Alex is in New York City

Well Im in New York!! Jamaica Queens to be exact. Let me go in the order of the days.

So after I talked to all of you I realized something... That there are a lot of people in this world and very few of them are LDS. haha

I guess I forgot about that b/c of the MTC? Who knows. I sat next to a really nice man on the plane who told me all about New York. I only ended up giving out one of my pass along cards out but Sister Mann gave all of them out! It was awesome :D When we got to the airport We realixed (sister mann, Romney, and Sandberg) we did not know what to do. We wondered around for a bit looking for the mission president but we didnt see anyone. But they found us! hahaha President is so amazing. There are 10 sisters reassigned to this area so they got a handful but he loves us none the less!

 

After the airport we went to the tallest building in brooklyn! It was so beautiful. New York City is really large! We talked about the mission goal and he asled why I wanted to serve a mission and I said bc I love the Lord with my whole heart:)

 

That night we slept at the Mission Home. I have never slept so well in my life. The next day we set off for transfers. I am sad to say I said goodbye to Sister Mann :/ Im slightly grateful though because Im pretty sure that we would not be alive right now. hahaha My new comps name is Sister Gonzalez. She is awesome. Shes 31 and has been in the church for 5 years. I am learning a lot from her.

 

We have cleanslated an area. No sisters have been here for a really long long time. We came in to the area and there was nothing in our area book so we are literally starting from scratch. IT is really hard. And no one wants to talk to us but that is okay! We can do it.

 

The mission president has gotten rid of areas. We work in elipiticals. The whole district works together. It is fun. We sing in the Subway and chalk the sidewalk. It is so that people will see us. The misson president was really inspired when he did it. Everyone is so tight nit here.

 

We are really working with the ward here. We know that the ward members are the key. It is through them that we are going to find our investigators.

 

I have talked to some really cool people. One guys name was pete. He is way awesome. He doesnt believe in God. But he said he felt my testimony.

 

Another is Sally! Shes SO awesome! And we got a return appointmet :) She has such a strong faith. She went to the polynesian center in Hawaii and referalled herself. haha

 

I am loving it here in Queens. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. Literally. But I know that it is way worth it. I love my Lord with all my heart and I am willing to give up my family for a short time for Him and so that others can be happy.

 

I just want to hit everyone and yell my testimony. I know that this Church is true. I know it.

 

I love you all so so so so much and miss you so much.

 

Love Sister Powell

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The real last one from the MTC

Oi!

 

So we get the awesome opportunity to email our families before we leave. I feel a little awkward right now because I straightened my hair for the Elders in my district, and I don't feel like me. I think it might also have to do that Alex left today.

 

Last night, after we watched the Joseph Smith Movie and the awesome devotional, I said goodbye to Alex. It was so much harder than I thought it would be. I hugged her and I just started crying. I don't feel like I will ever see her again. And I won't, not in a way. The Alex I'll see in 17 months will be so different. I am not used to changing without her. We have gone through everything together. I think the longest I have been separated from her was the lonely months after my birth. And I don't even remember that! I know when I see her next she will be a spiritual giant. She has the potential to be so great in her mission, and I know that Savior will help her reach that potential. I am going to miss her, and it's weird how weird I feel without her.

 

The MTC has been hard, but it's sort of like a cocoon. Just like the Caterpillar struggles, I struggled to become some sort of premature butterfly. The field is going to be so scary, but I am so excited. San Jose California isn't a knock on the door mission, it's a street contacting mission. It's against the law their to proselyte. We also have to become best friends with the ward, but I love the ward already. I just know the people of San Jose California is awesome. I love them, and I know how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves them. I feel that towards them already. Sister Nerenberg's Grandparents set up a program for missionaries in San Jose, it's called: Just Serve. We do service for the community and that's how we teach and get referrals. I am so excited to serve the community and to meet Grandpa and Grandma Price.

 

I have learned so much here, and I learned so much about myself. I am so weak. I would be home already if it was just me. But I know the Savior is with me, and He is making me strong. He is reminding me everyday that it isn't me doing this work, it's both of us. It isn't me that I need to focus on, it's others. It is my Lord, the people I am serving, my Mission President, and my companions. And if I give myself up completely, some where along the way I will change too. I will change for the better.

 

Brother Durfee told me that when I said the first vision in Portuguese to Jose, it was the strongest he has felt the spirit ever. He told me that I was meant to tell people about that message. I felt the spirit too, and I knew it was the Spirit saying it, not me. And I was so grateful for that moment. The Lord does call ordinary people, and I amazed everyday when He works through me. I love Him so much.

 

This church service this Sunday was really different, our Branch President was really sad we were leaving and made every Sister stand up and say the purpose and first vision. He is so awesome, and loves us so much. President Hodges really magnifies his calling and I felt the Lord's love when he spoke.

 

Here's the first vision in Portuguese (sorry if words are misspelled but it's pretty much how I speak anyway):

 

"Vi um Pilar de luz acima de minha cabeca, mais brillante que o sol, que descia gradualmente sobre mim. Quando a luz pousou sobre mim, vi dois personagens cujo espelendor e gloria desifiam quelquer descrisao, partando em ar, acima de mim. Um deles falou-me, chamando-me pelo name, apartando para o outre, "Este e meu filho, amado-o, ouve o!".

