Hey everybody!

It's hard to believe how fast the time has going. I've already been here 12 days. It's pretty fantastic being here. The Spirit is SO STRONG, and there are so many people and resources to help you become the missionary you choose to become.

My district is pretty great. We've got some pretty quirky, elders. We've got one who does crazy yoga moves between breaks, one who offers very helpful insight quite a lot, some funny quiet ones, and everything else in between. Most of them are funny 19 year olds, but with the Lord's help they all are going to make fantastic missionaries. 

Hermana Ellingson leaves for the Guatemala MTC on the 10th or so. The very same day my dear sister Hermana Lovell is off to the Madrid Spain MTC! It's been so fun to run into each other. It's always like a little piece of home when we can laugh about stuff together like we did when it was just us two at our parents' house. I'm going to miss her, that silly wonderful hermana... :)

My parents are offically in Argentina. Yeah. Argentina. They're serving as mission presidents there. It was so fun to see them so much last week! The best thing is, though, is I have a strong testimony of WHY they're going. I don't know if I mentioned it last time, but we got to sing Praise to the Man on the day of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. As the choir was warming up, Elder Nelson came in out of no where. We just turned around and there he was. He told of how Elder Ballard, the great grandson of Hyrum Smith, had spoken that morning and testified that Joseph was a real and true prophet of God. As we sang Praise to the Man, I felt such conviction of our purpose as missionaries. Sure, we're giving up time as a family together, but the gospel is bigger than that. Joseph Smith gave up his whole life for this work because he knew it was worth it. I am privledged to give up some of my time for that same great cause. 

Photo from LDS Church News

I ran into some teachers here that are twin girls, both from Guatemala, the day my parents left. They are so kind, funny, and compassionate. When I told them how a lot of my family were serving missions, she immediately gave me this scripture: Alma 17:13. Look it up, fam! It describes us perfectly. It's beautiful.

Let's see.....I'm increasing my game in four square. Hermana Lovell and I got called up during the missionary conference yesterday to get newspapers with our family on the front page, along with having that picture on the giant project on the gym. That was different :) I'm learning more and more that the gift of tongues is SO real. I love Spanish. I'm learning more and more each day how to turn my heart to the Savior and about the doctrine of Christ. Did you know that teaching the gospel is not as complex as you would think? All you need to do to teach others (and to teach yourself) is to focus on the doctrine of Christ: La fe in Jesucristo y su expiacion, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, la recepcion del don del espiritu santu, y al preserverar hasta el fin. It's really just like the articles of faith! I know that "as we choose to follow Christ, we choose to change."

I know that this work is real, true, and incredibly beautiful. I know that we'll never be perfect, but the happiest way we can lives our lives is to take up our crosses daily, and follow the example of our Brother, Jesus Christ. I know also that life is meant to be enjoyed fully, and that through the gospel we can recieve the purest and strongest love, hope, and peace in our hearts than by any other way.

I love you guys so much! Keep the faith! Stay strong! :)

Hermana Lovell

Church News Article

Missionary Reunion

Parents, Daughters Meet at the MTC

 

By Gerry Avant, Church News Editor

Published: Saturday, June 30, 2012

PROVO, UTAH

President Paul R. Lovell, who is the new president of the Argentina Neuquen Mission, and his wife, Sister Brenda T. Lovell, were among mission leaders attending the 2012 Seminar for New Mission Presidents, held June 24-27. They received counsel, guidance and words of inspiration from President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as well as from members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Quorum of the Seventy and Presiding Bishopric.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Paul R. Lovell, who will be new president of the Argentina Mission, and his wife, Sister Brenda T. Lovell, attended the 2012 Seminar for New Mission Presidents. While there, they spent a few moments with their daughters, Sister Ashley Lovell, who is assigned to the Chile Concepcion Mission, and Sister Brittany Lovell, assigned to the Spain Malaga Mission.

Added to all these blessings was being able to see the two youngest of their nine daughters, Brittany and Ashley, who were also at the Missionary Training Center. The daughters, fraternal twins, entered the MTC on Wednesday, June 20. The parents entered on Saturday, June 23.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Brenda and Paul Lovell meet daughters, Ashley, second from left, and Brittany, at the Missionary Training Center. The parents are going to Argentina, the daughters to Spain and Chile.

The daughters were members of a choir that performed on each day of the seminar. The parents and daughters first caught sight of each other on Sunday morning.
While all those attending the seminar were seated in a large room before the meeting began, members of the choir waited outside the room until it was time for them to sing and then left afterward.
"I just sat and looked at them when they came in," Sister Lovell said of catching a first glimpse of her daughters in the MTC setting. "Their faces were glowing. Their countenances were bright."

Gerry Avant, Church News

Brenda and Paul Lovell meet daughters, Ashley, second from left, and Brittany, at the Missionary Training Center. The parents are going to Argentina, the daughters to Spain and Chile.

President Lovell said, "When I saw them come into the room, I thought, 'What a great blessing.' When they walked out after they sang, I started crying."
Sister Brittany Lovell, assigned to the Spain Malaga Mission, said, "I felt so blessed to see my parents sitting before me and the First Presidency and the Apostles and other leaders sitting behind the choir."

