Week 32, Norcross, GA- Spanish Speaking

 Talking to my family on Christmas.

 The dinner calendar we made.

 By the Creek...

 Best Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

Making Tamales

Dear Family,
What a wonderful time of year this is when we celebrate the birth of
our Savior and are blessed to approach a new year. A new year, which
can mean clean slates and new resolutions. How perfect as we celebrate
the birth of He who made such repentance, or change possible?
I wanted to share the story of a resolution that has not only changed,
but blessed my life immensely.
Exactly one year ago, I made a resolution to choose love. Behind
everything we do, there is a driving force. It comes down to either
Love or Fear. For example we can chose to be obedient out of fear of
what others think of us, or we can chose to be obedient out of love
for the Lord. John 14:15. When we chose fear, we ultimately grow
depressed and miserable because we have lost the meaning in life. 1
Corinthians 13: 1-3 However, when we chose love, we grow in happiness
and joy. John 15:10-11.
Well a year ago, I decided to chose love. I was and am in no way
perfect, but it has been amazing to see where this decision has taken
me. It took me to Spain, where I was able to explore an amazing
country, and was ultimately led to my decision to serve the Lord. The
prompting came strong and prominently. I needed to serve NOW. I
completed my papers in February, opened my call March 14, returned
home April 15, and entered the MTC May 13. That was a whirlwind. In
the meantime love continued to guide me as I traveled to 8 different
countries and did what I could to prepare myself to serve the Lord.
I am convinced however, that all one needs to serve is Humility and
complete trust in the Lord.
The Lord has promised to qualify those He calls, and I can testify
that He does.
In the MTC I continued to learn, and even stumble in my quest to
"Chose Love". A MTC teacher pulled me aside and challenged me to "Dare
to Love Completely." (He said he read it on a chocolate dove wrapper.
How perfect! Lol) He said "dare" because it implies that there is a
risk, but rewards would be worth it.
When I arrived on my mission, I was almost immediately exposed to
those risks. Just 2 weeks into my mission, my trainer and best friend
was ETed. I could have chosen to be mad and wallow in murmuring, but
thankfully I chose to continue to love and became best friends with my
new companions.
As I have continued in this quest this year, I have made another
discovery. Really "to chose love" meant "to chose God". 1 John 4: 7-9.
This week we had a wonderful Christmas. There was a tornado warning,
and definitely some rough patches, but as I have contemplated on the
peace that comes at is time from truly taking the time to honor the
Savior, I am so grateful for how the Lord has blessed me. I am so
grateful for this privilege to serve HIM, with the hope and faith that
what I'm doing each day is helping someone to maybe feel a piece of
the love and happiness that His restored gospel brings. On Christmas
Eve, we visited a family of investigators. We shared a video of the
first presidency's testimony of our Savior and gave them "The Living
Christ". We then bore our testimonies of the Savior. They were amazed
by the reverence in which we referred to Him, our Lord and King. One
even said, "Wow. That is definitely something I would like to have in
my life". We promised him he would as he continued to study the
scriptures, and keep the commandments. I testify that we are children
of a Loving Heavenly Father, who loves us so much that He sent is son,
Jesus Christ. He was born of humble circumstances and lived a humble,
perfect life. Yet he suffered everything for us. He died for us. I
testify that He rose the third day, and that He continues to live. He
lives to grant us peace, joy and happiness. I know that as we continue
with patience, that  the blessings come. Mosiah 2:41
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May This time be FULL of Peace and Joy!
Love always,

Hermana Wallis

Week 31, Norcross, GA- Spanish Speaking

My electronic version of a Christmas card:

Feliz Navidad!
Wow. Where has this year gone?! Definitely not where I'd thought it'd
go, but while the Lord's way is most often different, and more
difficult, but it's definitely more rewarding. It is such a privilege
to be able to serve him, especially at this time when we celebrate the
birth of His son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
This week was crazy, but what week isn't? About a week ago, we were
privileged with a visit from Elder Holland. He shook our hands and
spoke to us about the significance of serving a mission. He said his
mission literally changed his whole life. He defines his life as
"before the mission" and "after the mission". He spoke about the
importance of being our number 1 converts. He went through and talked
about how we can teach with "Power and Authority" like in Helaman 5.
He said that to teach with "Power and Authority" we must have it (as
in the gospel) inside of us. I am convinced that we are here to learn
how to completely rely on the Lord by applying the atonement
continuously. The Lord gives us challenges that bring us to our knees
time and time again, so that we may grow closer to him, and maybe
begin to understand how the gospel works in our lives, so we can help
it works in others.
I know that we have a Savior and this is His restored gospel. Because
His gospel is restored, He is able to strengthen us through our
burdens through the covenants we make to him at baptism and the
temple, and renew them each week as we partake of the Sacrament.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life."
He was born in humble circumstances. He lived the perfect life, yet,
He suffered everything for us. Alma 7:11-13 So that through Him, we
might be saved. Not only to return to live with our Heavenly Father
again with our families, but to also be changed and strengthened. To
continue to better ourselves. To have a peace of mind in a world full
of trial and tribulation.
I love my savior so much and am so grateful to be able to serve Him.
We had our Christmas Party on Saturday and it was quite a success! Our
little Juanita came! She also informed us that she had not said any
real bad words the past week. She did confess to us though that she
called someone trash and told him his skin is white but his heart is
black, but that was because he was calling everyone else stupid. She
is so funny. I love her so much. She brought her granddaughters to the
Christmas party and they were so excited.
I love this work so much! It is such a privilege!
I love and miss you all!
Merry Christmas!
Hermana Wallis

