MTC
Chile:
Caroling
With her companion
Christmas
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Estoy Aqui en Chile!
¡Hola, po!
So Constitución is a coastal city and to be honest it is a LOT like Malibu. There are hills and beautiful beaches and the weather is perfect. I am told that it will become more and more warm, but as of now, it is nice. So I think that if you were to take Malibu and take out all of the rich people and put in a bunch of...let´s say humbler people...much more humble...you would have constitución! It hs actually been hard to get used to the poverty here. The houses are literally made out of 4 wooden boards nailed together. I was put right to work when we got here and visited a lady who practically lives in a shack. We are teaching her about the gospel and trying to help her learn how to read. Sometimes I see houses and I think, wow that house is huge...these people must be real rich! And then I realize that if that house were in the States it would be considered a poor house. It is crazy. I have decided that my family lives in a palace. Yet still I don't know if I could call it poverty here because they are all happy and don't seem to mind at all. And actually, most of the poorest houses hat don't have many of the nice things we have still have satellite TV! Haha.
The people here are very friendly. Their culture includes lots of kisses and I am trying to get used to how long their hugs are...it is awkward sometimes even for me (Jordan, you would hate it). The church members are very sweet and very supportive. They feed us lunch every day. We basically eat once a day (lunch). We eat some cereal in the morning and dinner doesn't exist. Instead the lunch is super huge and super fatty. But these sweet families who don´t have very much sacrifice to feed us so we are greatful for what we get. My companion's name is Hermana Wheatley, from Utah. She is super sweet and super animated and very patient with me.
So it is kind of weird to have a warm Christmas. But honestly, I think we've had Christmases with this weather before in Southern California so it isn´t that weird. They do have Christmas trees and Christmas decorations and Viejito Pascuero (Santa), but it just isn't the same. Christmas isn't a big deal for the Chileans at all. Not like in the States. On Christmas Eve our Ward Choir along with some other missionaries from the surrounding areas are going to sing Christmas Carols in the town Plaza. I am way excited! We are going to spend those two days visiting different families. It will be lots of fun.
Well I hope you are all doing well in the States! I hope that you are remembering the true meaning of Christmas and remembering that it is the season to give. I also hope that you all realize how greatful you should be to have what you do. Honestly even with the financial troubles going on you all are still very blessed. I love you all!
Camille
So Constitución is a coastal city and to be honest it is a LOT like Malibu. There are hills and beautiful beaches and the weather is perfect. I am told that it will become more and more warm, but as of now, it is nice. So I think that if you were to take Malibu and take out all of the rich people and put in a bunch of...let´s say humbler people...much more humble...you would have constitución! It hs actually been hard to get used to the poverty here. The houses are literally made out of 4 wooden boards nailed together. I was put right to work when we got here and visited a lady who practically lives in a shack. We are teaching her about the gospel and trying to help her learn how to read. Sometimes I see houses and I think, wow that house is huge...these people must be real rich! And then I realize that if that house were in the States it would be considered a poor house. It is crazy. I have decided that my family lives in a palace. Yet still I don't know if I could call it poverty here because they are all happy and don't seem to mind at all. And actually, most of the poorest houses hat don't have many of the nice things we have still have satellite TV! Haha.
The people here are very friendly. Their culture includes lots of kisses and I am trying to get used to how long their hugs are...it is awkward sometimes even for me (Jordan, you would hate it). The church members are very sweet and very supportive. They feed us lunch every day. We basically eat once a day (lunch). We eat some cereal in the morning and dinner doesn't exist. Instead the lunch is super huge and super fatty. But these sweet families who don´t have very much sacrifice to feed us so we are greatful for what we get. My companion's name is Hermana Wheatley, from Utah. She is super sweet and super animated and very patient with me.
So it is kind of weird to have a warm Christmas. But honestly, I think we've had Christmases with this weather before in Southern California so it isn´t that weird. They do have Christmas trees and Christmas decorations and Viejito Pascuero (Santa), but it just isn't the same. Christmas isn't a big deal for the Chileans at all. Not like in the States. On Christmas Eve our Ward Choir along with some other missionaries from the surrounding areas are going to sing Christmas Carols in the town Plaza. I am way excited! We are going to spend those two days visiting different families. It will be lots of fun.
Well I hope you are all doing well in the States! I hope that you are remembering the true meaning of Christmas and remembering that it is the season to give. I also hope that you all realize how greatful you should be to have what you do. Honestly even with the financial troubles going on you all are still very blessed. I love you all!
Camille
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
She's Off!
We got to talk to Camille yesterday from the airport. She is doing great and excited to get to Chile. We hope to hear from her some time today or tomorrow to see where's she is and how she's settling in. Now you have 2 ways to contact Camille (And remember, Christmas is coming and her Birthday is January 6!)