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Dieter Uchtdorf and his wife Sister Harriet Uchtdorf meet with President Paul R. Lovell, who will be new president of the Argentina Mission, and his wife, Sister Brenda T. Lovell, at the 2012 Seminar for New Mission Presidents. While there, President and Sister Lovell spent a few moments with their daughters, Sister Ashley Lovell, who is assigned to the Chile Compecion Mission, and Sister Brittany Lovell, assigned to the Spain Malaga Mission.

The choir sang, "Consider the Lilies of the Field," said Sister Ashley Lovell, who is assigned to the Chile Concepcion Mission. "I looked at my parents and started crying as I was singing. It was a beautiful experience."
President and Sister Lovell, members of the South Jordan (Utah) River Ridge 7th Ward, have a third daughter who is a full-time missionary: Sister Erica Lovell left in March to serve in the Italy Rome Mission. Another daughter, Jamie L. Moss, served in the Chile Antofagasta Mission.
— Gerry Avant

Hello everybody!

I've made it to my first P-Day!!!!!! Ha ha. It's been quite the intense ride. On our second day here we taught our first investigator (although it was an actor). In Spanish. Oh yeah. It is SUCH a testimony of the Holy Ghost that we are able to get anything across. The more I've tried to pray and teach in Spanish, the more I've gotten to understand the the Spirit really does speak the things of our heart even when we cannot. It is definitely been schedule, schedule, schedule, here. We didn't really ever get time to get unpacked, so I'm super excited to finally get settled. I'm just starting to figure out how things work here. I've sucessfully "made it to Sunday" as everybody says about your first half week at the MTC. It's intense, but there's nothing but up from here! I am honestly so. happy. How can you not be with the most incredible presence of the spirit here!?!

I actually have two companions: Hermana Lish and Hermana Ellingson. Hermana Lish is from Idaho, and she went to Marsh Valley High School. It's that high school we'd always pass on our way to our family in Idaho and wonder who in the world went there. She did :) She's super sweet and very outgoing. Hermana Ellingson is kind of the opposite of Hermana Lish, but in a good way, too. She's very quiet :) She's incredibly dilligent, though, and sets a great pace for our companionship. Hermana Ellingson is going to leave after three weeks time to the Guatemala MTC, while Hermana Lish is going to Concepcion, Chile too! My district is pretty great. They're all pretty goofy and cool. At first it was a little interesting to be around sooooo many suits the first couple days considering my family of all girls, but I'm more or less getting used to it. They're super goofy. I'm listening to them talk right now, just being goofy :) Just being Elders :) They're great.

I got to see President and Sister Lovell yesterday :) They're doing wonderful, I tell you! I get to see them tonight. Woohoo!! It's fun, though. I definitely have been crying all over the place since we've got here. Not ever because I'm sad, but from the Spirit, or seeing my parents. I'm probably really deydrated. It's really incredible to be here, and to see so many awesome people who love the gospel and sacrifice so much to go on missions! I love my family so much, and I'm so proud of all of them. Kat! I've got to see those pictures of Baby Mac! You've got to send them to me! I know that the Lord is supporting all of us, and it gives me peace to know that He is watching over all of them while we are all around the world doing His work.

Dearelder is still awesome while I'm in the MTC because I get it the day you send it if it's before noon. I'll still write you back on my P day, though.

The gospel is true! I know that God not only has a strait and narrow pathway of truth for us, but He loves diversity. He loves each of our unique and wonderful personalities. Just look around and this incredible world we have if you're not sure that's true. I know Heavenly Father will care for all of us, and faith really is the strongest power in this whole world. I can't wait to share this message to the people of Chile, but I want to share this with you now.

You're wonderful! Stay strong!

Love,

Hermana Lovell

Onward, ever onward

It's finally here! I enter the MTC this very day. I've been cramming the very last few things I wanted to get done this week, even though I had two months to get ready. Oh well :) Honestly, I'm sure I've had the basics of all I needed gathered up about 3 weeks ago. I've just been fine tuning, that's all! I'm pretty much packed right now. John Mayer's new album and a whole lot of Coldplay have made great packing music.

It has been TERRIFIC being able to be with so many people I love. My crazy wonderful friends, and my ever constant, incredible family. So often I catch myself thinking, "Wow, how in the world did I get so lucky to have the family I do?" I love them all, right down to Baby Mac, my new tiny nephew. They all teach me something in their own way. As I was getting ready yesterday, Regina Spektor's "The Call" popped into my head. To me, it's the perfect underscoring to going on a mission. I'm leaving behind so many people I love, but I know why it's worth it to me. I'm out to become a true, sanctified disciple of  Christ. I'm sharing His words weaved into my own testimony.  I 'll miss everybody, but I'll be back! "No need to say goodbye" :)

I know there will be so many things that are completely unexpected, but I also know Heavenly Father will lead me ever onward, just like He has in the past. He'll lead you, too! All you need to do is trust Him. Just a little courage and your life will be better than you could have ever imagined.

I'm ready to completely lose myself in the work. It'll be hard. It might be scary. But I know it'll be worth it.