Sister Balero and Hermana Rhoten

Sister Camry Balero and Hermana Rhoten

Happy Father's Day

 

 

Okay so this week has been all over the place! First of all HAPPY FATHERS DAY ON SUNDAY! I can't wait for you to get my card! :) Secondly, Megan- I cannot wait until you enter the MTC this Wednesday! YOU WILL LOVE IT! :)

Tuesday was pretty much the best day ever because WE GOT A CAR!! It is a beautiful 2013 Toyota Corolla. The only downfall is its not a Camry! haha. We were crazy and dancing all over the place when we heard the news! We first introduced out beautiful car to the Batman soundtrack and we named him Bane! Cade Farmer will appreciate this! haha.

We then found out that we had to do exchanges the next day and were frustrated but they needed to be done. So we had a training meeting Wednesday morning and I got to see some MTC friends Sister Hadley, Sister Rees and Elder Niuia-Tofa! It was great to catch up with them! I then went on exchanges. I got to teach for the first time!! It was awesome! I just focused on the people and I loved the experience because of it! I definitely missed Sister Reynolds though!

I feel like this is so short but I don't think there is anything else of importance to report. Just one last experience I had. I was thinking about the age change and how it affected so many individuals and how many of them felt like it was an answer to prayer as I did and we knew it was for us immediately. I think we were all foreordained to be a part of this change to be that group to start this last final big wave of the gospel. And the spirit touched us when we heard the change. We knew because the spirit brings us into remembrance of the things we knew before. We remembered our plan. We knew it was our own God given plan then because we knew it before and we were prepared and excited for that experience! How cool is that! It really hit me.

Also I was reading Alma 4 yesterday and the people were afflicted because of the loss of their brethren. But it says they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty and began to establish the church and thousands were converted because of their diligence. We may struggle or be weighed down but we need to remember our purpose and as we focus on that we will forget our struggles and experience great joy because of those we will bring unto Christ and the joy they will experience!

I love you all and thank you for all of your letters and words of support and encouragement! I really appreciate it! You're all wonderful!

Your Sister in the Gospel,

Sister Balero

"The longest and hardest week of my life...but it is in those moments when I forget myself and go to work that all of a sudden everything makes sense again and I do not need to worry "

