Monday, November 30, 2015

Mon, Nov 30, 2015 Christmas Miracles.

Hello!!!

Let the Christmas miracles begin!:) Haha, Sister Polanco just barely figured out that the word "Christ" is in "Christmas". She was amazed. I'm so grateful for this time of year to remember our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It is such a wonderful time to recognize the love of our Father in Heaven and the love of His Son. As we are entering into this Christmas season, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here in Vancouver. To be here serving God's children. There is always such a special spirit that we feel at Christmas time; I hope that this spirit motivates all of us to go out and share the Gift...Jesus Christ!

Sister Polanco was sure thrilled to have a Christmas tree in the house. Thanks for the tree and sweater! Love you!


This week, it has been heartbreaking to not be able to contact Maria Fernanda. She didn't keep our last two appointments and won't answer any of our calls. The day that she didn't show up to her lesson, we went finding that night. As we were waiting for the bus...guess who we saw..Maria! We ran over to her and gave her a huge hug and walked her back to her house. It was such a miracle, and proof to Sister Polanco and me that God is doing everything He can to help Maria accept the gospel. He is doing everything He can, except take away her agency. We love her, and pray that one day she will accept the gospel!

So I have to tell you all about the Christmas miracles we had last night. Oh, Sundays are just so good and filled with the Spirit! It was the first normal church meeting that we've had in two weeks because of Stake conference and the Montreal temple re dedication. It was incredible to feel like we are part of a ward family again. Everyone was so loving and so welcoming to us, and we have lots of appointments this week with the members! It should be a fantastic week!

So...the first miracle. Yesterday night, one of the Vancouver wards puts on a Christmas musical every year to kick off the Christmas season. President Burt told Sister Polanco and me last week that we needed to have an investigator with us in order to go to this musical so we took that very seriously. We got bundled up to face the freezing, frosty Vancouver night and went down the road a ways from the church to invite EVERYONE to the musical. We were loving inviting everyone to come feel the Spirit of Christmas, but it seemed like everyone was just so busy. While I was talking to a lady, Sister Polanco leaves the conversation and starts talking with a mom and son. In her broken English, she invites them to attend the musical. They gladly agreed and said, "Yeah, we're feeling spontaneous tonight." Haha, so we walked with them over to the church...and guess what...they speak SPANISH! Haha...we couldn't believe it. The dad is from Spain and the mom was a teacher over in Spain for some time. Sister Polanco and I were grinning from ear to ear as we entered the chapel and took our seats next to our new friends. It turns out that Heidi, the mom, is a less active member of many years and even has a cousin on a mission! Alejandro, her son, was seriously the cutest thing ever and was so grateful to be there. They had to leave early and so we walked them out..before we knew it they were giving us huge hugs and saying "thank you for starting off our Christmas season so beautifully!" She handed us a piece of paper with her number and address and told us to come visit anytime! WHAT A MIRACLE!

Then...if that wasn't enough...God blessed us with such a tender mercy. The Surrey Spanish ward was there at the Christmas musical/devotional singing in the choir. I was so thrilled! And Sister Polanco visited this mission 2 years ago and met many of the members of Surrey so it was a great reunion for both of us. My heart was so filled with joy as I got to hug them and talk to them after! I can't stop smiling just thinking about it. Missions are so good. My family is so much bigger now. So many more people to love.

So let's talk about Sister Polanco for a bit...my parents want to know more...haha she is such a fireball. I seriously love her so much, and have learned so much from her desire to serve God and her strong testimony! Haha, this week, I was interviewing her just to make sure I knew like everything about her. SO...her favorite color is green...good! Mine too. Her favorite food is everything Latino...of course!:) She loves the movie "The Proposal" and cries everytime she watches it. She loves to DANCE...and always does a little happy dance when she eats food. She has been teaching me the Marenge and Salsa. She is from Halapa and has two younger siblings...a brother and sister! Sister Polanco is so sassy...but apparently I am too. At least that's what our sister training leaders say. Haha. She reminds me a lot of Harrison. Oh and she is disgusted by our lack of fresh fruit here in North America...haha.







