I scored a GOAL….for the OPPOSITE team!

July 7, 2014

Note: Kelby will write her letters in an internet cafe every week.  She said that the computers didn't have an SD card insert--so she couldn't send any pictures this week :/ Her MTC companion, Sister Wooley has a blog so I was able to download a couple of the pics her mom posted :)

I´m going to do something a little different. I’m going to write to you all in days and what not does that make sense? You´ll see what I’m talking about. First off, I’m in Argentina!! Second, for p-day my zone played soccer but I was the only girl playing because my companion felt sick so we had 3 teams going and  the enders on my team were all from here, entonces, they were really good at soccer. But guess what!! i SCORED a goal! But...for the opposite team! But the Elders in my team were so proud of me just for making some kind of goal hahaha. They all yell GOALLLLL. And I felt a little bit cool. Another thing, when you think I would put a smiley face somewhere, please insert one porque I don´t know how to use this Spanish keyboard and all the letters are all wiped off - it´s a miracle I’ve gotten thus far!! 

I’m glad you had a lovely 4th! It just felt like another day to me, I had to not think about what you all were doing so I wouldn´t get sad!! I miss you all so much but I just have to keep reminding myself why I´m out here ya know? The blue man group concert sounds SO fun oh my heck!! I loved the pictures, mom you’re looking really good!! MOM and Kaitlyn, I have a surprise for you and Ill send it as soon as I find out my address, I hope you both like it!! How is San Clemente?!!! Or are you home? How was it if so?? Mom you’re so amazing and strong, I look up to you so much. I keep a picture of our family in my scriptures and take it with me everywhere I go, that way I always have you with me no matter how far apart in distance we are. Dad helped me so much when I was sad (just before I flew to Argentina), and you did too. I love you both so much, I think about yall all the time. seriously. I love you all. Mitchell how are you? I finished your letter and am going o send it off this week! Its way long so, sorry haha but i hope you like it!! Dad I’m trying to save my pesos because I have something I want to get you but it’s a surprise so >I can’t say anything about it!!  Your emails crack me up omg I love you so much. They also make me cry, just cuz I love you so much. Thank you. I printed the emails and I’m going to keep them in my binder of letters I made in the mtc!! Vegas sounds like it was a blast!!!! Work hard play hard haha Mormon style! Mom how are you feeling about school now? I keep you all in my prayers every every day and morning. I love you all. Keep me posted on Canada I wannna hear about it!!

1 Julio 2014

I´m in Argentina!! My flight left yesterday night at 9 and we arrived in Buenos Aires at like, 730 this morning. I definitely haven’t showered in 2 days and I wasn’t able to brush my teeth this morning until just now because I forgot that I put my toothbrush and toothpaste in my jacket pocket...ask me how sad I was!! I was real sad and was resisting the temptation to be my grumpy self when I´m tired, pero, esta bien! I´m in Argentina and I LOVE IT. Right now, I’m in an airplane and we are all on our way to Cordoba! When we were in the little authentic airport from Buenos Aires the world cup was going on! We were about to go check our bags in when Argentina scored a goal and there were probably 50 people that were surrounding this little TV and when they scored, everyone went from calm to soo excited and lout, jumping up and down screaming because messi is el mejor!!

2 Julio 2014

I’m in Argentina!! I just got my new companion, her name is Hermana Rivera and she’s from Santiago Chile and I’m going to be her last companion in the mish! She only has 3 more months left here!! My first area is Catamarca. To be honest I’m terrified. I know the language will come with diligence but its so hard not being able to understand anyone. Kinda lonely. Everyone speaks so fast and when I reply my Spanish is so broken. I just got dropped off at the bus station and we have a 6-hour bus ride from Cordoba to Catamarca and sitting here in a place I don’t know is making me have to really rely on HF. I carry my dictionary with me everywhere I go! Mi mejor amigo.

