Week 4: God our strength will be pressforward!

Bonjour ma famille et mes amies!

Commet ca va tout le monde? This has been a great/crazy/exciting/up&downs kind of week. I love the mission. Really. With my whole being. And I pray constantly (like every hour) that you are all doing well and that you all remember how much this little seester missionary loves you.

So, I decided for my posterity's sake I want to tell ya'll about my instructors here at the MTC. One of my instructors is named Fere (brother) Starita. He's a crazy kook! He got engaged last week so he's been really nuts lately, but we love the guy. He's really quirky, he does these crazy hand movements I'll have to show you when I get home. He also always falls alseep in class. It's the best (nacho voice). Also, he wanted us all to tell our families hello from him. So, "Hello!" from Fere Starita. Then we have Fere Corbett (who doubled as our investigator Stephan). Fere Corbett actually just got home from the Montreal mission! He was also called Spanish but served in French and English as well. I'm glad he told me that he served in all three because I was kind of banking on just speaking Spanish, so I've stepped up my game with the French. Frere Corbett plays for BYU soccer (Giles Family:). He told me yesterday that he talked with Sister Cannnon, President Cannon's wife, and she told him that they are so excited for Elder Leon and I to get there in a few weeks. It made me really happy:)

Last Tuesday Sister Julie B. Beck spoke at devotional. She is an incredible person! But she talked about how even though the church may seem small in some of the areas we serve in to remember the prophesy of the stone being cut out of the mountain without hands. In our district devotional discussion a member of our branch presidency Brother Harward was presiding and he told us that he too served in Montreal and that when he was there the members were scarce. I was filled with so much gratitude for the work Brother Harward and other missionaries before and after him have done in my mission, so that I can now serve there with 4 stakes and a temple instead of none.

Like I said I've been really trying to step up the French. I have a definate love hate relationship with French. It's different in a lot of ways than Spanish, but also tres similar. One thing is, in Spanish you speak with the front of your mouth, but in French you speak with your throat. Another thing is Spanish is very intentional you say every word distinctly, but French kind of all flows into one long word. It's getting better though. I realized that there is no need to fear in speaking, even though I'm pretty sure my French at this point sounds like a caveman. "You read Book of Mormon. You be happy. Jesus be happy. You read. Pray. Okay?" Frere Corbett told me he wasn't fluent until he had been out for over a year. And then he saw a look of horror on my face and he said "oh I guess I shouldn't have said that!" So this is the part where I petition for your prayers. S'il vout plais. Please pray pour moi:)

On Sunday one of our MTC district Presidents and his wife spoke at the fireside. His name was either James or Jimmy Hacking. He's from Blanding, Ut. Dad, I never thought I would be so excited to hear the name Blanding. But my heart was so full of joy when he metioned that little speck on the map. His talk was about families and heritage and it made me so proud of my own. He actually mentioned the Hole in the Rock expedition. I guess the thing that stood out to me the most that night was that I can't really love where I'm going if I don't love where I have come from. I felt so much gratitude for those lil' guys who came from Wales and for my own mama who came from the big metropolis of Buenos Aires to little Blanding, Utah.

I'm going to try to share something I learned from the BOM every week. This week I decided to tackle the book of Alma. I've read Alma before but I feel like I've never really put my whole heart into understanding it. This week I was studying Alma 9 and I came upon verse 6 where the people of Ammonihah say " Who is God that sendeth no more authority than one man among his people to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?" Here in the MTC they stress the importance of sending the Lords servants out "two by two", because their testimonies support each other. I really do believe that the missionary program is divine. But this scripture also made me think about the BOM and the Bible. Of course the Lord would send a second witness to bear testimony of the first and vice versa. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.

My family and friends, I am so blessed to be here. Really and truly. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I know he love me even with all of my imperfections and flaws. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that God is our Eternal Father. I love you dearly. Don't forget that.

je t'aime toujour,

Soeur Perkins

p.s. If you sent me an email will you please Dearelder it? I didn't have time to read emails today:(

p.p.s. "So much depends on so little." -Elder Holland

Week 3

Bonjour ma famille et aussi mes amies!

Commet ca va? I am doing pretty well. This last week was really emotionally and physically draining, but the Lord always provided a way to get things done.

First of all I want to wish my first sista' Jaclyn Sue Perkins Rodet the hap hap happiest birthday! I love you Jaclyn! Thanks for being an example and for always making me laugh.

Yesterday my little brother Elder Oliver Wilgose returned to his home in England. He realized that there were some issues that he needed to repent of before he could dedicate himself to the Lord. My whole district cried so much. We are all so proud of him and his decision to return home to repent, but it doesn't change how much we all miss him and his silly comments. I'm so certain that our Father in Heaven is pleased with his decision to remain honorable. I had a lot of fears coming into the mission, but I did not realize that one of the things I should've been aware of was how quickly I would learn to love the other missionaries I've been working with. And not in a weird romantic way, but in a "you are my brother/sister and I love you so much for being here" kind of way.