I have so much to write this week and no time! I'm sorry I wasn't able to write yesterday. Because of Memorial Day, everything was closed. Well, this week was the longest and hardest week of my whole life. There were so many times I just wanted to give up. Monday was P-day which was fun! We  played sports! And then calling home was wonderful!! :) Tuesday we got temporary bikes and when we went out to see people the bike I got from the mission basically died on me. The brakes did not work and the seat practically fell off. There were also a lot of other problems that we were stuggling to deal with. Then that night we got our other bikes which were much better but we learned that riding a bike in a skirt is not so much fun! There is a constant breeze here that picks up your skirt, and they ride up and if your skirt is too long it gets caught in the bike. There are also a lot of hills here. I am seriously wondering why the Elders got the new car... I'm trying to be positive but it is a challenge trying to stay modest. Wednesday I got a blessing which was exactly what I needed to hear. We also tried a Thailand fruit which was delicious because the family we ate with had gone on a trip to Thailand over thanksgiving!  Thursday we began running...6:20 am. Already a bad start. We were going to run 1 mile at first. I am super out of shape but thought I can handle one mile. Right at the start there was a hill and I was struggling so much. I felt so sick. And I pushed on because of my Payson Mom but then had to stop because I felt so sick! And we weren't even close to finished. I was dying and it was like Satan had been collecting all of my doubts and fears that I had pushed aside and in that moment dumped them all on me. The weight was more than I could handle. I was walking and Momma kept saying just pick up your feet and keep going but I couldn't and I walked more than I should have. When I finished I was a mess. I felt so sick and when we went home I just cried. I didn't know what to do because I couldn't get rid of all that was dumped on me in that moment. I felt a little better later. For dinner we ate at a home where they had our plates which was such a tender mercy but made me miss home a lot. Friday my companion and I went to talk to President McCune about some things and I didn't feel as resolved about them as I had hoped I would but then we went to the temple and got to participate in Sealings which was a neat experience. We also got to see Sister Harrison and went and ate at this place called The Awful Waffle and it was DELICIOUS! They have waffles, crepes and pizza! I got an omelete type crepe and it was so good! I wanted to try everything though! Saturday we did a lot of service got to go visit some people which was awesome! Sunday was the first day that I had that I felt so good and so productive. We spoke in 2 wards, made cupcakes, met with a Relief Society president, and went to Mission prep to help out. When we got home I said that I felt that I deserved a Gold Star for the first time in the field and immediately I was more sick than I have ever been in my whole life. My comp and I have been sick with our stomaches upset but not too bad for the last two weeks but all of a sudden I was just so sick. I spent practically the whole night in the bathroom crying. All I wanted to do was call my mom and the fact that I couldn't do that crushed me. Sister Reynolds let our Payson mom know that we wouldn't be able to run in the morning and the next thing I know she is over at 11:30  at night with every sort of thing you could imagine to help me feel better! I was so glad to have her in that moment of need because I couldn't have my own family. And then she acted out all of her very dramatic vomiting experiences. She was so out of it and it was hilarious! haha. I finally fell asleep at 3 I think. I barely ate anything yesterday because there was no way I was going to be sick any longer. One of the Elders also told me that it was my fault that I was sick and that I chose to be sick.I was so upset and was wondering if it was a righteous desire to have him take all of the pain and sickness I felt so that I could tell him he chose it. Probably not though! haha. It was Brooklyn's 5th Bday ( sister) and we just spent all day out in the sun while they played on the water bounce house. haha. Anyway it has been a rough week and I wish I had more inspiring things to say but I am out of time completely! I love you so much! I am feeling better and hope I can make you proud! All of you praying and supporting me is what keeps me going! It is in those moments when I forget myself and go to work that all of a sudden everything makes sense again and I do not need to worry. Also, Momma shared with me a talk I believe although the clip said Advice from Elder Bushe. I encourage you all to find it and listen or read it because it is incredible and helped me get through one of the roughest weeks of my life. (Christa-Maybe you can share it on my fb?) Well I love you! Stay strong even when life is tough!

Love,

Sister Balero

Sister Balero and Sister Harrison

Sister Balero was so happy to see a shining, familiar face in her mission! The one and only Sister Harrison from our home ward!

