18 months of my life in a semi Spanish world. The Utah Odgen Mission!! CONTINUED...

Here is a picture of my second companion in the mission field (Hermana Jessica Casteneda) and I. I don't have as many pictures taken with her. We didn't have a car for the first 3 weeks of our transfer. This made things a little difficult because she had pneumonia. Once we got a car we got to work. We served together for 1 transfer in Washington Terrace.

Hermana Casteneda is from Mexico but had lived in Utah for 4 years before her mission. She was very patient in teaching me Spanish.

My third companion was Hermana Lundstrom, from Ohio. We were called to serve in the great ward of Jefferson 2nd.

A little back ground of Hermana Lundstrom and I. She had been on her mission for about 15 months when we were put together but she had been serving in the English program before she was switched over to Spanish. When she had been made my companion we had both been learning and teaching in Spanish for only 5 months (including the MTC for me). We knew from the start that this transfer was going to be an adventure!

Hermana Lundstrom and I had a blast together and we were blessed to see a lot of success. It was all MIRACLES! Everyday at the end of the day we'd come home happy, exhausted, and have a full schedule. We were such a good balance for each other and learned to work well together. She was a little bit more reserved so it helped provide the opportunity for me to learn to speak more. I may have spoke more but the thing was that she understood more because she grew up with her parents speaking Spanish. We were quite the team. I love serving with Hermana Lundstrom. Honestly talk about easy companionship! We got along seriously ALL the time. We never had any arguments, disagreements, or conflicts that I can remember. We had open communication and we knew we could trust each other with anything. We will always be friends and I know that she will always be there for me if I ever needed to talk to someone.

It was while serving with Hermana Lundstrom that I found myself in the mission. I learned that love breaks down all barriers, including language barriers. Literally I can't even count the number of times that we went to teach people and they didn't care how we said what we were there to teach because they just wanted to know what we had to say because they knew we cared. They knew we had something special because we loved them SO MUCH! Till this day I've NEVER heard Hermana Lundstrom say anything bad about anyone. She sees the good in others and loves them. I thrived off of her goodness.

Oh yes and in the picture above is Gorge and Christopher Revilla. I love these guys so much! They became like family to us. They were baptized and less then a year later they were both killed in a car wreck, this was also within less then a week after I got off my mission. It was quite the experience. They were baptized on Mothers Day. I will remember this day for the rest of my life!!

Of course I had to include a of picture of Maria Camacho. She is like one of the Hermanas! She has helped us out so many times! She was one of the biggest reasons why I was able to learn the lesson that love breaks down all barriers. Maria inspires me because of who she is and what she does. I told her I  want to one day write a book with her in it. I'll still keep you posted of when that happens but I still want to do it! She is INCREDIBLE! I don't get to see her as much as I would like but I still am so thankful for the wonderful influence of her in my mission!!! I LOVE YOU MARI!

My fourth companion Hermana Judd, from Texas! The start of something CRAZY!! O my goodness Hermana Judd took my mission to a whole new level of awesomeness. She came into my mission at the perfect time. We had fun, worked hard, and our success continued to blossom!

Hermana Judd is one of my hero's from my mission! I will forever be thankful for her, what I learned while with her, how much she care for me when I was sick, and our friendship! Hermana Judd blessed my life forever!! I LOVE YOU!

This picture is the first dinner that we had together. It was in the Reyes family home and their cousins are the Martinez family. They were in the Washington Terrace Branch when I served there. They dropped in to surprise me. We had so much fun!

(Hermanas Gott, Hale, Tanner, and Judd)

They dropped in for a visit one time and caught us off guard with some water guns. They were getting us good until they trapped us in a room, which we then got revenge with the bathroom spray and perfume. Good times! We got each other pretty good.

This girl would not have gotten baptized if it wasn't for Hermana Judd. Long story short this girl wanted to get baptized for about 5 years but was afraid for tons of different reasons. Hermana Judd was incredible with her.

