Today I spoke with my mission President (President Alba). I just had some questions. He is really kind. I'm very excited to meet him and his wife. I have a picture of the both of them:
President and Sister Alba :)
HERMANA
I'm very excited, nervous too but I can't believe the time is really almost here and that my dream will finally come true. I really hope I can be a good missionary and give my best. I want to be a faithful, obedient, strong and loving missionary. Share what I know it's true with everyone that is prepared to receive this great and perfect gospel :)
This coming Saturday is my Mission Farewell (Mi Despedida) September 1st :)
Well I have to go because I have to sleep. See you :)
Hi :) 22 days till I leave. How I feel? I'm usually very thoughtful and I've been thinking a lot about the lessons :) especially about the Restoration and I've been thinking a lot about the book of Mormon. Why? Well because this is one of the first things you teach an investigator and the first impression is always very important and I want to be able to explain things in a way that people can actually understand me and feel the Holy Spirit because I will teach the investigators, but it is the Spirit who will testify them about the truth but I have to do my part by being ready to answer questions and to explain about this beautiful gospel :) I am very happy that I have the opportunity to serve a mission, I know the mission will help me in so many ways that I can't even imagine. I hope I will be strong and endure till the end of my mission and I hope I can be a good missionary :)
Hello everyone! Well this post is related to my mission. I think I will be talking about my mission a lot!
Today I want to talk about the moment I decided to serve a mission and why?
Everything started when I was 9 years old. My grandma took me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with her. During this time, I was living in Mexico City.
I fell in love with the teachings I was learning in church especially in "primary" and I decided to get baptize. What a beautiful day that was! Sadly, because of many circumstances in my life, I stopped going to church :(
When I was 13 years old my family and I decided to move to the United States and when we got here one of the first things I told my mom was that I really wanted to start going to church again. I don't know exactly why but it was something in my heart telling me that I needed to start going again.
My mom accepted and I gained a real and strong testimony of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel when I was 15 years old :) I fell in love with the gospel so much and I considered serving a mission but it was just a small desire I had.
One of the first people who inspired me to serve a mission were the wonderful sister missionaries. They were so kind, happy and good to everyone. Their example inspired me and I just wanted to have the opportunity to serve as well. But the moment I knew without a doubt that I wanted to serve a mission was when I was in seminary and I don't remember exactly what we were learning but there was one specific day that I just felt the Spirit very strong and I knew without a doubt in my heart that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that it has the power to change lives. I knew it and I couldn't deny it because this gospel was changing my heart.
THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO SERVE A MISSION!
When I was 15 years old, I knew that I really wanted to serve the Lord. It became a goal that I really wanted to achieve.
Years passed by and I never doubted about serving a mission. I tend to be very indecisive in life but for some reason I never felt like that when it came to serving a mission.
A picture of me when I was 15 :)
When I knew for a fact that I wanted to serve a mission :) (I'm even using my little "future missionary" tag) (so cheesy haha)
The years passed by and...
THEN I TURNED 20 YEARS OLD :)
I only had to wait 1 year, I couldn't believe that after waiting 6 years I only had to wait 1 :)
but that's when real trials starting happening in my life. But even though I suffered, I never doubted about serving the Lord.
