Trainer letter from President Berry

coming soon ... (like tomorrow)

Sister Gruber and I are gonna be in a TRIO!!!! We've got a lil hermanita coming in from el ccm de mexico today and we'll get to meet her tomorrow! We're pretty excited about it. However, I'm so open to advice from the alumni and the MVP's in Espana! To be completely honest, I prolly looked like a deer in the headlights when president asked us to do this, cause I've heard some rough stories.. BUT it is what you make it so we'll make it THE BEST! I'm a lil worried about her feeling left out or far behind on spanish or something, but it'll all work out. One step at a time I suppose. Our lil apartment is lookin pretty cozy right now so I can only imagine what it'll be when she actually comes haha! Oh, to update on the dentist situation last week. I had to go in on Tuesday and get it fixed. The dentist was a member and was way sweet in putting it as worker's comp., or whatever (Mom and Dad, you didn't have to pay)! On Saturday there was pioneer days in our area and we had a booth, so we were there with the english sisters and had a grand ol time. Not too much success for us cause it rained.. BUT there was a war reenactment hahaha. I thought that only happened in the movie Sweet Home Alabama..? IT was pretty exciting ;) Yesterday we had a lesson with Salatiel! we got permission to teach him since he should be in the single adult ward but doesn't know english. We had a member there (outside of dunkin donuts.. you do whatcha gotta) and for the most part it went pretty good. It was hard with the member going off on details and such, BUT he has a baptismal date for March 23!!! He's pretty solid. Ok Mama and Papa, don't kill me but I gotta go.. :) I love you all!!!! I promise I'll have more next week!

XOXO, Hermanita Jackson

PS feliz cumpleanos to papa last week and chels and mama this week!!!

"seriously so blessed" (joke, but the theory is true as ever

Hey hey Jackson squad! And all others who actually take the time to view these.. haha. Vaya semana! We're mind-blown at the miracles occurring here and way excited to see our area transforming. Miguel is progressing and we are enjoying working with him haha. He's a sweet lil thing (as in like 5 ft. tall) and is really prepared for this message and willing to make the changes. We didn't get him to church this week which was a bummer, but he's talking to his bosh to get next sunday off. We're gonna need to address keeping the sabbath day holy. OH! one day we were knocking an apartment complex (we've now knocked every door in it- it's a gold mine for spanish work) and we had THREE doors in a row that were incredible! TWO of which are now our potentials and really recognize the importance and value of The Book of Mormon! I'm loving this work and could probably blow up of joy one of these days. Which brings me to our special visit to the house of the Lord this week!! It's truly a special place that reminds you of your purpose, and God's love. I felt such a peace and was in love with the experience. It was just what I needed and I feel a fire in my bones to share it with everyone! Oh haha wait, I have a story. While knocking in this gem of apartments, we came across a door with scriptures (either super good or super not..). The lady answered the door peaking the top part of her head out and asked if it was just us. She scanned both ways and let us in. We got our purpose out before her husband went off on how it was so great that we were doing this. I finally asked if we could say a prayer for them. Got their names and right when I started saying it, he starts whaling his own prayer in spanish while clenching his bible and holding it out in front of him on the table. His wife then joins in with a synchronized, "gracias, gracias, gracias senor.. Poderoso.. gracias senor." We went along with it for a bit and then we both look up at each other and mouth, "what do we do?" He was yelling and clenching his fists to the air, just bawling. haha literally this went on for at least 5 minutes and that's not an exaggeration! Longest 5 minutes I've had in a while. We got out of there right as he was pulling his microphone out.. hahaha we died laughing after. I also had a man from Republica Dominicana sing 4 songs to me on the side of a busy street while snapping a nice beat. People driving by were laughing and I was as well haha! What a life we live here :) Yesterday I gave a talk in our branch about families and we sang a primary song with the elders. Then in our second hour we were asked to teach a primary class with 6 kids (they're nuts haha). It was a grand ol time. Ok, I have to hurry and send pictures and take pictures of emails haha. I love you all, feliz dia de los enamorados (un poco tarde). Y feliz cumpleanos a mamacita y papacito en espana!!! les quiero muchisimo! Hasta la proxima semana :)

XOXO, Hermana Jackson (II)

Nice and balmy again ...