 

I don't know if any of my friends who aren't Mormons are reading this but if they are, I want them to know that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that he restored the Gospel that was on the Earth when Jesus Christ was here. It is Christ's church. I know just like Heavenly Father knew Joseph Smith's name, He knows ours too. He loves us so much. He wants us to have joy and to be happy. And that's why He gave us this gospel. It makes the saddest of people the happiest, the poorest the richest. The Book of Mormon truly testifies of Christ. The Book of Mormon is true and calls men to repentance. It's a book of hope, peace, and love. It is filled with God's tender mercies. It is a perfect companion to the Bible.

 

I wouldn't be dedicating 18 months of my life to a mission if I didn't know if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wasn't a true church. I plan to dedicate my life to the Gospel of Christ because it makes me unbelievably happy. God loves you and wants you to be so happy. Pray to Him always.

 

Cousin Julian! Prepare yourself for your mission buddy. Live worthily. Love the Lord before anything else. Same for all my cousins. Going on a mission is the best decision I have ever made. GO! You will be beyond happy. I love all y'all so much. But I love the Lord more than you:) So I don't miss you all to much, but I will be so excited to see y'all!

 

Read the Book of Mormon! Pray! Go to church! Have family home evenings! Love the Lord!

 

Love,

 

Sister Powell

 

 

 

 

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Sydney's last MTC emails

OLA Minha Familia!

Maybe last PDAY in MTC!! I find out either today or tomorrow so expect a phone call from me soon! Remember to be home tomorrow around 4 or on thursday just in case.

So this week was kinda long, and probably the most challanging og them all. But

I'm grateful for that! I got kinda sick this week. oops. haha but not anything to bad. I had to go to the doctor but it made for the best story ever!

 So Im grateful! So in the doctor I had to go get some medicine. THey told me to go into this room and I accidently went into the carentine room

 (this is the room where they lock the people up when the are super sick) and I shot the door behind me and was locked in!

I knocked and knocked and knocked but no one heard me! IT WAS DREADFUL! and honestly I was a little worried. lol

The lady finally came and got me 20 min later. It felt like a lifetime.

 

On Wednesday I get to be a host. So when you come to the mtc you get dropped off

and handed over to a missionary. I was that missionary! It was fun and sad

because families where crying every where!

I loved the two missionaries I hosted.

They will be amazing missionaries.

 

This week I learned how much I love my district.

I literally am so grateful that I havent recieved my visa yet

Just because I have gained so many sisters and brothers.

This week one of our elders had a hard time

and we just supported him so much.

We all love each other like a family.

I have learned so much from my district.

 

I am also so thankful for Sister Mann.

She makes me want to be better each day.

I am so sad that I am leaving my best friend soon.

 

The hardest thing for me in learning port. is pronouncing things.

I blame louisiana. lol

It reminds me of the times that Mom used to stay up with me allllll

night teaching me how to read.

It is so humbling basically learning to read all over again. I LOVE IT!

Literally I do! It makes me so grateful for the times that I speak right.

 

TRC this week was so amazing. The girl we taught was from Brazil!

It made me realize how important a simple but profound testimony is.

My simple words in port. combined with the spirit can do all things :)

 

Sister Mann and I have a goal this week to share our testimony in port to someone random every day.

We shared it 3 times yesterday.

The last time we did yesterday I witnessed the gift of tongues. I spoke portuguese the best I ever have.

I felt the words spill through my mouth.

I felt Gods love being spoken through me.

 

Today after our temple trip we walked outside

and a family of Brazilians where outside the temple.

They are just visiting america!

our whole district got to talk to them.

 

SOOOO Challange to all who read this.

Please send me your testimony through dear elder or email (because I dont know when I am leaving)

My address should be on here.

But my email is alexis.powell@mylds.net

I dont care what faith you are :)

A testimony is a testimony.

And one must share it or they will lose it.

Also share how you gained it.

 

Also Valerie from EFY! (sorry if I spelt that wrong)

can you send me your address?

I was so excited that I accidently tore it!

I love you! I think of you everyday!

All my EFY participants!

I love you :)

 

 

SO let me start the testimony with mine.

Again I want to say I love you all.

I know this is where i need to be. I know that all my blessings in my life after this will be because I served my Savior and Heavenly Father.

I want you to know that I know that God lives.

That He blesses His children.

I know this because I am a witness to those blessings.

Everyday I see His hand in my life.

I feel his strength pour through me.

 

I know without a shadow of a doubt that Joseph Smith saw God and His Son Jesus Christ.

I know this because I know that the book of mormon is true.

It was written of prophets of old.

You can know this too if you read with a pure intent and pray if it is true.

 

I also know that the Bible is true.

It is a wonderful testimony that Jesus Christ lives.

It was also written by prophets of old.

 

I know that we once lived with God and that we can again.

God loves us so much and the wants us to be happy.

The only way we can be truly happy is if we accept His gospel

and keep his commandments.

 

Jesus Christ died for us.

He suffered for us.

He atoned for us.

To also be happy we must accept His atonement.

We must repent.

 

I love the Gospel so much.

 

Keep on writing.

PS. Austin Holleman write me.

And Rebekah Ray! I love you!

pps. Send me pics of my puppies!

 

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