MTC Post 3

No Visa Waiting - I'm going straight to Argentina on November 4th!!!!!

Jumping for Joy - No Visa Waiting!
Argentina - HERE WE COME!!!!!

Editorial Comment:  Many missionaries going to Argentina and some going to other South American countries do not receive their visas from that country by the time they finish their training at the Missionary Training Center.  If this is the case, these missionaries are reassigned to missions in the United States where they work until their visas arrive.  Alec Dawson, Allison's cousin was in Brownsville Texas for 4 months waiting for his visa.  He recently received it and has made it to his field of labor to which he was called, Salta Argentina.  As Allison prepared for her mission, we took the mindset that she too would have to be a Visa Waiter; however, we busted our buts getting her paperwork done quickly then have prayed fervently, if it was the will of the Lord, that she would go directly to her field of labor.  She must be needed because the doors have been opened for her to go directly to Argentina!  Now back to Hermana Scarlett's adventures this week :)

My district on Move Day!

So this week we moved to the MTC west campus and I LOVE IT!!!!!  It's so open and free and relaxed and the food is amazing. We are living in apartments and we have gym time right outside our apartment where there are basketball hoops and a sand volleyball court - pretty sweet and super fun! And I've seen Elder George like 5 times because he lives over here too :)  So yeah life is good here :)  

On Sunday we did our temple walk and were taking pictures and there was a small group of 13 yr old girls and they asked if they wanted to take a picture with us and send it to our parents.  Of course we said yes!  They were so adorable.  

Those tender mercies of the Lord messengers!

Editorial Comment from Mom:  Little did these young girls know, I was a little bit - okay a lot bit - homesick for conversation with Allison.  No so much her presence but the chats we had on the phone while she was at college.  Late Sunday evening while I was bemoaning my inability to talk with Allison, my phone chimed that I had a text.  It was from a number I didn't recognize and it said "Allison said to tell you to be good dirt and that she loves you!"  Attached was a picture of Allison with a bunch of young girls.  First reaction was melting heart and tears.  I knew the message had come from Allison because only she, Sara and Johnny use our little catch phrase "be good dirt."  Then I thought "who is this and how did this person get to see Allison??????"  So I texted back, "Thank you! Who is this?"  I get a message back - "My name is Kaitlyn and me and my friends live behind the Provo temple.  We decided to go walk around the temple and ran into a bunch of missionaries.  We thought it would be fun to take pictures and text them to their parents with a message from their missionary."  That message came when I needed it most - any earlier and it wouldn't have meant as much.  Coincidence that those girls just happen to walk to the temple on the same day and at the same time that Allison was there? that Allison just randomly pick those words to say?  that the message reached me when I needed it most?  NO!  It was a very sweet tender mercy from the Lord who orchestrated these little events and meetings so a mother would feel the comfort and love from her daughter and her Heavenly Father she needed to feel in the moment she needed it most.  

On Monday we tried to do an apple orange diet.  It was supposed to cleanse you and make you feel better.  I was like why not so for breakfast I had 2 apples and I was starving!  I was like how am i going to do this?!?  Then I realized i couldn't and resolved to eat normal food for lunch.  I wasn't the only one to cave.  We ALL did.  It was pretty funny.

Me and ALL my stuff on Move Day!

On Tuesday we moved.  It was interesting trying to pack and move all of my stuff.  I will definitely be sending some stuff home. That afternoon we were having class and we were taking a break when I looked out the window I saw Steven walking by with his companion, so I grabbed my companion and ran outside to talk to him.  He was way excited that we were on the same campus now. 

Hermana Scarlett :)

On Wednesday, we had a lesson with a faux investigator, Luis.  In our past lessons with him, he was frustrating me with all his questions and I didn't have all the answers.  I was trying to help him but I didn't know how.  But on Wednesday we had such an amazing lesson and he really opened up and I was able to work with him to resolve his concerns.  I know he'll get baptized but it's going to take some time.

On Thursday, which was yesterday, I don't remember what we did but it was good.  Oh wait I remembered something! So every district does a musical number in church before they leave and we are performing the EFY medley but we rearranging it a bit to make it more of a missionary spanish song.  It's way amazing and I'm accompanying it.  It's so amazing to be able to play a piece of music that I know.  One of the best feelings ever - I love the piano so much!