Pouch service: To send a pouch letter, the letter can be only one page NOT in an envelope. (So stapled or taped shut.)
Pouch service: To send a pouch letter, the letter can be only one page NOT in an envelope. (So stapled or taped shut.)
Sister Camille Elena Gamboa
Chile Concepcion Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
OR you can send anything else here:
I'll post as soon as we hear how Camille is doing!
OR you can send anything else here:
Sister Camille Elena Gamboa
Chile Concepcion Mission
O'Higgins 940, Oficina 502
Concepcion
Chile
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Hello Everyone,
Well one more week in this frozen state and then I get sent down to warm Chile!! I am soo excited to go but also excited for the week I have to prepare. My Spanish is coming along . . . it grows every day and I am always grateful to have a companion who forces me to speak it!
I had an opportunity to see the Church's Christmas Devotional on Sunday. I absolutely loved it! From what I hear, things are not so great economically in the real world (I'm living in a very opaque bubble) so I loved that they focused on the fact that the only thing we really need to celebrate Christmas is to follow the life of Christ. Their words were truly inspired.
One funny thing that I keep hearing in letters is how much my letters show how much that I have changed. Well . . . that is absolutely true and not true at the same time. I have changed a lot because I have learned to rely on God more. My love for the Savior and His sacrifice has grown exponentially and I feel more joy about what He did than I ever have in my life. At the same time, I am the same silly Camille. Actually, I think sometimes I am too silly. All of the missionaries in my district can attest to the fact that I laugh a lot and love to have fun! Oh, one other way I have changed is that my capacity to love others has grown a lot as well. I love each of you more now than ever and am not afraid to say it. I think that when you feel a little bit more of God's love, it is easier to share it. That being said, I'm sorry that I won't be able to write letters for a while. Between now and next Monday, I don't really have much time allotted to do so. But I will get back into the swing of things after I get there.
I love you all!
Hermana Gamboa
Well one more week in this frozen state and then I get sent down to warm Chile!! I am soo excited to go but also excited for the week I have to prepare. My Spanish is coming along . . . it grows every day and I am always grateful to have a companion who forces me to speak it!
I had an opportunity to see the Church's Christmas Devotional on Sunday. I absolutely loved it! From what I hear, things are not so great economically in the real world (I'm living in a very opaque bubble) so I loved that they focused on the fact that the only thing we really need to celebrate Christmas is to follow the life of Christ. Their words were truly inspired.
One funny thing that I keep hearing in letters is how much my letters show how much that I have changed. Well . . . that is absolutely true and not true at the same time. I have changed a lot because I have learned to rely on God more. My love for the Savior and His sacrifice has grown exponentially and I feel more joy about what He did than I ever have in my life. At the same time, I am the same silly Camille. Actually, I think sometimes I am too silly. All of the missionaries in my district can attest to the fact that I laugh a lot and love to have fun! Oh, one other way I have changed is that my capacity to love others has grown a lot as well. I love each of you more now than ever and am not afraid to say it. I think that when you feel a little bit more of God's love, it is easier to share it. That being said, I'm sorry that I won't be able to write letters for a while. Between now and next Monday, I don't really have much time allotted to do so. But I will get back into the swing of things after I get there.
I love you all!
Hermana Gamboa
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
MTC Week 2
Hello Everyone!
Well the clock is ticking so I'll just get right into it and let you know what all is new. First of all, my travel plans have changed. I guess my group was supposed to get here the day before thanksgiving but they didn't want to do that so they had us come on the 19th. SOOO we are leaving instead on the 15th and have the last week to prepare personally and in companionships (meaning no classes which will be weird but that's ok cause there is a lot to do). At first I was excited about this because I really wasn't feeling like I was going to be ready. But then I was sad cause I want to be in Chile. But I know that it is the way it is supposed to be.
Thanksgiving here was good. I got to see two great speakers, eat an amazing Turkey Dinner, and we got to learn all about all of the Humanitarian Aid projects that our church is involved in. It is crazy how humble they are about everything. I had no idea that our Church's Humnitarian Aid Department is one of the largest in the world. I am so proud to be a part of it. We spent a few hours putting together First Aid Kits and ended up completing almost 10,000. It was great. They will be sent to Central America.
So every week they assign us a new topic to speak about at church on Sunday (ie last week it was faith and this week it was hope). They never tell us who is going to speak until we get there so we just all have to come way prepared!! Well there are bout 100 missionaries that go to church with me at my time and many of them have been here for many weeks and have never had to give a talk. Since my group is only hear for a little less than 4 weeks we didn't think we would have to give one. I actually told my roommates this week that I was sure that it wasn't going to be me this week....of course it was!!! I was pretty scared because although I enjoy speaking in English I didn't think i would be able to do it in Spanish. I thought I would get up there and freeze. Well the Lord helped me because I got up there and was clear minded and spoke just as I would have in English. I even got a few laughs (not AT me, I told jokes). It was a great experience.