The Epic Trio!!! There are so many crazy stories from this trio. Hermana Munguia, also from Texas, (top left of picture my 5th companion) joined Hermana Judd and me. It was honestly one of the hardest transfer of my mission. I was sick, in a trio, and a hundred billion other things going on. In the end it was worth it. We all survived and life goes on.

We were blessed to have 5 baptisms within 6 days. This is just one picture with Familia Ramirez. It was so worth it!! This was while we were still in Jefferson 2nd. We have many other pictures of recent converts and investigators but I can't post them all. I'm just trying to give you all a little glimpse.

Hermana Gott (my 6th companion), from Texas, and I

We served together in Washington Terrace (my second time back in this area). I am so thankful that I served with her because I learned a lot from her. She is a great teacher and she changed the way I taught for the rest of my mission. We did very well together.

BAPTISMO!!!!

This was a baptism in Washington Terrace of a man named Juan. This was totally the results of the work of Hermanas Gott and Tanner. I got there in time to reap the benefits but I can't take the credit. I just helped organize the baptism. They taught him so well and he is truly a convert! They are great missionaries!

Hermana Gott and I weren't together that long, only 1 transfer (6 weeks). I was then transfer to the land of milk and honey NORTH SALT LAKE!

Hermana Mitchell (7th companion), from Las Vegas, and I were together for 2 weeks. She ended up going home for health reasons. I love her so much. While we were together we were white washing and we weren't able to work that much because she was in so much pain. Although there was a lot going on and yet we couldn't really work I wouldn't have traded that 2 weeks. We got along so well and the things that I learned from her were things that I needed to learn and it helped me to heal from the many harsh life experiences in ways that I could only dream of. Thank you Hermana Mitchell! You are truly a 2 week miracle in my mission that will be another friend for life!

The next picture below is of Hermana (Haley) Dalton (8th companion), from Utah, with a girl we were able to have a baptism with. I was also with Hermana Dalton for 2 weeks. I was trying to help train her but she was also sick the whole time until she received her visa to Barcelona, Spain. We got a long so great which was a huge blessing. We really enjoyed our time together.

After Hermana Dalton left I was placed in a trio with two amazing English speaking sister missionaries. These two were my only two English companions my whole mission.

Sisters Hill, Hancock, and Hale (We called ourselves Triple H).

(9th & 10th companions) They are both from Texas. 

They'd work there area and I'd work mine everyday for 2 weeks and we would do it by doing splits every single day so I could teach in Spanish and they would do there thing in English. I actually saw a ton of success this way.

After 1 transfer in North Salt Lake transfers came and to my surprise I was transferred to the last place in the mission I ever though I'd be sent. To the great BRIGHAM CITY!!!!!! I never thought I'd live there because I have so much family there. My Grandma, Grandpa Hale, Bob and Beth's Family (Aunt and Uncle), and Ann and Kevin (Also Aunt and Uncle) lived in my same stake. It was so great to have family so close and for those of you who want to know I don't feel like it was distracting at all. It helped me keep that little bit of fire for missionary work that I needed at the end of my mission. It helped me remember the blessings from the gospel that my family has and it placed a deep desire in my heart to share those blessings to other families. Plus if dinner ever fell through we always had a place to go.

Hermana Hernandez was my 11th companion, from Mexico but her family is living in Las Vegas. We were together 1 transfer. We enjoyed our time together and were both sad when she got moved.

Something I loved about Hermana Hernandez is that she loves the snow more then anyone I've ever met before. Every time it snowed it was the best day of her life and a happy celebration.

Hermana Galaviz was my 12th companion, also from Mexico but her family is living in Utah right now. She was a great last companion to have. She could make me laugh and we worked so good together. 

I ended my mission in Brigham City. I was there for about 4 1/2 months. 

18 months of my life in a semi Spanish world. The Utah Odgen Mission!!

Just the Beginning!

My mission started at the MTC! I'll try to share a little bit about my mission, stories, and somethings I learned from each companion and/or the life lessons that come along with the experiences.

The first companion I had was Hermana Munguia. That lasted for about a day and then I was put into a trio. We had a lot of good times together not to mention a lot of quality time since we were in sight and sound for 9 weeks trying our best to learn Spanish.