In The Field: Mission Life in Payson

Oh my goodness gracious! Where to even start! My journal since I last wrote is over 6 pages front and back in small handwriting! I am in Payson South, a new split area, and my trainer is Sister Reynolds who just happens to have come from Roosevelt and is super close with Sister Harrison! I also got to see Sister Harrison! I am so sad I forgot my camera cord so you're going to have to wait another week for pictures! The average weight gain here for Sisters is 60 lbs! The food is so good though! Every time I eat I think of Christa and how badly she would want all these recipes! Yesterday we ate with this adorable family! Sister Reynolds and I basically adopted them as our Payson Mom and Dad! All of their kids are adopted! And they are ADORABLE!! There is an older boy and then two young black twins who are crazy and then a sweet little girl! She was afraid of us at first and hid in the couch but then as I talked to her a little started responding very quietly and then all of a sudden climbed in my lap! I am not supposed to hold children which I think is the hardest rule by far!! There are so many cute kids that want to sit on your lap and have you hold them! So I did keep her there for a little bit but only because I didn't want to scare her off again. It was dinner time and she said she wanted to stay with me so I told her she could sit next to me but they put her at the kids table and she went to her mom and said "I want to sit next to her!" which shocked her because last she had seen she was scared of me so she let her sit next to me at the table and then she was adorably talkative! She said the prayer and prayed that the missionaries would be part of the family! It made my heart melt! We had western chicken burritos and fruit and then we made sugar corn which is basically kettle corn and took it to a neighbor who had just had surgery. She was super sweet and has a gorgeous backyard. Sorry if my thoughts are everywhere because I keep thinking of new things to say! Our mom takes pictures so she's going to do companion pictures of us! We also got to take the popcorn home and there was so much! It was DELICIOUS!!! We told mom (easier to call her that) about the weight gain and now she's making us go running in the mornings...3 miles...it'll be interesting...haha. Our first night we ate with an older couple who were great and we ate this oriental coleslaw stuff which was super good and then salted carmel cheesecake cupcakes which Christa MUST make! My new favorite dessert! They also took us to go see the new temple being built here which is going to be GORGEOUS!! I love having the spirit with me always! I feel like I am constantly floating. Thursday we ate with a ward mission leader and had Black Cherry Koolaid! And this delicious garlic bread and cornflakes and cheese chicken. It was sooo good! And then cheesecake for dessert! We then got to visit a widow whose husband just passed away. It was a neat experience! There is another family we love just down the street and we had ebilskevers! WHY DIDNT CHRISTA USE HER AWESOME MAKER BEFORE!! THEY WERE DELICIOUS! And they have adorable kids and I always want to hold as well. Saturday dinner fell through so we ate with them again and went to an El Salvadorian restaurant in a Mexican store! haha. And I had a pina jarrito just for Katie since she tried the Taco and it was very good! Her turn again! ;) One of the Ward Mission Leaders in our Stake we are covering is President Packers Personal Nurse!! He is seriously the coolest guy and the most excited about missionary work ever!!! We feel like celebrities! Haha we are so popular! We got honked at multiple times on the way down to walmart! Btw we are walking. They are trying to get us bikes in the ward because we are supposed to get a car but its on backorder and we didn't want to buy bikes for possibly less than a month. At Wal-Mart I bought a backpack because we decided there was no way we were walking/ biking with purses. And I guess President has never said anything about backpacks...idk. I spoke in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and speak twice next week! The worst part of the whole thing! haha. But its not too bad because the ward is like half the size at least of the Candy Mountain Ward which suprised me! Well I love you! And I can't wait to talk to you tonight!

Love,

Sister Balero

 

P.S. My companion reminds me so much of Rachel (Cousin)! She even has the same laugh and I have never heard anyone have that same laugh!

 

 

"Being at the MTC is like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant..."

Again, so much has happened this week. I don't even know where to start. Well first HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!! AND HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMY!! I LOVE YOU BOTH!! Also Happy Birthday to Grandma Sant!

Ok, so my tooth (which you are waiting to know about). I waited to see what the doctor said about my tooth at my appointment yesterday. He looked at it (the bottom left) and it is the one that is in and said that food can get caught under the gums and it is really hard to clean and irritates it and makes it swell and hurt so he is having me just swish around salt water 3 times a day to clean it and if it still is a problem I will probably have to take them out. I have only had the chance to do it once but It already feels much better!

 I felt so relieved but then not even 2 hours later I find out that an Elder in our district has come down with the flu and is in Quarantine . The flu shot was geared towards the wrong strain this year so getting it didn't even help me. The whole district had to come in and we got a prescription we have to take. We had the choice but I decided I better because a girl whose companion got it decided not to take it and she came down with it as well. Another sister in my district has stomach problems and has been to the ER and fainted. Basically our whole district is struggling but I think it has brought us closer together and to the Lord. We haven't gotten much sleep though.

I love the mail I have received! Especially Dear Elder because I get it the day of! There is just way too much to say! I would love if you could send me my cute mission map thing laminated if you can! Also Fairy- I see powerade everytime I am in the cafeteria and think of you!

One random thing is I wish I had a pitch pipe. We dont always have a piano and we always start off key and it drives me crazy! I hope grandpa is doing better! Oh and has Travis gotten his call?? I'm glad Katie ate a taco but really?? haha. Maybe she should try more things now! :p No more bloody noses! :)

I love all the spiritual thoughts especially the one about Spencer Anderson's talk! It was what I needed to hear! I can't wait to hear from Christa more and get pictures!

