Code: How has another week come and gone?

Hey Jackson Crew! Sounds like yall are doing swell (wherever you may be haha). I was thinking about it last night- we are all over the place. Imma try and write a letter to each place today, but we shall see cause I gotta do some laundry and for sure take a lil nap haha. I love staying so busy and working so hard, but it really is tiring. We do a thing called TALL at the computers- this week was our first week cause its been broken since we got here- and it is so hard to sit staring at a computer for an hour working on spanish vocab!! Hermana Fisi and i are constantly doin the head-nod and goin cross-eyed haha! Ok so last Wednesday night was our third lesson with Tainara. It wasnt the greatest lesson. We talked after about what we did well and how we could do better and I found myself feeling so inadequate (its pretty easy to feel that way sometimes, but I know The Lord will fit the task to my capabilities) so we knelt together and i think i said the most sincere prayer Ive ever given. The next day we get to breakfast and I whisper to Hermana Fisi that Im fasting and she looks at me with a smile and says, "I am too". I thought that was really cool that we both decided on our own, on the same day, that we would fast. That night was our last lesson with Tainara. It was AMAZING! We taught about the Holy Ghost (I cant remember what else..) but the spirit was SO powerful in the room. We meshed and were able to teach effectively and I didnt feel like I was thinking about spanish, it kinda just came. We also got to have a "member" (teacher) in on the lesson with us and it made all the difference. I invited her to be baptized and she said yes! we set a date, but of course shes actaully a teacher too haha. Shes now teaching us at night andwe really love her! When she talks about her mission and the experiences that we will be having and the people waiting for us, its so uplifting. She also ONLY speaks spanish to us and its helping our district progress. Shes from Utah. She served in Chile and her name is hermana Child. We love her! hermano Florez and hermano Rodriguez are still teaching us, but now theyre the investigators as well. Hermana Fisi and I are teaching hermano Florez (Julio) and hes pretty hard on us haha. I come out of every lesson with tingly cheeks and a lil perspiration. Its slightly overwhelming to have two lessons some days and TRC as well (where we teach real investigators, members or "old" missionaries) but obviously I need to get used to it and its becoming easier to do lessons on the spot. The language is comin along. Definitely still room for improvement, but Im staying optimistic about it haha. Its unreal how much we learn and grow in a week!! HA, oh wait, I have to tell you about Sunday! You know how I said the bishopric calls 6 people from our branch every Sunday to speak?.. This week was my week. Luckily I had a lil outline covered- the topic was repentance- and I thought I did fairly well. I got compliments from some of the others in the other districts but then my district straight up told me I was bringht red and they couldnt really focus on what I was saying cause it was so funny.... pff haha. Whatever, it was a good experience. The hermanas in the district across the hall from us are so cool! There are 4 of them and we will be super sad to see them go cause whenever they see us they give us hugs and make us feel loved. They give great advice as well. My friend Hermana Maxfield got here two weeks ago and knows Cole. She spotted me in the lunch room, came over, told me to stand up and gave me a big hug.Elder Hansen told her to give it to me since he cant haha. It was funny. Its way fun to see him around! He looks so happy and seems to be enjoying it here. K so you know how I said it rains every day here? the last week has had tons of sunshine!!! I love it so much. Hermana Fisi and I had additional study outside on the benches the other day with the sun beating down on us. I almost felt like I was on the back patio :) Not quite without Millhouse.BUT. Two days ago during gym time it started pooouring! Hermana Fisi and I danced in the rain and just got drenched (we got pictures, Ill send them later today when Ihave my district leaders card thing). After we changed back into our missionary attire, we went outside and the streets we basically rivers!!! The campus was basically one big puddle. Ive been secretly waiting for the day that happened cause Hermana Jones told me about it the first day. We took our shoes off and had a blast while going to daily planning. Next on my list is an earthquake haha I so badly wanna run to a green "dot" in the street for some reason. Sundays are the best days ever here (besides Tuesdays cause we get costco pizza and a devotional). Relief Society with Hermana Pratt is always so uplifting and nice to hear a whole talk in english. Devotional this week was hilarious. Presidente Pratt had a slideshow and was talking about the priesthood.. This is bad to say but it was pretty boring. I looked over and literally the whole middle row of elders across from us was asleep!  So he made us stand up and do head, shoulders, knees, and toes haha. Later though, we watched a devotional from the Provo MTC with Elder Scott. It was inspiring and strengthening! It really helps pump me up and and reboot my sel-esteem. Then we watched a video about John Tanner.. WOAH. It hit so hard how much I need to be giving to the Lord! He literally gave everything he had. Then we watched a lil one about Christ. That one made me tear up. A year and a half isnt enough for me to give. But what an honor to Represent my Savorior Jesus Christ! I owe him and the people I will be teaching my whole heart. That night we sang hymns with another district. I love how much we sing here. I basically have "llamados a servir" memorized by now cause we sing it all the time haha. Music brings an incredible spirit. Alrighty, thats it on my notes of the week, but I love yall so much and Im so grateful for your love and prayers! I truly feel them. I pray for you all day and hope youre all safe and well! Mama and Papa, Im so happy you have a stake in the Canaries!!! how cool is that!? The story about the peoples reaction to a patriarch is really sweet. One last thing, I miss my bumblebee!! Please send more pictures slash videos if possible! And please please show her pictures of auntie Megs! And give Mills a nice long pet for me haha. I miss that pathetic pup. Until next Thursday!

