Dani from Jamaica - Number Uno!

August 24, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello and welcome to Africa... wait, I thought I was supposed to be going to Jamaica on my mission! What is this? Um first of all, Family, I love you. But speaking of E-MAILS! I had like 15 in my inbox and I can't read all of them!! Sorry! I tried skimming them, but I definitely didn't get everything. I only have an hour to e-mail on p-days so please make sure you're only sending necessary stuff in my LDS.com e-mail and use Dear Elder.com for all the other letters. The mail only comes here like once a month or less...so....yeah. I would love to get mail but I won't hear from you very often.   But packages and everything get here fine, I just don't get them till a month or two after you send them.

We had to take four flights to get out here. SLC to Dallas to Atlanta to Miami to Jamrock. It was a very long day on Saturday.  But I'm very grateful for Elders Montgomery, Ostberg, and Randle. I really do love them. They are like brothers to me! And guess what?? So we got these pass-along cards to hand out and I handed out three on the way over here! And I taught this guy the first lesson on the plane and he gave me his address so that we can send the missionaries to him. He commited to come to church and learn more. Sweet. And there was this little girl on the plane who is about Gabi's age. She's a Seventh Day Adventist .... those ones are difficult to teach.  But she was so sweet. And she wanted to e-mail me but I just gave her your e-mail address mom.  So if she e-mails you, please forward it to me! Anywho. That was fun. I've been so ... anxious to work. It's the best feeling in the world. I just want to go work myself to death. Seriously. You know how I always talk about Brother Laubaugh? Well we have "Laubaugh's Laws of Efficiency." And one of those Laws... I think it's number 3 or 4 is to "Not waste a single minute of your mission." Cause I'm on the Lord's time, not my own.  I want to be efficient and effective every second I possibly can. Thank you Bro Laubaugh! Haha we talk about him all of the time. Me, Randle, Ostberg, and Monty were talking about him the whole way here. We do "Brother Laubaugh" jokes instead of "Chuck Norris" jokes. He's legit. And truly he has affected me in every aspect of how I do/want to do missionary work. And I hope I stay that way my whole mission. 

Sunday we went to church in Kingston. GREAT sacrament and awesome sunday school lessons. I loved it.  I love it all. And it's beautiful here. Seriously. GORGEOUS. They drove us up on the mountain. It's all jungle and just amazing. And yeah, everyone thought I was going to this like island paradise, but it is exacty like Africa here. It's beautiful, but it's so poor. Our apartment has roaches and rats and spiders all over. But I'll get to that.

So Sunday was good. Dinner at a member's house. I LOVE jamaican food. It's like... GOOD! Not like Ugandan food! Yummy! I love it.

I hung out with a wonderful senior couple, Brother and Sister Flake, and we went and taught some British guy which I don't really have time to talk about, but it was amazing. He was this crazy guy who lives in this jungle house with his Jamaican wife. Oh and btw again, there are no white people here haha. But it doesn't seem weird to me at all. Elder Montgomery is suffering a little culture shock, but he's loving it too! Tell his mom that! Will you mom? He's doing so great. And his companion seems cool. He's definitely shocked, but I can tell he's going to do so so so great here. He's awesome.

Oh I forgot to tell you that I accidentally stole from the MTC bookstore a few days ago while we were still there. BUt don't worry I went back and paid, I just didn't realize that I had taken a water bottle out with me haha. I went running back in... "I'M SO SORRY!!!"

My allergies are way bad here. They are terrible. One night I went to bed with red puffy eyes and i couldn't see or breathe haha. But i'm taking my stuff you gave me and I'm doing better now.

Um... so Monday is transfer day! That's why p-day is on Tuesday, but normally it'll be on Monday! Mom, I'm sorry if you're freaking out cause I haven't e-mailed you yet, but yeah. Today is p-day.  Um.... let's see. Oh yeah so the AP's pack us in the bus and they drive us to Spanish Town. It's the most ghetto part of Kingston. The apartment the elders live in there is terrible. Not as bad as it was in Africa, but there are definitely mice and roaches and big ones too. YUuuuuum.

Then after waiting for like two hours, my new companion comes to pick me up. Her name is Sister Speakman. She is so great.  She is from Mesa, AZ and came out here with Sister payne. We are actually in a trio. Our other companion is Sister Campbell, a Jamaican. But she has something in Kingston so she can't be here till Thursday. But yeah, I love Sister Speakman. We've already had some really good heart to hearts. She's amazing.  I was a little nervous cause she is my trainer and yet I've learned a lot of things that she had not been taught in the MTC. I guess they're trying to implement this whole new thing and they started training us in the MTC cause there is a whole bunch of stuff she had not heard before. Or maybe I was just trained really well. Thank you Brother Laubaugh. And Brother Winder and Sister Thomas. I had the best teachers at the MTC. Serious.  Sister Speakman has been in this area for 5 months now. She was trained here and has been here the whole time with the same companion, Sister Wilkinson. They have a car here and they use it  A LOT. It's a big area.

