Wed, Apr 1, 2015 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!! Caw, Caw

Hermana Hoth with President & Sister Burt

Hermana Hoth with her new companions & her mission president and his wife ~Sister Burt, Hermana Cobb, Hermana Hoth, Hermana Johnson (trainer), President Burt~

April 1st was Emily's travel day--no foolin'! She had to wake up at 2 a.m. Then they caught the bus at 3 a.m. The bus took them to the frontrunner station and then they rode that into Salt Lake (North Temple) where they caught TRAX to get to the airport.  Emily had all of her Spanish books in her carry on shoulder bag and it was really, really heavy. Then with her other two big suitcases to manage that weren't wheeling very well (probably way overloaded, actually 45 and 52 pounds so not too bad, but for a tiny thing like Em??, well . . . ) - YIKES - she said it was quite a struggle!! YES, she was able to call us from the airport! It was so awesome to hear her voice! We could tell she was exhausted.  She told us some of the First Vision in Spanish--she sounded good to us! Bueno! Emily said that when they left the MTC on the bus, that her and Sister Wilson looked at each other and said, we don't even know how to speak Spanish what are we doing?? She will really miss serving with Hermana Wilson--they have become really good friends which is such a blessing.  We are thinking they will probably end up serving together again at some time though since there are very few sisters who speak Spanish in the mission! One of the Assistants to the President (who happened to have just served with Elder Kitchen who is in our ward) called us Wednesday night to let us know she arrived safely and all was well.  He said President and Sister Burt already really love her! (Of course, right!!) Last night we received an email from President Burt which included these pictures. 

Fri, Mar 27, 2015 "Bear their journeyings without murmurings." -1Ne 17:2

Hola mi familia y amigos,

Hermana Hoth & Hermana Wilson (Friends/companions Forever!!!)

Hermana Emily Hoth at the World Map! (Yep, that's where I'm going!)

Em's District (Elders & Hermana Otte, Hermana Atendido, Hermana Hoth, Hermana Wilson)

So first off, the pic that I sent last week with Hermana Wilson and me standing in front of that painting is like famous now. What? Haha, we sent it to the MTC President and his wife, and now every time they see us they get so excited. Haha. Hermana Wilson's parents know the daughter of the painter, Greg Olsen, so they sent it to her. Greg said that it blew him away and he couldn't believe that we completed his vision. Way cool. It's crazy how much we look like the sisters in the painting.

Hermana Kendra Wilson & Hermana Emily Hoth in front of blossoming tress at the MTC

One of my favorite parts of this week was our Monday lesson with our "investigator" Areli. She has been progressing so much. Her favorite thing is feeling the Spirit when we visit with her, so she has been very accepting of following the Word of Wisdom and the law of chastity because when we follow those things we can have the Spirit in a greater abundance in our lives. In this particular lesson, we asked her if she had prayed specifically to see of Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of God. She hadn't, so we invited her to pray with us right there and ask God. After her sweet, humble prayer, we sat there for a bit, not saying anything. The Spirit in the room was so strong. Hermana Wilson and I just felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and hope. We knew that Areli could feel the Spirit too. She told us that she knew that Joseph was a prophet. We asked her to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized into His only true church on the earth. In Spanish it is, "Seguira el ejemplo de Jesu Cristo al ser bautizada por alguin que posea la autoridad del saucerdocio de Dios?"  She has agreed to be baptized on April 14th. It's so great that after baptism, she will be able to have the Holy Ghost with her at all times. This was such a special moment for me and my companion, we felt such joy for Areli.

So this week has been such a trial and a blessing for me. It's so hard to have my companion be sister training leader because all of the sisters come to her when they need to talk and then I'm just kinda out of the loop. A few days this week, I've really had a hard time comparing myself to my companion and other missionaries and complaining about it too. I prayed through those hard times that I would be able to feel good and just worry about being my best. After I prayed, I was going to bed then I heard Hermana Wilson say "Hermana Hoth, are you okay?". I said yeah...but she knew something was up. She was able to say to me exactly what I needed to hear. I'm so grateful that the Lord works through other people to meet our needs. My heart was softened after that and all is well again!!

