Tuesday, April 26, 2016

4/26/2016

Hi everyone,

Well, this week has been.. well haha its over and we made it through so thats what counts right? I have to say there are a lot of mixed emotions writing this email. However, if I've learned anything while being out on the mission it's that, God has a plan and He always, only wants the best for us. The strongest testimony I have of this has been my mission. I fought so hard promptings to go on a mission.. terrified and really just believing I couldn't do it, and without any desires to even try. However, the Lord in His infinite patience.. and mercy, waited, and waited, and waited until I finally quit fighting and decided to go forward with my eyes shut trying to have faith. And I am, and will be eternally grateful for the time He allowed me to be in the beautiful country of Paraguay. For the people I met, the love I felt and the many lessons I learned. I will miss it with all my heart, but I know, that God knows why and that, is enough for me.

Thank you all for all of your love, for your support, for your prayers and for your examples throughout this journey. I know that I could not have done it without you all.

Love
Marissa

Monday, April 18, 2016

week 53 (4/18/2016)

Hi everyone! 

I hope you all had a great week... sorry I have very little time haha but I would just like to share a little story about the sister that I have attached a photo of us with. (don't mind our faces yes we just woke up). This sister, shared a great lesson this week with us.
 It was her birthday on Wednesday. She wasn't expecting to celebrate it, their family has been going through some hard times and she has been feeling fairly alone. However, they surprised her with bringing the whole family to her house and sharing dinner together. It came time for presents and her great granddaughter ran up to her extremely excited! 
She said "grandma grandma! this is from me" and gave her a little box wrapped up in wrapping paper. The sister said "ohh, thank you darling" and set it to the side. Her granddaughter said "no grandma! look at it now, look at it! Its for you I got it for you." So the sister carefully opened up the match box covered in wrapping paper to find 3 little coins, about the same worth as a penny in the states. She looked at her granddaughter and said that she had the biggest grin on her face and she said "I got it for you grandma." The sister broke into tears, and said.. it may not have been a lot, but it was all that she had, and she gave it to me. It meant more than anything else anyone could have given to me. 

I thought about how that applies to our father in heaven... a lot of the time we really don't have much to offer, we can't really give much.... but to Him, it doesn't matter the beauty or how big the gift is, just that we give to Him what we can. 

I know, just like this sister receiving a gift from her granddaughter was brought to tears with gratitude and joy, that our father in heaven is so full of love and is so happy when we give the little that we can. Whether it be time, or our talents. 

I hope you all have a great week!! 
I miss and love you all :) 

Don't ever give up :) 

With love, 
Hermana Speakman 


Monday, April 11, 2016

week 52 (4/11/2016)

Hey everyone! 
I hope you all had a great week!
We had another week with ups and downs, but it has ended with great lessons learned. 
 
This week, we had the opportunity to study a lot about the Plan of Salvation, or the plan that our Father in Heaven created for us that responds to three main questions; "Where did I come from?", "Why am I here?", and "Where will I go after this life?". This week we focused more on the second question... "why am I here on this earth?".  A question that I have personally asked a lot of times and I am sure many others have as well. This week I was able to understand a little bit better why I am here on this earth and why we have hard times and trials in this life. 
This life is not our final destination, this life is a time of testing, a time to learn, and more importantly a time to enjoy. One of the hardest things is finding joy in the rough moments. 
Its reacting with faith and trust, being calm before the storm that looks to destroy us. This week I was able to observe how things happen, how trials come, then the "storms" that try to demolish us... but I witnessed, how we react makes all the difference. 
I was able to learn this through the example of some less active members in our ward. These members are some of the strongest, sweetest and tender hearted people I have met.  They have been through trials that, had I passed through I am almost certain I would have come out a lot more hard hearted and meaner than they did. They are always smiling, always loving, looking out for others and for each other. They think of the Lord in all things and try their best to trust in him. 
As I have been around them and gotten to know them more, I have learned a precious truth more fully... Our attitude, and our reactions make all the difference. They chose, to be happy. They chose to have faith, they chose not to let it knock them down but to keep moving forward. 
 
I know its hard, I've made the mistake plenty of times to just get mad, to choose to be mad because I felt I had the right because of the trials I was passing.  But I know now, that though it may be hard.. it is possible to choose to be happy. To continue forward, smiling and laughing. To love others and serve them. And to trust in God in all things!
 
I hope you all have a great week this week!
I love you all!! miss you!! 
 
love, 
Hermana Speakman
 
 
 
 

Monday, April 4, 2016

week 51 (4/4/2016)

                                                        Attending the
                                     AsunciĆ³n Paraguay Temple

                           Companion recovering from surgery and Marissa battling                                                 a few aliments herself.  Both pressing forward in the work of the Lord.   (:



           Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him

Monday, March 28, 2016

week 50 (3/28/2016)


Well happy Easter yesterday!!
 I hope everyone had a great Easter celebrating the Savior and His sacrifice and love for every single one of us.
 I know that He lives! He loves us. He knows us, and He came for every person on this earth. He came to help us, to heal us, and to save us. Just wanted to share a quick video with all of you, that's only 2 minutes long about our Savior, Redeemer and Elder Brother. The man that gave all, just for us. I hope you can all take a second out of your day to watch this quick video, and remember Him and His love for you!


