OK, ok, ok--first things firsties. I have my visa. It's a "for real" thing this time because I am currently holding it in my hands...and I may or may not have slept with it last night as well...So the back story--Monday I ran into our mission president and his wife coming out of the elevator in the South Visitor Center and he said, "Hey where are you going again?" I said Spain and he said, as he casually walks by, "Oh, right. You are going there Thursday." I laughed and then realized he was serious. He showed me the email and said I had to go to UVU Wednesday-- because the head of the language department is also the Spain consulate-- pick up my visa and then handed me travel plans for last Thurs-SLC>Dallas, Dallas>Madrid. I was so excited and pumped...and then you ask, "but wait, you are still on T-Square. What happened?" Well, I'll tell you. I got to the SLC mission home Wed. morning to go to UVU with some missionaries there...and was told that the consulate DIDN'T actually have my visa.ahahaha! I laughed really loudly in this poor Elder's face when he told me because it was just too funny. I mean really, the Church has given me THREE different travel plans to Madrid now and yet there I was, in SLC minus a visa. So the working (not waiting!) began again.
I got my visa yesterday (Friday) and fly to Madrid Monday afternoon, November 14th...for real this time. Oh, did I mention I will be getting there via...Paris? Oh I didn't? Well let me tell you. The flight is SLC>Paris, Paris>Madrid. Muahahahaha! I will spend like a whole HOUR in Paris, France!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think I can snap some pics while running to my connecting flight? Hmmm, we shall see, but I would bet good money on it. Oh, other good news--I get to call you before I leave from a phone here so we can talk without crazy airportness. I will call tomorrow in the early afternoon--I'm not sure if we are on the same time again or not. I hate Daylight Savings! Completely bonkers--and if that doesn't work out for whatever reason, I'll call again later in the evening, like after dinner-ish I hope? I am so excited to hear everyone's voices--you have no idea.
So this week was transfer week. It was crazy and eye-opening to see sisters going home, especially sisters I really liked and got close to. My emotions were somewhere between awe and jealousy and determination. Some day it will be my turn, but I don't want it to come one day sooner than that because I have a lot to do, a lot to learn and a LOT of people to meet and teach. I decided, once again, that I will be the kind of missionary that works hard until they shove her onto the plane...not the missionary that skates trunkily through the last transfer. They have a transfer meeting here because so much changes every transfer, so that was Monday morning at 7. It was unique. They also have a 3rd verse to "Called to Serve" here that is specific to the Temple Square mission that I will write down and never forget.
I still have the same companion, obviously, but we are a trio now! (So that they don't have to juggle companionships when us "visa-waiters" vamonos.) So my newest companion is Sister Hoyos from Sonora, Mexico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We get along SO well and have tons to talk about. And I get to make spanish phone calls, lessons and especially tours with her! It is so wonderful. I was 100% prepared to be fluent with her before I got my visa...but Heavenly Father had other plans.. which I am happy with. haha. There is a HUGE latino devocional tomorrow night at the conference center, like 21,000+ people, and she's the spanish coordinator, so we are prepping for that and going to have all the spanish-speaking sisters positioned strategically outside for contacting. I am so excited--she is even going to let me wear her Mexico flag with my nametag-- heeheehee--so that should be crazy and terrifying and fun.
I can't wait to write to you next week from ESPANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems so surreal and like a dream. I've been waiting since I opened my call, but now it almost feels like, "Oh right, I'm supposed to be there!" I guess that means all the effort and energy I've tried to put into serving here and now has paid off at least a little bit.
Hey! I will try to get a package sent home by Monday. Just stuff I don't want to take with me or don't have room for. if I don't get it sent, then I will make my companions make the Unbreakable Vow to get it sent this week. We shall see...
Well, I am off to eat, starving!, and then...to the Salt Lake Temple!!!!!!!! I will get to do a session after all! I didn't think I would, but we pulled some strings and are going this afternoon. I am oh-so excited--I don't have the words right now. :-))))))))))))))))))))) Miracles do happen--I see them every week. Thank you for the prayers for my visa. It came precisely on the Lord's time as everything does. Next stop: Madrid, Spain. The next part of this journey is about to begin. How great life is when we are doing the Lord's work, the Lord's will, and all on the Lord's time.
Les quiero,
Hermana Dalton
Shout outs:
Brother Krauss! I'm so sorry I missed you! It's mission policy that you can't tell people where other sisters are for security purposes so you just have to tell them to wander around and pray they bump into them. But I felt so special when I got your note. Thank you so much and my comp will call the potential! You are the best!
Clecca- I love you SO darn much! Becca the email was hilarious and the pictures are SO SO SO cute! The girls are getting so big! I hardly recognized Haley underneath all that curly Clark hair! Thanks for remembering me and making me feel so loved. All the YW ideas and activities sound great! See, the blessings from keeping a "house of order" are already flowing in! Keep it up! And I can't wait to hear about this Murder Mystery Dinner!
Chandrea--Thanks for the colored pictures and email! I will put them up when I get to Spain! It sounds like you are all adjusting to Mesa really well. I keep running into people from Mesa and Mesa Mountain View--like missionaries. Halloween sounds like it was great with all the parties and costumes. I love you all so much! Muah! Muah!
Mom-thank you for the package!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing to get and the perfect timing. The chex mix didn't last a whole day.ahaha--compliments of having 2 companions :-) And the pumpkine bread and homemade jam were delicious! I made cornbread this week and it was amazing--I can only say that because we all know I don't even make anything past cookies and waffles.ahaha Everyone was impressed, especially me. Thanks a ton! You are the bestest! I hope that other package gets here before I leave Monday, unless you didn't send it after all :-/ I'll pray it works out.
Chloe-I loved the purple email!ahaha You are so cute. Way to go with v-ball sis! Just keep playing and having fun and getting better. I can't wait to see you play. I LOVE Pres. Uchtdorf's talk! We got copies in the MTC...on blue paper...and I laminated mine. I will reread that talk a lot during my life I think. Thanks for sharing and know I love you so much!
Dad-I can't believe it is Nov. either! Where'd the time go?! haha Thanks for the sports update. There was a guest here who asked for a tour...but when I saw his ASU hat, I had to refuse....ahahaha--just kidding! But we did have a fair amount of teasing and ribbing back and forth during the tour. haha I can't wait to talk to you and hear how everything is going. U of A sounds crazy with Stoops and Shelton. Silly university.
P.S. I attached some pics! Um, one's with Elder Parker Harmon from the MTC, Sister Brooke Shaw from the MTC, "The Forgotten Five" the morning us 5 visa waiters got to T-Square, My comp Sis Clayton on Halloween waiting to watch Despicable Me, us outside the Bountiful Temple, Sister Barraza from Barcelona, Spain (Hospitalet Ward I believe), My roomies Sisters Clayton, Kealamakia and Hednandez(she left for home this week), and me with the long awaited visa...and evidence that yes, I slept with it. ahahaha!
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