High highs and low lows

Dear Family!

Well like the subject line says, this week was filled with high highs and low lows. Lets start with the lows so I end on a good note. Missionary work this week was tough. And frustrating. About 87% of our appointments canceled this week. On Thursday we had planned to teach 10 lessons and we only taught 2. We have done a lot of unsuccessful tracting and run into some wacko people. On Sunday we went over to Gao's house who just got baptized and she told us to go away and come back later cause she was watching TV. That is so unlike her! She doesn't even have a TV!!! Instead her husband called us over(hes not a member) and had us sit down to talk to him and his friends. We very quickly realized that they were all very drunk. They started telling us that we need to know the Bible better and that we need to be better Christians and that all Americans are crooks and soldiers. We couldn't get away. When we tried to walk away, they grabbed our arms and made us sit down. We didn't fight it after that. We quickly texted out district leader and he and his comp came and rescued us. It was not a very fun experience.

 Another low this week was that I blew a tire. Last Monday night I was driving and we had to go pick something up from the Elders. I make a turn too wide to avoid hitting a car and ended up hitting a curb on the other side. The tire literally exploded. There was a huge pop and all the air gushed out. IT was so scary. We were in Tlokweng which is not a nice area to be in at night. We pulled over, prayed and had a very strong feeling to not get out of the car and to just stay there. None of the Elders would answer their phones. We sat there in the dark for over 45 minutes. We could literally feel a shield of protection come over us. Finally the Elders came and changed our tire then drove in front of us till we got home to make sure we were safe. It was quite the adventure.  WE were seriously blessed. The car is ok. We are ok. The church is true.

Then the other low this week is that Sister Anderson was almost hospitalized. Wednesday night she started having stomach pains. They weren't too bad but as the evening went on they got worse. By the time we got home for the night she couldn't even walk. I had to help her inside. She said it felt like someone had stabbed her and then left the knife inside. It was so scary. Her vision started to go fuzzy, she couldn't talk, she was dizzy, she couldn't even remember where she was. The Zone leaders came over and gave her a blessing. The pain didn't go away but she felt comforted. One of the senior couples came over and stayed the night at out flat to make sure she was ok. If it hadn't started getting better, we would have had to go to the hospital. It was scary. She is completely ok now. We never figured out what it was but its all ok now.

So yea. Those were the lows. Its been a rough week.

But now for the highs! While we had very few lessons, the ones we did have were really good!! We committed 3 people to baptism and they are all really excited. One of them is a Woman named Barati who I just fell a really deep love for. When we extended the invitation, she said that she had been waiting for people like us to come along. She always felt like ther was something missing in her life and she knows now that it is this gospel. I can't wait for her to be baptized! Another good lesson was with a woman and her daughter. We found them tracting. We first helped them do their wash. Yes. Hand washing clothes. We did this for 2 hours. I have bloody knuckles from it. Fun stuff. But then we taught the message of the restoration and they LOVED it. We are teaching them again this week.

Another high was that we went to a choir concert this week. An African gospel music choir concert. It was INCREDIBLE!!!! I loved it so much. One of the songs was especially wonderful. The chorus said "I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save everybody." First of all, the music was awesome. And on top of it, the words were perfect! I'm going to see if I can get a recording of it somehow. Its been stuck in my head ever since and it has kind of become my theme song.

The third high was that I GOT TO HOLD A BABY LION!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I held a lion in Africa. Pretty much the coolest. We went to this military camp that trains soldiers how to handle wild animals so when they see them in the wild they will know what to do. We got to pet a bunch of cool snakes, some hyenas, some monkeys, some adult lions and cheetahs, and then we got to hold a cub! Then on the way home we saw a bunch of zebras just hanging out on the side of the road. It was pretty much amazing. I love Africa.

Well I'm about out of time. It was hard and frustrating but not a bad week. One week from yesterday is my 1 month mark. Can you believe it?? I cant. Well I will talk to you soon. I love and miss you. Thank you for you prayers. They are helping more than you know.

Love, Sister Chelsea Gehring

(a.k.a. future lion tamer)

Our First Baptism

Me, my companion, and the kids we played "warrior" with.

Oh you know. Just me holding a lion. No big deal.

Some bonus letter!

We get extra time to email today cause one of the sisters here is having some problems so we are stuck inside. So here's some bonus letter! I can't get pictures to load so I'll try again next week.