 

Oh by the way, I'm in MONTEGO BAY! Haha. Yeah don't worry. People write songs about this place. Awesome. So they have this car. It's only us sister missionaries and one Senior Couple in the area. (The Sorensen's. Love them. I'm at their house right now).  But yeah so from where we live, the area goes about an hour south of here and an hour north of here. It's really hard to get people to come to church cause it's so far away. The sisters drive like every day. The concern I had is perhaps we could make better use of our time right now. Even just WALKING AROUND is doing more missionary work than that because you're a walking billboard for the church (That's what President Hendricks calls it).  If we spend all our time driving around and teaching people that live so far away from the church they can't even afford to get to church.  My comp and I talked about how we could easily spend like 3 hours with one family each time we teach a lesson.  Which is great if we are serving a mission to build relationships with people in Jamaica. But I'm here to serve a mission to help people build relationships with the Lord. I'm just an assistant on that step up there. I am usually a very open person with my opinions even if they are blunt...strong...honest...uh... I don't know. Anyways, so I sat down with Sister Speakman. I said, I know I haven't been here long...like hours. But I really feel like we could be more effective if we just pounded the pavement. Sure it's nice that the car has air conditioning. It's so blessedly wonderful, but we're on the Lord's time. Brother Laubaugh's Law..."don't waste a single second."  It's not my time to waste. We're talking about people's salvation here. The Lord promised that he prepared people for me to come down here and teach and I want to find them. I don't want to waste my mission in an air-conditioned car. The humidity is terrible.  Not as bad as Uganda though, haha. Thank heavens. But almost that bad.  Anyways so Sister Speakman was like, "I agree with you and I've been feeling that way for a long time, ..."  She is so awesome!  Yeah. Anyways, We're very open with each other. This week we're going to focus on weeding out investigators.  We're going to find the ones that really have a sincere desire to come closer to Christ. We can't support them in the church the rest of their lives.  They need that relationship. It's so important. And if they're not willing to act on it, then we need to move on to others who are willing. There are many here who join the church just cause we're white girls. Serious. Why should it matter where you're from or what skin color you have? Anyways. I've already learned a lot from Sister Speakman and I really love her. She's ready to work hard too. So today We're gonna get stuff done like grocery shopping and stuff and then be pounding the pavement once gain. We're going back to the handbook and really making sure that we're following with exact obedience. Oh and my apartment is pretty gross.. I won't talk too much about it. Not as bad as the one in Spanish town. But all the missionaries say that the apartment we have is the nicest in the mission. Lovely.

 

Well, that's about all I have to say!! You are all wonderful! Thanks for the love and support!

P.S. I CAN e-mail anyone. So friends, Fam, e-mail me! But PLEASE make it like very short.  I would LOVE to continue to hear from you also through "DearElder.com"  remember it is FREE.  Just sign in and go to write to: Jamaican Kingston Mission and write in my name.  So easy and you can write longer letters.  Seriously I LOVE to hear from you.   I may not have time to respond to you for a few weeks. I love you all so much! Keep me in your prayers please! I need it!!

 

Love, Sister Israelsen

Dani from the MTC - Numero Dos!

August 19, 2010

Hey everyone!

 

So yeah I'm just chillin here at the MTC.  Last week I had a list of like 15 things to say and this week I have zero. No list. Except MOM! Thanks for everything!! The day I got those laminated thingys I used them in one of our activities (without it I would have failed, so thanks :) )!! And I love everything else. I am excited to get your box today.

 

To clear up the confusion, Last Friday I got my flight plans and it said I was leaving on the 23rd. And it said that I was going BY MYSELF.  I've flown to Africa and back by myself before so I don't know why I was so freaked out, but I did not want to go by myself.  And none of the elders going to Jamaica with me had their flight plans. Then the travel office was closed all weekend. Also, I saw Chris Page and told him to call mi madre to tell her what is up.  Hey Chris. You'd better come say hi to me before I leave cause tomorrow's my last day (317 or something like that).  So Monday I went into the travel office and said to this sweet brazilian girl, "I AM NOT FLYING BY MYSELF." And she said, "Oh, there's been a mistake." Awesome. So they changed all of our flight plans and instead of me leaving a week from then, I am now leaving SATURDAY! And I'm very excited about it. Before I got my plans changed I was not very enthusiastic about it. But now I have a better attitude and I'm packin up and gettin ready to get out.

