Anna's first two weeks in Argentina!

Sorry I'm behind with this (as usual) but here are Anna's first two emails from her first two weeks in Argentina!

Just some highlights: The people in Argentina call her Sister Rubia (Sister Blond) because they can't pronounce 'Schmidt'. Her companion is from Peru and doesn't speak any English and Anna speaks only broken Spanish, so they both are teaching each other the language!

The first one was received June 8th:

hello everybody!!! I have so much to say!! First off...I'm on a different planet. I'm going through culture shock right now but what's soooo crazy is that I´m happy here!!!! I feel so much better here even though these people have so little compared to Americans. After arriving in Resistencia.....I went through orientation at the mission president's house and then in the evening our first companions arrived to pick us up for our first area!! I found out the my mission is the size of California!!!! In California there are 26 different missions and mine is only one!!! I met my first companion who DOESN'T speak English!! She is 32 yrs old, from Peru and is under 5 ft tall!! We are the funniest pair you're ever seen!!! She is amazing!!! Very patient, loving but pushes me as well!!! Exactly what I need!!! Right now I'm in Ituzaingo, Posada....go look it up! My companion and I are the only missionaries in this province......the elders in our district are an hr away.......this is another world over here!!! Here are some differences:

1. No doorbells.......we clap!

2. Biggest meal of the day is lunch!!! Kids come home from school for this and its a huge meal!! Dinner is kinda a snack later for the people here!

3.No one is in a hurry here.......being American and after being in the m.t.c. I'm always in a hurry......everyone is slowwwwwwww here........it cracks me up because I end my prayers and look up quickly and everyone is still thinking about the prayer with their eyes closed and arms folded.

4. the teenage boys love the missionaries and many converts are teenage boys!! Now that I´m here.....we have more....haha..they all jump up to shake my hand and the little girls all want to kiss me. Some people call me Hermana Rubia.....Sister Blonde. Everywhere I go people stare at me.....I'm starting to get really self conscience about it actually....all the men get big grins on their faces when they see me.....yep.....kinda awkward but I just smile and say hi!! One investigator wrote in my dictionary....you is beautiful! Really! yeah......but people are really, really respectful to me!

5. ALMOST everyone listens to the missionaries!!! They are so respectful and polite and getting people baptized is NOT a problem.......keeping them active is the problem!!!! I seriously think about half of south america are members but not active....its soooooo different than the u.s.!!!! People want to listen to you!! They are very religious and polite and social with you!

6. Sanitation does not exist here at all........everyone touches your food and we kiss all the woman hello on both sides of their cheeks and touch everything. I'm not going to go into further details but everything that you wouldn't do in America...they do here.... The Mission President asked me if I was in good health.....when I said yes....he replied I hope you stay in good health!! I have to wear repellent everyday so I don´t get Dengue Fever which once you get it you have it for life. Its chills & pains in your bones and your skin breaks out in lesions everywhere.....I have been thinking about my blessing I received in the m.t.c. where I was told that my family doesn't need to worry about me because now I'm in the Savior's hands. it all sounds crazy but I'm happy despite it all!!!!!!!!! We have this electrical thing hooked up to our shower to kill the bacteria......but its freezing right now here b/c its winter.....I actually boil water on our one burner that actually works on our stove-top (the oven doesn't work either) and bathe with water in a big bucket b/c our water is freezing and its soo cold outside right now!

7. Most people can't say my name and even my companion can't.....its really funny!!!!!

8. Remember how I hate singing in front of people?? Well I'm the best singer here....its cracks me up b/c pretty much no one can sing in tune.......sacrament meeting is the best.......heehee

9. The members constantly give references to the missionaries and come along to help teach almost everyday.......they seriously put the american members to shame in this area.......and these members aren't even ward missionaries....you should share this with Brother Poulton!!

10. no one is on time and totally chill..........sooo funny!!!