Next time I talk to you i'll be in the field! Crazy huh? I am so excited though. Even with fake investigators it is an incredible feeling when they finally understand and get that light and love and joy in their eyes! Hopefully I get the mouth guard soon. That seems like itll help! My teacher the other day said "totes inapropes" and it made me think of Kambria! haha. There is seriously too much! I love this saying "Being at the mtc is like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant. You get some water but mostly it just squirts you in the face." haha. But really it is incredible but just so much! On Sunday we listened to a talk by Bednar given at a Christmas Devo a few years ago called The Character of Christ. I don't know if you can watch it outside of the MTC but I would see if it is available because it will change your life!! I seriously have pages of notes I wish I could send to you! Maybe i'll write a handwritten letter after! One thing he said is to get a cheap paper back Book of Mormon and read it all the way through in relation to a question you want answered and then pull it out ponder it  and write a brief summary of what you learned. He then said you should eventually have 400- 500 copies in your book shelf with important questions from your life. He then said if you be that dilligent you will be fully converted to the Lord. We also talked about miracles. One quote, which I think is Russell M. Nelson's wife, says " Obedience brings forth blessings but exact obedience brings forth miracles!"

Well I'm doing great and hope that I got most of everything written! Love you all and hope life is constantly bringing a smile to your face!

Love,
Sister Balero

First P-day!

There is so much to say and definitely not enough time! First thing: I am here safe and sound! yay! Number 2, so I don't forget I'm just going to tell you who I've seen! I've been surprised to see so many people I know! I saw Jill ( Forte choreographer) in the airport, Elder Hunt, Sister Roberts, Sister Rhoten, Sister Heathcoat?, Elder Peterson, Elder Miller, and Brother Turner. Next, I am actually in the MTC for 14 days which is awesome BUT this means I will be in the MTC for Mother's day and I have been told I am not allowed to call because there are too many missionaries. :'( Maybe my mission president will let me call a couple days late? I guess we'll have to see. So today we have a full P-day. Most people only get half of one and most none at all the first week! Our sister training leader said that she has never heard of missionaries getting a full P day on their first week. So I guess we're just special! haha. Except on Pday I struggle to focus because there is so much down time so besides email priviledges I would rather have a normal day! Also I don't have my mail yet so I dont know if you have written me yet. Only District leaders are allowed to check the mail. Hopefully I will get mail soon. Someone said I have a small package but I have no idea other than that. Dear Elder seems to work good although it's the same idea. Also the food is really good or really gross depending on what you choose to eat. Mostly good though! The other thing is that we get to go to the temple on Pday but our time is at 6:30 so joy! We have to be at the temple when I would be getting up! Perfect for me right? haha...yeah...The Provo temple is incredibly different from both the Rexburg and Columbia River. I love all the missionaries in my district. Especially the sisters! There are 6 of us and all in one room and then 3 Elders. One Elder (Elder Niuia Tofa) is from New Zealand and I could listen to him talk all day! haha. He always will say something and then say " Thats what we say in New Zealand? Ok. so I lied!I was just given my mail which is my skirt and the Dear Elder letters. I will have to wait to read them because of time though. Another thing is tulips are planted EVERYWHERE! Total tender mercy! I think my companion is sick of hearing me go on and on about how much I love tulips! :D My companion Sister Diaz is from Kansas is super sweet! She is from Kansas and quiet but has such great spiritual insights! She is great! She is also a english major at BYU and Loves Doctor who along with sister Lasson! She reminds me a lot of Amelia in interests though. The spirit is incredible here. Although I miss you all I feel so at home here and at peace knowing completely that this is where I need to be! Oh and I keep getting bloody noses. Not so cool.  I wrote 111 on my notes...no idea why...and I definitely needed notes for this! Sunday is fast sunday again but itll be good! :) There is just too much to say. I have really learned that a lot of people try so hard to prove their point that they lose the spirit. The most important part is testifying!! Also really knowing and understanding the investigator personally. Just a couple more things because Elder Niuia Tofa is waiting.  Read D&C 64:33-34, 31:3, and 38:24-25. And one thing I was told: Christ is the reason, Love is the motive, The spirit is the means, and Preach my Gopsel is the method! Awesome right! Oh and Preach my Gospel wasn't designed for missionaries. It was designed so that anyone who would read it would become converted unto the Lord!

Well I love you lots and have definitely spent way to much time but keep me in your prayers as I keep you in mine!

Love,

Sister Balero