2nd Letter From Rebekah, How Much Spanish can You Learn In 3 days?

Hola Mi Famillia?

Come esta dia? How are you today. I was tempted to write in Espanol, but I think I have too much to say, so I wont use up my time thinking about the correct words.

So far the MTC has been great! I understand now what they mean by the first few days being very busy. You'd think busy would include time for personal scripture study, but not so. Not the first two days at least. It's beginning to slow down now, and once we begin our regular MTC schedule we'll have an hour for "personal scripture study." I put it in quotation marks because I really am trying hard to give ALL my might, mind, and strength to serving the Lord. The driving force behind all of my decisions and actions is what can I best do to prepare to serve the people of Quetzaltenango. For example. my companion and I wake up early (5:40) to use the gym. This morning we used the eleypticales. Toward the end of my work out, I was tired. I wanted to slow down and just enjoy the activity (we do a lot of sitting here!) but then I realized that this time belongs to the Lord and how to serve the people in Quetzaltenango, and so I pushed myself as hard as I could so that I can be as healthy as possible in Guatemala. It's like that with everything. That is why "personal scripture study" I put in quotation marks. It really isn't personal at all. It belongs to the Lord and the people in Questzaltenango. It really means, studying what I feel impressed to for my future investigators with myself. It's quite the change. Instead of sitting and relaxing with the Scriptures, you recognize the time is valuable and don't want to waste a moment of it. It's hard, but I feel a huge responsibility to really dedicate ALL of my thoughts to serving in Guatemala. It's not just dedicating your thoughts and time to the Lord (because you can, and should, focus on yourself and reaching your potential as a child of God in all stages of life.) In the mission, every second is not only the Lord's time (both figuratively and literally purchased by Him,) but it is His time to use everything you have to initing others to Christ.

Good news! I keep starting my words in Espanol. I am thinking in Espanol more and more. Whew, on Spanish, it's been very tough. I am literally the only one in my district who did not have at least two years of Spanish in High School. Some even had a few semesters in college. I, of course, have had none. We say all of our prayers in Spanish (including all personal prayers.) At first it was difficult because my prayers were less fulfilling, since I couldn't say many of the things I wanted to, and had to read the things I could say. But today. I can say a full prayer in Spanish without any notes. It took a lot of work and prayers, however.

Yesterday in class with Hermana Whitlock (one of our teachers) we were going through some things you can say in Spanish. People started asking complex questions about Spanish and saying things I didn't understand at all. I felt very very overwhelmed. I think between behind so behind in Spanish in the start mixed with new environment, new food, hardly any sleep etc. I was just emotionally exhausted. I don't know why, but I just started to cry. I think my teacher was the only one who noticed. She sent the class to the computer lab and pulled me out to the hall to ask how I was. I explained that I didn't understand why I was crying. I have faith in the gift of tongues, and know that God will bless me. I told her about Heber's experience with Elder Kikuchi and that I know I can still be an effective missionary with the Spirit. But then I also said that it's just hard having everyone around me with so much Spanish already and that I just wanted to help as many people as I can. I said it seemd like I would be able to help more people if I served English speaking or even German (I keep thinking in German. I surprised how much German I know.) But that I had faith. She said to give it a week and I'd be just as good as everyone else. The I read a scripture either in Alma 26 or in 2 Nephi about some missionaries. It talks about how they labored hard and long and were discouraged and tired, and then they were blessed with success. That is how I am feeling about Spanish. It is hard, and I labor long, but I do labor cheerfully. My companion and I love speaking in Spanish and using it as much as we can. I love studying it. It's so much fun. AND I am so surprised at how much I have already witnessed the gift of tongues. I can already say so much in Spanish. The other amazing part is, the Spanish words I have been blessed to know are not associated in my mind with the English, but with the object or feeling. I don't think, okay, so I want to say Heavenly Father...and that is...Padre Celestial. Instead I think of our actually Heavenly Father, and the words Padre Celestial come to mind. It's been a tremendous blessing. After my talk with my teacher I went to say a little prayer asking again for the gift of tongues. I felt prompted that I needed to remember crying so that I could remember the reality of the gift of tongues. I also felt liek there would be more struggles with language occasionally, just to remind me from where the blessings come.

My companion is Hermana Kimri Clah. She is Navajo and from New Mexico and very good at volleyball. We get along perfectly. We have the same thoughts on everything...food (shocker, huih!) missionary work, obedience, free time, hiking, just everything. She is 25. She often reminds me of Esther Reid.

My times up, I'll send a handwritten letter with more about my district etc.

Love you all very much!!!

THANK YOU FOR THE PUMPKIN MUFFINS AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS!!!!!! PERFECTO!!!! MY DISTRICT LOVES THEM!!!

Hope you all have a splendid day!
-Hermana Finch.