11. There are stray dogs and cats EVERYWHERE........

11. Some people here don't even have glass windows and share their home with mosquitoes.........My attitude about some things are really changed......I've always though why would someone want to come to America to work at Mcdonalds??? Now I know........b/c for most of the people here a Hotel 6 bedroom would be the nicest place they've EVER been in..........but seriously these people are really blessed b/c they have soooooo little.....(no washing machines, dryers, cars, microwaves, proper protection from basic elements) they ARE humble!!!!!!! They want to listen!!! I wonder how many of these people will make it to the Celestial Kingdom over us americans who have it all!!!! Not everyone is poor here but many are lacking.......but they don´t even know it and are really happy! My apartment is not the best and I'm terrified of my bathroom but I'm happy and working hard.......

Spanish is hard!!!! But I have to remember that I've been called and I have power b/c of that. My companion and I have a lot of really funny moments where we just both crack up laughing and can't stop......We've had funny moments where we totally misunderstand each other and laugh after wards......I make her write stuff down and then I'm able to understand better!!! People talk really fast here!!!!!!! Its frustrating but also funny b/c my companion doesn't speak English and I don't really speak Spanish so we are teaching each other........whenever I get frustrated I just say something hilarious and stupid to her face and of course she doesn't understand which makes me crack up and feel better....I also get her to say crazy stuff in English and its just hilarious!! Anyway I'm over my time period....there's no more count down outside the m.t.c. and I feel to be more obedient next week!! I love you all and don´t worry....right now I feel totally safe!!

One more thing: I'm only allowed 4 packages during my entire time out in the field!! Also when you send them your suppose to write down the value.........only write down $40 or else you have to pay extra!!! talk to you next week!!!! love hermana schmidt.........have an awesome week!

Here's the second email, received Monday June 14th:

Hello everyone! You know you're a missionary when your legs are covered in over 50 bug bites (yes I counted & praying that I don't catch malaria or dengue fever) you get food poisoning (last Thursday) and have the world's biggest blister on the bottom of your foot burst while you´re walking on it (thank goodness my companion doesn't understand English) and a newly baptized member all of the sudden drops the church and I thought I had gotten lice.........yep that was this past week. Saturday night when my companion and I went home to our pension (apartment) I was exhausted, cranky and discouraged.

It's frustrating b/c I want to be able to communicate with these people!!!! I seriously could get this work done if I only spoke Spanish.....I am comfortable enough right now to say that I speak very broken spanish. The problem is everyone talks REALLY fast!!! I make my companion write down the words I don't understand. Anyway when I learn this language and I'm the senior companion- I'm determined to convert half of Argentina. As for right now I´m learn poco & poco........little bit at a time!!!

I really like the people here b/c they are really bold & passionate and of course with my personality that's perfect!!! I'm really enjoying working with the members of the Ward and I'm so excited b/c this Saturday I'm going to teach my first english class to the public!!! It cracks me up b/c everyone calls me Hermana Rubia (my companion still cant say my name right and now I'm actually having trouble saying it b/c I´m talking so much Spanish)......the little boys scream "te amo hermana Rubia"! I love you sister blonde! But its perfect b/c I'm blond and blue eyes and from the US people want to talk to me so we can use this to get appointments (citas) to teach!!

This past weekend we visited one of my companions newest baptized jovens (young adult) His name is Oscar and he´s 20. He was just baptized the week Sunday before I came. He wasn't in church and when my companion called him I could tell he was acting weird. What's really interesting right now is that I'm super sensitive to others' feelings and maybe I can't speak the language but I feel other peoples' emotions SUPER strongly right now. We went to visit Oscar and when we entered his apartment I was hit in the face with a bad spirit.....his friends were there and everyone had been smoking and there was an ashtray right next to us on the table and it was really uncomfortable. My companion is WONDERFUL but she is not observant most of the time. She wanted to sing and I whispered in her ear how I did NOT feel the spirit at all.....his friends had gotten up and let us sit on the couch and they kinda stood in the corner of the tiny room. My companion seemed alarmed after I said that but I was just like- lets just do this.......Oscar is questioning everything now and my companion told him how Satan works really hard on new members! Our visit was short b/c It was not comfortable there with his friends. She picked up the ashtray and asked him if he was smoking and drinking.......anyway as we left his apartment I just started bawling in public.......I don´t even know him but I was soooo sad. My companion was sooo sweet and said lo siento hermana!! (Im sorry sister)

These people have soooo little and then we give them the Gospel of Jesus Christ but they either fall away fast or don't stay active. My companion cried later in our apartment after we planned for the night. I felt really bad for her b/c you work with your investigators and love them so much and invest your time & energy with the hope that they accept the Gospel and have the same blessings you do. SO when they fall away- it breaks your heart. Its discouraging b/c you want them to always be close to their Savior.

