Dork Days

Hola friends and family!!!

First of all, thank you so much for all the love and support you constantly give. It is much needed as I am learning a new language. I would say that my Spanish knowledge is comparable to Gru in Despicable Me when he is trying to adopt margo, edith and agnus - he pretends he knows what he is doing but he actually has no clue. That is totally me right now. I am trying my best to speak the language but I mess up all the time lol. I'm so glad that I took 4 years of spanish in high school but that only got me through the first day. I can pretty much understand everything our teacher is talking about but i really struggle speaking. we had our first lesson with a native speaker last night and let's just say it went. we didn't do as well as we had hoped but we did commit her to read 3 nephi 11 and pray to know the truth of the book of mormon so thats good. other than that, i still have a lot to learn but i love it here and i am so happy.

My companion is AMAZING! Her name is hermana tolsen and we have so much in common. we both love shoes, survivor and polynesians! she also loves to read (not similar to me), play lacrosse and is from Idaho falls. and the best part is that she is going to salta so I will get to travel to argentina with her. life is too good. 

We have a district of all hermanas (sisters). it is awesome because we are bonding so hard. I got asked to be the district leader (since there are only girls) which has been a lot to handle but I know that with the Lord, I can do anything. 

the food here in the MTC is okay. i love the comida because it is a good break from class and I am hungry all the time but its not that good or healthy. i will probably gain some weight just by eating here for 6 weeks. pero, esta bien. they do have byu creamery chocolate milk in the mtc which will probably lead to all the weight i will gain. 

luckily, i am getting the sleep I need each night. I am so exhausted after a long day of studies and brain work so i am pretty tired by the time i get home. 

i tripped down the stairs in front of all the new missionaries on thursday. it was pretty embarassing but i expect nothing less from my embarassing personality.

cool things I have learned:

- you are called for WHO YOU ARE

- I am my first convert

-replace every fearful thought with an act of faith (on the mission there are many times for fearful thoughts and even more times to act in faith. i love it)

email me!!! write me dear elders!!! pray for me and the people of Argentina!! 

i love you all!!

God lives. 

God loves. 

God has the power to change your life.

xoxo,

hermana mannewitz 

1. I got to see lots of family before I entered the MTC!! It was great to feel of their love and encouragement. 

2. my awesome companion - hermana tolsen. sorry about the red eyes lol

3. in case our name tags don't remind you that we are sister missionaries, our ugly shoes sure will

4. cash me outside room 119 probably struggling with spanish, how bo dat

5. todo el districto outside the provo temple! I saw mikayla burton at the temple and it MADE MY DAY! I know that the temple is the house of the Lord

6. we are really trying to master the digital camera selfie but normally we cut off peoples faces. 

called to serve

several life events have lead me to this point in my life. 

I am grateful for a family that loves and supports me in everything I do. I am grateful for my grandparents who have been such great examples of serving the Lord. I am especially grateful for the sealing power in the temple that binds me to my family for eternity. most importantly, I am grateful for my Savior, who made this all possible. He is my ultimate source of strength and comfort as I face these next 18 months.

it is a bittersweet feeling to leave everything I know to serve the Lord. but He is the reason I have accepted the call to serve. i have found great comfort from the words of Christ when He states. "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come." 

I will do my best. I have a lot of weaknesses and a lot to learn but I am withholding nothing from the Lord. I will serve with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I will be faithful and give it all I have to give. 

I know that this church is true. I am so excited to bring this happiness to those in Argentina. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God. I know that he saw God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ in a grove of trees. I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Jesus Christ and translated the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is the most true book and that as we abide by its teachings, we can feel the love of our Savior. I know that temples are the house of the Lord. I know that families can be sealed for eternity in temples. I know that Heavenly Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth to atone for our sins so that we can return to live with Him again. I know that God lives. God loves. and I know that God has the power to change our lives. 

see you in 18,

hermana mannewitz