Maligayang (late) Pasko! (Merry late Christmas!)

Kumusta everyone back home!

So, sorry if this email is shorter than the others.  I had to write a lot of individual emails this week, and it sort of took a lot of time.  but let me get to the good points with the time I have left!

This week was wonderful!  I have never been so spiritually uplifted in my entire life.  Christmas day was amazing here.  Of course, it was a little rough being away from family, but the MTC does a good job at making it a special day.  And quite honestly, it felt amazing to be right at the very heart of the meaning of Christmas-giving to others!

Okay, sorry I am writing so fast right now!  Sorry if it doesn't make sense!  So sunday was so funny.  Each sunday for sacrament meeting, our branch president calls on two missionaries randomly to give a talk.  We are notified of the topic during the week, and all of us just have to be prepared in case we are called on.  So, I had a feeling it was going to be me (I'm psychic and all-and yes Nat, more psychic than you!  haha, jokelang!)  Anyway, but I also had to play the piano!  We don't have a piano player in our branch!  what? I thought everyone played the piano?  So I piped up and told them I would be our pianist in church...they were upset that I kept quiet haha.  :)  So I though to myself..."Okay, I will be playing all the hymns and speaking?"  This is funny because it seems every time I have been called to speak in my wards, somethings weird happens and I end up speaking, giving the closing prayer, AND teaching a lesson in Relief Society (when it rains, it pours for me when it comes to sharing in church, haha no joke)  so anyway, Sacrament meeting comes about and I play the piano, then after the passing of the sacrament I go to take my seat, and the counselor says, "oh sister wright, don't even bother sitting down, you're speaking now." haha every one laughed!  Then I told them how I knew I was going to speak because when I participate every ends up asking me to do everything....  Anyway, I spoke about the Book of Mormon.  I think it actually went really well.  I promise all of you that you're lives will be blessed if you read from its pages DAILY.  Treasure the words of Christ!  Okay, also, what's funny is at the end of the meeting the counselor came to the stand and also announced that I originally was supposed to give the closing prayer too!  WHAT?  haha!!  wow, what's with that?  but they chose someone else :)

Another cool experience.  It may not sound very cool when reading it, but I can promise it was one of the coolest experiences.  So, all the missionaries in the MTC were in the gym for a devotional (TONS OF MISSIONARIES), and then we stood to sing "As the Army of Helaman"  WOW!  I got the CHILLS!  Everyone should go listen to that song right now.  but see, as missionaries we change some of the words.  Instead of singing, "We are as the Lord's missionaries", we sing "We are NOW the Lord's missionaries, to bring the World His truth.  What an amazing experience to sing with a thousand missionaries!  so wonderful, the spirit was so strong.

Okay, I finally got to go on a temple walk!  The temple is still closed, but at we just walked to the gate!  It was so refreshing to see the snow falling so gracefully!  It was also wonderful to see the mountains.  I miss them.  Every evening at 5:15 pm I try to look out the window at the beautiful sunset.  It's beautiful from our window.  I miss the beauty of nature.  That part has been rough, because the MTC is so enclosed that you can't see the outside world.  Of course I don't care about the cars, and streets, and people....but the beauty of the temple against the mountains and sky is something I had missed!  I was so grateful that it was snowing when we went too.  It really was sort of a tender mercy.  I was starting to feel kinda cooped up.  I can't wait to be out in the Philippines!  Oh yeah, wait lets see...I LEAVE IN 2 WEEKS!  Ah!  so crazy that I'll be on the other side of the world-literally.

Times up!  Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wright

Me and Sister Erickson (the other STL) by our Senior Door picture! We'll pass it on to the next oldest district after we leave.

Opening my Christmas stocking!

Mom I LOVED my necklace! Made me cry!

Our Manger Scene

Me and Sister Butler loved our Santa hats! Thank you Emilee, Dal, Kenna, Kaela, and Dylan!

Me and Sister Butler on our temple walk, what a beautiful day!

 Me out on the temple grounds!

Blessings from Above

Kumusta pamilya ko!!!

Wow.  Another week!?  Weird.  The days last forever, but the weeks fly by.  This week has been quite the roller coaster.  Quite honestly, it started out pretty rough... but it has ended with me feeling such an immense feeling of gratitude for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday, I was called to be the Sister Training Leader.  They are responsible to watch out for and help the sisters in their zone.  I feel so inadequate for the calling, seeing as I feel weak myself; however, I know that "whom the Lord calls, He qualifies."  It truly has been a humbling experience.  I only hope I can help the sisters the way my old Sister Training Leaders helped me during my hard times.