I'm just going to list cause its easier.. Here goes..
 

They dont refridgerate their eggs or milk here. They radiate them or something like that so they dont need to be refridgerated. Weird.
 

Its kind of cold here! I was not expecting it! I have to wear a sweater in the evenings!
 

We almost never have dinner appointments. The members just don't feed the missionaries. Luckily the Elders in our district are not ok with that either so the new district is trying to organize a calendar. The only Botswanan food I've had so far is fat cakes. Its like a fried scone. So delicious.
 

While we were tracting the other day a woman who was very grateful to have been found gave Sister Anderson and I African names. Mine is Mpho. It means a gift from the heavens. Sister Anderson's is Masego. It means always giving.
 

The G's are pronounced like H's here and all the R's are rolled. So Gaborone is pronounced Haboronie. That means most people here pronounce my name Sister Hering with a rolled R. Its kind of great actually.
 

I don't know if I mentioned this but Dumela is just like the universal greeting. I say it ALL the time.

Ok now some cool things I realized while I've been on mission. (you don't say my mission or the mission or anything here. You just say on mission. kind of like you'd say I was on vacation. Does that make sense?)
 

First thing. Last fast Sunday I was fasting that I'd be able to fulfull my calling as a missionary from day 1 and that as soon as I was out in the field, I'd be able to do the work. While I was bearing my testimony in Church (this was in the MTC) This came out and I know that it wasn't from me.--- I was not called to Africa because I have a love for it already. The Lord has been preparing me from the time I was very young to serve this exact mission. I have a love for Africa because I was pre-destined to come here on mission. Thats why I've loved Africa my whole life. So I could come here and serve God's children in Africa. As soon as I said it I knew it was true and I knew that Heavenly Father had blessed me to realize it.

Second cool thing which was also not something I just came up with on my own. I realized it while watching a video about how the church was started in Africa--- The reason Africa has had so many problems over the years is that Satan is concentrating special effort here. He knows what incredeible potential for greatness and strength the people here have and he does not want their strength unleashed. But this is Africa's time. Satan can't hold them back any longer. I know this with all my heart. Now that I'm here, and even though I've only been here a week, I can see it. The people here are so happy. They have nothing but they are the happiest people I've ever seen. I feel blessed to be in their presence.

Once again, Lots of love from Botswana!

Sister Gehring

Dumela!

Dumela losika lame!
Hello my family!

Big news of the week... I'm in Botswana!!!!!! I'm in an area of
Gaborone called Broadhurst which coveres Broadhurst and Tlokweng. Its
very rural. Most of the people live in one room cement houses with tin
roofs. Many of them have electricity but almost nobody has A/C. The
main roads are paved but a lot of the little side roads where our
investigators live are dirt. We have a car always which is soooo nice.
Its cause everything is so spread out plus we live a little ways away
from our area for safety. Our flat is in a a gated complex with
electric fences and barred windows and doors. I feel very safe there.
We have no A/C but we do have running hot water, electricity and a
washing machine, fridge, stove, oven, toaster, and microwave. It is
really nice. The surrounding area is safe too. Sister Anderson and I
go running every morning around a couple blocks and its really safe.
We are greeted every morning by tons of roosters. They're a nice wake
up call. As safe as it is though, we do have to be careful. Because we
are 2 young white females, we get some unwanted attention. Never to
the point where we feel uncomfortable but mostly just annoying. We do
have a strict cerfew to be in by dark because after that it would be
unsafe. And we follow it. Even if we are in the middle of a leson,
once the sun starts to go down, we wrap up and go home. I'm not
telling this to you to make you worry but I feel like its just better
that you know everything.

 One of the adventures I've had so far is that they drive on the left
here( Driver on the right side of the car and cars on the left side of
the road). I drive on the left. Yup. I drive every other day and I
drive on the left! Its different but not as scary as I expected. Ive
only been honked at 3 times! There are always people EVERYWHERE. The
hardest part of driving is not hitting the people or the animals.
There are cows, goats, chickens, peacocks, cats, dogs, and donkeys
wandering around the streets all over the place. Its a challenge to
not hit them.