Elder Barry (our favorite Elder) & Sister Missionaries

We had a cool, almost real life experience, the other day. We were just sitting outside studying, when one of the employees came up and started talking to us. It was way fun to get to know her and basically hear her life story. Hermana Wilson and I were able to share a little message with her. I told her how important the work of a missionary is whether they are planting seeds of the gospel or harvesting. Then she said, "It's always important when it comes to Jesus." That was so neat. I love testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ, everyday. I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing.

Our District's Spirit Animals

We have loved getting to know the new district. All of them are way cool. We all have so much fun together...it's so great when you can share the gospel with your friends everyday! Haha after zone prayer every night, we always shake hands and say beunas noches. But our new, faviortie thing to do is give all the elders the dead fish handshake. It's so funny to see them freak out!
Haha...Elder Barry and Elder Tarone challenged Hermana wilson and me to a basketball game during our gym time. Since I'm basically the worst at basketball, it's a good thing sisters are only allowed to guard sisters. I was on Elder Barry's and Elder Johnson's team....we creamed. I mean...we would have creamed if we were allowed to keep points. They don't want things getting too competitive around here!;) Haha after that, Elder Tarone was making fun of Elder Barry saying something like "Elder Barry is the worst at basketball." Elder Barry's comeback was, "Get my name out of your mouth!!!" Hahaha. So funny.

Traffic Duty/ Welcoming Crew

So our teacher Hermano Ralphs shows us a video EVERY DAY. It kinda gets old...and he always says that it's his "favorite" video. How could every church video be your favorite? Anyways, one time he was coming into class and said that we are going to start with....Hermana Wilson turns to me and says "20 bucks its a video" and then I turn to her "20 bucks it's his favorite." We both won that bet.

Oh..we got to do traffic again this week when the new missionaries arrived. It was so cool...I got to see Kelsey Rounds right when she got dropped off. She gave me a huge hug! And I've also seen Sabrina Trimble...she just got here this week too. Aren't those bright yellow vests saweet??
So last funny story (well at least I think it's funny). Every night this week, Hermana Atendido has a MAJOR problem with snoring. It drives me crazy...it's been a rough week. Haha sometimes I wake her up and tell her to stop, but that never works. So one early morning I was going to wake her up, but getting out of my bed, I got a bloody nose. Haha I came back and told her that when I was trying to wake her up she punched me. Haha, she totally believed it and felt super bad. I was pretty convincing...but don't worry...I told her eventually that it wasn't her fault. But the snoring needs to stop!;)

MTC District

Well, I will leave you all with a scripture I found this week that sums up my feelings perfectly. It is found in 1Ne 8:12. This verse is talking about the prophet Lehi and his vision of the tree of life. The fruit on the tree is the pure love of Christ. It says, "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that is was desirable above all other fruit." Throughout my life and especially on my mission now, I have felt the pure love of Christ. The love that He has individually for me and for others. Because of Christ, we can overcome any challenge that we face in life. Because of Christ, we can find peace and joy in each moment. Because of Christ, we can be forgiven and feel clean. I challenge all of you to come to know your Savior, Jesus Christ, more and better this week. I am who I am because of Christ. I know He loves each of you...please partake of the pure love of Christ and find your purpose through Him. Love you all.
Love, Hermana Hoth

MTC District

MTC District & Teacher Hermano Ralphs holding sign (he served in Arizona)

MTC District & Teacher Hermana Estrada in the middle (she served in Chicago)

Hermana Wilson & Hermana Hoth

Brother and Sister Price

Emily is taking a little bit of her Dad's mission (Taiwan) and her Mom's mission (Iowa) with her wherever she goes :)

Fri, Mar 20, 2015 1 whole month...what?