4 Julio 2014

Yesterday was amazing! The first half of the day we study and then we go out and get lunch. There’s a recent convert named Jorge who gets lunch for us everyday. Its kinda like a soup kitchen and you take it home and eat it. That’s pretty much the only thing I eat all day. No it is the only thing I eat all day. He was my first lesson in Argentina and we walked into his home and front room was probably as big as a bathroom in the US and had the bare minimum necessities, sink, small stove that has wheels and rolls. He just got a new clothes washer and he’s been saving up his money for that for years. We walked into his house and there were little flies buzzing all around his kitchen and you know what, the thing s we take for granted in the states are things that people here only dream of having. Dishwashers, working toilets and stoves and refrigerators. He calls us his angels - he says we saved his life by teaching him. Our other investigator is named evita. I love her. She’s a menos activo and I love talking with her. She’s probably is 60-65 years and she owns her own business of selling gas for homes. Business has been really slow for her and she told us that when she started allowing us to come visit her, there were customers. We teach her in her shop and every time we come, there are multiple customers and she says that never happens. She knows the temple in Cordoba is being built but she can’t go though because she doesn’t pay diezmo. She feels like she cant pay it because she doesn’t have a lot of income coming n pero. When we come she has business so she wants us to keep coming hahaha. Fine with me! I felt like I needed to share Ether 12 27 with her, she has a really hard life with her mom. She’s literally on her death bed so evita takes care of her everyday and it’s hard for her to come to church so I had her read that scripture, actually is was ether 12 6 and she finished it and I said something about it and she just started to cry and guess what? My Spanish is so broken and far from perfect, but with the hand of God, people can be touched. I am so grateful to have HF with me because there is no way any of this could happen without Him. Then she asked me to say the closing prayer and I said things in it abut her family and asked Him to bless them With peace and comfort and stuff like that and >I got finished with there prayer and she was crying again and we left and before we did, she kissed both of my cheeks and we left and my comp told me I won her love, because people only kiss both cheeks when they really love and respect someone. Made me feel really good.

Okay other thing from this week. We were teaching a guy named Julio and he’s a recent convert as well and after the lesson hna rivera asked him, what do you think of my companion? He’s probably 70 and l0oks at me and says with a so straight face, I want her to be my companion. But not for a mission, for eternity and smiles at me and it was so funny. People aren’t used to Americans!

There's so much to say and so little time! Okay one more thought. No 1. WE HAVE a baptismal date!!! My first one!!!!!!!! On 19 Julio and it’s also dad’s bday so happy birthday dad! When you’re celebrating I’ll be baptizing! Well not me because that’s not allowed, but an elder will be baptizing!! Second- the food here is...alright! They love empanadas! The members don’t feed us much here, which is okay. I normally just eat a piece of chicken a day and drink water. I prob eat like 400 calories a day max haha my clothes are getting loose we can say that much.

AHHH I wish I could write more.  After this journal is done ill send it home so you can read my experiences first hand!!! I love you all so much and thank you so much for all o f your support and love, until next week!!!

Hna Romeril!!

Hotel room Kelby stayed at the first night in Argentina.  Her bed is the middle, the messiest!

Kelby on the plane headed to Argentina!

Kelby and some missionaries :)

The Phone Call

We (Kelby's family) were all so excited to be able to speak to her on Monday before she flew to Argentina.  Mom and Dad were at a conference in Vegas, Kaitlyn and Stephen were in Idaho, and Mitchell was staying with his Aunt Lorinda --we were worried that we all might not be able to speak to her because we were all spread out.  We sent Kelby a trac phone and put minutes on it so she wouldn't have to wait in potentially long lines for a pay phone at the airport.  We were so glad that we sent this to her!  She was able to call us all at our different locations and speak to us for quite a while.  She sounded so good and we could all tell that she was so happy :)  She still has her little valley girl accent and likes to abbreviate everything she says, but now she can speak Spanish :)  She spoke Spanish to us (of course, Mom didn't understand what she was saying--but Dad and Kelby had a nice little conversation in Espanol!  

Kelby said that she was traveling with about 20 other missionaries and getting to the airport was pretty crazy but they all managed to get there fine  and in one piece.  She said that her two suitcases were barely under 50 pounds each but she had to load lots of things in her carry on which ended up being 36 pounds or something like that!  At the airport, they went to Cafe Rio (I think) and one of the workers said to one of the missionaries traveling with her "So you all now speak Spanish (or something like that)?"  And the Elder said "Yes!"  So the worker said "Como estas?"  And the Elder said "No, I don't want any sauce."  Kelby said she just started busting up at him.  Hopefully, he will do okay with the language in Argentina!

She told us on the flight from Salt Lake City to Atlanta, GA that she and her companion spoke to a man about the gospel for quite a while and gave him a Book of Mormon.  She said it was such a great experience--a great way to get her feet wet as she is getting ready for this new experience in Argentina.  After speaking to her, there is no doubt in my mind that she has embraced the gospel fully and is ready to go out in the field and teach the people of Argentina about the gospel.  She made one last call to us as she was on the plan in Atlanta getting ready to take off.  She was a little weepy, a little scared, a little homesick--but she knows this is where she needs to be right now.  

