will help a lot. I definitely need to use them more often, but it will be a great tool as I practice and practice.

I showed my companions how to do their "true laughs". It was hilarious. Hna Noble's true laugh is like Nikki's, but squeaky. And Hna Roger's is like Katie's, but with sound on occassion. It was a unity-building activity. I love my companions. They are so great. We each have different strengths and different weaknesses, so we make a really good team.

Our district has the opportunity to host this week! We are all excited! Welcoming new missionaries to the MTC seems like such a treat. It's the opportunity to do something a little different. And of course, helping the new missionaries feel love and comfort while they adjust into a new setting is a great blessing.

I listened to Mormonism 101 by Elder Holland. It's on lds.org, and he mentioned a poem by Henry Longfellow that I would love to read, if you have the chance to look it up. I miss poetry so much, and once I get a little bit of time I think I'm going to start writing so more. It's strange how just hearing poetry can help me feel better. In a devotional a few weeks ago, the speaker quoted "The Road Not Taken", which I memorized while I was trying to decide if I wanted to serve a mission. It brought back the Spirit as I remembered that this is the Road that I've taken, and that it will make all the difference in my life.

Me gust la oportunidad de servir una mision. Yo creo en Jesucristo y en su Expiacion. Le iglesia ha estado restaurada mediante Jose Smith. Jesucristo es el rey de la iglesia. El Libro de Mormon es verdadero. Thomas S. Monson es el profeta hoy. Tenemos la oportunidad de oir sus palabras y las palabras de los otros profetas este fin de semana a la conferencia general. Escuche a sus palabras, entonces, estan las palabras de Dios. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Setting goals! -- MTC - 3/19/2012

Thanks for the cupcakes! I love cupcakes!! Hermana Rogers got a package of cupcakes from the Cocoa Bean this week too, so we've at least one cupcake everyday for the past five days. But don't worry, I haven't gained any weight yet, not one lb! (knock on wood).

I'm glad Katelyn was able to speak in the ward! She is amazing and I love her. I only wrote her once on her mission, but I could tell she was loving every minute of it. Pretty sure they speak Tagalog in her mission, but I'm not sure. There are 17 missions in the Phillipines.... 17!!! That's crazy!

I'm so happy that you were able to go and surprise Katie! What a wonderful birthday for her! Can you believe that she is 20? That is very odd to me. She is too young. Oh, I meet more people here at the MTC that know Katie than I do that I know. Isn't that funny? I've met at least 3 people that have asked my about "Katherine Kindlespire in Rexburg." She's a popular little thing.

I met a sister a few weeks ago named Sister Sweety Khattri. She is from India and has been searching for the church her entire life. She shared her conversion story with the whole relief society, and it was incredible. She left for Suva, Fiji last Saturday. It was one of the hardest goodbyes I have had to say. I just love her and the example she is to me. She will be an incredible missionary. She said, "We will see each other again... And if not here, then at the feet of Jesus." I almost cried, because I know that it is true! I love that sister!

So about physical therapy for my back, I haven't gone yet, but I go today at 2:30. I think it'll just be a one time thing and I can get some instruction on how to relax and relieve the tension that is in my back and my neck. I will give you an update as soon as I can. Don't worry. It'll be just fine. :) It was strange to know that Allison, in the medical office, was talking to you. I could hear the mumbling of the phone, and I was thinking, "That's my mom..." Was that weird for you too?

I have been going crazy on setting goals. I have been making goals for personal study, language study, personal development, companionship study, etc, etc, etc. So many goals! I am loving it. As I work hard at accomplishing my goals, I know that I will see a lot of improvement in all my different abilities. One of my language study goals is to finish 1 Nephi in Spanish by the end of this week. I have 30 pages left, so I think I should be able to do it. I just read El Libro de Mormon in every spare second that I have.

I'm still working on my conversion story translation. I've got it translated, but I need to proof read it a few times to make sure there aren't too many mistakes. I think I'm going to keep re-writing my conversion story throughout my mission, as I recognize the importance of different aspects of the gospel, but for now I am happy with the story.

I became a new investigator for Elder Fales and Elder Barnard last week. And really, I am just being me without the gospel. The things that I've struggled with in the gospel are the things I still struggle with. It's hard to pretend to not have the blessings of the gospel in my life, because they are so obvious to me. I know exactly the person I would be without these blessings.... I would be sad, I would be depressed. This gospel has filled me with joy!