I'm in a small town right now......but we travel to the bigger city of Posada for zone conferences and district activities. I love it b/c we use this one bus line called Rio Uragray (cant spell it) that's a double-decker bus and the seats are sooo comfy and they feed us lunch and play American movies which I always hate bc there is no censoring here and so they always play really disturbing rated r movies that are really violent & upsetting........so I always nap during the bus rides. We are contacting lots and teaching a lot but we actually need progressing investigators......I'm working with my companion so that we can really focus on certain people and get them to church & progress......anyway I love you all and I'm sooooo insanely grateful for my PERFECT life in the US!!!! We literally have it all in the US. I'm really grateful for this chance to bring a fullness of happiness to the lives of the people in Argentina! Its just so cool and different here........by the way I recommend emailing now that I´m out in the field b/c its quickest!!!!!!! love you dad, mom, laura, johnny and family, friends! Ciao!

Anna's in Argentina!

So here's the latest email from Anna. She left this Monday for Argentina and arrived in Resistencia after traveling for 30+ hours. We still don't have her new address, but everyone can go to dearelder.com and write her a letter that way. MAKE SURE TO CHOOSE ARGENTINA-RESISTENCIA instead of Provo MTC. Here's the email:

Hello everyone! I can´t believe it but I´m finally in Argentina after 2 days of traveling on 3 different planes and buses......let me just say I´m so excited to be here and am just thrilled!!! It´s a whole other world here and kinda crazy!!! Right now I´m in the mission president´s home doing all kinds of stuff that needs to be taken care of like documentation and stuff like that. Later I´ll be meeting my first companion and trainer which I am soooo excited about. Also I have to say that even the fast food here is soooooooooo yummy!!! I seriously am in shock that I´m here! The traffic is crazy!!! I try not to watch while we are being driven around.....seriously it´s all in God´s hands bc most people dont wear seatbelts and there are no stop signs!!!!!!!!!! Dont worry ....I insist on wearing mine.....I wont be driving! ANyway I love you all and pray for me!!! Love you all- hermana schmidt......its weird bc here I look different from most people!!

Anna mailed me a cd with all of the pictures she took at the mtc, so I'll make sure to post them next entry. Please everyone send Anna dearelders because I'm sure she could use the support now that she's actually out in the field in Argentina!
Thanks everyone for all the support you've given her these past two months!
-Laura

Updates! Only 1 week left in the m.t.c.!

So I've fallen way behind on this (me and my mom take turns updating the blog), but Anna only has 1 week left in the m.t.c! I was actually able to sneak up and giver her a hug today on the Provo temple grounds and she burst into tears when she saw me! And yes...I know I wasn't supposed to...but she's doing really well and was able to bear her testimony to me in Spanish.