 

I'm hungry.

 

We went to the temple this morning. Mom, I don't know if you can find this out, but there is a picture of the Savior in the Celestial room of the Provo Temple that I've seen before. It is my favorite picture. If you ever get the chance, could you look it up and send it to me? If not, don't worry about it. Just a thought.

 

Let's see. Okay so when I got here, my teachers were Sis Thomas and Bro Winder. Then Sis Thomas decided to get married, so over this past week, her replacement has been Bro Laubaugh. I love both Sis Thomas and Bro Winder a lot. They're amazing teachers like I said last week. But Bro Laubaugh is the best teacher I've ever had. He is incredible. He puts us in these crazy teaching situations that really get me thinking. He is one of the most humble and Christlike people I've ever met. I really want to be the missionary he was. I like don't even know how to describe him. He's very strict. Everyone's scared of him.  The first day of class, he walks in and tells us all to get down and pick up all fo the little pieces of paper on the floor.  Then he has each companionship stand in front of the class while he asks you questions (accountability---I learned a lot about that in the temple today and I'm starting to realize it more and more each time I go how important it is).  Kinda crazy! But AWESOME! Then he always gives us some amazing lecture that makes me feel terrible.  Haha that sounds so bad. But it just always really humbles me and makes me want to be better! I love it! Last night he talked about how we have this incredible opportunity right now to develop our Christlike Attributes.  There is no other time in life where we can do it to the extent that we can do it now. So awesome. And I think I said last week how I've been really working on humility. And despite my mom's warnings, I prayed for it. And let me tell you, I have been pretty humbled this past week. There's still a long ways to go.  But Heavenly Father has definitely shown me how weak I am.  He has shown me how imperfect I am and how many weaknesses I have. And this is good! It's not good to put ourselves down, but it's good to realize our weaknesses so that we can learn to depend on the  Lord.  I know that the next 18 months are going to be the most difficult 18 months of my life thus far. There is no way I can do it without my Savior. I love that picture in the temple of Him. I just keep thinking about it. He has His arms open waiting to receive me. And I know that He's going to be with me every step of the way. Do you realize how blessed I am to be a part of this work? How blessed each one of us missionaries here is? It's incredible. We are all so weak.  These are 19 year old boys for goodness sake. One of the most immature times of their lives ;) And then there's me! And Jesus Christ trusts me enough to take this sacred message to some of our brothers and sisters, children of God. Wow.

 

Brother Laubaugh. He's so great. Sister Borrows and I kind of treat him like he's a celebrity. We have "Laubaugh's Law's of efficiency." I'll share them sometime I'm sure.  But he does not waste a single minute. Last night when we were "daily-planning" (what a joyous thing it is), we got done kind of early. And Bro Laubaugh comes in and says, "You have 5 minutes to memorize 2 Nephi 31:21." On our breaks we take, we go on a walk around campus. It's amazing. He knows that we are on the Lord's time and we have to use every single second of it.

 

So this last weekend I was feeling a tad overwhelmed.  I was so nervous about Jamaica.  The three elders going with me are Elder Randle from Cali, Elder Osteberg from Clinton UT, and Elder Montgomery, a hick from Idahurl. None of them have been out of the country. I like try to explain things to them about Africa and they just don't understand. And I know it's going to be a complete culture shock for them when tehy get there. I'M even going to have culture shock haha. But yeah. Anyways, so they are very chill about everything. And I was just feeling so nervous and anxious and not feeling ready to go.  I was sitting on the floor in the hallway (which is illegal by the way, they won't even let me sit on the floor! haha) and I opened my scriptures to read John 14:26 while I was working on one of my lesson plans. And I just kept reading. I read John 14:27 and as I read it, the district in the classroom next to mine began singing "Master the Tempest IsRaging." I just felt so much peace come over me. Going on a mission is difficult.  Bonnie, gird up your loins. Cause you're gonna need a lot of courage. All of us missionaries do. But when I think of the Savior and how much He loves me and all that He did for me, I just feel so much peace and I know that He is with me. 

 

At institute a few weeks before I came in, the teacher gave an incredible lesson that helped me so much. I went up to her after to talk to her and she said, "Just remember that nametag. Whose name is on it? He's going to be with you all the way." I love looking at my name tag. It's right over my heart. And my Savior is everything to me right now. I'm giving Him my whole heart, my whole soul, my whole everything. And I hope I can be a Bro Laubaugh as I serve my mission (except not a man. That's impossible. And I dont' want to be a man).