 

Con Mucho Amor,

Hermana Jackson

 

P.S Ill be back at 1- in about 2 hours to send some pictures.

Pictures!

Fotos!

Cousin Coleman Hansen - just arrived!

Una Semana Buena

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!

 

Imma just start by saying how much I LOVE being here!! The "campus" is beautiful and carrys such a sweet spirit. Mi companera, Hermana Fisi, is the best, i seriously think im way lucky. shes tongan, from cali and washington- still claiming california after like 7 years haha- and way fun, happy, spiritual, and selfless. We are having lots of fun together and ive already learned a ton from her. My district is also the best! We are the only hermanas, and then 7 elders. there were 8 but one of the elders has back problems that he didnt take care of before he came so he left yesterday.. he was kinda a downer and distracting.. it was really hard to concentrate and stuff with him just sittin around his last couple days. 6 of us in the district are goin to Orlando- including my comp!  and 2 other hermanas in mi casa are going to Orlando as well- theyre the ones i met on facebook before i came. Thefood here is pretty great actually haha. Lunches are usually way good mexican food and stuff. Dinners are decent and breakfasts... occasionally good. the cereal is the best bet for the most part- rather than waffles with nutella, haha! Ive only had it once :) everyone here is obsessed with the nutella though. with everything. It rains just about every day here and a lot, but i dont mind! Its nice having some sunny days though. Haha so there are earthquake dots in the streets on the CCM! Im kinda hoping we have an earthquake cause i think it would be a good time. We taught our first investigator, Tainara, on Friday night!!! Obviously it was the scariest thing ever with my beginner espanol, but it was fine. One of the companionships in our district did really well that night and when they walked out, we could all feel the spirit so strong. We all knelt and said a prayer together and it was just really cool. Since then we have taught her twice and it slowly gets better and better. Im not gonna go too into detail cause theres not much to say besides the fact that mi espanol es muy mal haha. Esta Bien. Saturday night we had Mexican night! Apparently Saturday, Sunday and Monday are their independance day, so we had a fun celebration in the gym(the video Sister Wilson sent you, Mama). It was way too fun, with all the mexican elders freaking out, some cool dances, fireworks (yeah, fireworks.in the gym). We got to bed pretty late that night though, cause the celebration got done at like 11:15. I was way tired the next day. Sunday was one of the most amazing days!! We had relief society with Hermana Pratt- I loved her lesson.. dont have time to share.. Sacrament with our branch- one of the counselors is from SL and served his mission in Madrid! that was a fun connection. Anyway, they have everyone prepare talks for each week (they give a topic) and they call 6 people randomly! woah. Hermana Fisi got called up this week and did really well! I guarantee ill be up there this week cause im the only other hermana in our district. That night we got to go in the auditorium and watch the Joseph Smith movie with the whole CCM! That was a treat. It reminded me of when we saw it in Salt Lake as a fam. And it reminded me of all the times we were gonna watch a movie upstairs and dad would suggest the Joseph Smith movie and get shut down.. sorry dad haha Ill watch it with you sometime. Oh, my good friend Hermana Haynie was here for a few days before leaving! It was fun to see her one last time. Cole got here on Tuesday and I was ecstatic! haha I was keepin an eye out for him all afternoon and then on our way to dinner I spotted a cute elder with two big bags down the sidewalk! I ran to see him with my arm outstretched, he grabbed my hand and kinda went in for a hug haha! I backed up and after laughing told him we couldnt do that haha. We also took some pictures together and then later learned that a sister and an elder cant take a picture of just them.... oops. dont tell!! He looks awesome though and I told him he would love it. havent seen him since though. Oh, gym time. Its the best. Hermana Fisi and I have been going for runs, doing literally 100 yard sprints in one of teh big parkinglots, and playing some mean volleyball :) I dont wanna brag or anything, but Im pretty good haha. On a side note though, tell Grammy thanks for all the treats! haha. Ive been eating them very sparingly, but sure am enjoying them! Hermana Fisi as well. Class is a good time. Our teacher is Hermano Flores and we just got a new one, Hermano Rodriguez. I like them both lots, but hermano Rodriguez speaks spanish the whole time so it really helps us improve. Weve tried a couple times as a companionship and as a district to have an english fast... didnt last too long, but we are improving, haha. Im staying positive and enjoying every minute of the work here! Its honestly an incredible experience to be here and Ive learned so much in the past week- spanish, how to be a better teacher, and just a better person. Dont even worry bout me! To be completely honest, I havent been homesick hardly at all. sorry, but its true. Lets keep it that way too haha. There are girls in my casa that cry every day.. Oh yes! before I sign off, I gotta tell you bout the temple today!!! We got on the bus at 8 and left the "city walls"! It was way fun to see more of the city! The streets are the weirdest things and I swear there arent even driving rules- it just didnt make sense. It was a beautiful day today (still is-the sun is shining!) and we took lots of pictures at the temple. I used one side of the headphones and then tried to understand as much espanol as I could! I was pretty tired though, so you can imagine it went pretty well.. haha nah, I really did stay awake and have a good time. Also, youll be proud of me when I say I spoke spanish when I coulda used english- im hoping you get what I mean. Its a huge temple, with 2 escalators in it! The architecture is like the Mayans. K imma try and send pictures real quick! But I love you all so much and Im so grateful for your support!! Scoz, thanks for the email and the picture haha you know me all too well. Glad youre still thinkin of me. Mama and Papa, how neat that you had  Elder Ballard and Elder Oaks there!! That sounds unreal, maybe Ill get an experience liek that while Im out..? Thank you all for your prayers! I need them mostly for my spanish haha! K Ill talk to yuh next THURSDAY! Adios.