Friday was P-Day and since West Campus is so amazing they let us walk over to this place called Brigham's Landing where there is a cupcake store, a jamba juice, a hamburger place, a cheesesteak place, and lots of fun stuff.  So we walked over and explored and it felt so good to be out and about. 

We all got travel plans straight to Argentina!

WE ALSO GOT OUR TRAVEL PLANS AND WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT TO ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!    I'm a tad bit excited!!!  We fly out on November 4th to Atlanta and then fly straight to Buenos Aires.  5 of the missionaries in my zone flying to Atlanta and have a 3.5 hour layover there but Elder Johnson and I have a different flight to Atlanta and we only have a 20 minute layover!!!! Then we all get on the same plane to Buenos Aires with like a bajillion other missionaries - us and visa waiters who got their visas!  Since 5 of the missionaries will be in the Atlanta airport for 3.5 hours and I only have 20 min, they said they would try Bojangles since I rave about it being so good.  They also better buy me a large fry so that I can have the best fries in the world one more time before I leave the USA for 18 months.  So yeah today was a good day.

Selfie Picture in our Argentina T-shirts!

Challenge to Readers

Hello Readers of My Blog!

At a recent Sunday evening meeting, Elder Bednar, one of the Twelve Apostles, issued a challenge that I would like to extend to everyone reading my mission blog.  The challenge is to read the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ with a gospel topic prayerfully in mind.  Topic suggestions included Faith, Repentance, Charity/Love, Jesus Christ, Attributes of Jesus Christ, Word from Jesus Christ, Commandments/Covenants, the Holy Ghost/Spirit, Obedience and its blessings.  The list can go on but select a topic you want to learn more about or of which you want to gain a personal testimony.  As you read, mark all the passages and phrases that relate to your chosen topic.  Elder Bednar then promised that as you do this, your testimony and personal conversion to the gospel will strengthen.

I have two paperback copies of the Book of Mormon to do this challenge.  My first time reading I'm prayerfully focusing on Faith, Commandments/Covenants and the Holy Ghost/Spirit.  I have a different color I'm using to mark each topic.  I LOVE this challenge because I'm paying more attention to what I am reading and how it applies to my life.  As I've been doing this, my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown so much.  I absolutely love that book!  So I challenge you to do this too and I promise your testimony of the Book of Mormon and your relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior, will grow stronger and your knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation with grow so much!

Love,
Hermana Scarlett

Editorial Comment:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in additional scripture call The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  We believe this book was written by ancient prophets here in the Americas at the same time the old and new testaments were being written in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.  When studied side by side with the Holy Bible, the two together provide a complete and unequivocal witness of Jesus Christ, his divine role as our Savior and Redeemer, and our ability to take hold of His atoning sacrifice to overcome our sins, stumbling blocks and trials.  In the introduction of The Book of Mormon it is stated that "a man [woman] would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."  

To this, I personally testify as I have studied this book along with the Holy Bible and as a result feel I have an intimate relationship with my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. This knowledge and relationship has brought me great peace, comfort and direction as the storms and trials of life appear.  I will accept this challenge and hope you will do so too.  If you do not have a copy of the Book of Mormon and would like one, free of charge, click here.            Audene Scarlett

Contact Info - Updated APRIL 2014

FROM THE MISSION OFFICE:  DO NOT SEND PACKAGES TO MISSIONARIES IN ARGENTINA!!!

Email Address:  allison.scarlett@myldsmail.net

Letters and Cards:

Allison has requested hard copy letters whenever possible because she physically has them and can reread them whenever she wants.  She cannot print out emails so can only read them during the weekly hour or so she is on a computer.  Additionally, the church has strict limits on what is sent through the pouch mail system and how it is sent.

Updated  To send a letter via church pouch:

Postcards or one-page, single sided correspondence only (cannot use envelopes).

Instructions:  lay letter, blank side down.  Fold bottom of letter about 1/3 way up the page and crease.  Fold top to the bottom of the first fold and crease.  Secure the long side with two pieces of tape about one inch from each end, but do not seal the ends.  In the top left corner, write you name and return address.  Affix first class postage in the top right corner.  In the middle address to missionary as follows:

Hermana Allison Scarlett
Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-01510

Do not include anything - no exceptions!  Why - too many people tried to send things in these letters when the church explicitly asked for no enclosures - this is a rule of the pouch system and the church almost lost their pouch services because folks abused it.