 

Lastly, really quick, a shout out to Britt and Kyle. They sent me a whole case of DIET PEPSI yesterday. I am in heaven. Serious. I love caffeine. No I'm not addicted mom. I just really wanted some. I think every one needs caffeine in the MTC. Haha I am a happy girl.

Thanks Bonnie and grandma for the packages! And thanks everyone else for the letters! I'm going to try and write you all back today!! And I'm sorry if they're short! Remember that you can write me for free when I'm in jamaica on dearelder.com  ( instead of MTC Provo scroll down to Jamaica Kingston) and put the address on it that you want me to write to. Once I am in the field, I will have more time to write letters so they'll be longer. But I Love you all!

 

Dad & Mom, thanks for everything.

GABI AND JESSI I LOVE YOU SO OOOOO MUCH!!

Dani from the MTC - Numero Uno!

August 12, 2010

Email numero uno!!

 

Jk I don't speak spanish. Haha. So so so glad I'm speakin english. Okay this will be short cause it logs me out right at thirty minutes and no one is allowed to make fun of my bad typing or grammar skills. Just so you know. So the MTC is AWESOME. Lovin it.  First of all, my companion is Sister Borrows from Vancouver Island, Canada! She's going to Pheonix.  There are twelve missionaries in my district. Four sister and eight elders.  Three Elders and ONe sister are going to Jamaica (I'm the one sister in case you didnt' figure that out) and the rest are all going to Pheonix, Arizona (also english speaking). Okay my companion is SO AWESOME!!! We get along like BFF's seriously. I am so blessed. I couldn't have gotten through this last week without her and she is amazing. We are like complete opposites so we do things very differently, but we work so well together. Oh and Mommy, you can keep everything in here that I write when you forward it to everyone! Hey everyone! Haha. I'll write anything else you need to know in my letter but that won't get to you till probably Saturday or Monday.  So...I know like five zillion people here. Seriously. I'll just name a few that I've seen.  Garrick STephenson, Tay Benson (he is in my mealtime so we see each other like multiple times a day haha, it's good to see him... Traci!! He's an awesome missionary! You should be proud of him!!), Zach Leichty, Billy Hagee, David Oleson, Ethan Janis, Austin Sisneros, Derrick Flake, Landon Russon (Also, I saw the Stice's and the Gale's from our Provo ward...they are in the branch presidencies here. I also saw Elder olson..drew olson? Do you remember the olsons from that ward? and landon is in my zone in the classroom next to me so I zee him a zillion times a day), Elder Monson (can't remember his first name...the one who had President Monson come to his farwell?), Jordan Lee, Michael Meads, Kari Tanner, Beca Lopez....and like so many others!! These are just a few I can think of.  Oh...I am pretty sure Glenn is on this e-mail list. GLENN! GUESS WHAT? A WHOLE BUNCH OF THE ELDERS IN MY ZONE JUST LEFT FOR EDMONTON!! So you'll have to look out for them! My zone leaders are Elder Hallet and Elder Merrell and they are two of the coolest elders you'll ever meet. You and Elder Hallet will hate each other, but then be best friends. I just know it. Amazing guys. I just want to say, I LOVE MY DISTRICT too!! Haha do I sound like an enthusiastic freak of a sister missionary? Well I kinda am.  It's  amazing to me how spiritually mature these little 19 year old guys are... Like there HAS to be some major help from Heavenly Father up in here cause you look at these boys outside of class and they're just normal guys messin around and being immature, (not unlike me...i'm workin on it), and then you put them in this situation or watch them teach or hear them bear their testimony and it is incredible! So many times they ahve brought tears to my eyes because the spirit they have is so strong and so ready to preach the gospel and serve the Lord. Incredible. 

 

Oh major news! My departure date has changed. Firstly, my new address is

JAM-KIN 185-0821
2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604

 

So write to that...haha they keep putting red pen on all of my boxes and letters cause everyone gets it wrong.  But that's not your fault! But yeah, so send stuff there. This also means that I will be leavin the MTC next saturday (8/21)! I know! I just got here! THey're already kickin me out! And I like it here! Haha.  Anyways, yeah if you wanna send me anything make sure the last day you send it is Thursday of next week. If you want me to get anything for my birthday (wink wink) then send it before then too. Oh and I have been WASTING the district in most mail received! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Everyone for sending me letters and packages and notes and dearelders!! I love them and they are so uplifting and make me so happy! My companion hates even talking about home cause it distracts her, but it is so comforting to me to know how many people love me and care about me and etc. !! !!!! So thank you!!! I am so so so appreciative! And remember that you can keep writing me for free when I'm in the field if you do it through dearelder.com and just select my mission.

