I haven't washed my hand since Tuesday!

So the title may be a lie but my right hand is definitely the most righteous right now because I GOT TO SHAKE HANDS WITH AN APOSTLE! It was literally so amazing I can't even begin. President Nelson...you know the guy who could become our next prophet....came down to the CCM to give a devotional and wanted to shake hands with every missionary. When it was my turn to shake his hand he called my name even though my hair was definitely over it. Then with a guy in my district(its like a group of missionaries that you are in) he called him by his first name. The only way he knew that was through God. Guys the church is true...that's all I'm saying.

The devotional was really good too. Some of my favorite things Elder Nelson said were that He saw us the way God sees us...not as who we are but as who we can become. He also said that "the Lord calls the unlikely to do the impossible". This is so true as a missionary. 18 and 19 year olds are definitely the unlikely but I have seen amazing things happen here.  No one is perfect but as we desire to follow Christ we can do all things through Him. This I know.

Other than that it has been a bomb week here at the CCM because your girl has a tan line! 

 

Sure I am still whiter than the general public but I did get my first sunburn on Saturday so just wait till I get home. 

I may actually look like an alive human being. My companions are fabulous as always. 

 

We get along so well it is ridiculous. Hermana Coulam has also started to come out of her shell which is both terrifying and hilarious. Hermana Hanson still struggles to get out of bed every morning but once she does you have never seen a happier person. When we teach it is literally the bomb. We had a lesson yesterday and the spirit was so strong we were literally just floating. It made for an amazing day.

The Spanish is coming along slowly but surely. I actually speak pretty well and shout-out to Señor in high school for being the best Spanish teacher ever. I feel pretty prepared most of the time. 

The temple last week was amazing as well. It was so peaceful and I am so thankful for the opportunity to go there and have one in Gilbert! I am literally so pumped to go to Gilbert you have no idea.

That is it, pretty much though. I am going to call Brianna out for not emailing me because I need to know what is going on with her and Sevy.

I hope everyone has an awesome week!

To the moon and back!

Hermana Showalter

The Three Musketeers!

Three Musketeers!

The Three Musketeers!

Hey everyone! So these past 10...i think...days have been a blur. It has been really awesome but also kind of rough sometimes. I miss my family and all of you a ton but have awesome companions! Yes you heard me right! I have been blessed with not one...but two companions. Hermana Hanson is from Boise Idaho and like me will be going to Gilbert AR. I have never met someone who smiles as much or has so much energy before. Although she does struggle to find that energy in the morning. Then Hermana Coulam is from Evans, Utah. She has a bomb spirit and is the literal best. The cool thing is she wasn't supposed to be with us but her companions visa didn't come through so she got to pick who she paired up with. She was like well AZ seems pretty cool and picked us without even knowing us! Totally God's hand because she makes our companionship that much stronger and better. She will be serving in Mexico Ciudad Este and will make a fabulous missionary I am sure of it.

In other exciting news I have only cried like ten times. Mostly while reading emails from people so thanks for that. One night though our trio and Hermana Hill and Jarvis all shared pictures of our family and cried. It was funny because originally it was the the three of us but then Hma Jarvis stuck her head in and was like... are you guys crying too! It ended up being awesome and we ended up talking about Spanish which is what always happens here in the CCM (Missionary Training Center).

On the subject of Spanish it is coming along very well. I have taken it upon myself to find the funniest translation and so far it is for nostrils....the word is literally ventanas de la nariz... which literally means windows of the soul. HAHAHAHA. Sorry it just gets me every time. On a more serious note the Spanish is going along really well. I am so blessed to have had such amazing teachers in high school and I have definitely seen the hand of God in helping me learn the language.

My district is pretty great too! We have an elder from Blackfoot Idaho which is close to my grandparents so we talk about that and we have an elder from Hawaii and he is literally the chillest guy ever. He told me I'm now an honorary Hawaiian so mom, dad, I need to go now. Literally my proudest accomplishment to date. On Saturday our district all went around and said things we loved and admired about each other and we were all crying because the spirit was so strong. I know that it is where I'm supposed to be and am so grateful for it.

My teachers are also the best and I LOVE THEM. They are so patient with us gringos and are the cutest. They are Hma Martinez, Gutirrez and Rodriguez. Literally the best.

The food leaves a lot to be desired although it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and the orange juice is actually the best. Pizza nights are life and I just want my parents to know there are websites where you can send crispy creme donuts and stuff from Costco to me here and that it would be much appreciated,

I guess I'll just end by saying how much love I have for my Savior. I know I am supposed to be here and that I was called to Gilbert for a reason. I know that God and Jesus Christ love each and everyone of you so much and that our Savior died not just for everyone but for you as an individual. I know that this Church is true and I love it so much. NEVER FORGET HOW IMPORTANT AND AWESOME YOU ARE!!!

Love you all to the moon and back (especially my fam cuz you the bomb(especially my mom because shes actually the best))

Hermana Showalter

This was one of Mckay's roommates and she is also James' friend.

 

Almost all the girls!

The Sunny Side of Life

Tomorrow I report to the MTC and I don't know where the past few weeks have gone. I'm a mess of emotions; full of nervousness and excitement. Yet no matter what I feel, I know that I am doing God's will. I knew this the instant the Stake President put his hands on my head and I felt at peace.

I've been told that this will be the hardest year and a half of my life but also the most rewarding. So as I sit on this precipice of change and trials and blessings I can't help but reflect on the events that have brought me to this point in my life. I was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it wasn't until I found myself at one of my lowest point that I truly gained a testimony of it. For in that dark moment I was left with fundamental truths. I knew that I had a loving Heavenly Father and a loving Savior. I knew that the fruits of this gospel were good and true. I knew that I had felt the Spirit testify that it was the truth. And I knew that families were forever. It was from those truths I built and strengthened my testimony.

I am no longer in that dark place but am instead filled with light. The gospel brings the greatest joy and the greatest growth. I am so excited to share this joy with the people of Arizona and show them that even when we feel alone and lost, that our Savior is just waiting for us to reach out to Him! I know that this is the true church. I know that this gospel will shed light in the darkness that Satan would have us live in. And that with the gospel, we will truly find The Sunny Side of Life.