Suggest you write your letter through DearElder.com which is sent through the pouch system.  It is free and faster than mailing the letter to the church to go into the pouch.  Every Monday morning, DearElder.com prints out your letter and delivers (tri folded and taped) to church pouch system.

To mail letter/card directly - 
Hermana Allison Scarlett
Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission
Gral. Lavalle 1828
1646 San Fernando
Buenos Aires, Argentina

MTC Post 2

Hello everyone!  Here is the latest and greatest from the MTC -

So my district knows about my extreme dislike of rabbits.  SO the Elders found this chocolate rabbit hidden somewhere in their room and stuck it in my seat before class to try to scare me.  It didn't though.  Chocolate rabbits aren't scary, they're delish!  So now we have it sitting on a shelf in our classroom to remind all that I hate rabbits.

Editorial comment - Allison talks about General Conference here.  This is held every April and October for two days. Church leaders share talks and inspirational message with the entire church via satellite and Internet broadcasting across the globe.  It is a spiritual highlight for members, but even more so for missionaries. If you'd like to see/hear some of the message shared, click here!.  Now back to the blog......

First Elder George Siting!

Two weekends ago was General Conference so they bussed the missionaries at the West Campus MTC over to our building.  Before the first Saturday Session I was determined to find Elder (Steven) George.  I kept looking and looking and I couldn't find him.  I finally though in my head "He's probably at West Campus and I won't find him."  but I decided to look one more time and lo and behold there he was walking to his seat.  He give me his goofy smile and I just freaked out and started crying so my companion and I went to see him.  It was super great!  We got some pictures together after the Saturday Evening Session of Conference at the big map and took him and his companions to smell the Cream Soda/Butterscotch Tree.  I think it smells like butterscotch and so does Steven and his companions but some other missionaries think it smells like cream soda.

SO My favorite talk at General Conference was given by Elder Christofferson.  It was about the Moral Influence that Women have.  It was way super duper good.  I like how he talked about how we as women need to protect and cultivate the Moral force and Virtue that we have.  I got two things out of conference and they were the importance of missionary work (including members) and the importance of the family and influence of women.

All the Sisters in our new zone

We had a big change in our zone last week - another District with 12 missionaries along with another District with 6 missionaries! THAT'S A LOT but that also means two of the Districts are leaving for the mission field so I had them all write in my brown Journal/Memory Book.  It was super sad.  The Elders have a tradition of passing down old Bathrobes and seat-cushions for their chairs (Super gross, but that's boys for ya!)  so we sisters decided to start a tradition - the Traveling Spanish Hymnbook.  We will pass it down from district to district as they come and leave. Each sister in the District writes on the page of their favorite Hymn their name, where they're going, and their departure date from the MTC.  It's way cute.  This was also the day we got our new International missionary.  He's from Florinapolis Brazil, Where Elder (Logan) close is serving!  Way cool!

We've been teaching Miguel, our faux investigator - he actually turned out to be one of our teachers!  We teach in Spanish and have been working on teaching faith in Jesus Christ, His Atonement, baptisms and repentance, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  We are learning quickly that these lessons will only be successful if we as missionaries have the Holy Spirit present.  I'm also learning that the gift of tongues is real.  Even though I am struggling with learning the language - and verb conjugations AARRRGGHHH! - when I teach, I don't know how I'm remembering all the words.  Well actually I do.  It is my Heavenly Father and I know I wouldn't be able to do any of this without His help.  I'm so grateful for my district.  We were definitely put together for a reason.  It was pure inspiration!

The Napkin Hedgehog

So one day we were all sitting together at lunch and I just had this craving to hold a small cute animal, but of course there aren't any here.  So  Elder Heaton grabbed a napkin and made me a hedgehog out of the napkin!  It was so cute!  So now I keep it as a pet and named him Elder Darcy.  (Editorial Comment:  Allison is in love with Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice - her favorite book and movie of all time!) 

Something even cooler is who came to speak to us at our Tuesday night Devotional.  It was Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 apostles! It was such an honor to be in the presence of an Apostle of Jesus Christ.  Everyone knew before he came in that it was going to be someone important but what was really cool was when he walked in.  We were in the middle of singing a hymn and all of a sudden the doors opened and everyone stood up.  After the hymn there was dead silence and the Spirit in the room was so strong it was almost tangible. He spoke about several different things.  First he gave us 3 challenges.  The challenge to Change through repentance.  The challenge to Achieve by developing the skills we need as missionaries. And last the challenge to Become by becoming converted to the gospel.  He also spoke about 3 unique things about our church that no other church has: 1) The Fullness of the Doctrine  2) The Priesthood Authority and Power  and 3)  A Unique Testimony of the Godhead, meaning the First Vision.  It was all super good.  I loved every second of it.