Bubble tea with   Sisters Ealy, Unwin, Driscoll, Ditto, Hoth, Polanco

So...one of my favorite moments this week was the opportunity I had to give a training at district meeting. I have given so many trainings in my mission...but I always seem to be so nervous. I gave my training on Knowledge. It was a great experience to share my testimony of the Savior and how this last week, I was able to gain a stronger testimony of the Savior. I know with all of my heart that "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (PMG) The Spirit was so strong as I prepared and gave this training. I'm grateful that the Lord works through small and simple things...like me...to carry on His great and eternal work.


Lombardo



Surrey friends



Garcia...little Ludwig is so big


Riquelme


My second mom! Moro


To finish this email...I want to invite all of you to watch the new Christmas video that the church just came out with. It is powerful and helps us remember the reason for the season. It's on christmas.mormon.org and is called A Savior is Born. It is the perfect way to get in the Christmas Spirit. I pray for all of you each day. I know that no matter what our trials, troubles, or afflictions may be we can trust in God. Everyday, we must choose to have faith over fear. I pray that we will trust in the Lord and turn to Him. The world is getting worse, and the faithful saints are getting better. Remember that there is opposition in all things and that the glorious light, life, and love of the gospel will never be taken away from us! We must stay in the path...we must keep our covenants, obey the commandments, partake of the sacrament, and constantly strengthen our testimonies everyday through scriptures, prayer, and service. The Lord asks for all of our  heart...and it's not really a sacrifice when you think of all He has done for us. I love you all so much!

Love, Hermana Hoth





Monday, November 23, 2015

Mon, Nov 23, 2015 These are the best days of my life!




Tacos for days...seriously like every day

Hello!!!!
Wow..this week has been such a blessing for me. I love my mission. I feel so incredibly blessed to be here in Canada. God has truly shaped, molded, and changed me while I have been here. This week, Elder Teh from the 70 and his wife, visited our mission for zone conference. Wow, that was such a powerful and special experience for me! Let me tell you about this meeting...probably one of the best I have ever had. We had the meeting in the church building just next to the temple..so perfect! And the best part of all was that Sister Wright and Hermana Wilson were there. I can't even begin to explain how joyful I was. My heart was so full of love for Hermana Polanco, Hermana Wilson, and Sister Wright! I remembered all the good times, the hard times, and all the best times. I love my sisters and each and every one of the campanions that I have had. I don't know if I have made that big of a difference here in Canada, but I felt so strongly that the greatest converts of my mission are...myself and my companions. 

YESS! Sis Wright at Zone Conference

Hermana Wilson Zone Conf



This meeting was absolutely incredible. I love President and Sister Burt so much. They have truly changed my life. I love my mission and feel so strongly that President and Sister Burt were called to this mission because I was called to this mission! I need them and their Christlike examples. They are so perfect. I love something that President Burt said, "I attribute every blessing I have ever received to being obedient on my mission." I love this! I know that God is just waiting to bless us, and He willingly and freely blesses us as we choose to love and follow Him. During this meeting, I was thinking a lot about my Savior, Jesus Christ. Then a thought came into my mind, it was one simple little sentence "You don't have to feel alone because Jesus Christ is always there." This sentence is something that I told a less active member a few days before the meeting. I had testified of this, and then had forgotten completely to live by it. I'm so grateful for the still, small voice to testify of truth and bring things back to our remembrance. 

HALF WAY bubble tea....eww 

Awww yeah

I live in China town sometimes
This quiet, sweet prompting blessed me so much this week. Sometimes the mission/life is hard, sometimes we don't remember our purpose, sometimes we forget to rely on God and the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that we are never alone. I know that despite feelings of sadness or hopelessness, the light, life, and love of Jesus Christ is always there...whether we feel like we deserve it or not. This week, hitting my mid-life crisis (I like to call it), I have learned so much about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have reflected on my mission and thought about all I have accomplished! Have I been perfect? No. Have I been perfect at trying? Absolutely yes! This week, I used the Atonement of Jesus Christ to empower me to do more than I could by myself..to be forgiven of my mistakes and to feel relief for my fears and my weaknesses. As I used the Atonement, I felt such a profound and special Spirit with me. It empowered me to talk with people, to love them, and talk about the Lord with them. I know that we can trust in God and that His power is real. His love is real. I know that all that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Do you believe that? Do you know that? I challenge all of you to gain a testimony of that.