Anyway, so at the beginning of this week, I found myself being frustrated with myself.  I couldn't understand why I couldn't just get the hang of the language; I couldn't understand why I couldn't help my investigators feel the love I have for my Savior; I couldn't understand why I couldn't understand even what my investigators were saying to me sa Tagalog. I ended up breaking down to one of my teachers, and she really helped me take a step back and realize I can't fly before learning to crawl first.  I am just used to things catching on for me.  I truly have been humbled. On Thursday, I decided that I was in need of some answers from my Heavenly Father.  During personal study, I prayed to understand what I needed to do to be blessed with the gifts of the Spirit I so desperately need.  After I closed my prayer, I felt I should study the Christlike attribute of Diligence in Preach my Gospel.  I read through the paragraph and then studied and pondered the verses concerning Diligence.  I read D&C 75: 2-5, D&C 123:12-14, D&C 127:4, and D&C 130:20-21.  I felt the Spirit so strong.  I was impressed with this thought- "If you want the full blessing of the Gift of Tongues, then you must be diligent and 'waste and wear out your life' in the cause of the Lord"  I know this was our Heavenly Father answering my prayer through the power of the Holy Ghost. These verses then led me to D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."  I was so overcome as I remembered what my sweet Poppee (dad) always tells me.  He tells me, Kristee (sister wright), BIND THE LORD.  The Lord so tenderly wants to bless us, but we must do our part.  If we do our part, He cannot help but pour out blessings upon our heads.

I reflected how I could be more diligent.  I remember my dad telling me how important it is to be obedient to the mission rules. Now, don't think I'm completely disobedient, but I can improve. It is hard to stay on task when your district chooses to just laugh and tell stories during personal study time and language study. Anyway, with my study, I realized that if I want to receive all the blessings that the Lord has in store for me, then I need to be 100% diligent and obedient.  After this, I decided to put it to the test.  I tried SO hard to "waste and wear out my life" in the cause of the Lord.  Though I would have a headache and though I was exhausted, I pressed forward and tried my very very best-holding nothing back.  I stand as a witness that the Lord will bless us when we do what He has asked of us.  As I did this, I witnessed a miracle.

Friday was EXHAUSTING yet so rewarding!  I had an investigator who we taught at the beginning of this week, and quite frankly it went terrible.  She is 16 yrs old and was just looking around the room and yawning.  I couldn't feel the Spirit.  So then our next time teaching her was Friday night.  I prayed so fervently and worked so hard to be guided by the Spirit and be able to know the Tagalog I would need to know for her.  This is where I witnessed a miracle.  so we went in to teach her, it started out a little rocky.  she seemed a little more receptive though.  We shared the message we had prepared, and then I decided to ask her if she had any questions.  she didn't really answer.  then a little later, I felt prompted to ask her again.  (now you have to realize the faith it takes to ask if they have questions, because with our broken tagalog.... some times we don't even understand their questions let alone know enough tagalog to answer their questions!)  but again, I asked her, "Mayroon po ba kayong mga tanong??"  She then opened up and said that she didn't understand the whole deal about the Holy Ghost.  At first, I felt a little jolt of nerves because I thought (oh great, way to ask if she has questions and then not be able to answer sa Tagalog...way to go, sister Wright).  but I just paused and listened- I plead for guidance by the Spirit. then I had the thought to turn to Moroni 10:3-5.  I had her read it (because I stink at reading in Tagalog, haha).  when she finished, she just stared at me.  Then I thought again (Great sister Wright, way to have her read a scripture that you don't know how to explain sa Tagalog!).  But, I put to test the scripture that says "Open your mouth, and it shall be filled."  so I did just that.  I opened my mouth and Tagalog came out!  Really.  I don't even remember all of what I said, except that I know I explained how the Spirit works and I bore testimony about my experience with the Spirit-that as I have read and prayed about the Book of Mormon, I felt it was true through the Spirit.  As Tagalog rolled off my tongue, my eyes filled with tears.  What an amazing experience it was to be able to look into the eyes of this individual and share such a crucial message of truth.

Friends and Family, I KNOW this is the true church.  I know it without a doubt.  I know the ang kaloob ng mga wika (gift of tongues) is real.  I know that we are blessed when we do all that we can to be obedient.  I know it, because I have witnessed it this weekend.  It was such a beautiful experience.  I tangibly felt blessings being poured into my heart as a result of me putting to test the christlike attribute of faith, diligence, and obedience.  wow.  I have drawn so much closer to my Savior.  I have reached my hand out and plead, "Lord, save me."  I know He is there.  God Lives!

Mahal kita!

Love,

Sister Wright

On to Week 2!

WOW. Haha, I always thought it was funny that my friend, Sister Maurielle Dennis, started her mission emails out with "wow" all the time.  Now.. I completely understand why!  wow.

This week has been crazy.  I am pretty sure I have felt every emotion possible.  The MTC quickly humbles you, that's for sure.  I seriously have so much I want to share with you, and I don't even know where to start!  I have been keeping a little post-it note with me of all the things I want to write about.  I have found if I don't do that, all the days blur into one huge dream.