Editorial Comment:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is patterned after the church organized by Jesus Christ when he walked the earth.  We believe there is a living prophet who receive guidance from the Lord to lead and guide His church as if He were here.  We also have 12 Apostles called as special witnesses of Jesus Christ and work along side the prophet to guide the affairs of His church.  Dallin H. Oaks is on of these 12 Apostles.  The prophet and the apostles all speak, along with other church leaders, during the General Conference previously mentioned.

Sniffing the Butterscotch Tree

Last Wednesday our zone decided to Host which means we help the newly arriving missionaries as they are dropped off - just like I was three weeks ago!  We helped them in with their luggage, helped them through the check-in process and get everything they need, showed them to their rooms and classrooms and all that fun stuff that happens when you first get here. First I hosted a Philipino girl - that was way cool and she was super cute.  It took a while because she had to do language evaluations and other things.  After her I only had time to host one other sister who was going to Norway for her mission.  It was way super fun.

Last bit of news - all of the Spanish speaking missionaries are moving to the West Campus which will make it COMPLETELY SPANISH!  It's going to be like a little Mexico MTC, AND I'll see Elder George more.  We move this coming Tuesday.  We have no idea how it''s going to happen and we're not exactly super excited about the moving process but it will be great!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers - I feel them and they are a huge support! I asked Mom to do a post with all my contact info too.  Please write me letters and emails!!  I may not be able to reply to everyone but you'll never know how much I appreciate hearing from family, friends and everyone else!  

MTC Tradition - to have your picture taken - at least once - at the humongous MAP. Me and my companion pointing to where we are from and where we are going to serve our missions.

At THE MAP with my cuz, Elder Steven George!

Missionary 411

Hello everyone!

This is Hermana Scarlett's madre, Audene Scarlett.  I'll be posting on Allison's blog so you can share in her adventures, experiences and spirit as she serves the Lord in Argentina.  Just wanted to make a few editorial comments for those of you who are not members of the LDS faith.

All missionaries who choose to engage in this service opportunity do it of their own choice and at their own (and their parent's) expense.  Most range in age from 18 to 25 although the bulk is in the younger range of that age spectrum.  Additionally, Senior Missionaries are folks retired with their kids grown and gone who choose to spend their retirement in missionary service.  We consider missionary service a blessing, yet a meager means of giving back to the Lord, in gratitude, for all He gives us.  Although, if you ask any missionary returned from their service, they will tell you they have probably come home in further debt to the Lord than when they left because of all the blessings, growth and increase in faith received from serving.

Now to some vocabulary common to missionaries and their service -

MTC:  Mission Training Center.  There are 19 throughout the world.  Our Hermana Scarlett is in the Provo MTC.  Missionaries serving a mission in their native language are in the MTC for two weeks to learn the lessons they will teach, learn about the culture of the people they will be serving, and learn best practices and skills for a missionary.  Missionaries learning a language are in the MTC for about 6.5 weeks and everything mentioned previously while learning a language, or more accurately, learning it in the language they will speak in their assigned field of labor.

Companions:  Each missionary is assigned a companion of the same gender with whom they stay 24/7.  Why? The reason is two fold.  First and most important, the Lord has declared by the mouth of two or more witnesses shall His word be declared.  Second, and still very important, companions serve as a protection and support for one another.  Once a missionary is assigned to their area, there is a Senior Companion and a Junior Companion.  The Senior Companion has typically been out longer and looks out for and trains the Junior Companion.  As a missionary progresses, they will have the opportunity to serve as a Senior Companion and be given other leadership responsibilities.

District:  A small group of companionships working in the same or nearby geographic areas.  One missionary in one of these companionships serves as the District Leader and is responsible for leading the group in word and deed.  The District meets together weekly to gauge the progress of their work, determine areas where they can improve, teach each other, discusses the needs and progress of the people they are working with.  While in the MTC, the District is a small group of companionships that arrived on the same date, leave on or near the same date, and are learning the same language.