Hola everyone!

I can't believe I've been out here for 1 whole month. It's gone by so fast and I'm so sad that I only have 17 months lefts of this amazing adventure. But! Exciting news...today I got my travel plans for April 1st. I leave the MTC like at 3:30 am and then our flight from SLC leaves at 8:30. We arrive in Seattle at 9:34 and then our flight out of there is at 11:10. We will arrive in Vancouver, Canada at 12:08 pm on April 1st. Crazy, I can't believe it!! I get to travel with my companion which is a prayer answered because I would be scared to travel alone. I also get to travel with 5 other missionaries!! Wow, it's so crazy that I have less than 2 weeks in the MTC.

MTC District . . . what?

Elder, Elder, Elder Tyler Stevenson (one of Em's good friends he's going to Taiwan), Hermana Hoth, & Hermana Wilson

Elders & Hermana Wilson & Hermana Hoth 

So this week has been pretty great...of course! How could it not be great when I'm constantly thinking about the Lord and this amazing work!! We got a new district this week. It has 3 elders and 4 sisters. They are all so great! On Wednesday, when they arrived I was able to direct the traffic as the new missionaries were being dropped off. It was so fun to see all of the brand new missionaries, but it was hard to see them say goodbye to their families. So crazy. It was sad for me to watch their families all crying when their missionary was out of sight. Way cool story...I got to see my friend J.D. Thorne get dropped off. I was able to talk to his family after for a while so that was sweet. Haha, St. Patrick's Day was way fun. All of us got packages from our families and now our room is filled to the brim with green candy. Haha, it was so great to hear from the fam too. Haha...Harrison...you totally look like Nick Jonas. Harrison..I guess you're pretty cool...don't get too cool though!;) And so funny...in my package, my mom sent pics of the time I dressed up as a bald eagle to summon my eagle powers for student council posters. Haha...she also photo-shopped a sweet pic of my comp as a Timone from lion king...we died laughing. So funny. Oh my heavens, speaking of our "spirit animals". my teacher was writing some vocab on the board and she wrote eagle. My district was laughing so hard. So now whenever they see me they call me aguila and say "caaaa". Wow. 

Hermana Wilson has perfected her duck noise...she scares everyone when she does it. So so funny. And Elder Barry has perfected his sloth noise and crawl. I think I have the weirdest district ever...:)

Oh I forgot to tell you...Elder Cook came last week. Yeah...he is so cool. He talked about the process of assigning missions. He told us that there are 3 main things that they focus on when assigning calls. They receive inspiration for which mission presidents the missionary would work best with, or what people need them the most, or which language they need to learn. Both him and his wife spoke. They are amazing...it was great to hear from an apostle of God. 

Hermana Hoth, Hermana Wilson, & Elders at Provo Temple

So we have a new investigator, Marianela. We got to teach her over Skype so that was a neat experience. Then we had 2 lessons with Mercedes this week. The 1st one was not so great and it was hard to feel the Spirit throughout the whole thing. I was so discouraged after that. But Hermana Wilson took a chance and decided not to write a lesson plan out and just let the Spirit guide for the 2nd lesson, and the Spirit was there the whole time. She kept saying how beautiful the lesson was. It was about baptism and becoming clean again. She thought that baptism cost moneybecause it does in the Catholic church, but we explained to her that it is a free gift from God. She loved that. We also shared Moroni 8:3 and told her that it reminded us of her. We as missionaries are constantly praying for our investigators and  family and companions. I think one of the reasons why we feel so close to God while we are on our missions is because we are constantly talking to Him. If any of you feel like you don't have a good relationship or any relationship with God, I hope that all of you will take the time to talk to Him through prayer. I know He wants to hear from you; He loves you. Don't forget that prayer is a 2 way communication and He will speak to you through your feelings and thoughts. 

