Conference Week!

Hola,

Yes, it's true. I got moved to English work. About 5 of us Hermanas did actually, to compensate for all the new English Sisters. I'm training here with Sister Johnson. She's from Connecticut and very darling. Another 19 yr old, yes. My 3rd one to train actually. But she's great!

I'm actually back in Temecula, which was a bit of a surprise. We live down the street from my old apartment (where the other Hermanas currently live) and our area is just a small part of the area I covered when I was here in the Branch before. It's pretty fun though, especially because I get to see members and converts whom I love so much at Stake activities (like at the RS Broadcast the other night)!

Also, Hermana Sheffield got transferred here to the Spanish Branch! She's not in my District, but I get to see her at Stake things as well and also as Zone meetings. It's great. Elder Herrera also got transferred back here to Temecula in English work, which just made my day! I can't believe that we're always so close to each other in the work! We flew out together, were in the Temecula Branch together, then got moved down to the Escondido ward together at the same time, and now back up to Temecula in English work at the same time! Sadly, he's not in my ward nor district, but he is in my Zone and they actually live in the apartment next to us so we see them when we're all out running in the mornings. It's such a kick! And he's still struggling with his English a little but doing great!

Also, we live with some of the other English sisters currently (that may change soon), named Sister Villaseñor and Sister Chevalier. Sister V and I were together for a week before Hermana Bennett came out, so it's fun to be with her again!

English work is...different. It's only been a week and I've definitely been challenged in some different ways then I ever have as a missionary. I was feeling very negative yesterday actually, and it was definitely affecting my ability to do the work, though I'm feeling better today, and hopefully with more prayer and fasting, I'll be feeling back to normal soon. I know the Lord gives us challenges though, so that we can grow stronger.

I love the Lord and I love this work. I know it's true and even though I don't love all of the situations the Lord has currently placed me in, He did bless me with a great companion and lots of other tender mercies. I know that we will see miracles this transfer and my testimony will be strengthened

.

Well, some good things are happening. We're trying to pick up the work, slowly but surely. Whitewashing is a little rough, but we're getting the hang of it. We had a few investigators coming and we are working well with him and finding more. We are doing a lot more member work, which is good. It's different though, and something to get used to. In Spanish wards, almost everyone is a convert, and most joined the church because some missionaries knocked on their door and changed their lives.

In English wards, most people served missions themselves and currently have children on missions. So you can see how the perspective of and attitudes towards missionaries differs from culture to culture. It's not a bad difference, it's just different.

Well, I've been in the Book of Mormon a lot this week and have found that Alma 7:23-24, and Mosiah 3:19 have helped a lot. I love the Lord and trust Him and know that He knows much more than I do, so all I can do is rely on Him. We're going to the temple this week and between that and General Conference, I'm pretty stoked. I hope you can make it to the temple soon as well mama :) Tell me about it, ok? 

Love you tons and tons. Thank you for all of your wonderful support and example. 

LOVE YOU!

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante 

Transfer time!

Hi Everybody!

I'm glad you all (Deb, Michael, Jodi, & Dominic) had a great time in Yellowstone! And I expect pictures soon? I sure hope so! I'll send pictures too...someday, when I have more time. We don't have a lot of time today because we need to head over to Karla's for lunch in a few minutes and then back to the apartment to pack!!

Yep, I'm being transferred tomorrow. Hermana Bennett is staying here and I'm leaving. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed about it actually, as I've been asked to train again (this is my 3rd time training and I'm not even a year old yet, jeez), but this time I'll be whitewashing (going into a new area with no other experienced missionary) and I'll most likely be going to English work. Yeah, I'm not too excited about that, but there are just so many sisters coming out and they need to move a few of the Spanish sisters over to English work so that the new missionaries can be adequately trained. I'm getting a little tired of 12 week  (the training program) because this is my 4th time doing it. I've actually only had 1 transfer my whole mission where I wasn't doing 12 week, though I still learn from it and grow as well with my companions. Anyway, needless to say, I'm a little stressed, but a good amount of stress doesn't hurt and things are going well for the most part. At least they didn't make me an STL or anything...yet ;) 

Oh, and I went to buy a GPS today and found out my card expired a few weeks ago. Pray for us that we don't get too lost whitewashing...anyway, could you talk to the bank and get me a new card somehow? That would be fantastic.

