Happy Belated Thanksgiving! - Sister Rebekah Avery

Written by Sister Rebekah Avery, training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ola!!! Happy belated Thanksgiving! This week I'm grateful that there's no word in Portuguese for "awkward", mostly because that's one less thing I can be described as over the next 18 months.

This week started and ended wonderfully with only a couple of hiccups in between. Tuesday night we had a devotional and our whole district sang in the Choir. Wednesday night the power went out, which was actually a blessing in disguise because Sister Van Buskirk got a migraine. Needless to say, I was glad I had gotten my ice cream at lunch time, because by dinner I was cold and the ice cream was warm.  Thursday the power was back on and the MTC was thriving!!!

Since it was a holiday, we had Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife come to speak about the importance of having an attitude of gratitude, in which they reminded us that "life's greatest trials are simply blessings of refinement, meant to draw us closer to God". While we sang in the choir, I could feel the power of those words, and my heart was full of love for my Savior. The tears rained down as I watched him go and minister to the one, going row by row, comforting various Elders and Sisters in the congregation. It reminded me of how it must have looked when the Savior ministered to the people, and in that moment I came to understand a little more fully the love that God has for His children.

That is my testimony to you today. God loves us, and He is mindful of our needs. He is so loving that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to atone and die for us. Because of Him, we need never be alone. Because of Him, we don't need to fear. Because of Him, the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and families may rejoice together forever. Because of Him, there is comfort for the comfortless. Because of Him, death has no sting.

I say this, because directly after this wonderful experience with an Apostle, I received the news that my grandfather, Gerald Avery, passed away. I'd been prepared beforehand for the news, and am so grateful that I'd had the opportunity to say goodbye to him one last time over the summer. He was so excited for me to serve a mission, almost as excited as I was, so I know that he's proud of me and will help me in my service from the other side of the veil. Oh, how grateful I am for the precious gift I have of eternal families.

From there, we proceeded to do a SERVICE PROJECT! One of my favorite things :) We made over 350,000 meals for families in need, assembly line style. It was incredible to watch and feel the love that all of these young adults have for people we've never met. We laughed and sang Christmas songs the whole time. We are truly so very blessed. I'm sure you could learn more by googling it, but feel free to ask me any questions in a personal email!

That night we sang in the Christmas season with a couple of volunteer performers, one of whom had appeared on the Voice. It was really cool to hear his experience moving up in his career, how his testimony grew as he searched and pondered the scriptures, and then ultimately turned down a recording deal to serve a mission in..... Portugal Lisboa!!! Sister Van Buskirk and I were both very excited about that.

That night they turned on the MTC Christmas Lights, then it snowed the next day, fulfilling Sister Van Buskirk's sincere wish - she's from Southern California.

The language has come along super well, and I know that it will continue to improve as I keep my focus on loving and serving as the Savior did. None of this is meant to be easy, but that's because Salvation isn't a cheap experience. Yet, I doubt anything else could bring me as much joy as this. I am so grateful for the faith of my parents and grandparents, who accepted the gospel of Christ and made all of this possible.

Eu sei que o Livro de Mormon testifica de Jesus Cristo. Tabem, eu sei que Jesus Cristo e nosso Salvador e Irmao. Ele ama todas pessoas. Sou grata pelas familias eternas. E desculpe, I can't spell or type or grammar in any language anymore.

I love you all! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep being the amazing people you are and feel free to write anytime ;)

Tchau!

Sister Avery

All of the pictures are just of our district this week :) Including our fabulous Thanksgiving meal!

Week One is in the Books!  (November 19, 2018)

Holy Que!?! (December 3, 2018)

Elders and Sisters at the Provo MTC - Thanksgiving 2018

Sisters at the Provo MTC - Thanksgiving Week 2018

Elder Hyrum Garma (California Fresno Mission) with his companion, and Sister Rebekah Avery and her companion. Elder Garma is a family friend from Peru.

Thanksgiving Service Project, Provo MTC 2018

Thanksgiving Meal - Provo MTC - 2018

Week One is in the Books! - Sister Rebekah Avery

Written by Sister Rebekah Avery, training in the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ola! Eu sou viva e muito bem!

The past five or so days have been the best days of my life. I'm not just saying that to say that either.

From the very first moment that I walked into the Mission Training Center, I have felt like this is where I belong and what I've been meant to do for a long time. It's almost as if my whole life has been leading up until this very moment. My heart is so full of joy, light, and happiness that I feel as though I need to share it or else I might burst. Luckily I have an amazing companion, Sister Van Buskirk, whom I can shower with all of the excess love I want.

Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints always are in companionships of two or three, so it was a minor adjustment at first. However, I definitely lucked out.

Sister Van Buskirk (my companion) and I have gotten along so well, it's not even funny! She is the most beautiful, kind, wonderful person that I have ever met. It helps that we're also very similar in interests, personality, and temperament! But more than that, she has been a wonderful example of Christ-like love and charity as I have needed to visit the doctor repeatedly over the past couple of days. Even though we hardly knew each other in the beginning, she readily agreed to stay with me while we tried to figure out what was wrong, and has never once complained. Her patience is exemplary and something which I pray to be able to incorporate into my own character in the future.