So to finish my testimony of the Atonement, I need to introduce better our new investigator Maria Fernanda. I feel so blessed to have met her. She is a miracle from working so hard. We met her on the Sky train and have had a few lessons with her. She is 18 years old and is from Mexico. Right now she is living with a family from Canada as she studies English for 6 months. When we taught her the first time, she cried when we told her about the love Heavenly Father has for her. She called us her "little angels". This week, we were able to teach her about the Plan of Salvation. When Hermana Polanco started teaching about the Atonement, I was so overcome by the Spirit! I have never in my life felt the Spirit so strong as I did in that lesson. It was like I was in the arms of my Savior. I know that He was there with us. So after that I was able to testify and share my witness of the Atonement. I love the Savior. I know He has carried me through my mission. A few nights ago, I pleaded with God to help me not feel alone. I pleaded with Him to take my burdens away. I know that even at our lowest points, God has the power to lift us, brush us off, and make us better. Maria Fernanda felt the Spirit and she now has a baptismal date for December. She is so special to me and I thank God every day that she has been prepared to receive the gospel! Please pray for her!!


Maria Fernanda


The other investigator that I mentioned last week is Bud. He is english so next week, we will pass him off to other missionaries! We found him on one of the busy streets here in Vancouver. He has also been so prepared. He is a funny old guy...like 70 years old and so willing to change! We have had a few lessons with him, and he just wants to do what the Lord wants him to do! 




The yoda picture is of Sister Ditto...my sister training leader...haha...we were on exchanges
In Preach My Gospel (pg. 152) There is an activity that I have done a few times on my mission, but since I hit my half way mark this week, I thought it would be so fitting to do it again! So the questions are: What do you want to say you have done as a missionary? What do you want to have become? What differences would you want others to notice in you? I have loved going back and reading my responses to these questions...I always still feel the same, but it's great to see how much my desires are changing as my nature is changing. So my answers? 1. I have to say I have loved the people. I have given God my all and I am exhausted because of it. I want to live everyday in the service of the Lord. 2. I want to become a permanently progressing. Someone humble who always seeks after the good. 3. "She is Christlike." I want people to think, "Wow, I love her because I know she loves me!" I want to always have the Spirit and I want people to see by the way I act that I know God and know His love. Those questions are great to ask..for the end of your life! So all of you ask yourselves! What do you want to say you have done in life? What do you want to have become? What difference do you want others to see in you?


You would not believe the wind

It rains a lot in Canada 



okay...beautiful
I love you all so much and am so grateful for your support and love! I love all of the experiences I've had on my mission. I love the people I have served. Success is hard to measure, but I've learned that we can measure it by how much love with have for others. I would say these 9 months have been very successful. The Lord has been tutoring me here in the Canada Vancouver mission..the best mission in the world. Here is to more change, more love, more laughs, and a more consecrated life as I am at the start of the next best 9 months of my life!:):) 

Alma 29:9-10. THIS IS MY JOY! My joy is that I can labor with God in this glorious work!
All my love,                                                                                                            Hermana Hoth                                                                                                               P.S. My Spanish is FINALLY improving thanks to my cute, sassy companion, Hermana Polanco! I had two Latinos tell me yesterday that they thought I was from somewhere in Central America because my accent was so authentic! Haha YESSSSS! It has been so miraculous to see the Lord speak through me...especially in the Spanish language! 


She is sassy

I'm a Mormon!



Monday, November 16, 2015

Mon, Nov 16, 2015 The Biggest Enemy of the Best is Good.