Anyway...then the process to get ready started :)
This is when I started filling out my mission application :) (March 20, 2012)
Then, I went to visit the dentist to check prices to have my wisdom teeth pulled out :) (April 3rd, 2012)
After checking a few prices, the day I finally signed so I could have my wisdom teeth removed (April 16th, 2012) THEN THE DAY OF THE SURGERY CAME :)
I was very nervous, I even got a blessing from my bishop the day before because I thought I was gonna die haha (I'm a little dramatic, whatever!!) (April 18, 2012)
During the surgery I didn't feel anything of course but after...oh my!! :) This time I only got 2 wisdom teeth out, I got the last one removed the week after. They only took out three wisdom teeth because one wisdom tooth I had it removed the year before. SO FINALLY THEY TOOK OUT THE LAST WISDOM TOOTH :)
This happened on (April 25, 2012)
and this is how I looked the day after :) haha
My chipmunk face :)
But finally the dental part was over, then I had to go and do my physical test. I don't have any pictures of that though :(
But I was finally done with the part of the application I needed to fill out :) and my bishop Enrique Jesus Campos did so too. So I went to have an interview with my Stake President Melvin Gomez :)
I was very excited because I was almost there :)
(May 20, 2012)
THEN...I TURNED 21 YEARS OLD :)
(Photo taken on June 2nd, birthday on June 3rd)
On June 8th, They send out my mission application :) and 2 weeks later I got it in the mail box :)
(June 21st, 2012)
AND THIS HAPPENED :)
I GOT CALLED TO SERVE IN SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA (SPANISH SPEAKING) AND I LEAVE ON SEPTEMBER 11TH :)
All the waiting was worth it, all I have to go through was worth it too. I still have to wait 2 months to go and serve my mission, the waiting is a little tough but God knows why :)
HERMANA KARLA CHAVEZ
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA
(SPANISH SPEAKING)
SEPTEMBER, 2012-MARCH 2014
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of
myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many
mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
Well, my mission call finally got here and I finally know when and where I'm going :) I seriously couldn't be happier, I've been waiting for this 6 years and it's finally here. This pictures were before I opened it. I opened the box mail at 3:50pm on Thursday June 21st, 2012 but I had to wait to open it until 9pm (same day) It was tough the waiting, it was a big temptation having it just right next to me and having to wait some hours to open it but I waited, I wanted my whole family to be there, my friends and the missionaries. It was a very special night and it is something I will never forget :)
But well, when I finally opened it...this is what I read:
I WILL SERVE IN CALIFORNIA, SANTA ROSA MISSION (SPANISH SPEAKING) and I'm leaving on SEPTEMBER 11th.
YAY!!!!!!
I am really happy, the only thing is that I have to wait like 2 more months and that will be a little tough and I'm pretty sure it might seem an eternity for me, but at the same time I am thankful because that means that I have more time to get more prepared and to spend more time with my family and friends :)
The night I opened my mission call, my family from Mexico were in facebook waiting for my mission call to be read, my uncle Benito (who is a returned missionary, the 1st one in our family) was watching me by camera and when I opened it he told me a few words that just really made me want to cry, he got emotional too and he did cry.
Well, I just want to say that I'm very happy. That I feel with a big responsibility right now and that I really want to be a good missionary and just really love the people I'm going to serve, and just do everything the Savior would do if He was in my place! :)
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of
myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many
mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
(Alma 26:12)
This is my favorite scripture, there are so many scriptures to like because the word of God really gives us strength and comfort but this one just really touches my heart because I know, I know I am nothing but if God is with me and He helps me, I know I can do all things. That's why I really love this scripture :)
“This is my prayer for all of us—'Lord, increase our faith.' Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.” -Gordon B. Hinckley
I really like quotes especially lds quotes, they always inspire me to be a better person and tonight this one touched my heart because this is how I feel right now.
I know I've said it many times but I have to say it again because it is just true. I am so blessed that I have the gospel in my life. It is such a great guide in my life. I know that without the gospel my life would be very very different and I know I wouldn't like that.
Today I was analyzing my life and I have a lot of blessings and one of those blessings is my family. They are always there for me, especially my mom, I have to say that SHE IS AWESOME! SHE REALLY IS AN INCREDIBLE MOTHER! Sometimes I think what would happen if she wouldn't be with us anymore and I get terrified to even think about it. She is so important in my life!
I want to thank God for my job! I just love it! Everyone is so nice, especially my boss! He is just amazing, he is always nice to me, I feel protected. He is always saying jokes and he makes me laugh, I don't know I just think he is a great guy and he has been like a dad to me at my job! And everyone is awesome there! I have to say it: I really really like my job! I feel happy when I go to work, when my alarm wakes me up in the morning I feel thrilled to go to work :)
I really have to thank God because I have all the things I need, God has blessed me so much and I want to say how much I love HIM because He is just AMAZING!
And for all of that and more...I want to be a better person! I want to accomplish all my goals and give the world a testimony of God and Jesus Christ!
