Sister Pack

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Arrival in Orlando (Week 2)

I arrived in Florida safely. President Berry is nice. The blog for the mission is www.floridaorlandomission.com. I know Mom already knows about it. I love you all.

~Sister Aurora Pack

Leaving the Missionary Training Center (Week 2)

Hi Everyone,

     We are allowed to email and do laundry today, because we fly out on Monday. I won't have a Preparation Day next week, so this is that email.

     Thanks everyone for your advise on what to say to Rachel. I took some but not others. I have just learned to love Rachel so very much. I hope God helps with her work, her Rheumatoid Arthritis, and her PTSD. Someone in my branch presidency said that he believes that sometimes missionaries meet people, who they are just suppose to love and pray and fast for. I really love Rachel. I can't say that enough. :)

     When we asked Rachel to pray, she asked Sister Fairbanks and I what we had seen God do for us that day. She also asked what we were struggling with. She then prayed, going from me to Sister Fairbanks to herself, thanking God. She thanked God for Sister Fairbanks and my love for her. She then prayed and asked God for help regarding what each of us are struggling with. I am nervous about missionary work. In her prayer she said she didn't understand because I have been sweet and loving with her. That really helped me. I'm glad she thinks that about me; it helps me with my confidence.

     I'm really glad Heavenly Father allowed me to meet her. I am grateful for the chance to visit with her.

     I'm sad I'm leaving the MTC. I'm sad I'm leaving my district. I'm sad I'm leaving my teachers, Brother Flores and Sister Benson. I'm sad I'm leaving Rachel. :( However, I'm grateful for email, so I can stay in contact. I am also excited to be entering the field in Orlando.

     I can call on Monday at the Airport. My plane takes off at 10:10 am. I don't know when I will get a chance to call, so please wait for me. Also, I know Mirth needs to get to school. Mom, could you have one of the other Moms take her, so I don't miss anyone I don't have to. I understand if you need to drive her though.

     Elder Parkinson (in my zone) is dyslexic too. He said I should read the "Gift of Dyslexia." I thought you would enjoy it, Mom.

     Jen is someone Sister Benson taught on her mission. She said her youngest daughter and her got baptized last February.

--
~Sister Aurora Pack

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Teaching Investigators at the MTC (Week 1)

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Hi Family,

Thanks for sending me letters and emails. Thanks Dad for reminding me of that story where the service got people to recognize the truth of our message. Mirth, you can use my Hufflepuff robe sometimes as long as you take care of it. Also don't wear it too much, just here and there. Sister Burnette and Sister Lewis also say they are Hufflepuffs.

I love my district; they are just amazing. There is Sister Burnette and Sister Lewis, who are going to Orlando as well. There is Elder Harper and Elder Pace. Elder Ruby is our district leader and his companion is Elder Dorius. The Elders in my district are going to Ventura, California.

My companion is just the best in the whole world. Sister Fairbanks is going to Orlando. She is 27. She has graduated from BYU in food sciences, although that wasn't what her job was before her mission. She is very sweet. I love her so much. Yesterday I was really stressed about planning for lessons, since I have absolutely no idea what to do. Sister Fairbanks talked with me and comforted me. I am doing better now, thanks to her and a blessing I received from Elder Harper. The blessing was really short, but it was just what I needed. The spirit told me to ask him. I think it was for me, so I could get that blessing. I also feel that it was for him, so his confidence would grow. It was his first blessing. He is a little homesick right now; I hope he will do better.

I really love my Zone as well. District C left this morning. I'm in District B. I just love all the Elders in District A. They are all going to California somewhere. Some are going to Ventura, and the others are going to San Fernando. Tomorrow, four Elders and four Sisters are coming to make District C again.

On Sunday we were able to watch the Character of Christ. It is a talk given by Elder Bendar to the MTC a few years ago. (Sharee - click here for the talk) I don't know if you can find it, but if you can I would watch it. It was so amazing. It made me humble, but at the same time it made me realize I could do better.

My teacher Sister Benson role plays an investigator that I and Sister Fairbanks teach. The investigator's name is Jen. Sister Benson doesn't break character while she is Jen. Jen is really sweet. She has four children. The oldest is 30; the youngest is 11. She has been reading from the Book of Mormon and praying. She also says she will come to church if work isn't too busy. Sister Benson is probably playing someone who she knows, so Jen is a real person. I just haven't met her. I love Jen wherever she may be. Jen took the discussions two years ago and was going to be baptized, but then she moved to live with her ex. I pray that Jen will feel God's love for her and her family.

Yesterday, we started the TRC (Teaching Resource Center). This is what made me stressed. At the TRC we are given an investigator (usually a member playing as an investigator) to teach. We have Rachael, who is an actual investigator. She is really nice. I love her, and I want her to come closer to God than she is. However, the reason I was stressed was I don't know how to go about teaching her. She has read the Book of Mormon and has been taught all the lessons multiple times. Yet she doesn't believe it. Sister Fairbanks and I think she believes, but that she doesn't want to admit it, because she is scared. She says she has PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) because of Mormons. I think some person, who was Mormon, did something terrible to her, so she blames all Mormons. Also, she was saved in high school and plays the guitar in her church. She doesn't play Christian Rock but Praise and Worship. She is great at the guitar and has a wonderful voice. I just don't know what to do. I have determined to just trust in the Lord as Proverbs 3:7 says to do. Although I would be grateful for any advice through DearElder.com.

Elder Grant is from the Bahamas, and he is getting his endowments today. I'm really happy for him. He is in my zone, so I'll be in the same session. :)

That reminds me, mom, can you send me my blog address so I can give it to the wife of my Branch President?

I love you all. The Church is true. Christ is amazing.

~Sister Aurora Pack

P.S. Sorry I didn't send any pictures, but I'm having difficulties getting access to my memory stick on the MTC computers, so I'll send pictures next time. :(

P.P.S. I leave next Monday (9/22) early (like 4:30 am)in the Morning. I'm not even here for 2 weeks -- isn't that crazy?