Hey Ya'll

This week I have learned that it is absolutely impossible to talk to EVERYONE in Vancouver. I have also learned that we don't need to be using the Lord's time talking to absolutely everyone in Vancouver. What He has asked us to do is to ask Him, listen to the Spirit, and be directed to those who will receive us. I have gained such a strong testimony this week that as we include God in His work, He will guide us to those who are ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each time we go out finding now, I pray immediately to know who I should talk to. As I follow the promptings I receive, I have been so filled with the Spirit. The Spirit is the one who can reach the hearts of the people, all I have to do is listen to the Spirit and open my mouth. It is absolutely an honor to be a servant for the Lord.


Mike, Mike, Mike what day is it?!!





I can't believe that it is my half way mark this week (Nov 18) ...I can hardly believe it. Time has gone by so fast and I have had so many incredible experiences on my mission. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me in these next few months! Also, I want to thank you all so much for your love and support. I would not be able to do this mission without your constant thoughts and prayers! Thank you!:) 


In the words of Jon Bon Jovi:
"Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer !" 

 This week has been such a fantastic week! I have grown so much and have felt like I'm at a huge turning point in my mission! I am learning so much everyday about the Spirit and about God's work. My whole life, I have loved to be diligent! My dad always told me, "If you don't do it right, don't do it at all." Haha, that has definitely stuck with me! I have done my best to be so diligent on my mission. This week during zone meeting, I learned that sometimes in my mission I have just been sacrificing. What I mean is I chose to be obedient and sacrificed my time and things that I wanted to do for the Lord, but my heart wasn't necessarily in it. This week, I have been making sure my sacrifice is accompanied with my heart...my love for God. That way I'm not just going through the motions, but truly remembering the greater and deeper purpose behind everything that I do. A question that I have constantly been thinking about this week is, "Am I someone that God can always count on?"

During zone meeting, we listened to a choir sing Glorious. It was so powerful as we discussed how each of us truly have a part in this wonderful work and gospel. We are all children of God and have so much potential! As we discover our divine identity we will know how to let the gospel ring out of our mouths. That is a promise that the song gives. I'm so grateful for my mission because I have been so blessed by those I have met and served. They have changed my life. I have truly learned how to be myself, and be confident with myself.
Something that President has really been emphasizing is how he wants the Canada Vancouver mission to be a mission on FIRE! This is what I told President in response to his goal: "And when I was in Sidney, my second area, I learned how to be on fire. I didn't quite know in Surrey, my first area, because everything was so new and I was just learning the ropes and becoming familiar with being a missionary and the Spanish language. However, Sister Wright and I learned how to be on fire. We loved doing the work, and the only thing that would make us happy is if we worked so hard that when our heads hit our pillows we were out. Haha, well when I started training, I think my fear took over my fire...and so when I moved to Vancouver..I didn't quite have my fire. I'm not even sure if I had a desire to do the work...I just felt like I was in a dark hole. But ever since zone meeting and our district meetings this transfer, I have desired to be the BEST missionary. Not just an average missionary, but the BEST. I love what Elder Hay said at zone meeting..."the enemy to the best is good." I don't want to just be a good missionary...I want to be the best. I know I can with the help of the Lord. During the meeting, I didn't have the best feeling in the beginning. I knew it would be a call to repentance for me. But I took it, I loved it, and I am changed. I am on fire. The Spirit told me, during the meeting, that I need to change my attitude, I need to change the way I wake up, pray, exercise, eat, study, work, teach, testify....all of it I need to change. Now that may sound like a lot...but let me tell you. I have been striving to be exactly obedient my entire mission. I have been doing the best I can with all of those things that I listed...but it is NOW that I understand that my sacrifice to be exactly obedient was not accompanied with love. WHY DO I CHOOSE TO BE OBEDIENT? Why do I choose to work hard? Am I giving my all to the Lord? Am I someone the Lord can rely on? I understand now that my sacrifice, my mission, needs to be accompanied by love for God or it is empty. I am going through the motions and not allowing my natures to be changed."
So needless to say, Hermana Polanco and I are on FIRE! We have been so pumped up and filled with the Spirit! We had 2 new investigators this week! Bud and Maria Fernanda. They are miracles that we found them.