Mom, you asked about my companion, her name is Lara Jane Ellsworth. Soeur E. is from East Lansing, MI and she is a crazy kook! She'll be serving in the France Lyon mission. In my zone there are only 2 of us going to Montreal, everyone else is either going to Paris, Lyon, or Fiji. And then the two lonely souls going to the tundra of Canada. Mom, you also asked when or if we leave the MTC. Well, the only time we go out into "the world" in on Tuesday's for the temple. Yeah. That's the first time I've referred to "go to the temple" as "going out in the world".

So, we had a really interesting experience last Thursday. A news crew from France News 2 came to interview our class about life in MTC. I guess the reporter that came is kind of a big deal in France and since the church is building a temple there she decided she wanted to do a special on the Mormons. I was super nervous that I would say something stupid, but I was able to answer her questions (in English) without saying anything that could be taken wrong. I think what made me the most nervous was that this was the first opportunity I had to talk to real investigators, not just teachers acting like investigators.

Dad, thank you so much for your letter last week about ministering angels. On Tuesday nights we have devotional and this last week we heard from Brother Lionel Kendrick an emeritus 70. He talked a lot about why our missions are important for the rest of our lives. And before he closed he metioned that the Lord was sending His finest from the other side of the veil to help his missionaries. It realy made me think about your letter and D&C 84:88. That scripture is amazing! Anyways, we went back to our classroom to discuss devotional and I felt impressed to share how you were able to see the Lords angels ministering to me. My little brother, Elder Leon (who is serving in Montreal), started crying and then shared with all of us that he was told when he got set apart that he would be ministered to by the Lords angels and he had been praying to know if that was really true. Another Elder also shared that he felt that he was constantly among angels because of the love he felt within our district. I'm ashamed to admit when I arrived and found out I would be speaking French I was pretty put out, but after this last week with losing our dear Elder Wilgose and having such a tender spiritual moment with the rest of the district I understand that the Lord knew I needed to be with these particular Elders and Sisters at this particular time.

Another tender mercy this week happend while I was teaching my "investigator" David (he's one of my MTC teachers, Fere Starita). While we were teaching him about the restoration I pulled out the Retablissment pamphlet and was struck by the picture on the outside. It's a picture of the Savior holding a lamb. The lamb looks so cozy in the Savior's arms. I felt completely envoloped in the Savior's love in that moment realizing that I am very much like that little lamb. I love the Savior so much.

Thank you for your love and support. I could not do this without the prayers of so many. I know better today than ever that the Lord knows me. I know he loves me for the imperfect person I am. I know that he can make up the difference when I can't. I hope you all know that I think of you often. I miss your faces, voices, and spirits. My prayers are always with you.

Je t'amie toujour,

Soeur Sabrina Danielle Perkins

p.s. If you feel so inclined send me pictures!:)

p.p.s. J did you get the letters I sent for you, your mom, and Grandma Mary?

p.p.s. XOxoXXOxo My district speaks to each other in Nacho Libre quotes "it's the best!"

p.p.p.s. I love you!

Bonjour!

Chere Familie et mon amis!

Commet ca va? This week has gone by so fast! I can hardly believe how quickly the weeks go by...days are another story. Conference was amazing here at the MTC! The spirit was incredible. I felt like everyone was hanging on every word being spoken. It was unreal! I basically cried through the first two sessions. I lost it when they announced the SECOND temple in Provo! I'm so happy that building will not be torn down. That building was gorgeus in it's day and it served the people in Provo so well for years. I was only in it a couple of times but I felt like it had a soul. It was definately a worthy servant of the Lord. At times I think we're all kind of like that building. We work really hard and feel torn down and like are efforts are in vain. But the Lord always has a plan.I feel like that building will stand as a testimony that the Lord has great things in store for all of us. Now it will be a holy house of the Lord. The means by which many people will be sealed as families for the eternities. Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives! I also really loved President Uchtdorf's talks. I'm pretty sure the Lord knew what I needed to hear and when I needed to hear it. Conference is such a spectacular event and I hope you all loved it as much as I did.