Our new roommates are Sister Franco and Faddis. They are members of our district. Sister Franco is so positive and happy. We walked together during gym time a lot, and just talk and talk. She's going to the Las Vegas- Spanish Speaking Mission. Sister Faddis is hilarous! She tells us all about her weird dreams and about her thoughts throughout the day. We have a blast. She's going to the New Mexico - Spanish Speaking Mission. Oh, and she snores. :) I didn't get a lot of good sleep last week while we adjusted to having new roommates, and one night after I was awake for an hour and half due to snoring, I just started laughing and laughing and laughing! I couldn't stop! Hermana Noble, who was having a hard time falling asleep was in the same situation. We both just laughed for a good half hour or so. Her snoring stopped for a bit and we were able to fall asleep. I love my roommates. I love the different personalities we all have and that we are able to work together. It's wonderful.

Saturday was our dia perfecto. We spoke only Spanish, all day. Our that was the goal, we made it to about 3:00pm and then had to speak English in order to plan. Once you speak English, it's hard to pick up Spanish again. But this Friday we are going to try it again. Nuestro dia perfecto!!

There haven't been any other general authorities yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if we hear from one tomorrow or really soon.

It's time to go. I love you. I love the Savior. I love this gospel.

Romans 12: 21

Love, Hermana Kindlespire

Spanish Grammar? Check ! -- MTC -- 3/12/12

So, this week was pretty nice. Hermana Slater left on Tuesday morning for Mesa. It's crazy to me that she is preaching the gospel right now! She was so prepared though. She'll do a great job. We stayed up late on Monday night to help her pack, and by late I mean 11:30. But wow! We could feel that hour in the morning. I love sleeping. So daylight saving was a little rough too, pero esta bien. No se precupe.

Speaking on Spanish, I talked to our teacher, Hermana Guinn last monday. She pulled me aside to tell me that my Spanish is better than I realize. I'm not discouraged with my Spanish or anything. I know that it is a new language and it will take time to understand, but it was still nice to hear that I am doing better than I realize. And the proof followed the next day at the TRC where we talk with members who volunteer. I was able to share stories and scriptures in Spanish and feel completely comfortable. It was such a relief to see that progress! I completely owe it to the Spirit, because it happened only when I wasn't worried about the language, and I truly wanted to help these members more. The Spirit took over and helped me know what to say and how to say it. I'm sure I still made a lot of mistakes, but at least they could understand my message! It was great! In another lesson we taught to our "investigator", she was telling a story. I was able to catch words here and there, but not enough to really understand her situation. But I didn't get frustrated! I didn't even have the temptation to become frustrated! The Lord really is answering my prayers as I ask Him to bless me to have a positive attitude. After the lesson, Hna Noble and Rogers were saying "When Lesli said...." and "She talked about..." And I was thinking "I missed that whole conversation! I just laughed and wrote down the words that would have helped me understand more.

The two sisters from our zone are moving into our room today. I have been complaining to the Branch Presidency about them being on a different floor that we don't even have access to. I think that if they need help or need to talk, they should be able to come talk to me. It is part of my calling to be available to them. So they took care of it. I'm excited to have them in our room. I hope they are excited too.

I have printed off a lot of pictures from the last few weeks. So be excited! You'll be getting some new pictures soon!

This week we "street contacted" for the first time. We stopped teachers, and volunteers, and visitors at the front of the MTC and taught them a brief message. My companions and I taught at least four in Spanish and a few more in English. It was so fun! Two of our elders even stopped to ask President Brown (MTC President), but he shook their hands and kept going, saying he was too busy. It was pretty exciting.

Probably the most memorable part of the week was when Hermano B said, "And now you know every grammar principle of Spanish." I think we all stopped breathing for a second. The next four weeks are just practice practice practice. He said that now our only excuse for not speaking Spanish is that we don't want to. *Sigh* We all want to, which means that we all will be working towards it.

I wrote my conversion story down. It took me a few personal study hours to get it right, but I think it is there now. I'm working on the Spanish translation and then I am planning on sending it to you. Feel free to post it on facebook or my blog. Share it with anyone that wants to hear it. If anyone wants a personal copy, feel free to copy it for them. It's my story about the gospel. It's simple, but it's true. And I love the message it contains.

I played the hymns in sacrament meeting, and I was so nervous. I have never played a sacrament hymn before, and everyone was singing in a different language. But when I sat down at the piano for the sacrament hymn, the Spirit poured through the keys. I have never played the piano so purely. It was the most uplifting time of my week. The Spirit was so strong and I was so grateful to worship the Savior through music.

I love you with all my heart. This gospel is true!

