Todo, we are not in Kansas anymoreeeeeee

MY FAV PEOPLE! Wow it feels surreal that I am sitting right here typing this. What a week!!

So much has happened and changed in my life this week its crazy! I feel like I just took a complete 180 turn on my life, and everything I ever thought a mission was. hahah. I am all about change, but wow, this is something else (: Tuesday morning bright and early (3 am) I left my sweet little home of Provo Utah and headed for the airport.  It was so sad saying goodbye to all my friends that I had made there and just the comfort and at home feeling I always felt. That place will always hold such a special place in my heart, because of those people, my fam away from fam. But all good things must come to an end. Well we got to the airport and headed for Florida. On the plane ride over, I got the opportunity to talk to a woman who was really curious about my nametag and about the church.  We only got to talk for a few minutes about what we believe, but she loved it and she gave me her number and email, and I told her I would somehow get some missionaries to come and teach her. She made sure I was aware that she only wanted me hahah. Maybe one day in my mission I will be put in her area in Florida and get the opportunity to teacher her(: That was my first real encounter and experience with "the real mission" and it was then that I knew these next 16 months were going to be amazing.
Everything was so rushed but we quickly got off the plane (which the humidity um WHAT? hahah CRAYYYYzy. But I am already pretty used to it and LOVE it) and picked up our luggage and met President Richardson.  He is an awesome guy, full of energy and spunk, but you can tell he has got a plan and he doesn't take crap hahaha. He is not a time waster that's for sure (: You practically have to run to keep up with him. Its good though.  I learned very quickly that this mission is EXACTLY OBEDIENT.  But I love it. You do everything obedient and with EXACTNESS and you WILL receive blessings.  Well he is awesome and I am excited to work with him.  As I said, he doesn't waste time. Our first night here they dropped us off in companionships and we went knocking.  We got dropped off at this sketch apartment complex.  I was like freaking the freak out a little, but we knocked on a door and the sweetest woman let us in, and we ended up committing her to baptism. So awesome!

The second morning here we woke up to go find and meet our new companion.  I was freaking out a little not gonna lie (: Buttttt I have been blessed and my new comp is Hermana Cottrell.  She has only been out on the mission for about 7 months and is now training me, which is like crazy that she is already training, cuz usually people train when they are almost done, but she is great. Her Spanish is great and she is very outgoing which is good for me. She does everything with exactness, which was crazy for me at first, but I am really learning a lot from her and she is very patient with me. For our area, we have been put into the Miami South mission, PINK WASHING, which basically means that two new missionaries are going into that area, and also they are girls.  This area is the lowest area in our mission right now, and has only been an elders area for months and months now, because it is pretty sketchhhh. But Cottrell and I are being the sisters that bring it back. WAS UP. Richardson pulled us aside and said "I have big hopes for this power couple right here. Now get to work (:" I feel awesome that he has that much faith in us! I know there is a reason we are supposed to be in this area, and I am excited to find out why. I have been able to meet SO many different people (Cuba, Paraguay, Haiti, Brazil, Mexico, Jamacia, literally just everywhere) and I just LOVE the diversity.

These past few days have been super exhausting but so so rewarding. Every time I feel sad or down, we go pray with someone or teach a lesson, and I remember the exact reason why I am here.  This gospel is incredible. We have knocked LOTS and talked to everyone. I don't want one single person to walk by without hearing from me (:
The womens general broadcast on Saturday was literally EXACTLLY what I needed to hear.  Something I really liked from it was what Uchtdorf said.  "Just because we cant hear something, doesn't mean that there is nothing to hear".  LOVE THIS. We always pray for guidance and inspiration for our lives, but how often to we pray to let us be humble and open enough to hear it? We need to start listening differently.  I have prayed this week, probably more than I ever have in my life.  But I have SEEN him answer my prayers.  I have really tried to better recognize the spirits voice, and let it guide me in my life.  I know these next months are going to be SO challenging, but I am excited to learn and grow through our Savior, and share this gospel.  I JUST WANT TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE.

Sorry this is so long!! I just want to thank EVERYONE for supporting me and helping me get here.  All those people who have gone on missions before me, you are just the biggest examples to me.  I thank you all so much. Have the best week yall!! Your amazing. Your my people.

xoxoxo Hermana Dimond

Our cute little house.  We walk out every morning and it just smells like straight MARAJUANA hahha but love it.

