Greatest Week Ever October 17, 2011

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Alison Royal
To: Patricia Royal
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 8:59 AM
Subject: hola con mucho mucho amor!

Well this has been an eventful week! Probably one of my favorite weeks of all my mission! I´m trying to think about where to start... hmm.

Well, I guess a good place to start is that I'm training! I can't believe it! I absolutely love it! I love my companion! Her name is Hermana Hart from Colorado Springs (she is like best friends with HermanaEllsworth!). haha I basically love her so much. She is so sweet and so funny! Let's just say we get along REALLY REALLY well. I don't know how I have gotten so lucky to be best friends with all of my companions but, I'm not complaining! And it is so fun and funny to be companions with a gringa who is starting the mission. It makes me think of all the embarrassing and funny thing that I said or all of the million things I didn't know how to say, but even if she doesn't speak the language yet, she brings such a strong spirit to the lessons. Seriously, her testimony is so strong and her words are backed up with such a sweet spirit of love. I LOVE THIS GIRL. haha and I feel so protective over her. Every time a man looks at us with "snake eyes" (hahah) I always send him and evil glare haha. Its funny how I reallyfeel like I am her mom sometimes. This week we had a lot of success together! We taught lots of lessons and found lots of new investigators, including Gernan Espejo, a little old man, who lives alone and his wife died 3 months ago. We talked with him outside of his house the other day and we invited him to be baptized and he accepted! And this week he came to church! (he was waiting out side his house for us to go to church!) It was a very special experience! We are also teaching Alejandro, a catholic religion teacher, He also came to church this week! It was basically a week of miracles! Even though sometimes Idon't know what the heck I am doing, I am grateful for the company and guidance of the spirit and of my excited, faithful and loving companion!

Please pray for us, and specifically for Gernan Espejo, Alejandro, Pepa and Alan and his family and Marcelo and well, I could go on and on, but I think that is enough for now. haha

Also, this week we had the chance to go to SANTIAGO! Wahooo! It was so exciting. I love Chile and the Chileans! It was so exhilarating and energizing to see such a huge group of faithful saints, gathered together in the middle of a huge, corrupted city. Zion on earth! I had the same, if not more powerful feeling that you have when you see everyone at general conference! We also had a chance to participate asmissionaries. It was so fun to sing and testify that we really are the Lord's humble servants and we will always "go where he wants us to go". Thanks for watching the broadcast with me! I hope you love the culture and the people that I have come to love with my WHOLE heart. There is nothing left for myself, my savior and the Chileans have taken it all! haha

It was also great because I got to see my whole district from the MTC (except for one sister who is in Antofagasta) and we sat next together and caught up on stories. Each of them have had their fair share of adventures on their missions! What a fun experience! I also the Ferrin's cousin, but I don't think he recognized me. But it was so fun to see SO many missionaries and friends from the MTC and from our mission here in Vina del Mar (the best mission in Chile!!!). I got the chance to say goodbye to a lot of good friends/missionaries that are going home this week. Also, after the celebration, It basically turned into a missionary/convert reunion. I got to see lots of loved ones and friends from Brillador in La Serena and it was a joyous and tearful reunion. I love BEING A MISSIONARY. I can't say it enough, I can't express it well enough.

I am so grateful to serve the Lord. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon that has brought such joy to my life. I love that book and I KNOW that it is true. I am grateful for my sweet, perfect hijita companion. I am grateful for you all and your prayers! and Packages! (Oh ps. I'm sorry I have been meaning to tell you that mom, I got your package like 3 weeks ago! Thank you so much! I love love love that you are thinking about me!)

I LOVE YOU! Thanks for supporting in the happiest time of my life!

Besitos!

Hermana Royal

A quick explaination of the photos..

4. 9 months in the mission and on my way to pick up my baby... (Hermana Hart haha) I know its weird but its a tradition in the mission. haha

3. Hermanita Hart and me (Companions Royal Hart!)

2. see above (haha)

1. My MTC district in Santiago! Wahoo!