There have been a few moments this week that both Hermana Wilson and I have just broke down. It's so stressful here and I'm constantly reminded of my weaknesses. The hardest thing is taking care of Hermana Garcia. She was in the older district and she is supposed to be in Cali right now, but the night before she left she had to have an emergency back surgery. So not only are we constantly busy with our own schedule, but now we have to take care of another person. But through many prayers, the Lord has softened my heart. Now, I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve already. 

Emily & Kiana

So...I got to see my best friend ever last week! While we were walking to the temple, Kiana was on her way back to her apartment! So cool. 

Elder Barry came up with our new district saying..."Necesita Jesus"....or "you need Jesus". Haha...he goes around saying that to everyone. 

Haha so funny story. The other day we were practicing rolling our "r's" and one elder in our district, Elder Hirschi was trying his hardest but all he made was a hissing noise while looking like a helpless otter. He said, "wow, that's a struggle." Then his comp, Elder Armstrong said, "What? Your face?" It was so funny....Elder Armstrong was like "That's not what I meant". Haha. 


There have been protesters outside the MTC yesterday and today. I don't understand why people would waste their time tearing others down. My teacher came into class last night saying that they called her "a deceiver and that she was leading us down to Hell". She told us that she knows this church is absolutely true. She wouldn't have served for 18 months and continue to serve by teaching new missionaries if it wasn't. I want to add my testimony to hers. I absolutely know that this church is true. I have felt the Spirit so many times throughout my life. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he truly did see God and Jesus Christ. He restored this church. We have all the truth of the gospel on the earth today because of him. I would not give up 18 months of my life if I did not know for a surety that this church is true. 

I hope all of you are having great lives. And keeping it real. Thanks for everything! Love you all!  Love, Hermana Hoth

Brother & Sister Price, Hermanas Wilson & Hoth

Oh my goodness! It's a perfect match :)

Fri, Mar 13, 2015 The gospel is everything.

 

So . . . funny thing is we have this pic of Emily in the Moon's Eagle Costume (thanks for reminding me Barbara Moon)!! She used this poster when she ran for WAMA (Women and Men Association) at Mountain Crest High school.  No wonder she won that election. she really does have Eagle Powers! :)#spiritanimal #baldeagle#summonyoureaglepowers

Hey ya'll,

Oh man, I can't believe I hit my half way point in the MTC. It's crazy how fast everything has gone so far!! I'm still loving it here! My zone is amazing and my companion is amazing!! Over this week we've gotten really close. There have been lots of problems and issues back home for a few people in my zone. Some of which include having friends pass away, someone's mom has cancer, and another missionary's parents separated. These missionaries have really been struggling, and it's so hard to watch all of them go through what they're going through. However, I know that the Lord is so aware of them. He knows where they need to be. It's actually amazing that they get to be here in the MTC where the Spirit is always so strong. With the Lord, we can get through any problem, any trial, and any heartache! 

This week we have learned about the importance of the Book of Mormon in people's conversions! If people come to know that the Book of Mormon is true, then the rest is simple. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith is a true prophet, the priesthood authority is now on the earth, we can all receive the knowledge, ordinances, and covenants that make it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. This is the exact message that I've been trying to teach my 3 investigators, Mercedes, Areli, and Marcos. They always are saying how hard their lives are. And that's exactly why I'm a missionary. Because life is hard. It's hard for everyone. Everyone goes through struggles, but I know this book will help. It will give you the strength you need to overcome any challenge. I promise that if you make time for the Book of Mormon and God in your life, you will be changed. You will see God's hand in your life!

Haha, so anyway, our favorite Elder has been giving everyone Spirit animals this week. What a weirdo. Ha so Hermana Wilson is a Mir cat, Atendido is a wolf..of course, Otte is an owl, Elder Barry is a sloth, and I'm a bald eagle?? What?? That was so offensive...do I look like a bald eagle? What a punk!;)

Hermana Wilson and I had to clean the bathrooms...otra vez. OTRA VEZ. Haha, what is this? 