P.S. Haha, Sister Polanco and I are always laughing. She is my little chubs. Haha she just told me that she can't go to sleep at night without saying "goodnight chubs". This week...we had a little problem with Sister Polanco stealing my chocolate. During our weekly planning session, we were taking a break for lunch. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw her steal my chocolate and begin to eat all of it.Haha so I was reading in PMG about the 3 kingdoms and I said to her...woah...you're in this book. It says those who steal chocolate go to the Telestial Kingdom. You better give me back my chocolate you "little star". HAHA...we just died laughing...but I did get my chocolate back.
P.P.S. Sister Polanco just found out this week that I am her trainer. She thought that it was only her first companion. Haha...wow. 




Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Tue, Nov 10, 2015 Losing myself in the service of the Lord.

Hello,

I'm sorry that I don't have much time this week to write. My zone was able to go to the temple today so that took up a lot of our time. Wow, what a blessing it was for me to go to the temple. My heart is so full and I feel even closer to God. From when I was little, I have always made the temple a huge part of my life! It has been such a special place for me to feel close to God and remember those sacred promises that I have made with Him. I love how beautiful the temple is...everything just shines. The best part of the temple is the feeling there. It is a piece of Heaven on earth. I challenge all of you to go to the temple this week. Feel the incredible Spirit there. I can promise that you will receive strength, guidance, answers, and comfort as you go. Those aren't empty promises..I know that that is true. I have felt all of that in my life. I am so grateful for it! If you can't go inside the temple, I invite you to go to the temple grounds and feel the sacred spirit that is there. 



Vancouver Temple November 10, 2015
Driscoll, Ditto, Ealy, Unwin, Hoth, Polanco, Lai,  , Rood

Canada Vancouver Temple

Love These Sisters

Haha, this week has been a week to remember. We have literally been "losing" ourselves all over Vancouver in the service of the Lord. Haha, it's tricky not having a GPS or a companion that can read maps, but slowly and surely we are figuring it out! 

I want to share one of my favorite experiences that I had this week. We were finding one night in downtown Vancouver. So lots of people. Lots of lights. Lots of different smells. We begin a conversation with a man that's sitting on a bench. He seems interested so we teach him the whole Restoration right then and there in the middle of Vancouver city. Apart from him leaving in the middle of the lesson to throw something away (he was out of sight for like 5 min...haha we thought he left us), the lesson went really well. It was such a powerful experience for me to bear my testimony on the Restoration and share the 1st vision with him. The Spirit was so strong. I realized that this event that happened in 1820..when Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ...has changed my life. It has changed the world. It was such a special experience for me to feel the Spirit in the middle of a huge city with millions of people walking by. I know that God is so aware of each and every one of us. 

My Home in Vancouver

haha! oops! I'm fat

We had another lesson with basically our only investigator right now, Yasmin. She didn't read the Book of Mormon and didn't pray about it either. We had a powerful lesson on the importance of the Book of Mormon and receiving an answer that it is true. What does it mean if it's true? Why is it even important to know if the Book of Mormon is true? Well for me...it has changed my life. I know that God loves me and has given us all of His truth. It has given me a second witness of the divinity of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know God's truth was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith for every single one of us. Because of these things, we can know the purpose for life. We can have direction. We can know our potential...and even greater...fulfill our potential. 



Sometimes it's a bit tricky to stay positive when all day long we are in the streets of Vancouver finding people. It's seems like people's hearts are so hard. I have been thinking again and again on something President Burt told us. "If you really want to be happy, work harder than you really want to." I love that. I think back on my mission and the times that I have loved my mission is when I have sacrificed everything for the Lord. I have a recommitted desire to do my best and serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I love all of you so much and am so grateful for your support!
Love, Hermana Hoth
P.S. Haha...Sister Polanco was teaching me how to use the word gordo. And she said it is impolite to use it unless you add an ita to the end. Haha so it's okay to call someone a little fat. I just told her that in English we just call people chubs. Haha I shouldn't have...now all the time she says to me, "Are you serious chubs?" or "lets go chubs"!