Week 30, Norcross, GA- Spanish Speaking

Dear Family!

This week was amazing! Elder Holland came! I got to see Sister Kafu
and Sister Stenquist! And I'm currently sitting next to Sister Hanks!
Life couldn't get much better!
Elder Holland came on Friday to speak with all the Sisters in Georgia.
We were originally going to go, but last Monday we had studies and
breakfast with the sisters, and our Sister Training Leader non
chalantly told us as we were leaving: "President says you should only
go if you have an investigator or less active or you think it's the
best use of your time." Which left us confused and feeling slightly
guilty. We worked really hard and called and visited all of our less
actives and investigators and invited them, but none of them could go.
On Friday we were going to go, but the spirit told us no. So we tried
to visit a bunch of people we had for back up plans, but no one
opened. We're counting it as a trial of our faith. We are just here to
do the Lord's will. And His will that night was to not get in with
anyone. I'd rather do His will than anything else. Thankfully Sister
Hanks went, so she gave me her notes. I'll email them.
On Saturday, we met with the Atlanta mission and He came to see us! It
was amazing. I got to sit behind Sister Kafu and Sister Stenquist. He
shook our hands. It was great, except, I said the wrong thing.
So if you've ever been visited by an apostle of the Lord. Everything
is very precise. President Bennion emphasized a few rules: Elder
Holland sets the pace of the handshake. No hugs. And keep things
moving. We started lining up at 8:50, and
at Exactly 8:55 Elder Holland literally burst into the chapel. He went
up on the stand and whispered something with the mission President's.
Then he greeted us and told us to tell him his name and where we are
from. We are to shake his hands, then Elder Parker of the seventy,
then Sister Bennion's, then President Bennion's.  He comes down and
starts shaking hands. I start panicking. "where are you from?" Is
probably my least favorite question because I never know what to say
and this time, I don't have time to explain. I couldn't decide if I
should say "Texas" or "Colorado" or "Denver" or someone told me this
week that where you are from is where you are born, so for me that's
Chicago. I also wasn't sure if I should say my full name, or just
sister and last name. I needed more time to prepare! My plan became to
just follow my companion. Well my companion said "Sister Van Leuven,
I'm from Utah" so what do I say? "Sister Wallis, Utah" Then I shook
Elder Parker's hand and I realized that I just lied to an apostle so I
told him, "that's wrong! Colorado!" By now I'm shaking Sister
Bennion's hand, and she's confused, "What?" And I've moved onto
President Bennion, who's also confused so I just say: "I said the
wrong thing..." And walk away in shame.
I lied to an apostle.
Thankfully he told us later that he really didn't care where we were
from, he doesn't remember anything. He just wanted to look us in the
eye. But I'm still sure I don't think I'm going to ever forget that.
I wish we could have roll played that. Like they should have given us
a warning when we knew he was coming so I could at least have
practiced in companionship study or something. It made me think about
how we should prepare ourselves beforehand for the tough questions of
life and reminded me of how you would always practice us saying "No"
to things against the word of wisdom. This could also be used for any
temptation against the Law of Chastity or just any tough question
someone may have about the church. Practicing helps us make the
decision beforehand so we are prepared to be on the Lord's team when
those tough moments come. It's just like if I had gone to a party with
a friend and hadn't made the decision before hand of whether or not
I'd drink. If I had decided, "I'll just follow my friend" well, I'd
probably wind up falling into temptation and making a lot of decisions
I'd regret, because I hadn't decided beforehand. We cannot be
complacent in this life! We cannot be "Flojo". Make a decision of
who's side you're on and stay there!
(Update: I still don't know where I'm from. I'm working on it though.)
So yesterday we visited the less active we had watched the Christmas
devotional with. She was like a new person! She told us that she had
read the Book of Mormon every day and that she stopped saying bad
words! It was a miracle. She even told us she wants to come back to
church!
I love this work so much. I have received so many blessings. It's been
incredible.
I love you all!
Felix Navidad 🎄
Hermana Wallis

Pictures:
Me and Stenquist! So no pictures were allowed with Elder Holland. But Sister
Stenquist rode back with me because Sister Hanks and Sister Kafu (now
sister Stenquist's companion) went to a sealing for their recent
converts. So this is "my" back yard.
Stake conference was this weekend for us! No changes. Also, we have 40
missionaries in our stake. It's insane. President And Sister Bennion
spoke. They told some stories and miracles about the investigators of
Sister Barnard. One family decided to be baptized on her birthday and
Sandy, who I went to her baptism with Sister Kafu last July, decided
to go to the temple then too. It has been very bitter sweet. I cried.