 

I'm already getting the missionary voice. Y ou know when guys come home and they talk so weird and you just want to slap them? Yes. I have it.

 

I had to get tested for HIV yesterday... so hopefully that goes well, haha.

 

These are just all of my random thoughts that I'm trying to put together. And trying to say everything cause I have only 13 minutes left! Everyone in my district thinks I'm like really girly. Like everyone thinks I'm the kind of girl that would walk around with a fluffy little dog in her purse. Seriously. I don't understand it. When have I ever been known as a girly girl? Watch me eat a meal. It's disgusting. I have the worst manners ever. But whatev. I like it, haha. Oh I want pictures from people! Before I leave the MTC! Especially you bonnie claire! I only have pictures of Tay and my fam so I need ones from others who want to send me some!! Otherwise I'll probably forget you. Just kidding. Maybe.

 

So finally I can talk about spiritual stuff. They have you take this assesment on Christlike Qualities your first few days here. It's in the back of PMG and I would recommend everyone try it and work on those that you fail at! I knew this was going to happen even though I didn't want to admit it, but my lowest score was Humility. So I have really been working on that the last week or so.  I have been reading some stuff in Alma 5.  And just learning all through the scriptures about humility.  Cause there is a quote..I think it is from President Benson who said SOMETHing to the effect of, "Studying the scriptures will change a behavior faster than a study of behavior will change behavior." Pretty cool. So that's my method. And even though you told me your story, Mom... (She prayed for humility and right after broke both of her legs, seriously), I am praying for humility. I need that as a missionary. And over the last week I have realized that even though throughout my life there are many times when I though, "Whatever, I can do this by myself." I have realized that I need the Lord to help me through this.  This isn't something I can do on my own anymore. And I'm grateful for that.  I am so grateful taht I get to learn more dependance on the Lord. It's hard here, there is NO independence whatsoever. And even though I've lived close to home the past three years, living away from home you learn a lot of independence and I've really learned to love that. But first of all, you have to be held accountable for EVERYTHING here. It's like...they check if you cleaned your room and stuff...seriously. Or if you ahve kept your goals. And you can't even go to the bathroom without your comp coming with you. And second of all, you can't do anything without the help of the Lord.  This work is hard! It's rewarding, but definitely difficult! And I'm so glad I get the opportunity to learn how to be more dependant on the Lord and to learn from him and rely on him. 

 

I love teaching. I'm not very good at it. It's hard to stick to the lesson AND follow the spirit at the same time.  You have to find a balance. But tuesday we taught this sweet Samoan lady named Salafaia and her spirit is just beautiful! I learned more from teaching her tahn I'm sure she did from me and Sister Borrows.

 

I really do love sister Borrows. Like I can't say that enough! She's so great.

And my teachers are incredible too.

And I love the temple!

Everything is great.

I'm happy mom, so stop crying :) Oh and mom, I might be able to call next saturday at the airport...more news coming.

 

Oh and by the way, one of the sisters in my district (sister burton and sister briggs are also in my room that I sleep in) had a nightmare about spiders last night cause I told them alla bout your hilarious experience waking up the whole neighborhood.

 

Oh to everyone who wrote me this last week...AGAIN, THANK YOU! I can't express how much it means to me! And I only have a few hours left of p-day so I'll try and write everyone back, but I can't guarantee it'll be this week!

 

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! So much!!

Okay I have to go!!

Spread the gospel!

Love,

Sister Israelsen

BTW

I love text language and abreeves, just fyi (see?).  I am making this blog public until I leave then I'll probably send out invites or something. So, feel free to be a part of this rastafarian gospelfest. It'll be great. And if you want to be a reader or whatev, comment or tell me so I know to invite you in a few weeks (5.5 ...but who's counting?).