Another adventure I had was getting locked out. Our power was
out(which is a very frequent occurence) so we went out to check our
meter and accidentally locked ourselves out. So we had to break into
our own apartment. We had to hop three different 8 foot fences in
skirts, then reach into a tiny window that was left open, unhook a
hanger, reach through the window, grab the keys from the inside of the
door, bring them out to us and then unlock the door. Yea. it happened.
We ligitimately broke in. Not just climb in a window. This was
borderline criminally certified. I can't tell if is should be proud or
worried. But hey, we got in. Miraculously. As crazy as it was, it was
definitely a blessing. Don't worry. I got a video. You can see it in
18 months.

Also the people just let their kids run around wherever they want .
Its not unusual to just find a bunch of kids playing soccer in the
middle of the road. The other day while we were waiting for Gao to be
interviewed we went out back and played with a bunch of kids for a few
minutes. They had found some old tape strips (like film tape) and so
we made headbands with them and ran around like we were warriors. It
was so fun. African kids are SO cute! Another common thing in our area
is termite mounds. HUGE termite mounds. I'm talking 10+ feet. Want to
know something nasty? When the women are pregnant here, they crave
termite dirt. Yup. You read that right. They crave termite dirt.
Apparently it nice and crispy. Gross.

Well the work here sure is booming. Right now we have 9 people on date
to be baptized in the next couple months. And other than them, we have
17 other progressing investigators. And even more than that who are
new. The only times we have to go tracting are when appointments fall
through. And when we do, about 70% of them ask for return
appointments. And of those, probably 50% continue with lessons. They
have such strong belief if God already and when they find out that
they can be with their families forever they get so excited. Plus
there are a lot of opportunities for service while tracting. I have
hand washed clothes and dishes for people and helped sweep a few
yards. (Everyone here has dirt yards. And they sweep them. They sweep
their dirt. It doesn't make much sense but it looks nice once its
finished and its just what they do. I think its great actually. Its
just one of those things that makes me love the people) We teach about
90% of our lessons outside. Nobody has a big enough house for us all
to fit.

We had 2 baptisms yesterday. Gao and Patricia. I didn't know them too
well once I first got here but we met with them a lot in the week
before their baptism so I got to know them really well. And I love
them. Both of them are a hoot. Gao is 46. She LOVES hugs (as do most
people here. No matter who you are, they hug you. I've hugged more
people in the last week than I have in my whole life) and hi- fives.
And her testimony is so strong. When we went over the baptismal
interview questions with her she answered each of them with "I
believe. I know." Patricia is 24 and she is crazy. She's loud and
outgoing and very into fashion. When we were taking pictures of her in
her baptism dress she kept posing like she was modeling a new outfit.
It was hilarious. But her testimony is strong. We get sms's from her
all the time asking us if things are ok to do. She has a very strong
desire to follow God.

Ok backtrack a little... Last thursday the sisters who were going to
Botswana flew here! Its not safe for the sisters to drive up here so
they flew us. Our new trainers met us at the airport. My companion is
Sister Anderson. She's from Utah and shes only been out 6 weeks! We've
decided that we'll just be training each other. She is incredible
though. I love her already. We are SO much alike. In so many ways. We
can be goofy and silly with each other already but she is definitely
here for the right reasons and we work hard. Really hard. There hasnt
been a single minute wasted since I've been here. Its exausting but I
know its the work of the Lord. And seeing the faces of our
investigators light up when they feel the spirit makes every
frustration completely worth it.

Well I have so much more I want to tell you but I don't have time! I
loved you all and I hope you know that I know this church is true.

Love, Sister Gehring

Out in the field

Your missionary is out in the field now with their trainer.

I just wanted to send you a few final photos and the video of the missionaries singing in Swahili.

I love each one and miss them! 

Love,
Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

Service

The missionaries are allowed to give 30 minutes of service while they are in the MTC. Some of the Sisters bagged laundry soap for the next group.  some washed the MTC Van, and the Elders did the sweeping of the many leaves that are falling....since in South Africa, we are in Fall...headed for winter.

The group have really bonded and become a family....at least from my perspective.
President and I love each one!
Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC
April 12, 2013

More emails from Sister Reber

April 9, 2013

In South Africa, there are many wonderful fruits.  One is the Granadilla.  We have granadilla juice at the MTC....complete with little black seeds.  Last night I brought several granadilla to show the Americans.  The Africans already know the fruit and were able to show the Americans how to eat it.

It is a good fruit, if you can get past eating the seeds.  Everyone had a taste and there were positive comments.


Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

April 10, 2013

Yesterday was our day to go to the Johannesburg Temple.  Sister Nyambita and Sister Jaker received their endowment.

We asked a man to take our group photo and he cut off the heads of the Elders who are standing on the wall....so I got out of the picture and I took the photo and managed to get everyone in.
The photo of the arches was taken after the two Sisters went inside the Temple.

It was a wonderful day and a real bonding time for all of us.

Best wishes,
Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

7 down, 5 to go

Hey there everyone!

Thank you so much for the emails. I wish I could answer every question but I just don't have time so I hope I answer most of them just by telling you about my time so far. As the subject says, 7 down 5 to go! That’s talking about days left. I only have 5 days left in the MTC! How crazy is that?? The next time you hear from me I'll be in Botswana! 

Well guess what!! The S.A. MTC is the best one in the world. Seriously. Only having 11 people here makes it so that we have become so close already. We are all here for the same reason so no matter where we come from we are united in the gospel. And I am learning SO much here. Pretty much all day every day is lessons and practicing teaching. I thought I was pretty well prepared to come out here but I had no idea how much more I had to learn. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father than I ever have in my life after being here for only a week. And my testimony has never been stronger. The missionary program is truly inspired. There is no other way a bunch of kids barely in their 20s could be so successful in spreading the gospel if this wasn’t true. No other church could help us become what we are becoming or prepare us to help God's children in the way we are going to be helping.

Other than the amazing learning, life here is amazing! We have an hour of sport time every day. It’s so nice to be able to go outside and just take a break. We do everything from volleyball to yoga and hula hooping and everything in between. Also the food is awesome. I love South African food! The best thing so far has been vatkeok (pronounced fat-cook) It’s basically a S.A. sloppy joe. Also I had brown S.A. porridge. Also delicious.

Ok Grandma Lois, this next part is for you. Look up these birds: haw-dee-da bird and the boobie bird. Nope I'm not kidding with those names. Also make sure you look up the sounds they make. I go running with the MTC president's wife Sis. Reber every morning and the first time I heard the boobie bird I got really worried. You'll understand why when you look it up. Both of them are all over the place.

I really love the President and his wife. Sis. Reber gives each missionary a hug before bed each night. They really make it a home away from home. My companions are great too. Both are really quiet and they are both 27 yrs old. So we had a hard time connecting at first. But we teach well together and we get along well. Its funny, I thought I'd be quiet here but I find I can really just be myself. Its so nice actually.

Ok so hi-lights from the week! Best experience so far was going to the temple. My comp Sis. Nyambita was going through for the first time and she asked me to be her escort. It was such a special experience. She is a really amazing woman... We are learning I Am a Child of God in SWAHILI!!! Definitely find a way to look it up. Its so beautiful. We are performing it for one of the wards here in the Jo-berg area... We broke a worldwide church record!!! In the history of the church, this is the first time anywhere in the world that there have been more Sisters than Elders in the MTC. WOOO!!! Its so cool that I can be a part of this incredible work at such a great time... Conference was awesome too. They talked about Africa a few times!!! And maybe its just cause I'm on a mission but it seemed like the whole thing pointed toward missionary work.

Ok a few more things before I go. There is an Elder here named Elder Adams who is the nephew of my Afrikaans teacher. Small world right!! And he is basically the South African version of you, Zach. Seriously. The other day he explained to me why a sweater and solid colored tie is such a classy look. Yea. And that’s definitely not all. Every day he says more stuff that makes me think of you.

Ok that’s all the time I have. I wish I could write more! I love it here and I'm so happy i can be out here!! I love you all. Thanks for all the support. YOu're in my prayers and Ill talk to you next week! (From BOTSWANA!!!!!)

Love Sister Gehring

April 11, 2013

The Sisters are sure having fun at sports.  They have done hula hoops, jump rope, cartwheels, and even yoga.
I'm sure going to miss them.  Our next group has NO Sisters.

Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

Email from Sister Reber

The missionaries are paired with their companions: 

Elders: Dettamanti and Adams
           Pauni and Kolditz
Sisters: Clifford and Jaker
           Ntuli and Graves
           Webster, Nyambita, and Gehring

We have 7 missionaries from the USA, 2 from South Africa, 1 from Tanzania and 1 from Uganda.
Aren't they a great looking group!!!