Dad, thank you so much for your letter! The language is rough. I struggle through most of my lessons, but I feel certain that the Lord is on my right hand and on my left hand and his angels are constantly round about me. Especially when my body is exhausted and my brain is completely spent, He always provides more support. This week I've been thinking a lot about Alma 29:1-2 "Oh that I were an angel and could have the wish of mine heart! That I might speak witht the trump of God, and cry repentence unto every people!" The wish of my heart is to learn French. Especially to learn to love it. That is a work in progress:)

This week we finished teaching Stephan (the "investigator"). In our lesson we were teaching him about baptism and he asked us if he could be baptised in our church. Like i said my French is not so gurd. So in my little head i thought he was asking us if he could baptize himself, so I emphatically responded "Non,non, non!" and he said "Non?" "NON!" And then after I realized the look of confusion on his face I felt like a big fat goober. Then I said "Ohhh! OUI!" After this gem he asked where he would be baptized and my companion couldn't remember the word for water or font so she said "en une.....bath." At this point none of us could keep a straight face...buy hey we comitted him to baptism:)

Thank you for your letters! they are like prized gems here in the mish. I love hearing about everything you're doing and seeing pictures. Also, thank you for the package! I took the taffy to conference and the Elders in my district loved it. I felt like the mom, because they kept saying, "Soeur Perkins, can I have some taffy?" And I would say "this is the last one!" and it almost never was, because I am a push over.These Elders are great. They are the best little brothers ever. Sadly, this week one of our elders went home. My heart was broken, but I know the Lord has a path for all of us and I just keep praying his will lead him back to a mission.

I'm so happy to be here! This is the hardest, but most edifying thing I have ever done. Some days I feel like I've grown so much. And other days I feel like I still have so much to learn. I'm so grateful though. All through out conference I kept thinking how lucky we are to have the gospel in our lives. How lucky we are to know that our lives our not endless streams of chaos, but there is a path and there is a guide. I love the Savior. I love His gospel. I know that He loves me and I know that He loves each and every one of you. He knows your needs and the desires of your hearts. You are in my prayers. I love you so dearly. Remember "All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good."

The Savior loves you. I love you.

Soeur (pronounced sur NOT sewer!) Perkins

P.s. You should really write me letters!

P.p.s. Randy? RANDY! RANDIE! RANDIE! Randy?

P.p.s. Write me:)

P.p.p.s. J did you get your letter?

September 27th!!

Ma Famille e mis amies!

Comment ce va? Yes it's true. I am speaking FRENCH! I got here on day one and they put my missionary tag on me and it said "Soeur Perkins". I said umm this is supposed to say "Hermana". They informed me that while I'm in the MTC I will be learning French and only French. This is the part where I beg for you to pray that the gift of tongues kicks in soon:) French is weird. For some reason, they don't pronounce the entire word if it ends in a vowel unless it is followed by a vowel. I'm pretty sure I sound like a French caveperson. This causes problems for when I read things in English, because I no longer pronounce any vowels at the end of words. Also we had our third lesson last night with our "investigator" Stephan. Stephan is evidently already converted because his BOM is marked and he has a CTR ring AND he wears garments. Oh Stephan, don't you try to fool us! We're on to your tricks! All joking aside it's been really....humbling teaching him. I realize every time we teach him that my French is atrocious. At first I was really discouraged but the other night while I was brushing my teeth (best time for revelation) that I don't need to speak French perfectly I just need to speak enough French to preach the gospel. The MTC is great. Aside from the wonderous food that is. Okay. The food isn't so bad it's just got nothing on mom's cooking, or J's stir fry, or Benja's, or Monica's pumpkin rolls.. mmmmmmm PUMPKIN ROLLS!

We've had some awesome firesides and mission conferences this past week. It really is a great time to be serving in the MTC. My companion's name is Soeur Ellsworth. She is from Michigan and I love her stiinking guts. All of them, even the guts that only want to eat cereal every day. She is easily my favorite companion:) So funny! Really she is a blessing. Our district is also really great. I feel like I have been blessed with 8 little brothers. They even call me "big sister". I love them a lot even when all they want to do is talk about video games.

So this is a real surprise but I miss you all a lot. Some days I have to force myself to NOT think about you. Really. Especially those of you who are so close (you know who you are!) It get's difficult, but then I remember that there are souls in Montreal that I love so much. I'm not quite sure who they are but I do know i love them and I do know that I want nothing more than to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. On sunday night Brother Stephen B. Allen came and spoke to us about how badly satan wants us to go home and give up on the mission. It was a really inspired talk. He said so many things that I know I needed to hear. The Gospel is just so amazing.

Another amazing thing is I have seen soooooo many people I know. For you doterra-ites I see Brittney Stirling like 456 times a day. Which is awesome because a Hermana Stirling is basically awesome. Man I love that girl.

There are so many things that I can't wait to share with you when I get home. And there are soooooo many things that I still need to learn. French being at the top of the list.