Zone:  A zone is a group of Districts, anywhere from four to eight, working in the same geographic region.  One set these companionships serve as Zone Leaders and are responsible for working with the District Leaders.  A Zone meets once a month in a Zone Conference.  This usually includes the Mission President and his wife.  There are sessions of instruction and training for all the missionaries in the zone.  Small group session are conducted along with Personal Progress Interviews with the Mission President.  Zone Conferences are often time of great spiritual feasting and learning.  Missionaries come away rejuvenate, energized and refocused on their callings and work.  While in the MTC, the Zone is a small group of Districts that meet together weekly.  They will all be learning the same language but each District may be somewhere different in their timeline of progression through the MTC..

Mission:  A large geographic region whose boundaries are the boundaries in which a missionary is called to serve and work.  There are currently 405 missions throughout the world in just about every country.   Here at home, we are part of the Charlotte North Carolina Mission which encompasses primarily the western half of our state.  Hermana Scarlett will be serving in the Argentina, Buenos Aires North Mission which encompasses the northern third of that city and some distance west and slightly north into the country.

Mission President:  A Mission President and his wife are called to serve over a mission for three years, at their own expense.  Often these are older couples but at times they will have children at home that will travel with them into the mission field.  The Mission President and his wife are responsible for leading, teaching, guiding, loving, and caring for 200-250 missionaries. The President calls missionaries to serve as his assistants.  Together they prayerfully make plans and decisions for the entire mission (conferences, who will be companions, how long companions remain together, where in the mission each set of companions will live and work, etc.).  Hermana Scarlett will be serving under President and Sister Ayers during her missionary service.

I think that will be all for now but will post more info as I come across lingo that may be unfamiliar to some of your following Hermana Scarlett's Blog.

MTC Post 1

Week 1

Hermana Scarlett and Hermana Hickman

I absolutely love it here! Everywhere I went on my first day, people were welcoming me and were so friendly (probably because of the bright orange dot on my name tag identifying me as a newbie).  Everywhere you walk people are saying hello and are smiling and having fun while still working hard.  My district es el major del mundo (The best in the world)!  Mi companera (Companion) es Hermana Hickman.  She is wonderful.  She has the cutest dimples and she smiles all the time!  We get along extremely well.  We function very differently though.  Her brain works extremely fast but it takes me some time to gather and organize information and make sense of everything.  You guys know how my brain works- IT DOESN'T- at least not logically.  It is definitely a learning experience for both of us and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better and working with her.  This companionship was definitely inspired :)

The District

So my District is in the Intermediate Spanish Class.  I thought I knew a good amount of Spanish but ohmylanta! I have a lot more to learn.  We have started praying in Spanish and it's rough.  We have three Elders in our district and they are Elder Batt, Elder Johnson (who is going to the same mission as I am), and Elder Heaton.  They are extremely great Elders.  They're pretty much our missionary brothers.  It's great!  Our Zone is extremely fun!  We have 6 districts in our Zone.  We went to the temple together this morning and it was such a cool experience.  All the Elders were so excited to have breakfast in the Temple Cafeteria.  It was pretty delicious.  

Week 2

The Zone

It's hard to communicate in complete Spanish but I can do hard things through Christ.  When teaching our faux investigator, I was able to convey how i felt and what he needed to know.  Words were coming to my mind that I needed at the exact moment I needed them.  The gift of tongues is so real and I can testify to that.  My Spanish is so much better than when I first got here and it's thanks to my Heavenly Father and having the Spirit with me always.  

My district is so great! We have a lot of fun together but we also get a lot done.  It's a good balance.  They've all discovered how strange I am but you all know that I embrace it and it's all good :)  It's who I am!   I have to tell you about some of the Elder in my zone but in other districts.  Elder Omorodion-Bowie is a super skinny tall black guy from London, England.  He has the cool accent and all and he is going to the RALEIGH NC MISSION and speaking SPANISH!  SO he's been asking me a lot of questions and he is super funny and nice and I'm so flipping excited for him.  So make sure to tell the Close family he'll be in their mission :)  Then there's Elder Taio who's from Tahiti and speak French.  SO he's having to learn English and Spanish at the same time.  He is absolutely HILARIOUS!  Sometimes it's hard to communicate and he communicates through Spanglish but he is doing so good!  He got up and shared his testimony Sunday and he did so good - it was a miracle!  He likes to make funny faces and it makes me laugh so hard! The Hermanas in his district are so funny i just love them! They are Hermana Cattich and Hermana Boyce.  We're always laughing and having fun together. I'm just so happy here and loving every moment of it!