MTC Letter #9

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 6:39 AM To: Bonnie Gibbons Subject: Farewell MTC Hola!!! Ok i got my flight plans, I ship out Monday morning and after about 30-35 hours of travel i will arrive at my final destination! ARGENTINA!! Oh man i can't wait! Have i really been gone for 2 months?? I Love it here and I have learned so much! I love searching my scriptures everyday and just loving them more and more. My scriptures have never looked so loved before! Remember that they are the instrument the Lord gave us to help us with our daily lives! ELDER Q. L. COOK spoke to us last Tuesday! I felt soo blessed to have an apostle of the Lord in the same room as me. Not only that, I was blessed to be able to sit in the front row...i know some people I love that he said "live for the Holy Ghost!" Everyday live your life in a way that the Holy Ghost can always be with you! Be your constant companion! COOK told us that after questioning tons of different people, the thing that they remembered most from the lessons with the missionaries is the history of Joseph Smith, our prophet and the plan of salvation! What beautiful things the Lord gives us in order to make our lives better. He said, he believes that most people remember because "it is an echo from the pre-existence" Wow so cool! We were taught in heaven by our loving Father, and he lets us feel those things when we need to, To know that they are true and that we can be with Him again! I also loved what his wife said! Hymns are so amazing and help bring the spirit into any room. Try to apply each Hymn to one of the Christ-like attributes! I love doing that now. For example: Obedience-"I'll go where you want me to go" Patience- "Be still my soul". So this week my district all had to pick our favorite hymn and memorize it in Spanish! I love it! I chose "Te Necesito Ti" or "I need Thee Every Hour" One of my favorite songs and definitely a true statement in my life! I need my Heavenly Fathers guidance at every moment of the day! Ok i got another question, and I'd love to get an answer if possible! Why do we need the Book Of Mormon, if we already have the bible? My teacher posed this question and i'd just love to hear your thoughts and testimonies on it! I love you all and I know the Lord loves and knows each one of you personally. Man i've been so blessed to feel of His love, not only for me but for others and when I feel that love, I love them even more!!!!!!! Have a wonderful week! next time you hear from me I will be way down south! Love Hermana Gibbons

MTC Letter #8

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 7:48 AM To: Bonnie Gibbons Subject: MTC news! HOLA!!! Ok so I just love this work more and more! We focused a lot on the Savior and Charity this week! What better things to learn than that! I love that we have the Holy Ghost with us, that we have the ability to become like our Heavenly Father. But only through the Saviors atonement is that possible. Charity is like the all encompassing characteristic of God! An Elder in my District shared this story. His brother is on the police force in Egar (sp), AZ and was called into a huge fire scene one night. It was the worst they had seen in years. There was a little girl caught inside, they could hear her screaming for someone to come and rescue her. The firemen wouldn't go inside, they were too scared that the house would collapse. The fire was HUGE. But this police officer still couldn't understand why they would go in. So he breaks down the door and grabs the severely burned little girl. She went to the hospital and sadly 3 days later, she passed away. What an act of pure love and charity. Giving no thought about his own safety, just the necessity to save one child. Even though the little girl passed away, it gave the parents an opportunity to say goodbye to their little girl and also know that someone out there cares for them. The greatest example of charity was that of the savior, giving everything for us, without complaint. Doing it all because he loves you! I think that while He was going through all this pain and agony, that the Lord let him see glimpses of our faces and to see what we could become. You gave Him strength to go on, now is the time to make sure not one of those precious drops of blood He shed, were not used. I know that what He went through was hard, He asked the Lord, if there is any other way can we do it.? What I'm doing is pretty hard, 15 hours a day devoted fully to study and preaching and preparing for others. Somedays are harder then others, but when I think of the savior and what He has done for me, then my day gets easier. I know that He is there for me and He is making me a better person so that I can better serve my Brothers and Sisters. So i really miss the Sun! Az is awesome ha! But the sun was out one day during study time, and Me and Hermana Onychuk came out and study our scriptures in the sun! I know that that was a Tender Mercy from the Lord! It's amazing the little things He does for me everyday. To make me happy and give me hope. What are somethings the Lord has givin you in your life? Or even today? It could be a smile, a phone call, a beautiful flower, the sunset...just remember that He loves you and wants you to be so so happy! One more question...Ok my teacher asked us this...."Why was it necessary that Jesus Christ was the Only begotten? Why couldn't we be also? I love you all so so much! Thank you for your prayers and support! You are all amazing! Love Hermana Gibbons Luise Holmes! You are so sweet thank you for your kind words! I miss you too!
Posted by: Bonnie Gibbons
Date: March 21, 2010