Oh! funny story. So for some reason the place where you take your trays in the cafeteria after you're done eating is smells disgusting. It's like stinky garbage steam. Just what you want to smell afer you eat. So my companion and I hold our breath every time we go through, which works great when there isn't a line. But not so great when there is. The other day there was a traffic jam and my companion Soeur Ellsworth couldn't handle the smell so she basically threw her tray on the conveyor belt and ran, yes RAN, out of the room. I was laughing so hard i almost peed my pants and then I almost threw up because I wasn't holding my breath anymore. Oh the MTC.

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission. I pray for you. I love you so much and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Con toda mi amor,

Hermana/Soeur Perkins

P.s. if you send your emails through dearelder.com I will get them the same day AND I will be able to come up with a response to your letters on my P-day! so please, please, please! email me through dearelder.com while I'm in the MTC! Also you should know it's FREE! Yes, FREEEEE!

P.p.s. my mailbox number is 82 so feel free to send me cookies, letters, cookies, edible things, letters:)

Human. Kind.

I don't blog about my job for various reasons.

A. It's not very interesting.

B. I try to leave work at work.

C. Work is not meant for this little corner of my world.

However, the other day I had an experience at work that left somewhat of an impression on my heart.

A little background: I work in the product store for a locally based MLM(that's a multi-level marketing company, for you newbs). I deal with people from all walks of life. From the hippie tree hugger to the beauty queens of Northern Utah. Every day is a new adventure.

Last week, we had a particularly snarky crowd come through our product store.

People who sometimes forget that we little worker bees are humans too.

Humans with slow fingers, tired brains, and fatigued bodies.

I called for the next customer in line and a very small woman came forward.

She was donning a "Hot n' Ready" t-shirt from Little Caesar's.

"I talked to the bank and they said my card has enough money on it."

"Okay." I tried really hard to smile sensing that this woman had some sort of disability.

I ran her card for her small purchase and proceeded to pull her order.

I was halfway across the product store when she yelled across "My neighbor has lupus. I'm going to sign her up so I can help her with her lupus."

"Oh that is so great." I tried to feign excitement.

"Are you proud of me?" she asked sincerely.

My answer was lodged in my throat as I tried to choke back tears.

"Yes. I'm very proud of you."

Sometimes I am lost in my own little world of worries and troubles.

I was grateful for this reminder that we are all fighting our own battles and it is oh so important to let those we come into contact that we are so proud of their effort.

If no one else has told you so today, know that I am proud of you for fighting whatever battle you fight.

xo

Called

On Friday my family drove to Utah county with a big white envelope from the Church headquarters.

I was not nervous about the next 18 months of my life until I saw it.

I worried about a lot of things once it was in my hands like:

-what if I couldn't do this?

-what if I couldn't adapt to the culture/food/people?

-what if's

I even joked about driving to the church office in Salt Lake handing them my envelope and saying "Changed my mind."

But surrounded by the most important people to me (some via cell phone) I opened my mission call and read the following words:

"Dear Sister Perkins: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. You are assigned to labor in the Canada Montreal Mission. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."

With those few words I became all sorts of emotion.

Mostly shock.

Then came joy.

Then absolute gratitude.

I can't possibly explain how but I already feel a love for those people in the Montreal.

I can think of no other explanation than that of the love of Christ which stems from His Gospel.

I am so grateful for the testimony I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the atonement is real. I know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son and that he restored the true and living gospel. I know that man will know no great joy than coming unto the Savior.

And that is what I plan to share with the people of Montreal.

xo

FHE Mama

I have a pretty good track record of not attending FHE since I've moved away from home.

If you are unfamiliar with FHE, it stands for Family Home Evening.

FHE is held on Monday nights and it's a time for families in our church to spend together.

College wards, like the one I attend, have little FHE groups and I was lucky enough to land a calling as an FHE mom.

I know this is karma paying me back for the past 3 years of avoidant behavior.

Tonight was my first go at being an FHE mom.

Lucky for me I was paired with another FHE mom and we decided to play games and she volunteered to bring a watermelon.

* it should be noted that I had a dream last night that I learned how to carve watermelons like you would carve a pumpkin at Halloween. So you can imagine my excitement?

We did the usual

.Prayer, spiritual thought, etc.

Once I had sufficiently dominated everyone in Mad Gab we decided to slice the watermelon open.

I'm not going to lie I was pretty excited.

I. Love. Watermelon.

My dear roommates began slicing the beast open and like opening flood gates the watermelon spewed water all over our counter top.

Then we split the beast open and the insides reminded me of the turkey on Christmas Vacation. See image below.

It was sad indeed.

I had to send all of my little FHE children home without watermelon.

Luckily, one of the children made this wonderful watermelon carving.

See image below.

Behold! The waterbeast!

xo

P.s. I am still craving watermelon.