We feel so blessed to have Kelby in our lives and we are so proud of her willingness to put things in her life on hold for a bit so she can serve the Lord.  The flight was very long from Atlanta to Argentina (I think 11 hours).  We received an e-mail on Tuesday from the Mission President  that stated " We are pleased to inform you that your daughter has arrived to the Argentina Córdoba Mission perfectly well.  We received her in the airport and we came directly to the mission home where we had a welcome meeting and a traditional dinner for this area.  They will spend this night in a nice hotel and that is close to our home.  Tomorrow (Wednesday) she will meet her companion and they will go to their area together. 

We are extremely grateful to receive a noble spirit like your daughter who is so consecrated to the Lord.  Thank you very much for all that you have done to prepare her.  We will take care of your daughter as if she were our own child."

Her P-Day will be every Monday --we can hardly wait to hear from her!  Thank you to all of you for your love and support.  We are so grateful for all of our family and friends who love and support her.  

Trials Make You Stronger

This week was probably the hardest week I have yet had on my mission. On wednesday I think I got into my head too much that everyone was going to be in St. George for Connor's homecoming and Wednesday was a hard day for me. I missed home and I missed family - My wonderful MTC teacher, Hermana Martinez, told me she wanted to talk to me because she said she could tell something was wrong so we talked and I just told her what was going on and she only speaks spanish, like she's going to school right now to learn English. She told me when she was talking to me, "You know my English isn't good right? Your Spanish is better than my English, but I feel like I should tell you something that HF wants you to know, so i know that he will help me know what to say in English to you" She continues on to say "I know you can serve a successful mission. I have been watching you as you teach in class and there are so many things you do that I wish I would have done as a missionary and Heavenly Father knows that you're trying your hardest and He will provide ways for you that you probably don't know yet" Anyways, she talked to me for a while and it was really comforting to know that she was there for me and let me just tell you how amazing she is. She is frfom Mexico and used to teach at the Mexico MTC and moved here because they needed her awesome expertise here :)

Yesterday I went to infield orientation!!! If  I had one word to describe that: OHMYHECK. okay I cheated that was 2 words. wait no 3. I'm losing it! Anyways, It was the longest day ever! We sat in classes and the only thing that got me through was Hermanas Morris, Pukahi and Woolley. I'll have to tell you more details on MOnday on the phone but oh my heck we had the best time I have so much to tell you but Im chatting with yall right now and I'll tell you more on the phone on monday :) I love you all!! Have fun with Connor on SUNDAY! give him a hig for me! :) Sorry for the shorter email, my mind is totally scattered with trying to pack everything today!!!!

I love you all so much, I think the world of you :)

Hermana Romeril

Temple Day!

Our Elders

Before Hermana T left

Shawn!...a BYU friend

Sisters in my zone

Hermanas for Life

Just Enjoy the Breeze...

SO. This week was full of spiritual upliftment - is that a word? Probably not, but I'm forgetting how to speak English! It's way more natural for me to speak Spanish and I have to think about it to speak English, YIKES. Anyways, the week started off great! On Monday, Hermana T started feeling sick because she got a back surgery a year and a half ago and she said she felt like the infection was coming back so we went to the doctor at like 10:30 am on Monday and Hermana Woolley and I were just sitting there in the waiting room nervously trying to put a Moses puzzle together but couldn't focus because we were so worried about Hermana T. We were thinking about all of the horrible things that could happen, secretly hoping she would have to stay here another week with us...that's horrible to hope I know, but hey, even our Branch President's wife thought that!! She came out and she was prescribed to take some antibiotics and the doctor told her if it got worse to come back so we went to the BYU health clinic and got medicine then we went home and stayed there for 2 days!! Luckily the other Hermanas in our zone were willing to switch off between staying with her and what not so we could all make some class time. It was hard to stay patient and loving the whoole 2 days because we were in the residence hall for hours at a time and it is so small there. There was a time where I was getting impatient and then I had a realization that Hermana T didn't ask for this to happen for her nor was anything her fault. So instead of being a grump I went in my room and prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for all of the things I was grateful for and I asked Him to help me to be patient and to show support to Hermana T because I love her. Right after I closed my prayer I just felt on top of the world! EH! I wasn't upset or impatient anymore, I just wanted to help her as much as I could so Hermana Woolly and I drew a bath for her and she told me she wanted a super hot bath so I thought, Okay let me just put it on the hottest it can go and Hermana T hops in the bath and all I hear her yelling is "HOLY CRAP MY BUTT!" I guess it burned her when she got in! I felt so bad!! After that I asked her, since we made basically a spa bath for you with bubbles can I paint your nails?!  (Shombree sent me SPARKLY nail polish and I love it). She says "no barbie!" She calls me barbie because I don't know… she says I look like a barbie doll! But don't worry, my goal is to paint her nails before she leaves for Texas :)