MTC Letter #7

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 1:53 PM To: Bonnie Gibbons Subject: Re: P day Hey all you wonderful people! Ok so I love being out here more and more each day! We have a "progressive investigator", or someone interested in the gospel that we are teaching in the T.E.C. His name is Hugo and He is just so excited to learn more about the gospel. We are teaching him in spanish only!! so incredible! I love it! I am so amazed at the progress I have made here. I mean i'm probably only at maybe a 2nd grade level, maybe, but thats pretty darn good compared to kindergardeners no? Ha We had the most awesome meeting on Sunday for our mission conference! The speakers were so awesome! One sister talked about never loosing sight of the "vision" or of the purpose. She related the story to a women who wanted to be ther first women to swim from somewhere to somewhere (i don't remember), and when she was 15 hours into the swim she made them get her out of the water. She was only less than 1 mile away from her final destination. She reported that it was fatigue or the cold water that stopped her, but it was the fog. She could no longer see where she was supposed to end up and forgot her final goal. Man how many times do we let things get in the way, turn into the "fog", and not allow us to end up with the goal we started with! Don't let things distract you from the gospel and the eternal blessing it has in return for us. Its crazy how wrapped up we get in the world and the things the world says is good. Remember the Lords way is the best and I promise it is always the easiest path to travel. Another topic was patience! That is definately something we all need to work on! Just remember the Lord has a plan for each of us and He has his own time, because that is what is best for our lives! And my personal favorite talk was about testimonies! The quote i loved was "You can never keep a testimony, unless you have to answer for it or share it with others." So true, the times i've felt my testimony grow the most has been in bearing it to others, my family, my friends and random people who have asked me about being a member of Jesus Christ's church. Remember that you are children of God, that everyone around you is your brother or sister. We are working on Charity this week, and I'd like to give you the same challenge that we have. Look and act upon 5 acts of Charity each day. Then write down what happened and how it made you feel! I promise that it will help you see others the way God sees them. I love all of you. Thank you for your support and your prayers. They are much needed! I am working hard everyday and trying to be the best missionary I can be. I'm striving to be like the three 18 year old boys who rescued the Martin hand cart company from having to walk across the river with huge frozen chunks of ice. They willingly carried each person across the water in order for them to get to the placed the Lord asked them to go. Because of the bitter cold, the affect on these boys bodies was so great, that each died in later years because of it. I want to be like them. To go out and help guide my brothers and sisters back to Christ. I will give my all no matter how hard it may be. Keep being the amazing people i know you are, love, Hermana Gibbons
Posted by: Bonnie Gibbons
Date: March 21, 2010