We have this avocado and mango trees in our backyard (that is when I knew it was the house for me) look how freakng huge these things are.

We have encountered many of the animal species in our house though(: makes for some good frightening laughs

HAHAHA the best day of mission so far right here. We went to meet with our ward mission leader at his house.  It was only him so we had to go out on his apartment deck thing.  I was sitting down and Cottrell leans over and whispers to me, "don't freak out but there is a ferret right behind your head". hahaha obviously I turn around and freak out.!!! so funny though.

This nasty things name is tina turner.

This man found it in his home and has now acquired it as his pet.  He wanted me to hold it so bad and was just makin fun of me hahah.  Also during that visit with him, it started just down pouring and lightning like crazy. I was saying the closing prayer and it lighting and thundered at the same time and I could see the lightning through my little closed eye balls, and I literally fell off my chair cuz it freaked me out so bad hahaha. that is a moment I would like to rewatch when I get to heaven. so funny

saying goodbye to my mtc loves

my teacher, hermano evans, the soon to be quarter back for byu

Goodbye MTC

Olvidarse de sí mismo y ponerse a trabajar! - Forget yourself and get to work!

Letter from President Richardson to my parents.

My first day in Florida - September 20, 2016!

With President and Sister Douglas M. Richardson

Flo Rida

Hi Friends and Fam!!! Last three days here at the MTC until I hit Flo Rida and its starting to feel real! I am getting so excited and so so nervous all at the same time! Already said goodbye to some of the most solid friends this week, who all left for Argentina, and don't even like thinking about saying goodbye to the rest of my zone and district. I have been so blessed. This has been a great last week though, full of so much learning my head wants to explode, but also so many powerful and spiritual experiences. It has been exactly what I needed. 

On Sunday I was released as Sister Training Leader for my zone, to help the new girls learn how to do it this week before Latty and I leave. I loved that calling so much, getting to know all the sisters so well and getting to work with the Zone Leaders. Well anyways, we got to Sacrament later that day after getting released, and right after you partake of the Sacrament is when they announce who will be speaking that day. I thought I was completely in the clear for ever having to give a talk because only two people give one each week and there was so many people that were leaving that week that hadn't spoke, but sure enough Latty and I got called to do it! We were the first Sister Training Leaders they have ever had speak, as well as the only companionship that has ever spoke together. It was a humbling experience for sure, as it all had to be in espanol. (: The gift of tongues just blows my mind everyday I will tell ya that right now. 

Although this week has been full of a lot of lasts, we had lots of firsts as well! This week our teacher Hermano Evans (just a homie) took us outside to practice street contacting. Latimer and I were so excited to try!!. He had us stop literally every person we saw and do a street contact.  It was so weird because most people obviously only spoke English, so for most of my lessons we only taught English and I felt like I couldn't even teach in English anymore haha. I just have to share one experience that just vividly describes my lack of being able to speak any language now, just in general haha. So this guy was walking past us, like SPEED walking, and I knew he could tell what we were doing, and I could tell he was NOT in the mood haha. But of course, I go after him, speed walking along next to him saying "Hola Como Esta. Utsed habla en espanol?" basically "Hows it going? Do you speak Spanish?" He responds, "So sorry" and keeps walking. I keep like running along with him and totally respond, "No Esta Bien. Usted solomente habla en ingles. Esta Bien". I totally realize that I am still speaking in spanish and then I just loose it and start laughing and just like fell to the ground. He was probably so relieved that I am so dumb, cuz then he didn't have to hear my message that I was gonna make him listen to hahah. Anywho. Thats just a day in the life of me.  We also got to do another TRC skype this week, however, this time with a cute couple from Argentina. I literally talked with them for 30 min and I just LOVED them already. After our message I asked the father to share his testimony with us, and while doing so, tears were just flowing down his face. It was the biggest testimony builder to me that the spirit can touch people from countries away, or even through a computer.  Also reminded me how much I am going to learn from my investigators. They have so much they are going to teach me and I am so ready to learn. It also freaked me OUT because I seriously could only understand like half of what they were saying. So yep, this next week should be interesting (: Praying for my trainer, thats all I can say! 