Oh, so Hermana Wilson and I had amazing experiences with TRC this week. TRC investigators and the ones that really might be investigators...they're not our teachers at all. But TRC on Tuesday was with members. It's so fun when they're members because then we can just share testimonies! So before hand we planned to share just a little bit about the Plan of Salvation in our lessons with them. We wanted to go over our life on earth and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. So our first investigator was Hermana Taylor.. We really got to know her and her life story at first, she is so cute. She took up most of our time just telling stories, so at the end I just flipped through the pamphlet and saw the song "I am a Child of God" on one of the pages so I had her read it. She became really emotional. She said that she remembered her and her twin sister singing that just knowing that God was HER father and that He would lead her and guide her. I had no idea that that quote would even make a difference, but the Spirit knew. The Spirit knew she needed that memory at that moment. Our next investigator was Hermano Rascon. Toward the end of that lesson I had the impression to tell my conversion story which was how I gained a testimony. I told him that when my grandma died I had little faith, but through much prayer and studying I found hope and I found God. He then opened up to us and shared a similar story of how he gained his testimony when his best friends died. He remembered just looking to the heavens and knowing there is something more. The spirit was so strong in both lessons. I testify that that the Spirit knows us. God knows us. He has a plan for us. Come unto Him and find purpose and hope. 

So yeah, no funny stories this week, pero this week was a great time to grow spiritually. I love you all and hope all is great in your lives!! Thanks for all of the support and prayers!! 

Love, 

Hermana Hoth
#thebookistrue #baldeagle 

Fri, Mar 6, 2015 So umm....would you like to be baptized?

Hey ya'll! 

It has been another fantastic week in the MTC. I can't believe that it will be 3 whole weeks this Wednesday. It makes me sad at night when I realize how fast these mission days go. I'm loving this experience. It is so hard, and many times where I just need a moment, but the Lord is always right there to lift me back up. All He is asking is that I do my best and then He will make up the rest.

Our zone (3 districts) before the eldest district left! So sad!! 

So let's just say, some of the missionaries in my district are somewhat disobedient. So for like two whole class periods, which equals 6 hours, we had lectures on not flirting and staying with your companion. That was way fun!;) So my schedule consists of waking up at 6:30, eating breakfast at 7:10, Class starts around 8:00, lunch and gym time starts around 12:00, then class again for 3 hours, then dinner, then class again for 3 hours, then planning, and BED TIME! Hallelujah. Ha..so basically all we do at the MTC is eat and learn...I think I'm getting fat. There's no time to work off all those delicious cookies I eat!

I really enjoy our "ciclo" time which is where we study personally for an hour, then companion study for an hour, then language study. Hermana Wilson and I are pretty good at staying on track, but now that the old district is gone it's a lot easier. Haha, we aren't being ambushed by nerf guns anymore when we're supposed to be studying...so that's good!;) But I do miss the older district a lot. It's crazy how your zone really does become your family!!

Hermanas Otte, Atendido, Hoth, Wilson

The devotionals on Sunday nights and Tuesday nights are amazing. We haven't had one of the 12 apostles yet, only some from the quorum  of the 70. But they all do amazing jobs, it's like having conference 2 times a week! Pretty great! Anyway, this week we had Elder Evans of the 70 come. The thing that really stood out to me was when he said parents make a huge difference in whether their child chooses to serve a mission. I'm so grateful for my parents and their testimonies. They are a huge reason why I came on my mission! :)