From the left to right it goes Hermana (Jessica) Mckenna, Hermana (Emily) Bue and Hermana (Kathy) Hale. I love these Hermanas and I am so thankful for what I learned from them that blessed me throughout my whole mission. Some of those things being. "God is a God of emotion" and it is so important for open, honest, and loving communication to have a strong and healthy relationship. I guess it all really boils down to trust.

This is us having fun with some of the things we received in a Halloween package.

I'd like to call these two my tender mercies of my MTC experience. Talk about amazing! It was definitely one of the best thing to have 2 of your best friends in the MTC with you at the same time.  They were also both 2 of my roommates that I had lived with for a year before I came on the mission. We were all learning Spanish and set out on this adventure at the same time. As most of you know I had an extremely hard time while in the MTC. The Spanish didn't come easy. I  caught practically every cold and flu virus that came by. But without fail, if I was ever having a ruff time I'd run into them and get a fresh perspective that the mission life really is just for a moment and I can give my all! I had some amazing experiences with these girls. We lived in the same building so I saw one or the other practically every night.

What a fun district! We all got along really well and were super close. I would love to have a MTC district reunion one day. I especially admired my teacher. He had a lot of courage and unbelievable faith. He has impacted my life forever.

This note was left on the board for us after an incredible experience that we had with him. I will never forget it. The spirit was so strong after he had a few interviews with some of us. My interview  happened to be really long. I appreciated all I learned and he took the time to give me valuable advice because we were about to leave the MTC. I'll never forget how  he was sad but excited for us to go into the mission field. He took the time to talk to me about how to keep the fire that I had. He referred to me as a fireball missionary. I cherish the memories and I am thankful for Hermano Dela Cruz. (If you can read Spanish you may understand a little of how nice that note is that he wrote to our district).

(From left to right: Elder Nailer, Hermana Bue, Hermana Hale, Hermana Mckenna, and Elder Hammond)

Leaving the MTC for the start of a new adventure in the mission field!!!

THE MISSION FIELD!

I'd like for you to meet my AMAZING trainer! Her name is Hermana (Aileen) Clotet! She was my perfect trainer. We pushed each other so hard in all the best ways possible. I'd get her up in the morning at 5:45 almost everyday to work out and she pushed me to be the absolute best missionary that I could be. She really wanted me to know everything I needed to know to be successful and we pushed each other to our limits to be our best. I am so thankful for her and God knew I needed her and no one else as my trainer! I LOVE YOU CLOTET!

My first week in the mission field was CRAZY! Let me give you an overview.

(From Left to right: Hermanas Lopez, Clotet, Castenada, Lundstrom, Judd, Tanner, Me, and Munguia)

The only two that weren't my companions in this picture were Hermanas Lopez and Tanner. I still consider them very dear friends. This picture was taken right after I met my trainer. I met Hermana Clotet in a huge meeting where they were going to announce your companion. I came in and sat down right next to her. We introduced each other and I straight up asked her if she was going to be my companion? She wan't fully sure yet if it was her or not but we were both hoping we were going to be each others companions. When they announced that we were indeed companions. We both jumped up, screamed in excitement, and gave each other a big hug. Things were already off to a great start!

My first full day we started off with our studies. As missionaries in companionship study you do what is called role plays. Hermana Clotet had me start off and she was going to let me teach her. I was about to start and she said "okay hold on a second." When she came back she looked like this....

Bahaha she really made me try to teach her in that mask. She was playing the part of an old man and had the voice and everything. It was so funny! Role playing isn't easy at the beginning but with the mask it just made it entertaining. I love memory. and that mask is legend!

You could seriously scare some kids with this thing on. CREEPY! Don't I look HOT!