So yes Hermana T leaves on Monday and I'm so sad! Mi Corrazon!!! (my heart) but I know that Texas needs her so much and I know she will bless so many lives and it's just my selfish side that wants her to stay with me!! I love both of my companions and I never knew I could love them so much in just 5 weeks! She has just taught me so much and she gives the best advice and when she speaks in our lessons the spirit is so strong. I am so going to miss that New Zealand accented Tongan woman. She will do great things. 

So a few cool things! I have a quote for you all! "A pebble held close to they eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on this earth." There have been a couple times while I've been out on my mission I have felt discouraged or homesick, but in the bigger picture I know that when I miss my family, I think about the huge privilege it is to share the message to people about the gospel and families, that if they partake of the gospel principals and covenants, they can be with their families for all time and eternity. So when I have negative thoughts, I counteract them with something that can happen because of what I'm doing. Does that make sense?

Also something else I thought was cool was something my Branch President's wife said to us. "When someone slams the door in your face and won't accept your message, just enjoy the breeze." That doesn't only apply to missionary work! When something doesn't go right in life, just enjoy the breeze! Enjoy the experience because as I heard in a devotional a couple weeks ago, life is serious, but not that serious. Enjoy life and it's lovely experiences as they comes!! :) Oh guess what?!? M. Russell Ballard spoke to us at a devotional on Tuesday!! And President Eyring is coming on Tuesday!! So cool and we had a speaker on Sunday and her name is Sherri Dew. She reminds me so much of Sherri Ellsworth! She was this strong, ultimate woman who knew who she was and no one better get in her way because she is a focused and hardworking woman! :) And not to mention she looked a lot like her. Oh so funny. When the devotional ended on Sunday, an Elder behind me stood up and said "HALLELUJAH. I've been waiting to hear the word amen!"

Kait and Steve, thank you SOOO much for the cookies! My whole district and I enjoyed them and 2 of the elders said " I wish my sister loved me this much" haha so basi,  you're the best and I am so grateful for them! :) Mom thank you for all of the packages for Argentina this week! But thank you so much, I really appreciate it and I think you are so great and I love you with all my heart. I'm going to pick some things to send home to you before I leave! This week will be crazy with all of the packing and orientations and what not. I can't wait to talk to you next Monday!!!! :) 

Also, I can't believe Connor comes home...can you say crazy?? Thank you so much for all of your love and support I appreciate it so much! I love you all so much and never forget it. 

Ustedes son en my corrazon, siempre :) 

Hna Romeril

I love my companions!

 New Hermanas in our district

 Almuerza :)

 Sometimes Elder Royster likes to steal my camera...

 Drawing a bath for Hermana T.

 Companeras

 I mustache you a question… :D

Love these guys!

 Last week on P Day

Elder Hammond, our Spanish teacher

Hermana Morris y yo!  Hermana Woolley creepin' in the background!

Hermana Romeril starring in "The Princess Diaries" ~ unedited version

SO hmm where to start. This week was great! 

We have an investigator that's really our teacher but her investigator name is Ana Maria! This week we were teaching her the plan of Salvation and yesterday we were teaching her the 3 reigns of glory and she told us that she has a friend who has cancer and  has like 2 weeks to live and she asked us what is going to happen to him after he dies? She said “”We believe in our Catholic church that he goes to hell or heaven and I don't know that he's clean enough to make it to heaven.” So we talked to her about when people die if they haven't had the opportunity to hear the gospel in this life, there is missionary work going on on the other side and if her wants to accept it then he can and receive the necessary ordinances to become a member. And then I felt a really strong impression to tell her that she is one of Heavenly Father's elect daughters and that se has such a significant, important part in this life and that she never has to feel alone. She has Heavenly Father and her family who love her so much and who will always be there for her, especially heavenly father. Needless to say, the spirit was really strong and it was a good uplifting moment.

