New Digs this week.

Time flies. But it also drags on. Our perception of time is a peculiar thing.

Crazy week. We moved houses last night. The stake president is the only person with a truck, so a member of the bishopric borrowed it and everyone showed up wearing their ties while we were in p-day clothes. But we moved everything in 30 minutes, it was great. Just not the trying to settle in later that night. But we made it!

Time is short as always. I love you all. I am so grateful for this chance to serve a mission. It is a blessing to see the things I need to work on. I have to rely on my Savior each day. I am learning how to be more patient. Every hard thing can be turned around and viewed as a blessing. A mission would not be nearly as incredible if it were easy.

We had some crazy and fun experiences, hopefully I get around to sharing them at some point. Today we played soccer, it was way cool. Playing sports as a missionary is awkward because I am afraid I will run into a male. We played inside the gym and the floor was slippery. No incidents thank goodness. But earlier in the week there was a ward activity and we played a game where everyone has to run and switch chairs. Those games scare me as a missionary. I do not try to win. But if an investigator trips and falls onto your legs and the stake president, two bishops, the zone leaders and district leader, and a tons of other people are watching... All you can do is let your eyes pop out of your head and laugh about it.

I love you all. The Savior is the center of everything. The Book of Mormon is powerful. The church is a means by which we can journey together back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. There is so much love that we can feel if we open up and let ourselves feel it.

Many prayers and hugs,

Hermana Fackrell

Lions, Volcanoes, and t.p., Oh My!

The weeks are flying by crazy fast. We are short on time today. There is a circus that came to León that has a lion, which I think is way cool. We see it in its cage as we walk by. Also we heard a volcano explode on Saturday night which was pretty cool. Living outside of the States is different for sure. The nicest bathroom I have ever used here was in a gas station. It made me so happy, and then I laughed at myself because I was so excited to use a gas station bathroom. Usually that is a downer in the states. There are all the little quirks like people do not flush toilet paper and not even the church house bathroom has paper towels. It is quite fun.

One thing I really enjoyed thinking about this week is how the the message of the Restoration is all about love. Heavenly Father loves all His children, so He called a prophet and restored the Church. Because it is only through the Restored Gospel that we can return to live with Him. And He loves us and wants us to be happy, so that is why He made the gospel so simple. It is like a path. If you enter the gate of baptism, all you have to do is keep walking and you will make it. Some people give up because it is hard, or turn around and walk back. The path gets sticky so we have to clean our shoes every now and then. But it is so simple, because He loves us. We can always get back on the path, we may just have to walk a little farther. I love the simplicity of the Gospel. Each day I feel a little sliver of the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. I am so excited to continue to grow closer and feel love love more often and more deeply. He is always waiting there with open arms, we just have to open up and let ourselves feel His love. 

I love you all and hope all is well. Read the Book of Mormon everyday. Sending lots of prayers and love to all,

Hermana Fackrell

(The struggle everyday of deciding how to pronounce my last name when I introduce myself, haha)

 Laundry Day