Love,

Hermana Kindlespire

MTC Mail -- Hermana Spitfire - 3/05/2012

These pictures are:

1. Sister Kindlespire and her companion, Sister Rogers, enjoying some bubble wrap from a care package.




2. Sister Kindlespire's District, (back row) Elder Heywood, Elder Ivey, Elder Fales, and Elder Barnard, (Front row) Sister Kindlespire, Sister Rogers, Sister Noble, Sister Slater.





3. Saying goodbye to Nikki and David at the MTC drop off.




Hello family! It's Monday again! I've got so much to tell you about this last week. First off, thank you for all your letters. I've heard from close friends and family, and even one of my EFY girls. I love reading your letters!
So, my "apartment" looks more like a dorm room than anything. There are three bunk beds and three wardrobes. We only use two of the beds though. Luckily, we have a lot of room. I should send pictures of the bedrooms soon.

You'll never guess who came to the devotional last Tuesday! It was Elder Holland! He had the most beautiful talk prepared. It was amazing to hear from an apostle. I will have to include some of his advice in my letter. Alex Boye spoke and sang to us on Sunday. His story is incredible! Although, I don't know if he will be invited back to the MTC for a while. He was so funny and wasn't missionary appropriate all the time. :)

I leave the MTC on April 10th! Isn't it crazy that I'm almost half way done? We hit the one month mark this week. That blows my mind. It has just flown by.

Congratulations to Hailey and Correy Hatch! Baby Porter Rockwell Hatch was born on Thursday. Welcome to the world Porter!

Sister Slater leaves for Arizona tomorrow! We are so excited for her. Hna Noble has joined our companionship, and we've picked up another investigator. It's been so wonderful! But we have been really busy. 3 investigators, usually 2 lessons every day. We learn our last grammar principle today, and then the rest of the time in the MTC will be reviewing and polishing our language skills. I won't have anymore excuses to speak horrible Spanish, and that kind of scares me!

I've been listening and reading Elder Scott's conference talks in Spanish. He translates them himself. It's been nice to hear his voice, and understand his Spanish. Soon I will start listening to native speakers so that I can understand faster. I love this language!!

Once Hna Slater leaves, I will be the only piano player in our zone. I'm going to be practicing the piano a lot more. We're going to cut our lunch short so that I can have some extra time. I'm excited to play the piano, but I'm a little nervous. Esta bien!

We watched the Legacy on Sunday night. Wow! That movie has a strong love story. I felt like I was watching a chick-flick! It was wonderful! :) "Choose David! Choose David!"

I've got a few funny stories to share with you from this week. An Elder Briggs, going to North Carolina Spanish Speaking couldn't remember my name. He thought I was Hermana Spitfire. He was shouting for me in the cafeteria, but I don't normally answer to Spitfire so it went unnoticed. Needless to say, It has become my new nickname, and I love it so much!

I was able to use my Speech Pathology skills a few times this week. Elder Ivey and Hermana Franco don't know how to roll their R's, so Hermana Rogers and I have been spending some time with them teaching them what to do. They are getting pretty good at it and will have it down in a few weeks!
Our teacher, Hermano B, keeps falling asleep in lessons. We asked him why, and he then impersonated us teaching him the First Lesson, with bad Spanish and scared looks and all. I was laughing so hard, but my favorite part was when he said, "will you pray?" which is "Orara?" with the accent on the last syllable. He raised his eyebrows super high and held on to the accented syllable for a long time. It was so funny! I guess you had to be there, but I hope it's kind of funny to you too.

Let me tell you about something frustrating that happened this week. In three of the lessons that we gave, the teachers afterward asked me if I bore my testimony. Which I did. I was so discouraged that they didn't know I was when I was. I felt like my testimony was tossed by the wayside and wasn't making a difference, and I blamed it on the Spanish.
That night, while Hna Slater was offering our companionship prayer... I understood every word in Spanish. I didn't have to think about what she was saying. I imagined my mom walking through the door, hearing us pray in Spanish and not being able to understand a word. It encouraged me that I have been learning! And I have been growing! The gift of tongues is working in me even now, when I'm struggling with the language.

I love this gospel! It is such a blessing in our lives. The only real blessing that matters. Without the gospel, our families would only be a blessing for a few years. Without the gospel, the day would have no purpose. The gospel makes a difference everyday, and I know that to be true.

So, at this time, I thank you for the prayers that are being offered for me. But I ask that you include the people of New York in your prayers as well. They are being prepared for this message, as I am being prepared to share it.

Love,

Hermana Kindlespire

PS. I've memorized the first vision in Spanish. I will have to tell you about that later because I am out of time.