Well hey fam! wow, so the world decided to email me today! I can't even complain cause I love it, but I'm sorry I don't have loads of time to tell you bout my BOMB week! I'll get goin.. First off, three cheers for the Semoran spanish sistas for getting not 1, but TWO new investigators!!! We couldn't be more excited about it. Things are really starting to move in this area.. or on the verge anyway haha. I think I say that every week, but it's da truth. So one of them is Miguel Angel de Guatemala. We had a great lesson with him this last week and he's totally interested and excited about the Book of Mormon and learning more. Problem: he works on Sunday. Only minor though, we can work with that. We will be seeing him twice this week and hopefully getting a baptismal date set and getting the man to church! The other one was taught while we were on exchanges (again!) and sister Gruber taught him so I don't know much, but we met him on the street the day before. He is from the Dominican Republic and seems like a happy older fellow. I guess he loves the bible and may have some problems with believing the Book of Mormon. Ok so on exchanges I was with good ol Sister Thomson from NEW ZEALAND! I'm obsessed with her, and not to mention that accent haha. We had tons of fun, and as usual, it was an opportunity to recognize the areas I need to strengthen and receive advice on how I can do it. She has the sweetest spirit, just so genuine, and still has the funniest personality. Oh, it was way cool actually, we met with a lady in their ward, sister scrivens and she started talking about her daughter in Spain. She told me some story about how the mission president in MADRID (DAD) sent the missionaries to Javea? to see Elizabeth Rives? I obviously don't even know the whole story, but she was freaking out about how inspired it was and that she really needed it. Not sure how her daughter fits in.. Ok so I ruined the story, i apologize. I'll have to ask her again next time I see her haha but dad, nice work! she says to send the missionaries back haha. Next item of business- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTY!!! I miss yuh. Hope it was swell :) Ok i have to hurry, but this week we go to the temple!!!!! man, i yearn to go there! I'm way too excited about it. K Imma send a couple pitchas.. I love you all and thanks a million for emailing and keeping up with me! thanks also for the prayers, they are surely appreciated and felt here in the promised land of Orlando. Have the best week :)

XOXO, Hermana Jackson

I totally mowed the lawn on Tuesday at temple service! It was hot as the devil out there but it was a blast haha I had a smile the whole time. Thought paps and da brothas would be proud of me :)

My New Zealander amiga

iPadsies?!

What up fam?! Life is grand down here in the sunshine state :) mostly cause the sunshine finally came out again yesterday! We're back to the 70's and 80's and we're pretty happy about it. Sorry about the super bowl game haha not mad i missed it. Ok I've got ma list here with me so here it goes: First of all, I came to a wonderful conclusion this week that I'm super honored to be in my area. Anyone can be in an on-fire area and having tons of success, but God trusts us here in Semoran to BUILD the area and get it going and I'm totally excited about it. Second, we received iPads this week..???! Kinda the weirdest transition ever and a lil hard, but it'll get going in a bit. It's nice to feel pretty organized with it and all. And to show videos. We only have wifi at the church and there are tons of rules and such, so don't worry. Obviously it's inspired. Third, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!! I think I'm late on that.. maybe.. forgot. It's on my calendar haha. Fourth, Dad, I have a joke for yuh.."Porque las camisas de Jose Smith estaban arrugadas?........ "Por que Moroni quito las planchas" haha I think you'll enjoy that. Please excuse the lack of accents. Next item of business- ELDER PERRY CAME ON SATURDAY!! what is life? we're feeling pretty blessed down here in Orlando hearing from two apostles in one week and there were 7 from the 70 there on saturday! we're suspicious of something big comin to these parts. It was with all the members and was broadcast to 164 places or something. They're really pounding the hastening of the work and the members getting involved (insert emoticon with heart eyes). Elder Perry is the most ENERGETIC, hilarious, powerful, adorable person! man, I fell in love with him. He always says to people "we're mormons and we're the happiest people on the face of the earth!" haha. He was on one. Oh, elder zwyck, rasband and muns were there (don't know the other ones). One thing that we noticed was that the number of missionaries since just last week went up 1,000! It was super inspiring and exciting to hear them giving suggestions of how we can catch the fire and help each other get goin. He had the missionaries stand (we were pretty close to the front) and recite our purpose... in english. I was SO embarrassed cause I couldn't say it in english haha. The spirit in that room though was absolutely incredible and I got so pumped up!! Other than that, we really didn't have much else happen this week to report cause we were in meetings a ton. However, we have some potentials lined up for this week and we're really thinking they could be ready! Gotta run, but I love you all and would love to hear from the homies in utah and idaho! Stay safe and happy and have a wonderful week!! 

Con Carino, Hermanita Jackson

 The Conway sisters and us having a "picnic" at the chapel ...

Ma lil' mini ipad ... not yet named ...