So. First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY TWO WONDERFUL BROTHERS, KYLE AND CHAD!  I know your birthdays were last week, but don't worry, I didn't forget about you two!  I hope you both had fabulous days.  I love you both so much.

Now about my investigator, Brother Castro.  Don't ever think that we had to teach him sa Tagalog.  I know that the Gift of Tongues is truly a gift of the Espiritu Santo.  My kasama and I have been working really hard to invite the Spirit in our lessons with him.  Teaching in a different language has helped me realize how simple and beautiful the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is.  It is very humbling to know that simple, short sentences sa Tagalog such as "Heavenly Father loves His Children.  We are His Children.  Jesus Christ is our Savior.  The Book of Mormon is the word of God. etc," can invite the Spirit and touch the mga pusa (hearts) of God's children who are being taught.  I love it.  I REALLY love it.  It was hard for me to get used to at first, because I felt so inadequate with my broken Tagalog sentences; however, I can honestly say that I felt the Spirit in our lessons.  I have also been able to strengthen my patotoo (testimony) in the power of teaching from the Scriptures, ESPECIALLY ang Aklat ni Mormon (book of mormon).  Trust me, when you don't know how to say something in the language, what do you do??? --> TURN TO THE AKLAT NI MORMON!  haha.  The Spirit was so strong when we bore our simple mga patoo about mga bersiculo (verses) that we shared.  Bro Castro had questions about death, so we focused on the Plan of Salvation.  It really helped bring peace.  We invited him to prepare for Baptism and he said he wanted to go to Church first this sunday.  It's been an amazing experience.  Praying sa Tagalog is such a beautiful thing as well.  I love the fact that our Father in Heaven knows ALL things-including ALL languages.  It doesn't matter what language a prayer is in, because ang Espiritu Santo is the universal language.  The Holy Ghost is who testifies of truth and helps tenderly lead and guide God's children back to Him through His Son, JesuCristo.

Okay. So.  Don't ever think I get fed ALL THE TIME.  When I first arrived sa MTC, I didn't have an appetite at all because of nerves, and because we have huge meals for every meal.  Bleh.  The food isn't the best really, either.  But, then all of the sudden something happened.  I have become accustomed to the overwhelmingly huge portion sizes and i am hungry for every meal.... Hala! (oh no!) I am worried about getting fat.  Please love me no matter what, K?  okay??? :)

Another amazing experience was Sunday night.  Every sunday night we get to listen to some sort of Devotional.  We got to choose one of four to watch.  My kasama and I chose to watch The Character of Christ by Elder Bednar.  WOW.  WOW. WOW. .....wow.  Honestly, it has been almost a week since listening to it and i am STILL trying to wrap my head around the precious doctrine of Christ that he taught of.  wow.  He talked about how in everything we do to turn outward toward others and not inward.  He talked about how it is the Natural Man who will always turn inward.  He related it to the cookie monster ("I want cookie NOW!").  Gee, I seriously can't even describe how amazing the experience was.  I wish I could explain it.  All I can say is that I have so much to work on, and it was very very very humbling.  I loved it and felt the Spirit SO strong.

I love class time!  Some of the elders in my district can't stand how long class is...but I'm used to 9 hrs of class while in the Nursing Program :)  haha, so it honestly doesn't even phase me.  I am used to studying all day.  My teacher, sister Stonick is amazing at helping us ALWAYS remember our purpose as mga missyonero- "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."  She reminds us constantly that our purpose should be at the core of our mga puso (hearts) during EVERY activity and minute of the day-personal study, kasama study, language study, etc.  I am here at the MTC to prepare to invite the filipinos to come unto Christ.  And in order to do that, I need to continuously strengthen my own conversion during personal study, learn to love my kasama more completely during kasama study in order to teach by the Spirit, and learn the language in order to testify to the filipinos in their own language (D&C 90:11).

I am learning so much.  Jamie N. asked me in a letter if I felt "old and wise" amidst these little 18 and 19 yr olds.  Haha, I must say that I do feel old. HOWEVER, i do NOT feel wise.  There are some amazingly wise spirits in these young mga missyonero (also some very young ones, too....haha...no offense).  but really, I don't feel wise.  I may have grown up with the Gospel, but just like all the other mga missyonero here, it is my first time being a full time missyonero.

Friends and Family, PLEASE know that i know this church is true.  God is our Father in Heaven, and He loves each and every one of us more than we can even comprehend.  Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is our pagapagligtas (savior) and redeemer.  He suffered and died for us so that we would be able to return back to our Heavenly Father.  I love this Gospel, and though the language is SUPER difficult, I am trying my best to keep the pananampalataya (faith-talk about long word for such a simple word....) in the kaloob ng mga wika (gift of tongues).

