Lovin' Spoonfuls

From: Alison Royal <alison.royal@myldsmail.net>

To: Patricia Royal
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 9:29 AM
Subject: Hola familia!

Hello to all!

Wow! what a great week! This week our mission basically had a million amazing things happen. This Friday, we had 3 general authorities and an Apostle visit our mission! Elder Quinton L. Cook, Elder Zabellos, Elder Richards and Bishop McMullin all came to our mission with their wives. I completely understand why, because its easily the best mission ever... haha but seriously it was amazing. He talked to us all about the importance of missionaries building up the church, including working with members, and menos activos. And really just preparing Zion for with the Lord comes again.! He told a story about how he was in Vietnam a couple months ago working with the countries leaders trying to convince them about letting missionaries in and it was just a great feeling to know that we are working shoulder to shoulder with these Apostles of the Lord. We all went around to shake his hand and he took about 30 seconds to get to know each one of us. And my companion and I and 9 other Elders sang in a musical number and it was just great. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I can't believe I've already been in the happiest time of my life for 10 months. I got to find a way to slow time down!

Also this week... drum role... Hernan Espejo got baptized! You guys are just going to love his Photo. haha its a great representation of how amazing this little old man is. The day of the baptism was pretty stressful. He showed up an hour late for his baptism and along with that, the baptismal font was an hour late filling up. Haha. My poor companion was just dying from stress... she is still used to the time standards in the United States where everything is on time. haha She kept saying, "Hermana Royal, I am going to throw up if he doesn't get here soon!"haha but it was all worth it to see him walking up in an amazing 3-piece, blue polyester suit, complete with a watch on a chain. After his baptism , we asked him how he felt and he said " Just sensational! I felt like I've been born again!!" haha I just love this man. I have never wanted to hug a man so much in all my life. It's amazing to think that someone 71 years old can make such huge changes in his life, but he has so much faith! This week before his baptism, we met Hernan at the cemetery and he showed us the spot where his wife and mother and father are buried. It was pretty humbling to see how humble his wife's grave site is. The cemetery's in Chile and very extravagant, with huge crosses and seplecurs and huge bright flowers and all types of false traditions, but his wife's grave site, only 5 months old is so humble, just a pile of dirt with a white wooden cross and simple carnations that he puts on her grave every week. It brought tears to my eyes to think of his sweet wife, who one day will be crowned with glory in Celestial Kingdom, along side of her husband. I asked Hernan if he feels sad as he visits her every week, and he responded " No Hermana, I just ask God that I will be able to see her again soon." I just love HERNAN.

Hmm, what else has happened this week, oh yay, mom I got a Christmas package... but I got to say, It is killing me waiting to open it... haha I don't know if I will make it. but I am trying!Haha Also, I am pretty sure I have lost my camera cord that attaches it to the computer... I will try to look for one were in Chile but I don't know if I will be able to find it... If you come across one,for a Nikon cool pix, send it my way, eh? haha thanks! hmm, what else... Hermana hart and I discovered a new Chilean fruit that doesn't exist in any other country and let me tell you, it is AMAZING! I can't even describe how Delicious it is. Hermana Hart is pretty happy because she LOVES fruit! haha

How are you all doing? Getting excited for November? I am hoping we will be able to find a rotisserie chicken for that day. haha I will actually just be happy if we eat anything other thanspaghetti. haha

Well I love you all!! Hasta Luego!

Hermana Royal

Ps. Melissa Smith-Coats! thank you so much for writing me! I have thought so much about you during my mission! I even often use you as an example of faith and member missionary work!haha But seriously I love you so much! Email me will ya? haha I want pics hah

Pss I LOVE hearing about all the amazing girls that are going on missions!! They will change the world, and their own lives for the better!!!