Also, last night my district had a discussion about just a lot of things...our stories and how we got out on the field and what we thought about being here and it was so cool to see why everyone was here. You know, this whole time I've been joking about Elder *and how he's so different and a sweet spirit, but mom I remember you told me growing up that everyone has a story and everyone is who they are because of things that have happened in their lives. Elder * is really tough sometimes, for example this week I was teaching him a one on one lesson and while I was mid sentence he just fell asleep...while I was teaching him and it was a little bit frustrating, but I said a quick prayer to help me to have love toward him and I closed my prayer and all of the sudden I wasn't annoyed at him, the whole situation made me want to help him out even more so than before. Although  I don't agree with some of his choices that he makes, it's important that I show him the pure love of Christ. The kind that doesn't let him fall and the kind who lets him feel loved and supported. He is somebody's son, big brother and grandson and they love him, and I know that you guys would want people to treat me right so it's important that I do the same. 

Also, yesterday I'm sorry to admit but I hadn't washed my hair for THREE DAYS while it was naturally curly and I washed it last night and for real, it was in so many knots and I couldn't get them out so Hermana Tu'akalau was like, Rome (Rome-ay) get over here let me get those out. So I went over there and legitly I felt like my scalp was being ripped off! She was brushing it so hard and I felt like I was that girl in Princess Diaries when they were transforming her hair from a fro to presentable...needless to say my head is still throbbing. Gotta love Hermana toots. oh ya that's what we call her. And she made a gangsta name for me K-LOAK. (life of a krip) so uh ya it's cool.. I'm basically a gangster you could say. 

On Wednesday my district hosted the new greenies! And I saw my friend Camry Bennion from EFY when I went with Rachel! :) I was SO excited and I haven't talked to her forever but it was so fun to see a familiar face in this unfamiliar place! Also, Hermana T leaves us in a week on Monday..ugh I'm so sad. She's so great and she has an amazing story as well. She's so strong and dedicated and I am so proud of her for being here. She truly changes lives and she's struggled with her Spanish but she's recently just come out of her shell and when she talks in the lesson, she really listens to the spirit and she knows what the investigators need and I am learning so much from her. For example, Hermano Wallace, one of our teachers, told each companionship to go in different rooms and teach a lesson one to our companions and Hermana T asked how my day was and she asked what was bothering me and that was the day I was really missing family and I just told her what I was thinking and she gave me  the best advice. She stopped and made pauses to let the spirit tell her what she should say and honestly, she told me exactly what I needed to hear and she is so amazing I so wish you all could meet her. And Hermana Woolley is great too! We have the best times together and wanna know something cool?!? We all fart!! We're all so gross together it's great. Our room smells disgusting at night. But that's okay because we are all gross together. :) After we poop we tell each other how big it is too (this is Kelby’s mother and if I knew how to -- I would insert an EMBARRASSED emoticon!—I didn’t raise her to talk potty talk!!!)...also when Hermana T goes poop she says "I'm going to bless the bathroom with my love." or "I'm going to go drop my kids off at the pool" Holy Gina she kills me! 

This week I took a Spanish test online where the computer gave me 8 prompts and I responded to them and my teacher gave me my results and the evaluators told me that my Spanish is surprisingly good for how long I’ve been in the mtc and they said I don't say my Rs quite right...dad I say an actual R like a gringa instead of saying it more like a D...woops :) 

On Tuesday Quintin L Cook spoke at the devotional!!! GAH! :) He made some great points like...I am my first convert. I must be converted to Christ fully before I am able to convert others to Christ and that it's so important that investigators become converted to Christ, not to the missionaries. We teach everybody...the rich, the poor, everyone because no matter the social standing, we are all children of God and he loves us so much and wants everyone to come unto him. He doesn't care if someone drives a Porsche or someone who doesn't have a car at all. To him, we're all equally divine and amazing. I watched the ugly duckling Mormon message this week by Uchtdorf and it really opened my eyes. It's important to realize our divinity and potential as God sees. 

This week all in all was wonderful and I love reading scriptures. I read them both in English and Spanish and it's so fun to try to figure out what in the world I'm reading in Spanish and it's fun to write down my impressions along the side of my scriptures. I love you all and thank you so much for your support. I couldn't do this without you. 

I wrote a letter to you about how my asthma is so you'll get that soon. But I’m dong so much better!!!! 

Dad Happy Father's Day!! I hope you get my card soon and I hope you know how much I love you. I'm trrying to figure out how to send this recording but if it doesn't send, know that I spoke some good Spanish in that thing and you would probably be surprised ;)

Mitch how was the trek? I want to hear all about it!!! :) 

So cool btw about Dana having a baby! She'll be such a fun great mommy :)

I love you all and I can't wait for next Saturday:) :) 

You're all in my heart.

Hermana Romeril

P-Day!!

Companion Photo Shoot!

P-Day

My Spanish scriptures :D

Sunday Funnn!