MTC Letter #6

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 8:13 AM Subject: Hey all! ok so this was an awesome week! Yesterday i got to teach the lesson of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in just spanish! That meant talking in spanish for 35 min! It was so awesome! ya I couldn't say as much as I wanted to say, but I think I got the point across that God loves us so much and He wants all of us to be able to talk with him! I know that this is the true and everlasting church of Jesus Christ. My teacher was telling me there is a book written by a Catholic man who states that either The catholic church is the correct church or Mormonism is. I thought that was really awesome and I was interested in reading it! I think it's so awesome to hear of others religions and how it brings them closer to Christ. So Sunday Sister Ann Dibbs came and spoke. She is President Monson's daughter (President Monson is the Prophet of God today) i was so cool to her from her and what she had to say about missionary work. oh and before the relief society they play the mormon tabernacle choir and a cute little childrens choir fomr china joined them. i love their accent, the sang for the beauty of the earth, but it was more like "errssh" ha so adorable. everyday is super busy but i feel like i am getting all that i need to do done. there seriously is not enough hours in a day sometimes? i hit my month mark on the 27. i love it. i was saying yesterday how i can't picture my life without a mission in it. i really can't wait to get out there and help my borthers and sisters in argentina. i can't wait to hear there accent and just do all that i can to make their lives better. Se que Jesucristo es mi redentor y mi salvador. Se que Joseph Smith fue un profeta y Presidente Monson es nuestro profeta hoy. Se que soy una hija de a Dios y conoce me personable. Me agrecido por mi familia y por todos los cosas y las personas �l trae en mi vida. I love you all. Thank you for your love and support! Love, Hermana Gibbons
Posted by: Bonnie Gibbons
Date: March 3, 2010

MTC Letter #5

-----Original Message----- From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:38 AM
Subject: Mail Time!!! Hey all my lovely wonderful friends and family! Seriously i feel so blessed to have all of you in my life! I thank you so much for your kind words or encoragement and love! Those who are RM's i'd love to hear some stories from your missions, trials and awesome spiritual experiences! Ok so it was my birthday on friday! Wow i loved it! I came into my classroom and 7am and Hermana Petrick and Barker had decorated the class with balloons and streamers! They got me a district card and few elders got me a picture and stickers! ha All day long ppl told me Happy birthday and I got to pick some things we did in class! I chose for my class to share how they got their testimony or how they knew they were supposed to go on a mission! Wow i have an awesome district! I never realized how strong a 19 year old young mans testimony could be! Ok so then seriously i think the lord wanted to give me the best birthday ever! in my family b-days are now a huge dinner on sunday, whatever you want. So this sunday at the MTC, i was severed a huge spiritual dish! Janice Kapp Perry came and spoke in Relief Society, or the church meeting for all the women. For those of you who don't know who she is, She has written many hymns and primary songs for our church. I used to put her cd on on sunday and sing with her, i always wanted to grow up and be like her! I sang her song (we'll bring the world his truth) at my baptism, my favorite song is her "a childs prayer" and she also wrote "as sisters in zion" "love is spoken here" "I'm trying to be like jesus" and "I belong to the Church", just to name a few! Wow, she and her husband are going on there 2nd mission to china i believe! Her songs have brought me comfort and have help build my testimony! I love her and i still strive to be as humble and loving and she is. Her Mission song in "Like Jesus", i love it, mom can you send me the words from that? Also, i was an EFY counselor (church camp) this summer and one of my boys in my group just got in the MTC on wednesday! Elder Justin Jones! He found me on Sunday, wow what a change in him already! He looks like a missionary and is so ready and willing to serve! It's amazing what power you get when you recieve a calling from the Lord! We watch a talk by Bedner, so cool. Basically he said the most common question he recieves is "how can I tell if it's the spirit or just me thinking of something to do." His response is, "QUIT WORRYING about it, press forward!" The lord won't always give us these huge spiritual bursts, as long as our hearts are in the right place He can guide us with thoughts and small promptings. The Lord trusts you as you follow Him. Be not afraid and press forward, if its wrong God will let you know. So I'm now an accomplished button sewer! ha i sewed on 4 snap buttons onto my shirts and they look pretty darn good! It only took me 2 hours ha! I love it here and I love learning! Spanish is coming more and more. Next monday we teach the first Lesson in Spanish! I can't wait! I love all of you! Have a wonderful week! Thursday is my month mark! Can you believe it? I can't! I love you so so much! I'm praying for all of you! Hermana Gibbons
Posted by: Bonnie Gibbons
Date: February 23, 2010