Cool Runnings

Well, it's late, but I really need to write on here. Obviously, my date has been moved up. I am now leaving on my mission on August 4th, 2010.
Today I had the opportunity to teach Sunday School. I always learn so much when I teach. I love having classes that participate and teach each other because that's how we can learn the most.
We talked about friendship. The scriptural references were from 1 Samuel 18 and 19. I LOVE this story. About Jonathan and David.  These two were the best of friends.  They supported each other no matter what. I have really found out who my true friends are lately and I am SO grateful for them. I am so blessed. I have so many people who love me and support me. And even when it seems that the rest of the world is turning against me (yeah we all have our drama queen moments, I know you do it too), I know that I can rely on certain friends to love and support me no matter what.  I only hope that I can be that friend to one person before I die. And yet I'm blessed with a whole bunch of them.
Everyone has told me (including the general authorities...they told me personally...)that the closer you get to doing something righteous, the harder the adversary will try to distract you from that righteous desire.  I have felt it. OH, I have felt it. It comes differently for everyone.  For some, the adversary tries to tell you that you're not good enough and that you never will be.  For others, the adversary tries to bring you down physically. Another way is by weaving his way into your life thorugh other people and even sometimes people you love.  There's a hundred different ways. But it happens. So any of you who are preparing for something big...be prepared. The adversary will come full force. He knows of your power. He knows what you can do when you tap into the powers of our Heavenly Father and the Priesthood. We have to be strong! Remember your purpose. Remember why you are doing what you are doing and who told you to do it. That sounds like... coded or something but you know what I'm talking about. Just do it. Nikeeeee. Yaya.
(Credit for "yaya" = Bonnie Claire Kirkham)
I just feel very blessed. I am working hard to prepare for the temple and for my mission and I hope I can be the best missionary I can possibly be. Zac Baxter told me today that "you only get out of your mission what you put into it." I'm so ready to get out there and put everything I have into the work of the Lord. 
5.5 weeks...in case you didn't know... (yay!)

Love, Peace, Rock and Roll,
Dani

Touch Me Not

I really hope something is going to happen tomorrow. I really hope so...concerning my mission.  We'll see. Announcement will surely be made if what I hope is going to happen actually happens. 
Today was great.  First, Marcus gave me a mini mission prep lesson.  He is going to come help me once a week or so to learn about the gospel.  I am so so so grateful.  So many people are like "There is NOOOOO way you can even prepare for a mission at all."  I partly agree that there are some aspects of the mission that you can't prepare for.  But I think that the stronger you are and the more you build yourself spiritually before you leave, the better off you'll be.  Alas, I am preparing.
Marcus talked to me about studying.  He asked me why studying is so important.  I said some easy answer like, "Cause how are we supposed to teach it if we don't know it."  And he made a wise old man comment.  It was something like, "We can only convert other people as much as we are converted."  I can't teach someone something if I don't understand it.  And if I don't believe in it, they won't be able to believe anything I'm saying.  Does that make sense? Answer me, blog!  Marcus is a wise....old man.  Old man Marcus. I have good friends.
Then we talked a little more about the logistics of studying.  He committed me to getting a study journal.  I said I would do it tomorrow...but I did it tonight. I'm such a good girl.  It was very helpful in keeping me for one, focused on what I was reading.  But also to help me remember and to really be able to lay out my thoughts and make them make sense. 
I am reading around 1 Nephi chapters 16-20 right now.  It's funny this time around.  Like I said before, I've read the Book of Mormon every night for a long period of my life...but it has been a while since I've read it front to back.  You know in like...Harry Potter (I'm obsessed...sorry) when you're reading and you're like, "Oh...silly Hermoine. She's such a nerd." Or, "Snape, I am offended." Or, "Harry, you are an idiot." Or, "Fred Weasley, marry me." You know?? Like when you feel like you know the characters?? And then I'm like, "Duh Dani, you're the idiot.  Fred Weasley can never marry you because he's FICTIONAL." Even if you say you don't know that feeling, I know you do.  You've watched a movie a thousand times and you know what I'm talking about! ADMIT IT! It's the first step.
Well...I feel like I know the people of the Book of Mormon..like they are my buddies or something.  But the difference between Harry Potter and the Book of Mormon (maybe not the only difference...not sure on that one) is that the characters AREN'T FICTIONAL! Isn't that freaking sweet? So tonight when I was reading, I though to myself a few times, "Laman, shut up." Or "Oh Nephi, there he goes again..." And it's cool cause they're real. And they probably look down on me every once in a while and are like, "Dani...you idiot. Fread Weasley can never marry you." Or something like that. 
I just think that's awesome. Judge me if you want.
In chapter 17 of 1st Nephi, God commands my friend Nephi to build a boat.  I love how Nephi just is like, "Okay, give me the tools God! Let's go!" I hope I can become more like that.  I probably would have done something like, "Uh...you want me to what?"  Haha I love in verse seven when it says something like, "God told me to go into the mountain, so I went up into the mountain." There's just no hesitation with Nephi. Sure God, whatever you say! What a rock! Love that guy!
I'm sure he had to feel somewhat insane though with his brothers (a little more than) teasing him (like trying to kill him) and building a boat out of nothing to sail across this random sea to who knows where.  But just like in 1 N 3:7, in 1 N 17:3, Nephi knows that as long as he is doing what he's supposed to be doing, God will provide a way.  No matter how terrifying or difficult it may seem, God will make a way.  We just have to do our part.  Aka, I have to do my part. 
I also just love the part when Nephi gets all this power and, "TOUCH ME NOT!" I remember this part when I was in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  It makes me think of my good friend Jacquelyn Dahneke Penrose. Such a great part haha.  Nephi is such a rock.  There's no other way to describe him.  In young womens, every girl talks about how they want to marry a "Nephi." No wonder! He's a freaking spiritual giant.  Not to mention in all of those paintings he has biceps the size of Texas. 
These are my thoughts for the night. 
Keep in mind it is 3:30 in the morning and I am a little more lenient with my words.
Love,
Dani

Tay and I when I opened my mission call!!!