So hahaha...one of the Hermanas that is in my room is hilarious.  And not even like the good kind of hilarious. Hermana Atendido is well...unique. She just says the weirdest things at like the most inopportune moments. Haha, but we love her anyway. She takes up one whole bunk bed all to herself. The top one she sleeps on and the bottom one she hangs her clothes on. I don't even know why she has a closet? Who needs a closet when you have a bunkbed?;) Haha and when we write in our journals at night she always sits right in front of my closet because there's no room by her stuff. So funny. Okay...just a few more funny stories about her. She loves to say random facts at night She is obsessed with wolves. Like obsessed. She has a wolves tail that is attached to her mission bag so when she walks it looks like it's hers. She has a little wolf stuffed animal that she puts over her eyes when she sleeps. Oh...and she scratches at night. And it is soooo loud. Gross, but there's nothing we can do about it! Haha. Wow. Now Hermana Atendido's comp, Hermana Otte has shown her true colors. She usually is composed, but she is going crazy! Hopefully Hermana Wilson and I can keep it together for the 4 of us!!

Hermana Wilson and I doing some service! Cleaning the bathrooms is always a good time!;)

Sometimes by the end of the day, we are all so drained spiritually and physically that we just can't stop laughing. Everything is so hilarious. The other night while the Elders in our district were teaching our "teacher/investigator", we decided to do synchronized chair rolling. our desk/chairs have wheels on the bottom so we decided to do some funky dance moves while belting out Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel"...that's a spiritual song right?

Now on the more spiritual side of things, wow, my testimony has grown so much. It is a hard process to become the person the Lord wants you to be, but I can already see how much happier it makes me. Right now, Hermana Wilson and I are teaching 3 "investigators"...Areli, Marcos, and Mercedes. It's so important to have the Spirit in the lesson. The Spirit truly is one of the most amazing gifts from God. It touches hearts and clears minds. It comforts us when nothing else can. One day this week, I was having such a hard time. I was so down on myself and nothing was going right. I kept saying to myself, "No one understands me. No one even likes me." But then I remember a lesson that we learned in MTC choir last Sunday. Christ chose to come to earth so He would know exactly how you feel. He didn't have to come, but He did for you. And every time you say, "No one likes me or understand me." He knows exactly how you feel. He was hated and despised of men and He knows what it's like to have no one like you. You are never alone. Because He chose to come here, He knows exactly how to help you. All you have to do is turn to Him, He will carry the burden for you. That day that was so hard for me totally turned around when we had to teach Areli. I told myself that
I couldn't be sad while teaching an investigator because this is the happiest message they will ever hear. They need to see how it has made me so happy. The Spirit helped so much throughout that lesson! And after feeling the Spirit like that, there were no more negative thoughts in my head. Miracle.

We learned that you're supposed to ask investigators "when you find out that our message is true, will you be baptized?" in the very first lesson. Crazy, but it is such a powerful invitation. Asking someone to follow the Savior!

Well everyone, I'm so lucky to be preparing for my mission now!:) It has been an incredible experience! Know that I pray for all of you and I hope you are all doing well! Thanks for all of the support!

Love,
Hermana Hoth
#synchronizedchairrolling #wolves #thechurchistrue

Fri, Feb 27, 2015 My New Motto: "TODAY WAS A GREAT WEEK!"

Hey ya'll!

Roommates at the MTC Wilson, Atendido, Otte, Hoth 

It's been an amazing week at the MTC! I have already learned so much and have had so many opportunities to come closer to Lord! Ha...my Spanish is...um coming along I guess! Hermana Wilson and I were practicing how to begin talking to people and getting to know them before we start teaching them. We were practicing with some of the Elders in our zone, and we could understand all of what they were saying. So that's good. Also, I think I can understand like 70% of what our teachers are saying...and the Elders that we were talking to last night said they could only understand like 40% of what the teachers were saying their first week. So maybe Hermana Wilson and I were meant to speak Spanish!;) I've been able to teach like 6 lessons all in Spanish now...so that's pretty cool. The Lord definitely has his hand in the work here. There is absolutely no way I could learn Spanish without Him. When I was really stressed and down on myself with learning Spanish, I felt the Spirit immediately leave. If I want the Lord's help, I need to be hopeful and faithful!! I hope to have faith like the story in Matthew 8! Read it...it's amazing.

