Mar. 31st email

I love emails and letters, whatever they’re about! And it let's me know what you’re up to in your everyday life which I am interested in. I know Heavenly Father is watching over the family and my loved ones, I ask Him to everyday and He has my whole life. Also this week I have felt comfort that if anything was to happen while I'm out, that this will be okay, that I'll be okay. I hear a lot, a lot, a lot about how our focus needs to be on the work, only. Sometimes I think it's a hard thing to ask, or that I have a hard time doing it. I wouldn't say I'm distracted, just that things other then mission stuff cross my mind from time to time. I've been asking H.F. to help me focus more because I know I will be more effective if I do. I could prob go on about this topic alone but I better move on. Just know that I am focusing on my mission and the work and what Heavenly Father needs me to do and then trust in Him to take care of things that I care about but can't think about as much. Does that make sense? Hope so. As I get closer to the Spirit I feel more love for my family! It's a complex! HAHAHA! Also as I get closer I get more emotional! Sometimes I start crying and I don't really know why I'm crying. Like when we're learning something in class or I share something or when I see that I need to be better.... It's interesting, but Esta Bien (It's all good).

Life is so great! I love being a missionary. .Last night Elder Didier of the 70ty gave the devo and one of the things he shared was about a sister who making her decision to serve a mission. It was a very hard one and took her away from her non-supportive family. Well, she was asked how she felt and she said, "I'm a missionary now, and I'm happy" . Though my situation is not as hard as that sisters I would echo her words, I'm a missionary, and I'm happy!!!!!!!!!!! Elder D. talked a lot about the Spirit and being worthy of it and needing it. I will be ineffective if I don't have the Spirit, totally. Not only missionary's need it but all of us need to strive to have it completely in our lives. There is a chapter in PMG (Preach My Gospel) about the spirit, read it! Today in the temple I learned that when we have hard feelings towards other's Heavenly Father’s Spirit can not work as effectively in our lives as it wants to do. NOT GOOD! We all need to be praying for understanding and forgiveness and guidance as to how to deal with people, and that they'll be patient with us too. I pray for this in my companionship. Because though I love them and am learning so much from them I still get negative thoughts here and there, BAD! So I pray for those things and H.F. has helped me so much. I could not do this without my wonderful companions!

Easter. This truly is a most special and important holiday. Most important thing in all of History! I will be reading up on the Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection. These event affects EVERYONE, even if they don't know it. And in a million ways, and I'll be teaching that to the people of Argentina!
I can't wait for conference either!!!! I keep hearing that it is an amazing opportunity to be in the MTC to listen to it, just and outpouring of the Spirit, I just can't wait! NO EXCUSES FOR ANYONE!!!! Everyone should watch it, there are tons of ways to access it, It will help and guide and bless lives in so many ways, it is so personal! When you share this with others I want them to know of the importance of it. People gaining a testimony of prophets is one of the biggest hooks in missionary work, and we have a prophet today, SO IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO HIM!!!!
Last thing, 1 Nephi 5:17 An increase of spirit because of genealogy work!
I LOVE YOU! HERMANA GRAHAM

email March 24,'10

Things have been great this week, of course. I should send a card to Grandma huh? What day is her BDAY ? Bedbugs, it was interesting because it's possible I could have them in Argentina, hope not though! It was nice to get a letter from dad, what a stud.. Thank you to everyone for writing me, so many people take time out of their day and I really really appreciate it! And lots of people make comments about the blog spot, not just with pictures!! Thank you so much for the St. P's box, It was great, and yes i shared :-). I wore green and pinched everyone that wasn't! Mostly on the hand cause that's pretty much the only place I can touch on the elders. HAHA! Thanks again! The food is great! Always, lots of variety, I eat more salads then I have before, though I probably eat a little too much. I don't think I've gained any weight and I don't get gorged but I could prob curb it a little.

I just got out of the temple doing initiatories and MAN! it was wonderful, that was my first time since mine and I loved it, I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to go to the temple, its amazing. Also I am so blessed to have such an amazing landscape surrounding me, the mountains around the MTC are astounding! I love them more and more, prob because I'm not outside a lot so when I get to be I can't get enough. I saw the stars for the first time this week since I've been here and I just wanted to lie out and look at them. Hopefully that will happen at least once before I go since I won't see that part of the sky for a while! The weather is interesting cold and then warm and sunny then snowy, but it's great! The trees are slowing starting up, not much yet, but there are some flowers around. I love it!

Business real fast. Thanks to Jess and troy, a years worth will be great. I also need a few other things. GEL brand la bella, it's called lots of curls, it's pink its for frizz controll and scrunch and shape and its a level 8 hold. Also some TRESemme curl hydration for flawless curls it's in a black bottle with a green top. I can' think of what else OH! And maybe my purple cardigan, i think it's at the top of any cloths box or luggage. No stress though :-) .