My first dinner I remember having in the mission field. We had stopped by there house on accident a few hours early. The mom was already cooking. She told us dinner was about ready and that we could stay and eat. At the time we couldn't because we had an appointment but we told her we'd come back later. On the way back to dinner my companion helped update me a little bit about the culture. She said "you have to eat everything that they feed you other wise they will be offended. Their way of showing you love is through food. If they offer you seconds you need to say yes." I was determined to eat all my food! When we got there and the meat was still cooking from before. I thought it was a little odd but I just assumed that they knew what they were doing. The sweet lady made us 4 beautiful tacos. I was hungry so I was ready to dive in. After the prayer I took my first bight. To my surprise the meet was crunchy. Not only was it crunchy but it was pure charcoal. I watched to see my companions reaction but she held her composure. I decided I would too. I finished my tacos but when she offered seconds I let my trainer respond and we both politely explain we were full after 4 of those suckers.

That was one tough meal to make it through and after it kinda scared me because I was afraid that the rest of my mission meals were going to be like that. I was releaved each day as we went to different peoples houses and the food wasn't all burned but the next phase was learning to deal with being extremely full all the time!

It reached this temperature my first few days in the mission field. I seriously thought I might freeze to death. I think we would have if we didn't have a car. 

The next picture is what you get when you have a mouse in your apartment and your companion talks your zone leaders in to coming to get it.

Thank you Elder Ruvalcaba. That is true love and sacrifice!

The next picture has a great story behind it. We had just gotten back from my first district meeting in Logan. We were in Hyrum, Utah. Hermana Clotet gets off the phone. She had been speaking in Spanish so I didn't fully understand what she had been saying. She turned to me and asks "do you want to give service?" My response "why, of course YES!" She then proceeded to ask "how do you feel about plucking chickens?" At first I wasn't sure if this was a joke or not. I said I'd be willing to try anything once. But I kept on asking her "wait, are you serious?" Ha, man was she EVER!

Ha, I don't know if you can tell how red my face was. Man those things smelled so bad! Hermana Clotet and I would look at each other and just laugh because we both wanted to puke because the smell was HORRIBLE! (For those of you who know me I have a weak stomach when it comes to smells. I was praying to not throw up the whole time.)

This wasn't even the best part of this story. It wasn't long after this that we had to leave. We were then heading to dinner. On the way there I turned to my companion and was like "Hermana we better not be having chicken. If we do, honestly I don't know what I'm going to do." I kept asking her if this was a prank and I honestly thought she knew what we were going to have for dinner until we got there. We knock on the door walk in and guess what is on the table.....Kentucky Fried Chick. Thankfully the member let us dish ourselves. She mentioned how little we ate but Hermana Clotet was on the same page as me at this point and having a hard time eating as much as I was.

I learned so much from Hermana Clotet. I also remember driving down the road one day with her. We were having a blast and going to one lesson right after another. As we were driving down the road Hermana Clotet looked at me and said "you are like the American version of me." At that moment I literally screamed. She was like "umm did I say something wrong?" I started laughing and said "no you just caught me off guard because at that exact moment I was thinking you are the Peruvian version of me."

That was an EPIC 1st week. Thank you Hermana Clotet for being one my life long friends and the many incredible experiences!

TO BE CONTINUED....

Final Attempt!

I love looking at other peoples blogs. This is my final attempt to figure out the whole blogging thing. Plus I think it is a great way to keep a form of an online journal.

I am Kathy Hale. In this picture is one of my cute nieces (on the left). Her name is Brooklynn Osborne. A little about me is that I am currently living in Rexburg, Idaho. I just recently returned home from serving a mission in the Utah Ogden Mission. One of my favorite things about my mission is that I was teaching in Spanish! I've developed a huge love for the language, people, and their culture. I'll post more later as an update/review of my mission and a little of what I have done since then. As of right now I have some of the best roommates. We are always having fun and doing creative thing. For example, one family home evening we had we had a paint fight.

I love this picture but it doesn't have all of my roommates in it.

This is more like it!

We are constantly having random dance parties and dance out bursts.

The video below is the celebration of the news that one of our roommates had just had her first kiss with her boyfriend. :) It is titled "54 seconds of crazy"

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3620011192472&set=vb.1639707123&type=2&theater