My teachers here are Hermana Estrada and Hermano Crofts and Hermano Ralphs (who used to be Enrique our investigator but we found out yesterday that he is now our teacher). That punk lied to us!;) Haha...it's okay though!! Yeah...I don't remember where all of them served their missions, but they are great teachers. I  can tell how much they love each of us!

So Hermana Wilson and I have gotten to know each other a lot better this week! She really is such an amazing person and has a great conversion story! She was baptized when she was 9 and has had so many neat experiences that have brought her closer to the Lord. I'm so lucky to have her as my companion. Our teachers and our district probably think we are ridiculous though..we can never stop laughing!! But don't get me wrong...we work awfully hard too! We have memorized our purpose, how to ask someone to be baptized, and now I'm working on the 1st vision!! We've started studying Spanish during gym time when we're running or working out so that's helped a lot!!

FUNNY STORY. Every time I think about it, I crack up laughing! Oh man so the other Hermanas in our room/district are Hermana Atendido and Hermana Otte. After they knocked on the door for our investigator, Enrique, Enrique asked how they were doing. Como esta usted?? Hermana Otte said bien (which means good), and then Hermana Atendido was so excited to see Enrique and she wanted to tell him how excited she was so she yelled "Estupido" instead of "Estupendo". Hahahahahahahaha, I'm dying right now just writing about it. There are many ways to introduce yourself to an investigator, but I would not suggest saying, "I'm stupid" right off the bat. HAHAHAHAHA. :D

During one of our lessons with Enrique, Hermana Wilson and I asked Enrique if he would pray to know what we taught him is true. He said no because he doesn't know how to pray. So we tried to show him. Let me just say...we do not have the vocabulary to teach someone how to pray. Just picture Hermana Wilson and me on our knees folding our arms saying "practicar" over and over again. He just stared at us....and wouldn't say anything. So after like 5 minutes of kneeling we slide back into our chairs and just die laughing. Wow...so embarrassing. He was probably dying inside. 

This week, I've definitely noticed how many weaknesses I really  do have. Ugh...it's frustrating. But my companion and I talked to a teacher after TRC, where we taught another investigator, and he told us about Ether 12:27. I'm sure most, if not all, have heard this before, but he gave a new insight to it! We often overlook the very first sentence of that scripture. It says something like "come unto me and I will show you your weaknesses". This is why I am so aware of all of my weaknesses all of the sudden! I am coming unto the Lord by serving Him, He is showing me my weaknesses so He can change them to strengths. Wow...that is amazing!!!

I'm so sad that the older district in our zone is leaving on Monday and Tuesday next week! They have been so fun to get to know! And I'm not ready to be the old district yet! We have a new district in our zone this week. They got here on Wednesday. They have 4 elders and 4 hermanas. I had institute class with one of the hermanas down at Snow, so that's pretty cool to see a familiar face!! My district is already pretty close, I love getting to know all of them better! They are like my family!! Elder Barry is mine and Hermana Wilson's favorite elder in our district. He is so sincere. He is a convert of a year and a half and you can just tell how much he loves the Lord. I'll send a pic of all of us doing Elder Barry's signature expression sometime soon....it's hilarious!

Well, I hope all of you are keeping it real! It's been so fun to get letters from ya'll!! I hope that all of you can come to know just how much God loves each and every one of you! I have felt the love He has for each of the investigators I have taught, it truly is so amazing! I know that this life is hard...and sheesh...my mission is flippin' hard. But the Lord did not send me here on earth to fail...He did not send me on this mission to fail. That was never part of His plan! Hermana Wilson and I figured out what makes the gospel so amazing! Everyone is so different, and different things make different people happy. Isn't it incredible how the gospel is the ONE thing that can make anyone and everyone happy. I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord truly guides His work! I love all of you and hope you're doing great!!