With Bre. I'm not sure her email, but if you go on my school account a I have an email from her you could attach, and I got a letter form her, she's going to Albuquerque New Mexico!!!! So cool! I need to know when she's coming in the MTC though! and yah! So exciting, I'm so happy for her! I can't wait to write her about it! Details!

Mom I love you! This week has been great. I'm learning more and more. The biggest theme of this week I would say was the BOOK OF MORMON. Everyone needs to be reading it, and faithfully, because the truth of it and everything else will be made manifest to them with it! It is my number one tool, along side the spirit. Without one of those I will have no success on the mission. I have amazing teachers and people around me. I am so blessed to have to opportunity to go on a mission. The field is white……!!!! I am excited for the challenges, because I know they will help me grow and teach me and keep me humble.

.. Spanish is coming a long, I feel like I hit a little plateau but I'm going to get over it quick! This week we're teaching the 1st lesson in Spanish!!! Ah! But exciting! It'll be tough but wonderful, learning. I need to work on a variety of stuff. My comps are doing good. I'm learning… learning from them. I'm working on being exactly obeident and I'm praying for others to be as well.

Oh, Mom,if you are doing anything online for me, can you make sure people know it's you, I don't want anyone to think I'm being disobedient when I'm trying really hard to be exactly obedient.. I've heard that it is an amazing opportunity to be in the MTC for Conference, a spiritual waterfall will happen, insight and everything. I can't wait! I think I leave here the 12th or 20th, some day between maybe. A district left this week so there are no more sisters right now, hopefully next week we'll get more. My time is up, but I love you so much and I'm praying for the family and I know Heavenly Father is watching out for you all for me! I am so grateful for that comfort because sometimes I worry and think of you all. H.F. is also blessing me with that ability to focus more on the right now, which I need help on, and I'm thankful.

Davita's email 3/17/10

Hey mom!!!! and family and any one else! I love you all!!!!

How are things? I'm glad it's warmed up some for you in AK, it's sounds like it's been cold! I LOVE the dearelder.com letters, it doesn’t matter how short they are, thank you so much, and thank you everyone who's written me! My 'free time' if you even want to call it that is almost non-existent, not a problem, except that I have very little time to write, thank you so much though!


Everyone, thank you for your support and love and I wish I could mention something to everyone individually but there’s just not time. Sorry and I love you!


I feel much better but one of my companions is still feeling sick, or else it's started over. Then quite a few people in my district have gotten head colds too.
I got a trim today, My hair is doing so great! I am so glad I got a perm!!! It's been wonderful! My cloths are perfect and I might be able to get some other shoes before I go, but I'm not two worried, the danskos and brown shoes are working great, we'll see :-)

This week has been great. I'm working on Diligence and knowledge for my Christlike attributes still. So much to work on with everything but Heavenly Father is so patient and always teaching, I'm so grateful! Elder Q. Cook came to the devo last night and it was awesome. He talked about missionary work, of course and how it's so important and how to make it more effective and also he gave a blessing to always know that we made the right decision to serve a mission. I was very grateful and felt the love of heavenly father and the power of the Atonement yesterday, I sang in the choir, "behold the wounds in Jesus hands" . It was beautiful, I love it all of course.

My companionship has improved this past week. As we've all given a little more and become more flexible and open with each other, it's been wonderful. I love the sisters a lot. Some things I've learned: It's not hard to be obedient, but sometimes it's harder to be exactly obedient.... And in my head I'm not thinking that I'm being disobedient, but if I'm not being exactly then I'm being disobedient. I’ve learn and been reminded of the need and importance. of it. It's such a wonderful thing and I know I will be a better missionary as I am exactly obedient, especially since the spirit will be helping me more if I am and WE NEED THE SPIRIT ALWAYS!!!! Also we watched a devo from Elder Holland and in it he is very intense and passionate about mission work, you could probably look it up. 2006 MTC devo. Well, he shared a poem:

Come to the edge he said, No I said, I'll fall
Come To The Edge, he said, No, I said, I'll Fall
COME TO THE EDGE, he said, ..... I went to the edge....
He pushed me! And I FLEW!

Wow! What an amazing poem! Truly we cannot be afraid when we're on the Lords side and doing His work. He loves us, He knows what were made of, He knows we can do it! I love My Father in Heaven, He's given me so much!!! It's uncomprehensable! I feel like I've gotten closer to the Spirit and increase of desire for the work. It feels wonderful, I'm so grateful.
I'm going to send pictures today, I can't wait for you to get them!

The temple was wonderful this morning, I just love it, so so so so so beautiful. God is really taking care of his children, and the missionaries so much. The MTC takes such good care of me.