We were blessed these past three devotionals to have them all be someone from the Quorum of the Twelve. Three apostles in one week. Absolutely amazing!!! 

Last story I want to share was something that happened to me this morning in the temple.  I had just been feeling super nervous and a little uneasy about this whole change that is about to happen in these next few days. I had just been praying for peace and comfort, especially while in the temple.  As I was walking out I felt so much peace, and I thought "alright I got this". And then next thing I know I look up and see my cute friend Savannah Mcgrath who I worked with this summer at Thanksgiving Point, who also served in Fort Lauderdale, and who gave me so much advice and pumped me up all summer.  I got to talk to her this morning and get some last minute advice. Im not sure why she was there this morning, and how it worked out just perfectly that we passed at the perfect time, but I do know that Heavenly Father knows ME. He hears me. And if he hears me, he hears ALL of you.  I love this gospel so much and the peace and comfort that it brings. Remember, we can all do hard things! Life is good! Next time ill be writing from Florida! LES GO. Love you all so much! Thanks for all the prayers and love. I do not even deserve it. 

xoxox Hermana Dimond

Elder Hanks & Stomach stealing my camera!  HaHaHa they even wrote me a dear elder this week!

My Teacher.  Love her so much!

The Elders in my District

Elder Bunker (The Kid)

When you literally just can't do in anymore hahahaha!

Temple Walk

Flight Plans Wasup

Friends and Fam hello hello!!! What a fantastic week it has been here at the CCM. I seriously have grown to just LOVE this place with my whole heart because of ALL the many best friends that I have made, the spirit that I have felt, the knowledge that I have gained, and the growth I have experienced as well as witnessed. This place is incredible and I am so sad to leave, but I am getting so excited to head out to Flo Rida!! Got my flight plans yesterday so it is really getting real(: One more week and then I'm hittin the field, hard.

Well so many great things happened this week but I would call it a success just because of this one sentence right here.... first Chasity lesson is in the books folks, it is in the books!! hahaha We have been teaching our cute little investigator Viri for about three weeks now, so it was cool because we were able to teach almost every lesson we wanted to, to her.  Usually we are always having new investigators so we teach the Restoration and The Plan of Salvation lots, so it was cool to have an investigator that would change it up a little and we could be pushed outside of our comfort zone.  It was seriously the best lesson I think we have ever taught tho. Just funny how the spirit works sometimes(:. Just constantly reminding me that all this work is our Saviors, not mine. We also got to try something new this week as well. Skype TRC. It was so awesome!! We were able to teach a lady from Canada. Our Spanish was tested a bit that's for sure, but Latty and I are real good at trying to push each other to be better. Wednesday we did an English fast, a full day of espanol! The gift of tongues is real wowza

Devotional days here at the MTC are my favorite here no doubt. Sunday was incredible because I walked into the building where they are held, and saw Chad Lewis' name up on the screen, saying that he was going to be the speaker that night.  Chad Lewis was a former BYU player and also went on to play for the Philly Eagles and his daughter Emily is one of my bestest friends. We have grown up together since we were kids and their family is like my second fam. Michelle his wife, along with my friend Emily came to the MTC so I got to just RUN up to them and give them the biggest hug! Made my week! Their family has such a spirit about them and had the whole MTC smiling. He said something that loved. "Everything good is under attack, and we are heading out to battle". Stay strong you little warriors (:(: Satan is a stinking pill. Elder Christoferson from the Quorum of the Twelve also came this week as well which was so awesome! I was like 5 rows from the front, so I was all up close and personal. It is so amazing how you can literally feel the spirit arrive when an apostle of god is near. He said something that I found super interesting. He said, "It is greater to be trusted than to be loved. God loves you. God loves all his children. But he does not trust everyone." How lucky we all are to have the knowledge that we do, and to be trusted with it by the Lord.  What a calling. I feel so lucky and blessed for this short period of time in my life to literally be carrying the kingdom of god in my hands everyday. 

just thanks everyone so much for all your love and support. everyday I am constantly reminded of all the people in my life that have gotten me to this point. you guys are my idols! Wish you all the best week!

With so much love, xoxoxox Hermana Dimond (the girl who just wants to be good at four square and handball like everyone else here at the MTC.... lol)