Big Changes Ahead!

Hi Everyone!

 I don't have a ton of time left, but that's ok, because I feel like there is way too much to tell that I don't even want to try. I love this work so much!  There is so much happening right now in Escondido; it's crazy. We just fill up our days with lessons so quickly that we don't even have time to find. If something falls through, we say a prayer to find someone ready, and we do. It just happens!

Yesterday, we had 15 minutes before our next appointment so we stopped by an apartment complex we had never tried before. We reviewed our goals, prayed, got out of the car, and accomplished our goals in 15 minutes...it was crazy! We literally got out of the car and someone walked out of their door that had met Hermana Sheffield before (I guess he used to live with a member a while back) and he just told us his day off and that we needed to come over. Jeez. It's so crazy, I feel like I can't even keep up with the work....

… Darn, I only have a few minutes left. What to say?!  Well, the baptism for Rene and Patricia in Temecula was wonderful! A member, Julian, and his daughter drove us up and it was so fantastic! Patricia started crying as soon as she saw me and couldn't even speak. Rene was so excited and humble and was telling me about how he is getting ready to receive the priesthood and how he goes to church every week, even when his mom isn't feeling well or Oscar doesn't want to go. He finds himself a ride and goes! He is so strong and will be such a great support and example to his family!

Hermana Sheffield is leaving me tomorrow! Can you believe it?!  Already!  We got jipped a week because most of the transfers are happening tomorrow at the mission conference and then we will have another transfer meeting next week to welcome the new missionaries and mission president.

Man... I'm almost out of time. We have been picking up investigators like crazy though, and we set another baptismal date yesterday with a man named Gabriel. Hermana Sheffield is super sad to leave, but hopefully she'll love her new area, whether it be in the new Irvine mission, or here.

Man, I'm already out of time! Well, the mission conference broadcast thing yesterday was amazing and I'm excited to see the new changes in the field. This work truly is inspired and really is that marvelous work that Isaías prophesied about (Sorry, I don't know how to spell it is English so I just went with Spanish).

Out of time.

Love you!

K, I just have a few minutes because we got our time extended and I wanted to respond to your letter because who knows how much time I'll have next week.

Yay! Congrats to Jilli! She is so darling J I'm so happy for her and Jon.

I don't know when they will start the church tours and the Internet changes, but I kind of hope that the internet rules change in our mission in 9 months... so that I don't have to deal with them, ha-ha! But whatever the Lord has happen, I guess will happen.

That's so fun that Ariana was in town! I didn't know, but good to know J I don't know who Todd and Becca Pope are, but cool. Sorry to hear about Sister Asplund, but that's cool about seeing the people in the Orchard Grove ward. Tell Rick that his daughter needs to write me so I can help keep her in line! But I guess that doesn't apply for the next little while anyway, since I won't be reading her letters even if she sends them ;)

Ok, I think I'm for real done now. Love you! I'll let you know next week about all the crazy changes and who my new companion is and changes in the zone and district and stuff and about the new president.

Love you!

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante

Volleyball anyone?

Feliz Dia de los Padres!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry, I only have a few minutes again this week. I'm awful, I know. I have decided to not write anyone but immediate family for awhile so I had to write some people explaining why I wouldn't be responding to their emails or letters.  I have realized recently that I am to the point where I am a "good missionary" and I know how to do the work, but I know there is so much more I could be doing and I have so much more potential than I am showing. In order to completely focus myself on the work, I've decided to go on a 40-day fast of all the things that might distract me from the work - including writing anyone who is not immediate family. I really don't feel like the letters or emails are all that distracting or harmful in the least, but just like food and water aren't bad, it's much more about the sacrifice and the dedication, showing the Lord that I love Him and His work more than the things I will be giving up. I am sure that I will grow from this and become a far more dedicated tool in the hands of God and it will all be worth it.

It sounds like life is awesome in Utah and with the fam (wherever they might be in the world). I did receive Jilli and Jon's invite. It's on my fridge J they are so cute!

It sounds like Chrisser is doing amazingly and he is a fantastic missionary. I can always learn from the kid - he is so great.

I'm sorry to hear about Morgan's mama and will definitely keep her in my prayers. I am glad to hear she is doing well though. I hadn't heard from Ariana and Brudder for a while, but she just wrote me and I'll have more time to write her back next week. Yay! J

It has been a good week. We had intercambios with Hermana Schwegler and Hermana Gutknecht so I was in the northern part of Escondido for 2 days - fun stuff! One day with Hma Schwegs and the other with Hma Goots! I love Hma Schwegler. As soon as our intercambio started, we were in the car talking about how this is our bajillionth intercambio together and how she has seen me grow and we both started crying a little and it was precious and a little ridiculous J she's amazing though.

Hermana Sheffield and I are growing so much together and are both praying that we will both stay here together another transfer. We had such a great day yesterday! We taught so many lessons (ate 2 dinners - ugh) and ended it with teaching a very powerful lesson on the Restoration.

As a mission, we have really focused on personalizing the lessons according to their needs and desires. That is exactly what we did last night for this sweet, young girl (when I say young, I mean she was my age) and the Spirit was so strong, especially when we shared the experience of Joseph Smith when he saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. We were all crying and we invited Rosa to be baptized. She said yes, but we will talk with her about a date next week when we teach her and her fiancé together.

Well, I am out of time. We had a great Zone Activity today. The work is crazy great here in Dido. I love you and I love the Lord with all my heart.

Con amor,

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante

Temple (and Picture) Day!

Hi Mami!

So, I have no time today. Sorry. We went to the temple this morning (that's why I'm writing so late, as well) and it was amazingly wonderful as usual. I love studying in the temple. I just feel like knowledge flows straight from the scriptures right into my brain and soul. It's so great. I have so much to tell you, but so little time. I have lots of pictures too, so that might take up most of my time uploading them.... we'll see. 

I am glad to hear things are going well though and that you are keeping busy and having a blast playing with your kids and grandkids and working and keeping in shape! You are super woman, aren't you? ;)

So the Spanish Conference was pretty great and we learned a ton! Afterwards we went on exchanges and I stayed here with Hermana McBride. It was pretty fun, but we were mostly just busy getting everything ready for the baptism.

Saturday, after we met back up with our companions, we headed straight back to the church to fill up the font and set up. It was a great service for Mauricio and his dad even came! He also came to the confirmation the next day and hopefully we will be teaching him on Wednesday :)

We are going on exchanges again with Hermana Schwegler and Hermana Gutknetch tonight for 2 days because Hma Schwegs is our Sister Trainer Leader so we both will spend 24 with her, each.

Hmm, out of time. It was fun seeing Hermana Jones and Ruiz at the conference. We are picking up new investigators and it's lots of fun!

Will you send me some coco hydro packets in your next package? No rush. Just whenever it may be. But seriously....no rush. Just whenever you do :)

I think I'm out of time. Sorry. Hopefully I'll have more tiempo next week. LOVE YOU!

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante