Abby in Paraguay: July 7, 2016

DIOS BENDICE AMERICA!!!!!!!!!

I LOVED THE PHOTOS!!!!!!! Looks like you had a great time at Lake Almanor! Thats seriously so fun that they slept in hammocks. Love the BOATING AND FIREWORK PICTURES!!! Miss the family so much, but it looks like you guys are happy...so I am

happy :) Can you believe that I am finally heading out of the CCM???? We got our flight plans on Tuesday! So Hermana Brunelle, Thomas, and some other hermanas and elders are heading out THIS Monday morning. We leave at 5:00. We have two flights - one to Panama City AND THEN ANOTHER TO PARAGUAY! I am beyond excited for this new adventure! The 4th of July in the CCM was so great! We had all american meals and yes....our district dressed in red, white, and blue! We sure looked awesome! I´ll send the pictures! Also, Hermana Haywood turned on the lights when we were all asleep and started singing the Star Spangled Banner haha It was so great! Kimmie said that she got your letter that you wrote her! She wanted me to tell you that she loves you and that you are awesome! She is serioulsy so happy! I´ll have to ask her if she ran into the Smyths! THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE 4TH OF JULY TREATS AND I LOVED THE LETTER! Seriously appreciate them! This has been another great week. Lots of teaching and preparing for the field. We had to say goodbye to one of our teachers early since he and his wife are heading to Peru. Hermano Martinez was seriously my dad in the CCM. He has helped me so much with becoming the Missionary that God wants me to be. He gave me some great advice that I will never forget. He reminded me to not have fear of making mistakes with the Language. He said my love and the help of the Lord will make up the rest. I can´t imagine having to say goodbye to the people in Paraguay! We also switched some things up and did exchanges. I got to teach a Lesson with Hermana Saling - Love her! We are roomates. It was nice to teach with someone new and with different teaching methods. She is going to the Missouri Independence Mission. Super stoked for her! I don´t think I got the link to my blog? I would love to share three scriptures with you that have made a HUGE impact during my MTC experience - The first one is D&C 50:24 God is the Light in our lives (Hermana Haywood was so awesome and shared this with me while I was having a hard time - we had an experience together that we both won´t forget ) another is Ether 12:4 I know that with hope faith develops and if we trust in God with steadfastness in him...anything is possible. The last scripture I hold dear and want it on my plaque is D&C 15:6. I know my greatest joy is to bring others unto Christ. This gospel is for us to use the Atonement and to become like Christ and our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as a representative of Christ and to share this joy and light with others. God loves us. I also was able to experience witnessing the power of the priesthood. Our other teacher Hermano Medina was sick and stressed with some other things so the Elders in our District gave him a blessing. I know that they had the power of God with them while placing their hands on Hermano Medinas head. The words from Elder Moss were from the Lord. We were also able to have blessing ourselves on Sunday which was super comforting before heading out into the field. Our P day got switched because we are going to the Temple at 12! Another blessing! Tell the boys hi and let them know of my love. Super proud to say that they are my brothers. Have them swim extra for me! Crazy to think that the next time I email you it will be from Paraguay! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Funny story- During TRC we had taught a new convert who loves the gospel...she talked so fast haha good prep for the field. Hope you guys have fun in Utah and DAD SOAK UP SOME CALI WEATHER FOR ME! Its been hot, but there has been thunderstorms every night! LOVVVVVEEEEE YOU ALLL AND CANT WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU NEXT TIME. ADIOS FROM THE CCM

Love,

Hermana Alexander

D&C 50:24 - That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Ether 12:4 - Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

D&C 15:6 - And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my father, Amen.