I joined the MTC choir: ). How I miiiiiisssseeeddd singing. My roommates and I are really enjoying it.
Ok 2 more things before I end this email: 1. I have grown to love my savior Jesus Christ more since I have been here then I ever have before in my life. We are soooo blessed that our Lord came down to this earth to guide and help us and for our salvation because he loves us. I am so excited for Chirstmastime!
2. I am sooo blessed to have recieved some wonderful letters since I have been here. I honestly treasure each and every one of them. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I highlight them, I write about them in my journal, and I apply them to my life. They mean so much to me. They lift me up and give me something to look forward to at the end of the day. Thank you so much for the letters. I wish I had time to spend as much time as I want to on each and every letter. Im sorry if they seem rushed or as if I don't treasure them. That is not the case.
Well, I love you all!!
Hermana Gamboa
Well the clock is ticking so I'll just get right into it and let you know what all is new. First of all, my travel plans have changed. I guess my group was supposed to get here the day before thanksgiving but they didn't want to do that so they had us come on the 19th. SOOO we are leaving instead on the 15th and have the last week to prepare personally and in companionships (meaning no classes which will be weird but that's ok cause there is a lot to do). At first I was excited about this because I really wasn't feeling like I was going to be ready. But then I was sad cause I want to be in Chile. But I know that it is the way it is supposed to be.
Thanksgiving here was good. I got to see two great speakers, eat an amazing Turkey Dinner, and we got to learn all about all of the Humanitarian Aid projects that our church is involved in. It is crazy how humble they are about everything. I had no idea that our Church's Humnitarian Aid Department is one of the largest in the world. I am so proud to be a part of it. We spent a few hours putting together First Aid Kits and ended up completing almost 10,000. It was great. They will be sent to Central America.
So every week they assign us a new topic to speak about at church on Sunday (ie last week it was faith and this week it was hope). They never tell us who is going to speak until we get there so we just all have to come way prepared!! Well there are bout 100 missionaries that go to church with me at my time and many of them have been here for many weeks and have never had to give a talk. Since my group is only hear for a little less than 4 weeks we didn't think we would have to give one. I actually told my roommates this week that I was sure that it wasn't going to be me this week....of course it was!!! I was pretty scared because although I enjoy speaking in English I didn't think i would be able to do it in Spanish. I thought I would get up there and freeze. Well the Lord helped me because I got up there and was clear minded and spoke just as I would have in English. I even got a few laughs (not AT me, I told jokes). It was a great experience.
I joined the MTC choir: ). How I miiiiiisssseeeddd singing. My roommates and I are really enjoying it.
Ok 2 more things before I end this email: 1. I have grown to love my savior Jesus Christ more since I have been here then I ever have before in my life. We are soooo blessed that our Lord came down to this earth to guide and help us and for our salvation because he loves us. I am so excited for Chirstmastime!
2. I am sooo blessed to have recieved some wonderful letters since I have been here. I honestly treasure each and every one of them. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I highlight them, I write about them in my journal, and I apply them to my life. They mean so much to me. They lift me up and give me something to look forward to at the end of the day. Thank you so much for the letters. I wish I had time to spend as much time as I want to on each and every letter. Im sorry if they seem rushed or as if I don't treasure them. That is not the case.
Well, I love you all!!
Hermana Gamboa
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
El Primer Email . . . .
Hello,
This is my first time using e-mail!! Hooray!! But, just fyi, the clock is ticking and I only have 26 minutes left. That plus the fact that I hardly speak english anymore means that this letter may not make sense...sorry in advance.
So I am doing well. I have been here for about a week now and I cannot BELIEVE how much I learned in that amount of time! It is absolutely crazy. My companion, as I said before is a recent convert and was a Jehova's Witness. Her knowledge of the Bible is unreal. I can ask her any question and she answers me with a bible verse. I love it! I have such a deep love for the Bible and you should see how many passages I have marked. I had no idea how much good stuff was in there. I love having her as a companion. We are teaching each other a lot. She is teachingme how to relax a little bit and I am teaching her how to hurry up...we make a great team!
I get to see Alli every once in a while while I am here. She seems to be doing pretty well. We both agree that what we are doing is hard but we both love it anyway. I also saw Treigh Pedroche the other day at the temple. He is on fire!! he has such a great love for what he is doing it is amazing. And Cory stopped by to see me today. It was so nice to see a familiar face.
It is so amazing to be living here in this environment. It is so crazy not to hear any cuss words, or trash talk at all and to see so many people with such an intense desire to serve! I don't think I have opened even one door for myself and if I ever need help with anything, there is always someone there to help. It's just amazing the spirit that is here. And it is soooo cool not to worry about tv or media or anything but what we learn! I absolutely love it!