Monday, November 2, 2015

Mon, Nov 2, 2015 Some harden their hearts, and others see angels. (Hel. 16)


My new comp ~ Hermana Polanco. She is so cute!

Hello!!
Sometimes on my mission, I feel so much like Nephi in 3 Nephi 7. The people in this chapter are so wicked and will not hearken to his words. He knows he is declaring the truth and so he does it boldly, without ceasing. He preaches repentance unto baptize, and only a few are converted. He does it with great power and authority. This is missionary work, but what makes his mission unique is the incredible faith he had. In verse 18 we can see just how great his faith was, "And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily." Life is sometimes hard. Missions are sometimes hard. But I know that if we have faith, we will recognize the angels that God is sending to minister to us DAILY. I believe this is what got Nephi through it all. He had so much rejection, but he chose not to harden his heart toward God or the people. He chose faith. And because of that...he saw and performed miracles..."in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people." He had angels ministering unto him daily! His story reminded me of a chapter in Helaman...Helaman 16...it's actually not even the sciptures, but the heading. It says "some harden their hearts, and others see angels." I love that. I love how black and white it is. We can choose to see angels every day...or we can harden our hearts! I know that God is so aware of us, He loves us. He is meeting all of our needs through the Spirit and those around us. I pray that each of us will recognize that living the gospel is the best way to live our lives. We are promised so many incredible blessings! We are promised that angels will minister to us daily.
Pizza Finally

I am loving Vancouver so much! It seems like we don't have a lot going on here because we are always finding, but Sister Polanco and I are always laughing! Haha, it has been so fun to get to know her better and know Vancouver better! This is a happening place! There is so much to do, so much to see, and the best part is there are people everywhere!! So many people to talk to...so different from Sidney! Granted, most of the people we talk to speak only Chinese or Punjabi, but hey we are enjoying every second of it! Now that I know where I'm going, I have loved taking the bus and train everywhere! It's so incredible to talk to so many people and hear their stories! I love it. 

Our Halloween Costumes!

Haha...for Halloween...we dressed up as missionaries. We did all the normal stuff like walking around, looking at all the costumes (very interesting), and knocking on doors. Ha, the people weren't extremely receptive to the gospel, but they gave us some candy. So that was cool. Halloween night, we had to be in our apartments by 6pm to plan for the next week! We could hear all the festivities happening outside! These Canadians sure like their fireworks! 

So Hermana Polanco is basically the cutest thing ever. Not only that, but she has such a strong, powerful testimony! I'm amazed at her every single day! She has so much faith and wants to work so hard on her mission! Such an inspiration to me! I absolutely love my mission, and I absolutely love the people that I have been able to meet. We have been able to meet with two of our investigators this week...Lorena and Yasmin! They are great and I pray and hope that they begin to progress! Hermana Polanco is helping me so much with my Spanish and we have been able to have great lessons with members, investigators, and others as we are unified with the Spirit.

Haha...I've met some amazing people here in Vancouver! And I've met some really interesting people. On the bus, I said hi to a man that was standing by me. He looked at me and was like, "Are you talking to me?" I said yep. And he took a huge, dramatic sigh and said, "Okaaaaaay." And moved to the front of the bus. Haha, I died laughing. It was so awkard! Although we have so many experiences like that everyday! I can feel that God is preparing somebody to accept the message of the gospel. I truly can feel that Sister Polanco and I will baptize someone this transfer! We can do it with God's help! I love this gospel and I know it's true. It has changed me. I pray that all of you will accept it and let it change you! It won't be easy, but I know it will be worth it! Love you all so much!

Cute little Hermana Umana                                                                                                                                        Also...Esperanza went to the temple!!! So special!! (Mom...you should put her picture on my blog) 

from Hermana Wilson:
Esperanza WENT TO THE TEMPLE! It was her first time. We were able to help her do some family history work prior to the temple trip, and she got all the information she needed to be baptized on behalf of her older sister who passed away when she was a young girl.


Con mucho amor,
Hermana Hoth