MTC Letter #4

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Subject: Another letter From ME! MTC! Hey all you folks back home!!! So i've almost been here for 3 weeks! Crazy! The time goes by so fast!!! Everyday is a busy one but I love it! Lots of hard work, but everytime I get on my knees to pray, I feel the love of my savior and the strength of the spirit! We had a meeting on Baptism. It was so awesome! It really got me excited to find those people ready for baptism! One thing thats sad, and I was guilty of this too, is that members tend to look down on baptism, like a missionary is all cocky if they talk about all the baptism's. But that is what we are supposed to be doing! Ballard said "You missionaries are to teach and Baptize a harvest of souls! No one can be saved without baptism, it is the gateway to the path of eternal life." The question was asked, if missionaries are baptising, why are we sending them out? Wow, its true though, our church is the only one with the correct authority here on this earth. Baptism is not the only thing I do as a missionary, but that talk has definately made me see it in a different light! So I had a meeting with a man from the Argentine Counsel. The lady told us that we would all have to meet him one-on-one and He has been known to reject people. So i went into this meeting pretty scared! But it turned out, He just talked about his country, the different sights to see and the food to try (and what not to put on Asado, no ketchup (sp)) Ha he was really funny and kept calling on my because I was the only Hermana in the meeting! I got super excited, remembering that I get to go there and meet the wonderful people of that country! So I don't know if I said this last week, but there are 16 elders (including Bro. LeSuer from gilbert, and Bro. Cowley, my 3rd cousin!) going to Rosario with me! They are awesome elders and have helped me a ton already! Ha whenever they see me they so "Hey herMAMA!" Oh the jokes of missionaries! I love my district, I got to teach a lesson for sunday school and we talked about Christ's ministry on the earth. I had them each read a different miracle or act Christ performed on this earth, and then had them explain what it meant to them. It's amazing to hear the words of your peers! I challenge all of you to bear your testimony at least twice this week! You'll be amazed at how much it effects (affects??) you. Also I know that the MTC gets rough, but just like Moses, Abraham, and even Christ himself, went away for a time to prepare to teach His people. To be purified and to know what the Lord wanted from them! I'm here to prepare, to make myself into the tool the Lord wants me to be! I love all of you so much! I love hearing from you, so if you want get the MTC address from my mom, or dearelder.com! Seriously, thank you for all the support! Love Hermana GIbbons!
Posted by: Bonnie Gibbons
Date: February 17, 2010

MTC Letter #3

From: Amanda Gibbons Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 5:32 PM Subject: MASS! ha i miss you all! Hey everyone! I have 10 min so here I go! Mom they gave me a filtered water bottle so don't worry about that! This week has been so awesome! Elder Hinckley (pres Hinckley's son) came and talked to us! He is an amazing speaker! He told us about his dad struggling on his mission, and in reply to a letter, Pres Hinckley's dad said, "Forget yourself and go to work!" I promise you all that I am working so hard everyday!! I don't want to go home with any, "I wish I would have's...". I love this gospel and I'm really trying hard to learn the language! But its pretty tough, at least for me! My companion and I got to teach the first lesson together on Monday, and it was pretty cool! You could tell that we helped that lady feel whatever she needed to feel that day! It was way awesome! I love how much the spirit surrounds me everyday! One thing i thought was cool and never knew was that Nephi, when he left Jerusalem, was only around the age of 15 or 16! Wow he must have had such faith in the Lord to do all that he did! Could you imagine slaying a man at 15? 3NE 7:15-21, I hope I can be a missionary like Nephi is here! Testify boldly and with great faith! Such a great scripture you should all read it! I want my family to know that I love them so so much! I pray for each of you individually every night! Don't forget that I love you! I hope everything is going well! If you need my MTC address email My mom back and she'll send it to you! I love letters and I'll do my best to respond! I know the Lord loves each and everyone of us! Love you so, so much! hermana gibbons ps. I can't get pictures on email! And if you use dearelder.com I can get your letters faster! I love you