Here is the email from this last week as well as more pictures with her and her companions. She had the opportunity of hearing Jeffrey R. Holland and Sherry Dew speak as well as getting to meet Ann Dibbs.
Here's the email received Thursday May 20th:
WOW!!! Guess what world??? I only have 2 weeks left in the MTc before I leave for Argentina May 31......I think that's the correct date.....anyway I'm thinking that we'll be getting our travel plans anyday but once again not sure.......there have been some amazing things going on here in the MTC....to start off, Jeffery R Holland came and spoke to the Missionaries for Tuesday Devotional!! I actually starting crying as he walked into the room!! It's such an amazing feeling when an Apostle of Jesus Christ enters the room!! The Spirit was soooo strong and it was a mindblowing devotional!! He talked about missionary work and it was just amazing.....I'll have to photocopy my notes from my journal for everyone......then Sherry Dew came and spoke to us sisters in Relief Society!!!!!! AMAZING!! She is such a powerful woman AND I got a hug from her!!!!!!! Even better.....Anna Dibbs of the Young Woman General Presidency came and spoke to us the next sunday for Relief Society!!! In case you are unaware....she is the Prophet's daughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She talked about many amazing things but my favorite part was when she spoke about her Father and how he had been serving people his entire life and had been prepared for this calling as a Prophet of the Lord when he was only 22 and called to be a Bishop over a ward with hundreds of people in it!!! The Spirit was really strong and powerful......and guess what??? I got a hug from her too!!!!!! She asked me where I was serving!!!! Best Day EVER in the MTC!!!! The longer I'm here the happier I've become......Spanish is still killing me.......slowly but surely but I am thrilled to report that I do talk in Spanish while I sleep............My roommates & companion think it's hilarious......apparantly one of my classic lines is "Quiero saber........Quiero saber"!!!!!!! Which means I WANT TO KNOW!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW! I was also apparantly mad at someone in my sleep and I told them not to touch me and I ended with this in my sleep.....COMPRENDE?????? Which is understand and it's also in the proper ustede form as well ; ) My district has also become friends with the Spanish speaking elders & sisters at the MTC and we talk to them as much as we can AND sit with them at meals.....some of them are from Argentina and even Resistencia!! Pretty cool and we're learning alot.....they actually know sooo much english just from being in the MTC here in Provo Utah....anyway lets just say I'm learning ALOT about myself and Heavenly Father......I seriously feel like a different person.....still myself but better and I've got a long ways to go!! Keep writing everyone......its such a huge deal to have support from family & friends.

Here are the pictures:













Please everyone keep sending letters and dearelders and we'll keep you posted on when she leaves for Argentina!
If anyone has any questions, post a comment or you can send me a message on facebook. I'm at BYU in Provo right now, but anyone back in Texas can also talk to my mom or family.
-Laura

Anna's letter received May 6 is a copy of her journal entry dated April 30

Some tremendous things have happened. I am truly grateful for Hermano Zirkle. He is such an amazing child of God and has been such a blessing to me to have as a teacher. He is such an example of charity and the pure love of Christ. I had a meeting with him and he gave me great guidance.

1. Look outside myself - he told me that his brother learned on his mission in Spain that when you lose yourself in missionary work that you will find yourself.

2. Speak the language now - if I try to speak Spanish right now even though I am struggling and it is really hard the Lord will bless me with the gift of tongues.

He also shared so much other counsel and advised me to work hard to get to know the Savior. He reminded me of Peter who was able to walk on water, but when he became afraid and began to doubt, taking his eyes off the Savior - he began to sink into the waves. He instructed me to always keep my eyes on Christ. We also talked about Satan and D & C 50:23 - dark thoughts and feelings come from Satan. He reminded me that I already know Satan's game plan! Virtue is about having positive thoughts - I must let virtue garnish my thoughts - in other words "think positive" at all times. He gave me an assignment to write down everyday 3 things that are evidences of God's love for me no matter how small they may seem.

At the end of our meeting, I asked him for a blessing. It was an amazing blessing - in it the Lord promised me that I would have peace, courage and the Holy Ghost to be with me as I lived worthily. Hermano Zirkle stated how much the Lord loves me and that as I look back over my life I could see moments where the Lord showed his love. He blessed me with ENERGY which is really a challenge for me as I only get 71/2 to 8 hours of sleep and I usually need much more. He blessed me that on the last night of my mission in the Mission President's home I would look back and feel tremendous gratitude and humility and I would be pleased with how I handled many difficult situations. He said I would be a powerful instrument in the Lord's hands and even after my mission within my own family to bring others to Christ.