Best wishes,
Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

Email and photos from Sister Reber

This is Sister Reber, wife of the MTC President in South Africa.  Your missionary arrived safely.

This is a very small group...only 11 missionaries.  It is the first time in the history of the MTC that we have more Sisters than Elders.  And only the third time the MTC has had 7 Sisters.

Our 4 Elders don't seem worried about it one bit.  They have unpacked, had orientation, and are now asleep.  Tomorrow starts the training in ernest.

The photos show the arrival of the missionaries and the Sisters in their rooms.  It also shows the group at the orientation meeting.  They are wonderful Elders and Sisters and great singers too!
President Reber and I are thankful they are here.

Love,
Sister Janet Reber
South Africa MTC

I made it!

Howdy!!!

Well I made it! I'm officially in the MTC. Which means that I'm in Africa!! One checkmark for that bucket list item. But even more exciting than a bucket list checkmark, I actually feel like a missionary now!

Alright I don't have too long so I'll try and tell you as much about the last couple days as I can. First of all, London is incredible. Deciding to go explore London on our layover was the best idea ever. I was with two other Sisters- Sister Clifford and Sister Graves. We got along really well so it made it so the day was really nice. We got a day pass for the London Underground, or "the Tube" at the airport and it was only about $10. Totally worth it. We were able to travel pretty much anywhere the entire day. We were pretty much pros after a few transfers. We started out by going to Picadelly Circus (I probably spelled that wrong). I’ts basically the London version of Times Square. It was way cool. Then we went to Kings Cross Station where Harry Potter was filmed! They have a little scene set up by platform 9 3/4 where you can have your picture taken but it was like $5 and there was a line 12 miles long so we just stood near it to get a picture. Close enough. (p.s. I don't have my camera with me so I'll try to send pictures next time). Then we met up with some of Sister Clifford's friends who are doing a study abroad program in London with BYU. They took us to this really fun local outdoor market were there were tons of little shops and vendors. They showed us this super delicious sandwich cart that had spicy pulled pork and cranberry sandwiches. Sounds weird but it was so good. Then we went and walked across the London Bridge (and appropriately sang London Bridge is Falling Down) and saw Big Ben! (checked that off my bucket list too). It is so much more beautiful in real life! Then we went to the V&A art museum. We didn’t stay too long because by this point we were all dead tired. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that we hadn’t slept for days. Then we went back to Sister Clifford's friend's apartment to rest and have some british cookies before heading back to the airport. On the way back we stopped at a local restaurant and got some soup to warm up (it was snowing part of the day) and we stopped by Marble Arch. Sorry that was brief but I'm almost out of time. It was a really awesome day, though! I definitely want to go back someday.

Before I tell you about today so far, I just want to say that 11 hour flights are even less fun than they sound. Yea. They aren’t good. At all. But I did get a little sleep which is the only reason I'm conscious right now. Anyway, we met with the MTC's travel guy in the airport and we drove about 45 mins here. Johannesburg is a really pretty city. Once we got here we all brought our bags upstairs and started right away with paperwork. There hasn’t been too much but still enough to take up most of the morning. Then we had lunch. It didn’t even occur to me that the food would be South African! But it is! So yummy. Then I had an interview with the MTC president. I passed. Don’t worry. And he shared a really cool scripture with me. D&C 58:3. I think that was it. It was really good. And now I'm getting to email you! Its been really relaxed so far. There are a grand total of 11 missionaries here right now. And that's all there will be the whole time. I'm in a companionship of 3 Sisters. Me, Sister Webster who is from Idaho and Sister Nyambita who is from Tanzania. I’m out of time but I love you all and I’ll talk to you next time!!

Love, Sister Gehring 

Off to the MTC

These are a few of the photos we took at the airport on Sister Gehring's way to the MTC in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Thursday, April 4, 2013, 7:06 AM

Howdy!!!

Well I made it! I'm officially in the MTC. Which means that I'm in Africa!! One checkmark for that bucket list item. But even more exciting than a bucket list checkmark, I actually feel like a missionary now!