When I first came to this mission, things were bit more "Flojo" as
well, but the accident was my first Friday in he field and I think it
changed everything. I think it's pushed us all to stand a little
taller in those sister's honor. You can see and feel a difference.
Anyways, the Rhams found me at stake conference. They were excited to
"retake" baby pictures. Haha

 With Sister Stenquist- a former companion

 The wonderful Rahm Family found Madeleine at Stake Conference.

Week 29, Norcross, GA, Spanish speaking

Dear Family,
How was the Christmas devotional?! One of my most favorite Christmas
memories is watching the devotional in my pajamas with my brothers
while we all drank root beer from he bottles. This year, We had
invited all of our investigators to watch it with us at the church,
and they all cancelled. So by 7 we were out visiting, doing our back up plans. We
decided to visit this less active who's older, and really just
non-complacent about life so it has been hard to make progress with
her. We shared a short message with her about enduring to the end, and
she opened up to us about a language habit. At first I though she was
complaining about a friend's language habit, so I was saying pretty
bold things that I probably wouldn't have said if I had realized that
the one with the language problem was actually her. The gift of
tongues for me is sincerely divine. I have found that I only
understand what the Lord wants me to understand, and how He wants me
to understand it. He knows me so well.
We committed her to watch the Christmas devotional, but she wouldn't
come to the church. So we set it up for her on her tablet, but when we
looked at the clock, we still had about 30 minutes until it started,
and we didn't want to leave her because we wanted to make sure that
she actually watched the devotional. I looked at my Book of Mormon and
just said, "Let's read the Book of Mormon Christmas story!" We read 3
Nephi 1 and talked about the signs, and the people's faith, and then
related the end of the chapter back to enduring to the end because
even though these people had amazing spiritual experiences, they
failed to endure to the end and fell back into the habit of war. Then
we watched the Christmas devotional. At this point, HOW PERFECT was
Elder Bednar's talk?! She was so excited, "we were just reading about
this!" It was really cute. It was also sweet as she recognized the
tune of all the hymns telling us, "oh, I remember singing these
beautiful songs in church!" (I have to admit, I'm slightly
disappointed there isn't a secret Spanish Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so
they could at least translate that part. Oh well, the spirit has no
language.)
Yesterday Fanny left for Columbia. She has been so nervous. I looked
up her new Ward and church building for her and gave her the address
as well as the Bishop's name. She is so sweet. It was so sad this week
to not plan anything for her. It's really cool to think about how the
Lord's hand is in everything. I could have been called to Columbia and
taught her there, but he has me here and this mission has brought me
more blessings than I could count.
This week we are really excited because Elder Holland is coming to
Atlanta to speak with all the Relief Society this Friday, and then
this Saturday, He's going to speak to our Mission and the Atlanta
Mission. It's the best Christmas gift ever. I'm really excited because
it also means I will see my former companions again too.
I love being a missionary so much. I love this work. This week I had
been studying some of the talks from General Conference and a few of
them talk about how Laman and Lemuel had the same spiritual
experiences as Nephi, but their attitude and lack of spiritual habits
prevented them from ever growing spiritually. They chose to grow
bitter while Nephi chose to grow better. In the talk, "Turn to Him and
Answers Will Come" Elder Martino then compares Laman and Lemuel to the
sons of Mosiah: "Both groups of men were raised in righteous families,
yet both strayed. Both were called to repentance by an angel" but the
difference was that the sons of Mosiah developed spiritual habits of
obedience, daily scripture study, daily prayer, and sincere fasting
with prayer. Because of these habits, they were made strong in their
trials, unlike Laman and Lemuel. I think it also goes to show that
after the sons of Mosiah had repented, they wanted to grow closer to
the Lord and had that sincere desire. They changed their attitudes,
unlike Laman and Lemuel. Our attitudes make all the difference in this
life. No one is exempt from trials. We get to chose every day if we
are going to grow bitter, or better.
I know that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that
He is our Savior and that He lives. I am so grateful for Him. I love
my calling, "to invite others to come unto Christ". 2 Nephi 19:6 " For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government
shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful,
Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace."
I love and miss you!!!
Love,
Hermana Wallis
Sent from my iPad