Afterward when I went back to class, I felt such peace and I was even able to speak in spanish --my companion Hermana Elwood was so pleased and happy for me! She said that she felt a huge difference in me! I do feel different! To close, I will quote Hermano Zirkle, "Sacudalos con el espiritu" which means "Hit them with the Spirit"

Anna's weekly email dated May 6

WOW!! I can not believe it that I've made it to my 5th week in the MTC!! It's
amazing how fast time has gone by!!! First off couple of things: MOM- I can't
call you on Mother's Day while I'm in the MTC.....we're not allowed to plus
there's not enough phones!! I do have a special card coming to you in the
mail.....however I will get to call my family while I'm at the airport before I
leave for Argentina in 4 weeks!!!  2. Laura - I don't even have your school
address at BYU.....how can I send you a letter??? Dear Elder it to me TODAY!!! I
want to write to you badly my only sister!!

I have a confession to make..on Wednesday all of sudden I
REALLY missed my family......I felt sad......pero
(but) the longer I'm here the more amazed I am at how I'm changing as a
person......I'm going through this GRANDE personal transformation right
now......It's REALLY hard....there are a lot of things I'm realizing and honestly
I have NEVER been so dependent on the Lord as I am right now! There's no way I
could make it through this without fully relying on the Lord.

One of the Elders in my District with whom I'm friends
actually had an interesting perspective on my situation ---
he said that he was actually jealous that I was going through this right
now b/c when I get to the field I will be amazing & able to focus on serving the
people!! I was really surprised to hear that and actually really humbled......I
hear Satan constantly whispering in my ears that I can't do this almost
constantly.....even my Teacher Hermano Zirkle who is already translated
(remember....he's one of the 3rd Nephites) said that Satan has these bounds
wrapped around me and that he knows that I'll be a powerful missionary and
doesn't want me to succeed.

I've been desperately praying for the Lord to help
me handle this.....somehow after every prayer I utter.....I receive an answer
the next day through a class/teacher who talk about the very same thing....I'm
learning to recognize the Spirit in different ways that I NEVER noticed
before.....I have promptings & thoughts and it'll be something I never
thought about before and suddenly I have this understanding!! Spanish is BEYOND
hard for me but last night at the TRC my companionship & had to teach the 1st
lesson in Spanish for the first time and amazingly it went REALLY well!! The
pretend investigator said he felt the spirit strongly from us!
Looking back at where I was to where I am now is insane!!! I'm still behind in Spanish but
everyday I get better.....My teacher Hermano Zirkle said that you don't have to
understand grammar to speak Spanish.....good thing b/c grammar had always kicked
me in my rear end.

To close, I have this little story to share from my Teacher
Hermana Clegg who talked about how she almost didn't serve a mission b/c she
was never comfortable telling people what to do, but one day an impression came to her.
It was around Christmas and she was walking up to her
beautiful home that was all decorated and she could see how beautiful her Mom
had decorated the table with all this amazing food.......it was beautiful and
smelled delicious.  As she walked up, she saw a Woman sitting
in the dirt eating cockroaches (sounds weird I know but just
wait) and my teacher was like NO!! Don't eat that!! It's disgusting!! The woman
refused to listen to her and said.....what are you talking about???? Leave me
alone!!

Hermana Clegg said she realized that what we have it soooo AMAZING &
beautiful!! And what the world feeds you is CRAP.....(like the cockroaches) It
will never nourish & sustain you.......We have the
restored gospel of Jesus Church......if people knew what we knew.....how would
this world be different!! Anyway I'm out of time!! I love you all!! PLEASE keep
sending letters!!! MOM, DAD and Johnny I will mail you some copied pages of my
journal!! Those pages really express what I'm learning & feeling.
LOVE HERMANA ANNA SCHMIDT

Anna's weekly email Dated Thursday April 29, 2010

Hola mi familia & Amigos!!!

My time is once again limited but I have sooo much to say......first off- thank you for ALL the Dear Elders & letters.......they mean EVERYTHING to me!! Actually sometimes people in my District give me crap because I receive so much mail from people but yeah....missionaries aren't perfect!! And sometimes that mail keeps me sane!! So PLEASE keep writing!! Kastle: I LOVE YOUR Dear Elders!! I read them to my companions all the time and usually tear up while I do so.