Love, 

Hermana Hoth   

#missionswag  #astupido  #letsgettowork

Fri, Feb 20, 2015 LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN

Hola everybody,

This has been a crazy few days, but at the same time it has been so fantastic!:) As soon as I was dropped off they rushed me a way through some lines and then to my classroom where I met my district and my companion! Mi companera es la Hermana Wilson! Haha, guess what...she's a cheerleader from USU! Haha. Sweet! But really, she is the sweetest Hermana out here! I'm so blessed to have such an amazing companion! Before I came out here, I was praying that I would love my companion. And guess what...it worked! We are so similar and have lots of fun together! It's so great that we are going to the same mission too. Hopefully we will be companions later!

Hermana Wilson & Hermana Hoth

So while I have been here, I have seen Elder Ethan Hansen, Elder Tyler Stevenson, Sister Megan Weston, and a few other people I know from high school and college! It's so great to see familiar faces around here! Haha, so Elder Hansen gave me a little book that my mom dropped left with him right as I got dropped off. I tried telling him thank you, but it came out like this. "Thank you Ethan....I mean Sister....uh....Brother...oh....Elder!!!" Haha, by the time I finally got his name right, he was gone. Aw well, I get used to these new titles. It's weird not being called Emstar anymore! Nobody even knows my first name! That's okay...I'm proud to be Hermana Hoth!:)

This is for you, mom, there are 4 sisters in my district and 4 elders. My companion, Hermana Wilson is from Southern California, also lived in Boise. The other sisters that are in our district and that we share our room with are Hermana Otte and Hermana Atendido. The first one is from Texas and going to California. The second is from Philippines and going to Minnesota. The elders are Elder Tolton, Barry, Hirschi, and Armstrong. All of them are going to state side missions.In order their missions are Ogden UT, Oklahoma, somewhere, and Virginia. So me and my companion are the only ones going foreign!

Lessons are kind of rough right now and long since they only speak in Spanish, but I enjoy learning, and I think I'll pick up on it pretty soon! Right now I only really know how to introduce me and my companion, the church, and say a simple prayer! But hey, it's only day 3...so that's pretty good I guess!! Yesterday, during one of our classes, our zone leaders were supposed to show up and tell us what we were supposed to be doing. But they didn't. Sooooo....after me trying to convince them into doing the thing we were actually supposed to be doing, we had a 3 hour long language study. Haha..it was actually really helpful. We have 3 red books that are our language studying books. One is big, one is medium, and one is small. So apparently, the teacher and the rest of the district decided to name them after Pokeman characters corresponding to their size. I thought that the Pokeman names that each of the books were given were the actual Spanish words for "big", "medium", and "small"....my district had a pretty good laugh about that. I guess I'm out of the loop!;)

Last night, we got to meet the mission President and his wife. President Price and Sister Price are amazing! Everyone here is so nice! Some elders are a little too nice...I've already been warned by some of the Hermanas in my zone of which elders to keep away from. That's sketchy! During President Price's talk, he told us that companions can do some weird things. He told us that his companion put his toothpaste in his mouth instead of on the toothbrush. It was a super funny story and Hermana Wilson got the giggles during it because apparently one of the elders in my district made a scrunched face that looked like a rat while he was laughing. She couldn't get that image out of her head, so I couldn't stop laughing either. So the President probably thinks we are just a bunch of giggling girls. OH well!;)

This morning we were able to do a session at the Provo temple! So that was really neat! I'm so grateful to be here on my mission! It's definitely hard, but I know that with the Lord I can do all things! He will help me through this time! I know that this gospel is the only true gospel..if it wasn't true...there wouldn't be so many 18 and 19 years old giving up 18 months/2 years of their life! I know that God hears and answers prayers! This is truly the work of the Lord, and He will help you if you're struggling. I have already needed so much help to make it through just 2 days! I hope all is going well for everyone!:) Love you all!

Love, 

Hermana Hoth