I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.: 2012

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Sunday, December 16, 2012

"In 1 one week there are 7 days; in 7 days there are 168 hours; and in those 168 hours there are 10080 minutes; which breaks down to 604800 seconds. The point is that I've loved and cherished each and every one of those seconds this week! I've grown so much and learned a thing or two as well!" ~Elder Ellis
I second what he said.
This past week has been a roller coaster, but I stayed on top and with a smile...a big smile. Monday was FHE. Oh how I love it! We went to Temple Square. Some took Frontrunner. Others drove. Two cars arrived at the Frontrunner station. One didn't. The Frontrunner was coming. So we let the others jump on and make their way to SLC. Tiffany and I waited for the other car. No show. They decided to drive. We laughed. And waited. The next one didn't come till an hour later. Tiffany locked her keys in her car. We laughed again. We waited for the Frontrunner. While we waited we met two volunteers. One gave us a cool pouch to warm our hands. I was warm. And I was happy! We laughed and smiled at the all the little things that happen. We usually do. Sometimes it's hard. But we do it. Thursday I was sick. Really sick. Emesis...yuck. This day was the day I did the most. I picked my parents up from work. Did chores. Smiled every where I went. Almost got in *two* car accidents. Both wouldn't have been my fault. I didn't get angry. I simply smiled. I felt a tad bit better. :) Friday I worked. I still felt sick. I tried not to show it. I smiled at every customer. I got compliments. I felt happy. My tummy didn't. But I was. :) Saturday I went to the Salt Lake Temple. I was happy as ever. I was with my friends and family. 8 supported me that day. 5 friends went to the Temple. I was happy. I am happy. I am so blessed. I can't wait to go again. With my friends. Sealings. Endowments. Happy for them. :) Don't let your trials bring you down. Simply just smile and laugh. I promise you will be happy. Others around you will appreciate you. And will love to have you around. I promise.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Temple

I will be going through the Salt Lake Temple tomorrow. I am really excited. Except, it's not the excitement where you jump up and down and scream at the top of your lungs. It's more of a calm, peaceful excitement. I know, weird. But I love it!

Blessed are the Children of God

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Trilingual??

So, I have heard from many that are going, have gone or are currently serving in Canada Montréal that it is a trilingual mission. Spanish English & French! (A little bit of Mandarin/Chinese as well. But not as much.) How awesome is that?!? I'm so excited and so blessed! Though I am called French speaking my missionary tag will be in French as well as my books. We have the opportunity to teach in Spanish and English. It's worth waiting 4 months for my passport and visa. Hermana, Sister & Sœur Del Castillo So blessed. So happy. So excited. I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. And lets face it, we all know I LOVE it!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Last Week (4th-7th) in a Nut Shell

Sunday: Spiritually high. Best testimony meeting ever! Monday: Woke up to MISSIONARY MAIL!! I received a letter from one of the best missionaries out there. The best part was that the majority of his letter was in Spanish! So proud of him :) Work was awesome! Lots of laughs and happiness. Awesome customers. Tuesday: I voted!! Played Just Dance 4. Tiffany locked her keys in her car (we laughed). Remember to stay positive. Wednesday: I got a phone call at 7:38 AM that my mission call was here and to go pick it up at the post office. Canada Montreal Mission. French speaking, March 20th, 2012. Thanks for all the love and support. Thank you again!!! I know I haven't been posting as much as I would like, but I kinda have a mission to (continue to) prepare for :)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Called To Serve

Dear Sister Del Castillo, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Canada Montréal Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You will report to the Missionary Training Center Wednesday March 20th. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the French language.