I'm a little bummed to leave Escondido, as there is so much work here. Karla will actually be getting baptized this Friday (it was postponed a week) so my new companion and I will be coming back for that. Thank you for the book! I love it! I'll be giving it to them on Friday so I'll tell you then how they like it :) You're the best mama!

But like I was saying, there is so much work here. Aside form Karla; we have 3 other baptismal dates and just so many investigators. This last week alone we picked up 7, including some great families! They have so much potential and the work here is just great. I keep telling Hermana Bennett that she doesn't understand how blessed this area is and that it's not like this in other areas. I don't think she'll really understand until she leaves though.

So I really have no idea where I could be going. There are 15 sisters coming in this transfer and one or two of them speak Spanish (which is why I'm most likely going to English work). A lot of sisters are having to whitewash and I think they are creating a lot of new areas just to fit us all in.

It's been a good week though. I'm sure a lot of other events have happened, but they aren't coming to mind right now and we probably should head over to Karla's soon and then get back to packing.

Hermana Bennett is excited to stay here and I trust that she'll take good care of the area. We've learned a lot from each other and grown a lot, even though it wasn't always the most easy-going companionship. I'm still grateful for every oportunidad I have to learn from other missionaries. It's great! And I'm excited to learn from and meet my new companion tomorrow!

CONGRATS TO EMILY!!! YAY!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR HER! Will you send me a picture of this Aaron boy so I can approve? That would be great. Ok, well I think I'll end here and tell you how much I love you.

I've recently finished reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish and have now started the New Testament in Spanish. I do love the scriptures and how they help to know, understand, and feel closer to our Savior. They are so powerful in our lives and should remember how crucial they are for our spiritual well being. Have you seen that video on LDS.org called "Daily Bread: Patterns"? Check it out. All of you who read this should. It's wonderful and so true. I testify of the Savior and His true and living Gospel. I was going to tell you of a story of a lady we contacted yesterday but I'm out of time. Remind me next week maybe.

Love you so much!

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante

A Piece at a Time!

Sorry to be so late!

I was trying to catch up with emails again today and I almost caught up (but not quite), and now I don't have tons of time, but I still love you! I didn't get an email from Ariana this week, but that's ok. I think she sent me two last week and I know she's been super busy with work. I hope she can finally catch up some sleep! It makes me nervous that she's driving so much on so little sleep.

Mama, I'm glad you had a good birthday and a very lucky Friday the 13th!

(To be continued....)

  

Best of luck Lorena!

The last picture is with a young lady in the ward named Lorena, who just moved to go to school up in Northern California. She's super sweet! We'll miss her!

Continued....

Good to hear from the boys! I love when you make them write to me. J And, I do love my nieces and nephews and miss them dearly.

 And I was so happy to hear about Berta! I have actually tried writing her a couple of times, but haven't heard anything back...so if Michael knows any other way to get in contact with her I'd be thrilled, and I'd be MORE than thrilled to go to Peru with the group next summer!  ...as long as I can afford it.

That's so cool about Ariana! You should record it so I can watch her on TV when I get back! I'm so proud of her. She's so great! Tell Chris I've decided to do some voice acting with him when I get back, so he better have some projects for me to work on. Glad to hear that Wesley is doing so well. Send him my love!