Invites

Hello Ya'll.
I just invited some people who I want to read my blog while I'm gone.  I just thought I'd let you all in on this now, then once I'm gone I don't have to worry about it!  It'll probably be kinda boring the next four months, but I promise it won't after that.  I'll probably have some sweet stories involving guns to my head and stuff...(you think i'm joking)...so.... stay updated starting Sept 15th, 2010 :)
Love, Dani

Books of Mormon

I just want to talk a little bit about my testimony of the Book of Mormon (and some other things).  I love this thing.  I think I said two posts ago how I have started re-reading the Book of Mormon.  I'm also studying PMG and some other books, so I read 5 pages/day of the BOM which should last me till right before my mish!  I have read the Book of Mormon all of the way through before...and I've read it every night for years...but it has been a while since I've really sat down to read it all the way through...since President Hinckley's challenge.  But every single night so far, it has calmed my fears or answered my questions from that day.
Today I have been really thinking a lot about Taylor who leaves in a little over a week.  I am so excited for him! And I know he'll bless the lives of so many people.  He gave me a call today from the hospital telling me about a family emergency.  Of course I'm a worrying freak.  So I'm a nervous wreck for a little while.  I was talking to my parents and they were telling me that everything should be okay and I hope it is.  But then I start worrying about Tay! I'm already freaking out about going out into the mission field and he leaves in a week! Yeah....
So I open up my scriptures to read my five pages for the night.  I was not concentrating very well cause I am thinking about so many things.  But then I read 1 Nephi 11:31.  It is during Nephi's vision.  He sees the Savior healing every disease and affliction.  The Savior can bring peace to me.  He can bring peace to Tay and his family and can heal us of all of our afflictions.  Even when we're in the middle of some foreign country having no idea what in the heck brought us to put ourselves in this situation, Christ is there to heal me and to comfort me.  Not to mention the Comforter! The Holy Ghost! He is there and all we have to do is stay worthy of that.  If we keep ourselves clean and pure we have a constant comfort available at all times. Not to mention a protector and a guide and a constant companion.
I am definitely rambling. Summary:  I am grateful for the Spirit, our Savior, and the Book of Mormon.
Also...
Taylor is going to be a fantastic missionary.  He is so strong and faithful.  He is going to bless the lives of so many people and I can't wait to support him through that and to hear all about it.  He is an amazing person and I am so blessed to have him in my life.   

Tracting Is A Weird Word.

I'm reading a book called "Becoming a great missionary" by Kevan Clawson during my breaks at work. Some things i learned today... "It is better to do the right thing for the wrong reason than not to do the right thing at all." It's always better to act than to just sit around and talk about it and if you make a mistake, it's just another learning experience. Also, he was talking about what happens if you get a mission president who you don't like or don't agree with? Obey. You will always be blessed by obedience no matter dumb or unnecessary the rules seem. I think that's good advice for us dealing with any of our leaders.

Tracting: i'm kinda nervous for this part. To be honest it sounds like it would be pretty fun and quite the adventure... Especially in jamaica haha. But most missionaries say they hate it. This is what i have learned from my friend, brother Clawson. You have to keep tracting simple. If you approach a door with some deep doctrine, they'll be like, "whaa? Want some marijuana?" Also, you can change up your approach so it doesn't become so repetitive. Ask a probing question like, "are you happy?" or "did you know that there are prophets on the earth today?" I'm really excited for this! It'll be fun to experiment and see what happens. I'm going to use music... I'm going to walk up to a door and give the "we are sisters from..." paragraph, then say, "can i sing a song for you?" sweet. I like singing.