Spanish is still tremendously difficult for me and I get so angry at myself because it's so hard for me. The Lord is really humbling me big time! In this past month I have learned so much about myself.......I look at my MTC teachers and they are all return missionaries who are younger than me but somehow seem like 30 yrs older with all their wisdom & strong testimonies. It's amazing what a mission does to you! You can truly be molded into the best version of yourself. Don't worry Laura!! I'm still me and my personality & sense of humor isn't going anywhere. Amazing week though!! We actually had L Tom Perry come and speak at Tuesday devotional and he actually met a man who met Martin Harris!!!!

He said that Martin Harris testified to everyone how he saw the Gold Plates and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God! It was amazing!!! I wrote to you all about Hermano Zirkle......(he looks like a human version of Ken Barbie remember??) We have decided that he's actually one of the 3 Nephites! He's been amazing to have as a teacher! Everyday I'm learning more and more how to rely on my Savior as I struggle to learn Spanish! I have seen personal miracles everytime I go and pray in the Linen closet out loud (so I can be alone & pray out loud) I am grateful for this Gospel and love you all! I pray for all of you!! I will write letters and send them today!! I love you!! Love Hermana Anna Schmidt

Anna's Letter Dated April 22, 2010

So I ran out of time and didn't have my journal with all the things I wanted tell you about on my last email!! I have had many mini miracles this past week. I've realized a lot of things about myself as a person and I've learning so much more about the Gospel. Sunday night we had Stephen B. Allen speak to the missionaries for the weekly devotional and it was amazing! He told us that had reached a level of spiritual maturity before we were born here in immaturity. Obvious! But I never really thought about it like that.

Brother Allen warned us about not letting our maturity drop to the lowest level of our District. Yeah .... he must have been sitting at our District's table for lunch. The Elders were mixing food together and playing "lets see who will eat it." And someone did of course. One really cool thing I realized this past week is how our name tag has only one thing printed bigger than the words Jesus Christ on it - it's my name! We are being compared to our Savior Jesus Christ on our tag. That is a huge responsibility. Elder Allen showed us all of these church adds all the way back to the 70s and many of them were cheesy but they were really powerful as well. One of the messages was "It's not who are aren't - it's who you are." He also told us to be careful not to offend God and the Holy Ghost by putting yourself down.

Since I've been at the MTC, I've realized how many flaws I have. In fact, it's almost like my flaws are being magnified - of course Satan is helping in that area as well. I've also learned that nervousness & fear actually chase away the spirit. I never realized that before. Also on Sunday during Relief Society Kathy Clayton spoke and she gave us suggestions to keep the spirit with us - they were all really great. She said that when it comes to accomplishing your goals, it breaks down to 45% attitude, 45% decision and 10% circumstances. She said that negative thoughts promote weariness -- NOT being physically tired -- it is becoming SPIRITUALLY TIRED.

Anyway, right now one of my teachers is on a vacation in Spain where she served her mission. We have had some amazing subs! One of them Hermano Zurkle who literally looks like a "Ken Barbie". He gave up playing Football at BYU to be a teacher at the MTC. He is mindblowingly powerful as a teacher. Luckily he is subbing for the next 2 weeks. He really pushes us hard. Tonight when I didn't understand a concept he actually made me get up and teach it. Which I did! It was a pretty big moment. I'm pretty sure he is going to be translated one day. He's also kind of like Mom in a way - he pushes me because he knows I can dot it! WOW - big breakthrough.

He also asked the class a question, "Do I know the Lord well enough that I know I can do this?" So, I am working on knowing my Savior better and always believing in myself. I'm going to be working on breaking years of habits on how I view myself as a learner. I have a complex about learning new concepts - it's hard for me, I don't pick things up quickly depending on what I'm learning. But Elder Kevin W. Pearson (one of the 70) told us during our Tuesday night devotional -- don't look at myself as the Anna before my mission. Don't use my old identity to determine my success in the MTC & on my mission. I was not called to be Anna - I was called to be a missionary - a servant of the Lord. Who I am becoming and who I want to become is my focus. The Lord doesn't call average missionaries. Skipping back to Hermano Zurkle he taught us that miracles are not the exception - THEY ARE THE RULE. If we have faith & do our best - the Lord will qualify me to able to do this. I love you all - Hermana Schmidt