Ok, onto the mish. J Things have been good here in Escondido. We have just really realized how much we need to work with the ward and the members, in order to prepare the ward to be ready to receive new converts. We are still having baptisms and things like that, but our retention is struggling, and even those who are active just need some more help in some areas. I really do love this ward. They are so great. I'm pretty bummed that I'll probably be leaving next week, but I'm sure Hermana Bennett and her new compy will do great with them!

This last Saturday we were able to go and pick oranges for service with Brother Fox (from the English ward, but we have lessons with Santiago at his home every week). They are so great - and it didn't even feel like service! It was just fun! We picked for a little bit, then washed and cut the oranges, then made orange Julius, and then they sent us home with homemade soup, fresh avocados, and of course, fresh oranges. It was a treat!

A new vocation?

Orange anyone?

 Our investigators are doing well. We went and had lunch with Karla and the girls and her sister today, so that was fun :) man, it's crazy how much I just love these people.

(To be continued....)

…Tonight we will be having a Noche De Hogar (Family Home Evening) over in San Marcos and will be celebrating Luis' birthday as well, so that should be great fun!  

I was studying the Atonement this morning in Jesus The Christ and it makes me so grateful for the love of our Savior. I love these people here so much, and it's incomparable to the love He has for us, and of course, our Heavenly Father's love for us. Hermana Bennett and I have been working a lot on unity (something we don't always have), and it's helped us to have the Spirit so much more. I feel so spoiled being a missionary, because we can truly feel the Spirit so often and so strongly here on the mission. I strive to live my life in such a way that it can always be as such (Ether 2:15). 

Well, I'm about out of time. I love you. Sounds like you're still doing amazing, like always. I think I'm good for now...just a few pictures from home would be fun J and your love and prayers, por favor! I love and pray for you always! I know the Lord loves and cares about each and every one of us and I know that He is thrilled when we are obedient so that He may bless us (D&C 130:21) and pour His Spirit upon us!  

Con muchisimo amor,

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante

Hermanas in Zion!

With Hermana Adams!

So Little Time!

Hi All!

Wow, I love the pics! Man, I have some darn cute nieces and nephews! Heck, the whole family is pretty darling J

Good to hear from Wes and Chris! Yes, Ariana did email me...twice! Papi and Susan too! As well as Rene and fam (recent converts) and some other fun peeps. I'm basically out of time already...I know, I'm sorry, but we're doing alright here in Esco Sucio.

We went Ice Skating today as a Zone Activity, so that was pretty fun. Though I forgot to bring my camera in to the rink, so I'm sorry but no pictures this week. It was also fun to get to know Hermana Adams a little more as well. We are "sisters", since we have the same trainer, so that's fun.

There have been some miscommunications and mix-ups in working with the ward and recent converts and members and a lot of the pressure I feel like is falling on me (even though it shouldn't) so I've been a little stressed, but we keep working.

Hermana Bennett and I work hard together and she helps me a lot. I can't believe we're almost done with training! I feel like she just got here! Well, actually, I still feel like I just got here. It's been good though and it will be fun to work even harder the next few weeks and then see where I go or if I stay here again (though I'll likely be transferred). It's been a good week though, setting baptismal dates, teaching, teaching, teaching, and of course, finding new investigators.

That's so fun that you got to clean the temple! I do miss the temple. We used to be able to go 4 times a year, but Presidente Kendrick changed it to just 3 times a year, as to not inconvenience members too much, which is understandable but still a little bit of a let down. I am definitely looking forward to going next transfer. I do miss the temple.

Well, I feel like a lot has happened, but it seems that I have run out of things to tell you...but I'm almost out of time anyway, so I'll just let you know that I love you all and thank you so much for your prayers and your wonderful support and encouragement every week! I hope you have a great week and know that I love and miss you!

And I love the scriptures so much, it's a little ridiculous. Remember to study them and nourish yourself spiritually everyday, just as you do with food and water to nourish yourself physically J

Con amor,

Hermana Alyssa Nicole Escalante

P.S. Wes - I'm not getting trunky! Love you!