Hello everyone! Well, I want to start my blog by saying that I love my Heavenly Father and my Redeemer Jesus Christ. They are amazing! And I wish I could be better just because They deserve that and more. Sometimes when I look at myself, I always feel that I need to improve, that there is more I could do or more I could give and that what I'm doing is not enough. I pray to the Lord so He can help me, because He is the only one who can actually help us, and when I feel that way, He always sends people to remind me that He loves me, and even though I am not perfect, He makes me feel that He is happy with the effort I am making. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because they never leave me alone, They love me and love each one of us and I know it because I feel that love in my heart. I am so blessed because I have the gospel in my life. I feel blessed because how many people are out there who don't even know who is Jesus Christ? or maybe they know who He is but they don't have Him in their lives. I wish I could see my grandmother right now and hug her and thank her for taking me to church when I was 9 years old. That was one of the great things she did, to take me to church so I could learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank her because now I have faith in Jesus Christ, because now I am a member of this amazing church: The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, I thank her because what I've learned in this church, I wouldn't have learned in any other place. It is true that when you do the little things, big things can be achieved.
This is one of my favorites hymns. I hope you like it!
I always start my blogs with "Hello everyone"! But today I just don't wanna do that haha.
Well "I love Sundays" is the title of this post, and yeah I am in love with Sundays. Since the morning starts, it's just great. I feel happy to wake up and get ready to go to church. I feel blessed that I am a member of the Lord's Church "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". I feel happy that I can go every Sunday and enjoy the talks, the sacraments, seeing the brethren and just learning and feel the Spirit. It is just amazing that when you have a certain problem and you can't find the answer, the only thing you have to do is to go to church because I don't know why but every time you go there, you just find the answer or solution to your problem, maybe you found the answer while one of the brethren was giving a talk, or maybe in one of the classes and it might seem that they know your problem because you listen to the right words at the right moment. We are blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. I am thankful to God and to my grandmother because I have the gospel because of them, otherwise; I would be in another place, not enjoying the blessings that I have now :)
I found this amazing picture and wanted to share it, I love the Temple :) and I'm going to the Visitors Center tomorrow, I am so happy! I can't go in the temple yet but soon I will and yes I can't wait! :)
Hello everyone! Well it's spring break :) Easter time! Since I didn't have vacations or anything like that, I didn't feel like it was spring break. This morning I watched two videos that really touched my heart, because that's what Easter is all about, to remember the sacrifice that our Redeemer Jesus Christ did for us. I'd like to share with you all these videos, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way I felt.
After I watched these two videos, I thought so much and yes I cried. I really feel like the hymn says: "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me; I tremble to know that for me He was crucified, That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died. Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me, Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!" This hymn describes how I feel because I am amazed to know that Jesus Christ is so great and so perfect. I am thankful He is my Redeemer and my Savior. I feel like I really want to be a better person, be like the way He is because He is just so amazing. He suffered everything, the perfect person that never did anything wrong had to suffer for all of us and He did it just because He loves us so much! That is just wonderful and I have no words to thank Him. I know that even if I gave Him my whole life, it will never be enough compared to what He did for me and for us. Just wanted to share that with the world! I know that Jesus Christ lives! That He is our Savior and Redeemer and that because of Him we have hope to return with our Heavenly Father If we do our part too.
Hello everyone! I am so excited right now because I am so thrilled about General Conference. I seriously can't wait for it because I know that The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints is a blessing in my life, I know that the gospel is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of Jesus Christ. I know that in this conference like in other ones I will learn, I will receive the guideness that I need. I'm so happy to listen to what the prophet has to tell us, I am so happy to listen to the 12 apostles and the 2 counselors of our prophet.
One of my favorite pictures of Jesus Christ. He is smiling! :)
Another reason why I am so excited is because this sunday April 3rd is my brother Alfredo's birthday! He is turning 15 years old. Wow! I can't believe how time flies :) I love him so much!
These pictures were when he was 10 years old! aww he was so little.
This is how he looks now! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
Well have a great weekend everyone! Mine is gonna be awesome!!! :)