I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go, Dear Lord

I am creating a new blog.  This will be the blog that I have my parents post on for my mission.  I am starting now so that I can go through all aspects of my mission...starting with PREPARATION. Mission Prep. I took that class once. My professor was a crazy old man who yelled a lot. I swear...true insanity.  I didn't learn a single thing. Now I'm taking it from Brother Tamang and Brother Covey in my stake and they are AMAZING. Anywho...
I received my call yesterday.  The post office usually calls between 6 and 8 in the morning to tell you that they have your call, but by 7:30 I was so anxious that I called them.  I drove down immediately to go get it.  I was SO anxious all day.  But I knew my family would be disappointed if I opened it without them, so I waited :) Such a good person. I know. I K. That means, "I know." I'm cool like that.
By 7pm, Taylor, Bonnie, my grandma, cousin Amanda, and my immediate family were all there ready for me.  We ate pizza.  Just so you know. I sliced it open with a kitchen knife and was shaking. I pulled it out and since I've seen so many mission calls in my time, I knew exactly where to look on the letter and skipped the whole first paragraph. "KINGSTON, JAMAICA." Reporting Sept 15th, 2010. I read it out loud and there were a few seconds of complete silence, "is she joking?"  Then some screaming and stuff. It was fantastic.  I felt pure excitement.  That is where the Lord wnats me and I KNOW it. It makes sense. It is my mission.  I wanted to announce it to the world.  And I did, thanks to our blessing of technology.
Today, I woke up again with that feeling of excitement.  My friend Sam served his mission there, so I met him for lunch to learn as much as I could about the mission.  It brought equal amounts of excitement and anxiety.  I realized that Jamaica is not much different from Uganda.  I loved Uganda, but it was very difficult for me.  I was sick a lot and the living conditions were so hard.  I definitely left a piece of my heart there and everything I do today still is based on what I learned there. It has had a huge impact on my life.  But it was difficult.  I was terrified of going to a place like Africa because a mission is already such a difficult thing and to be in a place with that poor of living conditions will make it that much harder. 
I am so excited for the people though.  God has a sense of humor.  I told my mom a few weeks ago, "Since I am such an organizational, planning freak full of anxiety, I KNOW (I K) that I will get mainly companions who are procrastinators, chill, and laid-back." Instead of companions, I got a whole country full of the most chill people ever. I cannot WAIT for this. I hope I come back a little less anxious and a little less of a freak.  Or maybe I'll just be a nervous wreck with a jamaican accent.  That would be equally as cool. 
Sam made me really excited about a lot of things, but a little nervous about a lot of things (maybe it was his stories of being held at gunpoint...multiple times, I don't know...).  But everytime I think about something I'm nervous about, I just kind of get this breath of calm... I don't know how to explain it.  I will just have to pray for peace and courage and a continuing feeling that this is where I am supposed to be. 
A lot of people have brought up what is going on down there as well with the drugs and people burning down buildings and such. Wow, I don't know how to explain why I feel this way, but that is SO cool.  It's not cool that this is all happening, but it's cool that I got called to pretty much THE most dangerous mission for Americans right now...especially white sister missionaries with nametags on their chests, haha.  That's sweet! But...another reason to be nervous. 
I got ready for bed and opened my scriptures.  I decided that I was going to reread the entire Book of Mormon in the time between when I got my call and when I left, so I started my second section today.  I just happened to land on 1 Nephi, chapter 3, verse 7. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father:  I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." If that isn't a direct answer, I don't know what is.  I have felt that this is right. I AM supposed to go on a mission and I know that Jamaica is the place that I should go.  I will go and do what the Lord wants me to do no matter how scary it may be.
After I read this, I go down to our office to talk to my parents.  They are both on the computer and freaking out.  "WHAT?"  Of course I find out that my Mission President has been "honorably released" as of a few days ago and they have no leader right now in the mission.  I guess the Area President is trying to get there but can't till Monday, so they are just in a bit of a limbo with transfers and everything.  Crazy!! Then my dad starts trying to find out who the new mission president is and it's a man who is a former FBI agent, hahaha.  Wow, I haven't even left on my mission and this is already an adventure. 
I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me.  I know that He answers prayers and leads and guides us each by personal revelation today.  I know that the Book of Mormon was written for many people, but especially for me and for you.  It was written as another testament of Jesus Christ to bless our lives, answer our questions, and teach us about the past as well as the future.  I am scared out of my mind but so excited to start this new adventure and my hand will be in the Lord's the entire time. He will lead me and be right beside me.

Love, Dani (can't sign as Sister Israelsen yet...111 more days)

P.S.  The blog name:  PATOIS IS NOT ENGLISH.  They speak "Patois" or "Patwa" in Jamaica.  It's english based but it is NOT english.  Wikipedia it, I dare you.  It is insane.  They say it's an english speaking mission but it's not.  It's patois.

ABOUT MY NEW MISSION PRESIDENT:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/59317/New-mission-presidents.html

ABOUT PATOIS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patois

ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JAMAICA RIGHT NOW:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/lead/