I love you ALL!  Mahal kita!!!!  (P.S. mahal kita when said to the opposite gender is like....love, wanna marry you type deal....so careful with that one, haha)

Until next week,

Sister Wright

 Me and my Kasama!!!

 Me and Sister Erickson in our residence! Love her! 

 My District (missing 3 Elders)

 Me and my Kasama, Sister Butler in the SNOW!!!

 Here ya go Mom :)

 Sister Otia, Sister Nott, Me and Sister Butler (we never forget to laugh!)

Our Christmas Tree! Sister Erickson's family is doing the 12 days of Christmas, and she got this tree on Saturday!! I think we are more excited than her! hahaha

Kristee's First Letter!

Kamusta everyone! Man, what a crazy first few days.  Wednesday was awesome and I tangibly felt the strong Spirit that is present here at the MTC.  Wow, i love it. The very first thing I did when I arrived was go to my class (more like my home b/c I spend all my time there!).  I walk in and my teacher is talking moc 80 sa Tagalog!!!!  My face must have looked priceless, haha.  I had no idea what she was saying.  She came to me and was like, "aldkfjadl;kjdla;kjfdalkfjdalkfjdalkfjadlfjasdfkjadl;kfj".  Then i was like, "what???????"  and then she was like, "a;ldkjalfkjal;dkfjdl;akfjal;dfkjadl;fkj"  She refuses to speak english, haha!  So funny.  Wednesday I was stoked thinking how cool it will be when I can speak Tagalog.  I was pumped!  Then, Thursday came.... yeah, I started letting doubt enter my heart.  We were informed that we would be teaching our first investigator on Friday SA TAGALOG.  I freaked out.  My SECOND day in the MTC and I would have to speak TAGALOG to an investigator. Crazy.  But I can testify of the the gift of tongues.  When Fri came, my kasama and I were able to carry a simple conversation with our investigator.  We committed him to pray to our Heavenly Father to feel His love for him.  Then we left him with a prayer.  When I was praying sa tagalog, I felt the Spirit so strong.  i couldn't believe I was able to pray to my loving Father in Heaven in a language I was first introduced to a day and a half ago.  I felt the Spirit so strong as I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to bless Brother P to feel the Holy Ghost.  Such a tender experience.  I know this Church is TRUE. My kasama is great.  I love her.  We work well together.  She has a lot of faith in the Spirit, and I am learning a lot from her.  She also is teaching me to be more patient.  Some times I can be a little uptight, haha. She is 21 and from New Mexico.  I am amazed at her strength-she is the only member in her family.  Her father is Atheist and was not supportive of her coming out on a mission.  Also, she is a convert and has only been a member for a year and a half.  WOW.  She has so much raw faith, that she carries us both.  I really do love her, and I know that the Lord is the one who assigned her to be my kasama. yesterday we were supposed to have gym time, but it was closed!  So we had to get creative.  So OF COURSE I led everyone in YOGA!  yes!!!  I loved it.  I'll admit...i'm sore!  It was fun to do something I love so much.  The sisters bailed and it ended up just being me doing the yoga, but it was still fun. In an orientation, a sister said, "you were saved for this day, Dec. 4th."  I felt the spirit so strong.  I know I am supposed to be here. I know that I was saved for this day because the Lord has been preparing people in the Philippines to be taught by me.  Each mga misyonero has individual talents and personality traits that can help reach certain people.  That's why we must all enhance our strengths!!  It's lunch time, and I ran out of time!  Please know I love you all.  I know that God lives.  He is our loving Heavenly Father.  Jesus Christ is His Son.  I have come to realize even more than ever that our Savior MUST be our rock to build our foundations on.  Without Him, I would not be where I am today.  I have already felt how much the Lord loves and cares for His ambassadors.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  Please never forget that our Father in Heaven LOVES all of you no matter what.  mahal kita! salamat Sister Wright

12/3/13-12/4/13 Leaving for the MTC

Two days ago Sister Kristee Wright entered the MTC to start her mission.  She will be serving in the Baguio, Philippines Mission for the next 18 months.  We love her so much and are so excited for this new adventure.  Here on the blog I (Emilee, her sister) will be updating everyone with letter's Kristee sends home along with any pictures she wants to share.  Hope you all enjoy! If you'd like to receive an email with her blog update each week, please go to the sidebar on this blog and enter your email address. Here are some pictures from the day she before she left and the day she went into the MTC.

Her she is packing up her life for the next 18 months!

  

The day she left we met at Taco Amigo for her "last Taco meal". Here she is with one of her nieces and her only nephew, for now :)

Sibling pic (missing McKay)

Family Pic (missing McKay)

My little family (missing McKenna) We Love You Kristee!!

Kristee with Haven, her newest niece

Saying bye to Momma at the MTC

Saying bye to Daddy at the MTC 

Bye Kristee!! We love you and will miss you!! We are so proud of you!