God has definitely been with us, because despite missing the first two or three days of classes, we haven't fallen terribly behind and the Branch President said that her Portuguese is the best he's heard in the MTC (she had to speak in Church on Sunday, completely in Portuguese). I guess it helps that while I've been getting stuck with needles, she's had the opportunity to study in the waiting room! Both of spoke French before our missions though, so it's been quite the challenge trying to adjust, but we're usually able to relate our Portuguese vocabulary to our French one, saying "oh, voce is like vous, and estar is like ester!". Up until we hear the French missionaries across the hall speaking and our minds switch over, that is :)

Yesterday was definitely my highlight though. The whole day I was able to feel the Spirit. I received so many revelations for how I can better myself and improve before flying to Portugal in six weeks. Mostly I was reminded that none of this is about me. This is about the people who have been waiting to hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and those who have been missing His light in their lives. Sometimes the greatest service we can render is to simply smile and remind people that they are loved, that they have worth, and that there is always hope.

Furthermore, I had a very good reminder that this isn't about me. This is about the people the Portugal. If I try to learn Portuguese for myself, so that I can say, "Look how good my Portuguese is!" then I won't have the Spirit with me and I won't be able to learn as well/fast. Whereas, if I pray to learn Portuguese so that I can better love and serve the people I meet, and be a better instrument in the Lord's hands, then I will learn. E entao eu podema falar e apprender Portuguese par os.

Now, you're probably wondering if I'm still sick. So far, no. I am doing much better and am taking medication that should help, but they said that based on my blood work that it isn't contagious or anything. In fact, they don't quite know that it is/was, so they're making some educated guesses based on what they do know.

However, I would like to bear witness of the power of Priesthood blessings. The same day that I received a blessing from our Zone Leaders (two Elders who are also going to Portugal Lisboa), I stopped having the same pains and symptoms I'd been experiencing. I ate food for the first time in over twenty-four hours, and the next day I was able to go to all of my classes. The words said in that blessing were not the words of two young men, but rather the words of my Father in Heaven, spoken directly to me, with a mindfulness of my situation. He truly knows me personally and has been with me through this whole experience.

Eu sai que Jesus Cristo e o filho de Deus, e ele ama nos. Tambem, nos somos os filhos de um Pai Celestial. Nos podemos voltar a vivar com Deus par meio da Expiacao. Sister Van Buskirk e me somos missionarias de Jesus Cristo, e nos podemos apprendar Portuguese!!!

Desculpe, I don't know how to put all of the accents in there yet using an English keyboard.

Know that I love each and everyone of you, and I will try my best to not write so much in the future! Take care! And if you aren't praying now, I encourage you to try and have an open heart to what results and answers may come. If you expect failure, that's what you'll get, so have hope and know that Deus sempre escuta as nossas oracoes - God always listens to our prayers.

Tchau! Boa Sorte!

Sister Avery

Sister Avery Reports to the MTC (November 14, 2018)

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!  (November 26, 2018)

First Email from the MTC - Sister Rebekah Avery

Hey!

So I know that I literally just saw you, but they told me that I should come and email you that I made it safe. My apartment is on the fourth floor, so lugging all of my suitcases was a nightmare. I met my companion already and she's this super cute girl from Southern California.

I'm still feeling a little nauseous, but am fine overall. The lady started speaking to us in portuguese as soon as I arrived in the classroom and I was like, "Uh, help help!!!". My tongue doesn't seem to enjoy the accent as much as it did french, but I am praying that as I continue to study and practice that I will be able to do it. It's like President Uchtdorf said in his talk about gaining a personal testimony, having a righteous motivation can enable us beyond our comprehension.... or accent.

I'm in really good spirits so far and hope that you are too! Give everyone my love, and let them know that I'm going to be safe! Don't let anyone be sad or cry or worry. It's not allowed.

I love you all lots! I don't know when our PDay is yet, but I'll let you know eventually!

Take care! Ciao!

Sister Avery

(By the way, I learned that Irma means "sister" but with added emphasis and authority, like a sister training leader or teacher, so I'm just a sister for now!)

I also just learned that my companion, Sister Van Buskirk, speaks French! So that's cool! She already knows one of the other sisters from our mission and I guess they've been in contact with the other missionaries for several months now. I'm a little out of the loop, but I'm praying it will get better.

The guy just said our Pday is Monday? I'm not sure. Don't count on it, but maybe!

Love you!

Sister Avery

Sister Avery Reports to the MTC (November 14, 2018)

Week One is in The Books! (November 19, 2018)

Sister Avery Reports to the MTC

Sister Rebekah Avery reported to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in preparation for her service in the Portugal Lisbon Mission.

First Email from the MTC  (November 15, 2018)

Meet Sister Rebekah Avery

Sister Rebekah Avery was born in Maryland, and is the fifth of seven children. She moved to Utah with her family when she was 8 years old and grew up in South Jordan. Rebekah attended Itineris Early College High School, receiving an Associates Degree in General Studies, and Utah Valley University majoring in Art History.  She received  her mission call in June 2018 to the Portugal Lisbon Mission.

Sister Avery Reports to the MTC (November 14, 2018)