Alright I don't have too long so I'll try and tell you as much about the last couple days as I can. First of all, London is incredible. Deciding to go explore London on our layover was the best idea ever. I was with two other Sisters- Sister Clifford and Sister Graves. We got along really well so it made it so the day was really nice. We got a day pass for the London Underground, or "the Tube" at the airport and it was only about $10. Totally worth it. We were able to travel pretty much anywhere the entire day. We were pretty much pros after a few transfers. We started out by going to Picadelly Circus (I probably spelled that wrong). I’ts basically the London version of Times Square. It was way cool. Then we went to Kings Cross Station where Harry Potter was filmed! They have a little scene set up by platform 9 3/4 where you can have your picture taken but it was like $5 and there was a line 12 miles long so we just stood near it to get a picture. Close enough. (p.s. I don't have my camera with me so I'll try to send pictures next time). Then we met up with some of Sister Clifford's friends who are doing a study abroad program in London with BYU. They took us to this really fun local outdoor market were there were tons of little shops and vendors. They showed us this super delicious sandwich cart that had spicy pulled pork and cranberry sandwiches. Sounds weird but it was so good. Then we went and walked across the London Bridge (and appropriately sang London Bridge is Falling Down) and saw Big Ben! (checked that off my bucket list too). It is so much more beautiful in real life! Then we went to the V&A art museum. We didn’t stay too long because by this point we were all dead tired. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that we hadn’t slept for days. Then we went back to Sister Clifford's friend's apartment to rest and have some british cookies before heading back to the airport. On the way back we stopped at a local restaurant and got some soup to warm up (it was snowing part of the day) and we stopped by Marble Arch. Sorry that was brief but I'm almost out of time. It was a really awesome day, though! I definitely want to go back someday.

Before I tell you about today so far, I just want to say that 11 hour flights are even less fun than they sound. Yea. They aren’t good. At all. But I did get a little sleep which is the only reason I'm conscious right now. Anyway, we met with the MTC's travel guy in the airport and we drove about 45 mins here. Johannesburg is a really pretty city. Once we got here we all brought our bags upstairs and started right away with paperwork. There hasn’t been too much but still enough to take up most of the morning. Then we had lunch. It didn’t even occur to me that the food would be South African! But it is! So yummy. Then I had an interview with the MTC president. I passed. Don’t worry. And he shared a really cool scripture with me. D&C 58:3. I think that was it. It was really good. And now I'm getting to email you! Its been really relaxed so far. There are a grand total of 11 missionaries here right now. And that's all there will be the whole time. I'm in a companionship of 3 Sisters. Me, Sister Webster who is from Idaho and Sister Nyambita who is from Tanzania. I’m out of time but I love you all and I’ll talk to you next time!!

Love, Sister Gehring 

Goodbye!

Well everybody, I'm off! I'm getting set apart tonight, my plane takes off tomorrow, and I report to the MTC in South Africa on Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to be able to start this incredible adventure. I hope you all know how much I appreciate the love and support you have shown me as I've prepared to serve! Either my mom or my sister will post my weekly emails on this blog so you will all know that I haven't been eaten by a crocodile or a lion or some other awesome African animal. Also be prepared for some major spiritual uplifting. (I've always been so humble)

In all seriousness though, I really am excited to serve the Lord and the people in southern Africa. I can't wait to see what he has in store for me! 

Now just a little background for anybody who doesn't know:

• As the title of the blog says, I will be serving the the South Africa Johannesburg mission. This consists of the north-eastern part of South Africa and the entire country just north of it called Botswana.
• My mission is English speaking. I was originally a bit bummed about this but I'm actually pretty glad now.
• For safety reasons, sister missionaries usually stay in Botswana.
• A new mission was just created that separates Botswana from the South African areas. The change takes affect in July so stay tuned to see if I do in fact change missions!
• I am 19 so the reason I'm able to serve now is because of the Church's new policy that lowered the age requirement for missionaries. I think that might forever remain my favorite conference session of all time.
• My favorite color is yellow. (Hey I never specified what kind of background I was giving)

Now before I go, I just want everyone to know that the reason I'm leaving everything behind and moving half way across the world for a year and a half is that I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I love the joy it brings me and I want to share that joy with as many other people as I can. People keep asking me if I'm nervous. I'm really not. And its because I know that what I'm doing is the right thing for me and I know its what the Lord wants me to be doing right now. I know that the next 18 months will be the hardest of my life so far. But I also know that they will be the best.

Thank you again for all the support you've shown me. I couldn't have done it without you. I'll see all ya'lls in 18 months!!!

Lots of love,

Sister Chelsea Gehring