Mom, I survived Bethel because of you and dad and the other amazing examples around me. But I mostly "survived" Bethel because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and God's love and because it was a place to make me stronger and shape me so I could reach and help more people in my life. Bethel is a blessing. I'm glad to have grown up there. I am so thankful for you and dad's examples, more then ever! Please give my love to my siblings and my relatives and friends.

Heres one more thought. My whole companionship has siblings serving missions at the same time. H. Karras Bro is in Brazil, H.S sister is in New Mexico and I have a brother in Heaven, all on a mission, serving God and our brothers and sisters. I know this is true. I know Josh is doing a great work up there. I love love love you. I hope your doing great and feeling well.

Snail mail letter from March 3rd.

Yesterday I sang in the choir for devotional. It was awesome - we sang "Come thou fount of every blessing". It was great!!!! Such a beautiful song and sung so amazingly!!! It was fun.
I was also called as Coordinating Sister. What I do with this calling is watch out for the Sisters in my Zone. There are 6 girls right now. When new girls come I'll be welcoming them and helping them. I need to uplift and love and be an example and I think I have to do interviews. It's neat. I'm also the Senior Companion right now, only b/c my last name came first, it rotates among my companions.
It is so neat being here! I hear testimonies all the time in different languages. We're given commitments all the time as we learn how to be great missionaries. We make goals as companions, districts, zones and individually of course.
Some goals are to learn 10 new Spanish words a day, read the BOM everyday, Give 20 contacts a week, Bo on time to everything. Yesterday we had a "English Fast". so we were trying to only speak Spanish - it wasn't that successful but a good reality check. Need to focus more on learning Spanish.
Being exactly obedient is a lesson I learn everyday. So important b/c then the Spirit can work fully w/me and that's another big lesson I learn all the time - The importance of having the Spirit w/me ALL THE TIME.
Also how important serving a mission is. and not giving up or being discouraged. How I need to work hard EVERY MINUTE! Those are the biggest lessons I'm learning I would say, or/and most often, Everyday probably-It's great!!!!!
My clothes are treating great! Almost everything has been used/worn and I think will work out nicely in Argentina. I'm not sold on all my shoes.... but I'm not for sure yet. Which is lame. I haven't done a lot of hills in them so that's where I'm a little doubtful.

Second email

Oh man this email thing is so stressful! You have to type typ0e type and the time is just blinking my time away! Thanks for the pictures! I couldn't figure out how to print them but I was able to see them well. BEAUTIFUL!!! Everyone looks great, Atticus looks big! Everyone looks bigger, It is going to be crazy when I see them again, Huge! Dear elders I can get everyday. It's so nice to hear from my loved ones, I know I'm lucky to get contact. Sounds way cold in Alaska, it's a little chilly here but not to bad. That is so neat that we were at the temple at the same time, The provo temple is beautiful. I thought of dad when I was in there and I'm so thankful we were able to go when he was working. . I'll have to think about the testimonies and mention it in a letter. I haven’t printed off pictures yet but am planning to order them today, I'll also get a CD so you can put them on the computer. How's my car doing?? How's the family doing? Anything else new and exciting? I was praying for you and dad the whole time you were down here, BE SAFE AND HAPPY. For choir I sit in the middle, so I can do alto and soprano, cause I really don't know.... hahaha, did it again last night for the devo, I'm planning to keep on going though we are not going to sing in Conference this year, to bad, that was one of my dreams! I am feeling a lot better, a few coughs here and there but not to bad, maybe it's just dry. Lots of missionaries from other countries, it's fun, here to learn English or just be trained. It's great. Every wed. more missionaries! The Sisters that are English speaking and came in with us are all leaving this week to the mission field! I can't believe I've been here 3 weeks already. I love being Coordinating Sister! It's just an opportunity to love more and I'm so thankful for that. Yesterday we had an incident with the other companionship and I think I was needed, so it made me feel good, even though it was a stressful time for them. I'll go into more detail later. I just am feeling more and more love for those I'm around and more love for the family. Thank you for accepting the gospel and loving me so much!!! I won't be able to get more shoes... maybe in Argentina, I'll take two pair down I think and then get one down there or else have someone send me some while I'm still here. I need some things so I think I'll write Troy to send me since they need to send me contacts anyways. This week has been good. I'm constantly being humbled, sometimes it's a hard thing but always a growing and bettering experience. I'm learning to have a more 'mission' language and not as casual, but I know that my personality is a talent God gave me to help me connect to people, as mentioned in my blessing. We've started practicing the 2nd lesson and it's going smoothly, though the 1st lesson is the most important to get people interested. Spanish is coming along, I need to work harder, harder, harder. Did I tell you Breanna is waiting for her mission call?! awesome huh. Dang this isn't a very informative/spiritual email, I swear I am learning wonderful things, maybe I'll get to write about them and you could type them up and put them online.... or I dunno. Did you put a new picture on my facebook? I'm glad you figured out how to do pics on the blog. I'm thankful that I am a flexible person, though I could always be more of course, cause it makes a 3some companionship easier I believe. Ah I forgot.... what else.... The Christlike attribute I'm working on this week is to be more diligent, lots to improve on. There is a cool quiz in PMG that you could take in the Christ chapter. I have to go. Love.