 

Con Amor, Hermama Jackson

 

ps you wanna send this to the rest of the fam, Mama? and would someone mind getting me those emails on my bed side table? Oh, and Matty, would you send me the quote about comfort when yuh get a chance? Ive been wondering what it was, but i liked it. THANKS!

The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen

Note from Ruthanne - One week before Megan left on her mission, we received 45 new missionaries (on the same day) into our mission. One of those missionaries was Elder Hendricks, whose parents had been students in Scott’s BYU singles ward when he was Bishop on campus. They had written to say how excited they were that their son was coming to our mission. It made us feel old!

After welcoming in this massive new group, over the course of several days, I sent emails to their parents, telling them that we had welcomed them to the mission, what their new assignments were, and who their companions were. 

I was feeling quite emotional and sad at sending Megan off, and missing not only her farewell, but saying goodbye to her at the airport, because we were on a flight to the Mission President Seminar at the time she was at the airport in Salt Lake. 

On Sept. 11, the day after Megan left on her mission, we received this email from Sister Hendricks, who was our student at the BYU ward:

Sister Jackson...what a small world it is! You are never going to believe this. My parents, Elder and Sister Jones, are currently serving a mission assisting at the Mexico City MTC. My mom has fallen in love with a sister by the name of Hermana Jackson. :) They just made the connection today. My parents said that she is doing great and they love her so much. These pics are of Hermana Jackson and her companion Hermana Fisi. I know how much I love pictures of my missionary, I thought you might enjoy some of yours. Thank you for all you do!

Jenefer Hendricks

I cannot tell you what a sweet tender mercy this was for me. It spoke to me personally that God knew my mother heart, and sent a little message to us to calm and cheer us. Truly, He is in the details.

Hola, Hermanita!

Received this first note from Megan, after she arrived at the MTC in Mexico City. Her Mom had sent her the above Instagram post from her brother Matt:

HOLA MAMA!! Thanks for the picture haha, I love it! I just arrived at the MTC and could be mistaken for a kid on Christmas day, I'm that excited! It's beautiful here and I should be taking more pictures- I'll get some to you pronto. Traveling went well, I was just starving cause we didnt have time to stop and eat in Phoenix and I didnt really get breakfast.. I'm fine though, we have dinner pretty soon. The group I've been traveling with is awesome! There are 3 other sisters and I seriously love them- none of them going to my mission, but I'll meet those sisters soon I'm assuming. I love you guys so much and miss you, but dont even worry about me! im havin a grand old time already. K I'll email you whenever I get to do that again :) Have a great week!

mucho amor, Hermana Jackson (mhmm, I've got ma tag on!)