My spanish is coming along...I have good times and then bad times and then more good times. I am getting better but I am also getting pickier so it is hard because I notice all the details now. But I don't think my spanish has been anywhere close to being this good.
Well I hope you all are doing well! I remember when Jordan would write emails/letters, I would think, that's all?? Please, tell me more!! But now I understand why!! We are busy 16.5 hours of the day! So if you want to know anything specifically, just ask.
I love you all so much, thanks for the constant love and support!
Hermana Gamboa
This is my first time using e-mail!! Hooray!! But, just fyi, the clock is ticking and I only have 26 minutes left. That plus the fact that I hardly speak english anymore means that this letter may not make sense...sorry in advance.
So I am doing well. I have been here for about a week now and I cannot BELIEVE how much I learned in that amount of time! It is absolutely crazy. My companion, as I said before is a recent convert and was a Jehova's Witness. Her knowledge of the Bible is unreal. I can ask her any question and she answers me with a bible verse. I love it! I have such a deep love for the Bible and you should see how many passages I have marked. I had no idea how much good stuff was in there. I love having her as a companion. We are teaching each other a lot. She is teachingme how to relax a little bit and I am teaching her how to hurry up...we make a great team!
I get to see Alli every once in a while while I am here. She seems to be doing pretty well. We both agree that what we are doing is hard but we both love it anyway. I also saw Treigh Pedroche the other day at the temple. He is on fire!! he has such a great love for what he is doing it is amazing. And Cory stopped by to see me today. It was so nice to see a familiar face.
It is so amazing to be living here in this environment. It is so crazy not to hear any cuss words, or trash talk at all and to see so many people with such an intense desire to serve! I don't think I have opened even one door for myself and if I ever need help with anything, there is always someone there to help. It's just amazing the spirit that is here. And it is soooo cool not to worry about tv or media or anything but what we learn! I absolutely love it!
My spanish is coming along...I have good times and then bad times and then more good times. I am getting better but I am also getting pickier so it is hard because I notice all the details now. But I don't think my spanish has been anywhere close to being this good.
Well I hope you all are doing well! I remember when Jordan would write emails/letters, I would think, that's all?? Please, tell me more!! But now I understand why!! We are busy 16.5 hours of the day! So if you want to know anything specifically, just ask.
I love you all so much, thanks for the constant love and support!
Hermana Gamboa
Sunday, November 23, 2008
El primer dia . . .
We got our first letter from Camille this weekend . . . she is doing very well! Here is an excerpt:
I met my companion right away as I was in line for some shots. After I said just a few words to her and noticed the confused look on her face I immediately realized that SHE DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH! My first thought was that I was scared. I didn't think I would be able to handle it. Then . . . I opened my mouth and spoke to her, and Spanish words came out. Don't get me wrong, I'm still nowhere near where I hope to be, but I have to say that my Spanish has grown more today than it has in months of preparation. I am remembering words I haven't used in over a year. The Lord is really helping me out.
So now I realize what a blessing it is to have the companion I do. She is the only missionary in my district who doesn't speak English (of all the new ones we met today). She converted almost exactly a year ago . . . she had decided to be a Jehova's Witness missionary at that time when she met the missionaries. The testimony that she has as a new convert is amazing. The love I feel for her already is amazing as well.
I met my companion right away as I was in line for some shots. After I said just a few words to her and noticed the confused look on her face I immediately realized that SHE DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH! My first thought was that I was scared. I didn't think I would be able to handle it. Then . . . I opened my mouth and spoke to her, and Spanish words came out. Don't get me wrong, I'm still nowhere near where I hope to be, but I have to say that my Spanish has grown more today than it has in months of preparation. I am remembering words I haven't used in over a year. The Lord is really helping me out.
So now I realize what a blessing it is to have the companion I do. She is the only missionary in my district who doesn't speak English (of all the new ones we met today). She converted almost exactly a year ago . . . she had decided to be a Jehova's Witness missionary at that time when she met the missionaries. The testimony that she has as a new convert is amazing. The love I feel for her already is amazing as well.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
She's off! Camille is now in the Provo MTC. Here she is walking in the missionary entrance:
And here is mom putting on her tag:
A few family shots:
Camille got to go to the MTC on the same day as her good friend, Alli. It made us feel good knowing that she would start her mission experience with someone she already knows and loves. Alli is going to New Jersey.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Camille's Open House
Camille's great ward family in Malibu had an open house for her on Thursday.
There was lots of yummy food:
And good friends:
And family.
Today she is speaking in our ward. We are sure she'll do great!
There was lots of yummy food:
And good friends:
And family.
Today she is speaking in our ward. We are sure she'll do great!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