Letters/emails begin!

HI So my email didn't work last week, unknown reasons to me and so I got it working the next day but my P-day was past. So my email is davita.graham@myldsmail.net. This email program won't let me return so it's just going to be a big block instead of paragraphs, also there is a big flashing time limit so it makes me anxious. I only have a half hour to type. Wednesdays are my Pdays. How are you doing anyone?! . I wish you could visit me too! Haha! Tell everyone Hi and I love them and I love being a missionary and things are going so great and I'm learning SO MUCH!!! I have TWO companions. Hermana Karras and Sangapolutele. Both are from Utah. I'm learning a lot from both of them and I love them both. H.Karras is 24 and VERy organized and prompt, I think it's been hard for her with me and the H.Sanga as her companions, we're a little slower. But I'm getting much better and really I'm not that bad. I go to bed on time and wake up on time, I was able to adjust pretty fast which I'm thankful for. I've been sick from day one, but now it's just a little runny nose and lots of snot :-) . No problem! H.Sanga is Samoan and funny and chill, she's not outgoing but shy when it comes to the mission work, she's getting better though, we all are, me most of all! There are 6 elders in my District and 5 Districts in my zone. 3 other sisters. MOM! Thank you SO MUCh for all your cards and love and quotes and encouragement! It is so helpful and I love you so much and am so thankful for you and your support!!!!! I'm learning about obedience all the time, everything man, just gotta be obedient! and recognizing and using the Spirit! SOOOOOO important, a missionary will be unsuccessful if they don't have the Spirit! The language is coming along well. I know I'll get it down, though not completely in the MTC. I'm very thankful that I've had some background, it's helping so much! I sometimes struggle with teaching the lessons, trying to say all the important stuff and still be using my testimony and asking ppl to commit and be baptized and get to know them. READ the PREACH MY GOSPEL!!! It is my life right now, and it's wonderful. There is such and amazing spirit here in the MTC. I get to hear testimonies all the time, I get to hear stories and encouragements and love and WOWOWOWOW! It's awesome! I'm sorry it's taken so long to get to you! Please give everyone hugs and kisses for me! I love you mom, and dad, and everyone. I miss you all of course, but not enough to make me want to leave! :-) . I am so thankful for this oppotunity! Heavenly Father is shaping me in amazing ways. Yes Brother Lindsey and his wife are in my branch, he's one of the counselors. I've been running everyday, this week. I made a goal to run 2 miles a day. We make a lot of goals. Memorizing things in Spanish, like the 1st vision and get-to-know-you questions. We say our prayers in Spanish and talk in Spanish often, not as much as we should though! We go to the temple every wed. It's great! I have a family name, I'll do it and send it home. You can send me names if you want! That's great you're doing some family history, SO IMPORTANT! BEEEEE missonaries, don't be scared or worried, follow the spirit always, help out those missionaries in Bethel! Always be humble, pride is very dangerous. I'm not saying these things because you have a problem with them or something, just to encourage and strengthen the importance of them. Thank you for your prayers! We've heard of a earthquake in Chile, it's right next to Neuquen, but all the missionaries are accounted for and there still sending them down, though it's delayed. I have worn most of my outfits! Thank you for shopping with me because those are some of my best cloths. I have worn my suit and got lots of compliments from it. I'm going to try to get some pictures printed and send them, I can't do it over email. My shoes.... I'm not positive on. They've been pretty great, but I'm not 100% if they should be the ones I use in Argentina. We'll see, I'll let you know. Maybe just more flat ones... I dunno. I just feel so grateful to finally email you and that I'm having such an amazing time. I'm saying lots of prayers, being humbled, learning so much, I need to work harder though, much harder, use every minute to it's max!!!!! My time is about up and I want to make sure this gets out! If I think of anything else I'll put it in a letter or email next week. My thoughts will be on the family and especially Atticus as he gets blessed this Sunday. I feel so much love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know better now the truth of Joseph Smiths work and his heart and the restoration. The Book of Mormon is the best tool we have to share this gospel. Prayer is real, Church is SO important. I am so blessed. P Love Hermana Davita Jewel Graham!!!!!!!!!!!!!!