I love you all! Hope you had a great week and have an even better one this week!

With love, 
Hermana Speakman 

He Lives! 

Monday, March 14, 2016

week 49 (3/14/2016)

Hi everyone!! 

I hope you all had a great week! 
This week I want to share a part of a talk really stood out to me, while I was reading the Ensign this month. I came across an article by Katy Mcgee, the name of her Article is, "Gaining Gospel Insights through Motherhood." Her article is based on a few basic truths of the gospel that she learned through experiences with her children.. and one of the experiences that touched me the most and stood out to me was her first insight that she shard about our Father in Heaven.. She shared the following story: 

"One day while I was ironing, one-year-old Claire began to cry in her crib. It was nap time, and I knew that if I could quickly give her a pacifier, she would fall back to sleep. Three-year-old Lucy was playing in the room where I was ironing. I debated for a moment and then decided to keep the iron on, knowing I’d be out of the room for only a few moments. “Lucy, do you see that iron on my tall table?” I asked. “It’s VERY hot. I need to give Claire her pacifier. Please don’t touch the iron while I’m gone, or it will hurt you.”
I was sure Lucy understood, so I quickly slipped out of the room. I returned a moment later, and I heard a whimper from behind a chair.
“Lucy?” I asked. “Where are you?”
She didn’t reply.
“Are you OK? Why are you hiding?”
I walked over behind the chair and sat on the floor. Her face was buried in her hands. After a few refusals to tell me what happened, she finally said, “Mommy, I touched your iron.”
At first I was confused that she hadn’t heeded my warning. Then I felt heartbroken that she would hide from me after making a small mistake, afraid she had lost my love and confidence. I knew she was powerless to take the pain away, and only I could help her burned finger feel better. I comforted Lucy, and as I rushed her to the bathroom sink to ease the pain, the Spirit whispered to my heart: “This is how Heavenly Father feels when His children fail to heed His warnings and won’t allow Him to ease their pain when they need it most.” In that moment I felt such joy at this knowledge and a confidence in the Lord’s willingness to teach me."
After reading this story I thought about how true it is.. aren't we all like this young child, we all commit errors or pass through hard times and a lot of the time, rather than turning to the one person that can heal us and help us to make it better, we run away, we hide.  We feel that somehow He will stop loving us or that we are better off alone to deal with it.  When in reality.. that isn't what He wants, that is Never what He wants.. The things that we go through are not to drive us farther away from Him in fact that's the opposite of His plan for us. He wants us to come unto Him he wants to live with us again, but we cannot do so if we don't receive His help and His healing power. That is why Christ came. He loves every single one of us, just like a mother loves her child even with they make mistakes, or pass through hard times. 
Don't forget about Him and His love, You are never alone. Let Him heal you.. Psalms 147:3. 
I hope you all have a great week!  Don't forget to pray, trust in the Lord and His love. :) 
Love you all!! 
With love, Hermana Speakman 

Monday, March 7, 2016

week 48 (3/7/2016)

Hi everyone! 
 
Well this week has been full of adventures some better than others haha. But I have to say it has been a pretty great week, between long bus drives and big heat waves... The spirit was still found and felt in the smallest and simplest of things.
Being out here on the mission, I have learned many things.. and seen many things. But one of the things that I have learned is, that you have to find joy in the little things in life. The mission isn't always easy, but I have come to find through time that Happiness is a choice.. and that it can be found in the simplest of moments. 
For example... my companion, who is still adjusting to the different foods of Paraguay, has found a way to look at the positive side of some strange meals that we have eaten... pointing out the good things that she found, like the lemonade hahaha.  I know it changed her day and her attitude, from the simple act of finding the positive thing in the different situation and it also helped me see the difference the littlest things make.
 
I know that life isn't easy... but I know that this life is the best gift we have been given! Even though its hard... there is always something we can find to be grateful for. 
2 Nephi 2:25 

Thank you all for all of your love and support! I hope you have a great week! 
Will love, 
hermana Spekaman 


 New companion Hermana Roncallo

Monday, February 29, 2016

week 47 (2/29/2016)

Hey everyone!! 

Well....its official, I have finished one year of my mission! šŸ˜¶ .... and it still feels like I'm in my first week haha . Time flies but it doesn't seem real.
I love Paraguay, I love the people! The love they show and the spirit and courage they have. I am so grateful for everything that they have taught me in this year that I have been here, and I wouldn't change this experience for the world. 
I have to say... haha before coming on the mission I did not think I would ever say anything like that. The Lord has a way of always knowing whats best for us. :)

This week I had changes, my companion Hermana Morgan finished her mission, and I am now with Hermana Roncallo from New Jersey! It has been a crazy week, but a lot of fun. She is my first American companion in this year out here in the mission! haha I have already learned so much in this first week with her! We had a devotional with Elder Bednar, and it was amazing. He spoke about how, we have and teach and know the plan of happiness... we need to show that we believe it and live it, with a smile always in our hearts and on our lips. 
I know that this life isn't always easy, but there is always something positive, something to learn in every situation.
This life is a gift! Don't give up! And, don't forget to smile :) 

I hope you all have a great week! I miss you all! 

Love you all! 
Sincerely, 
Hermana Speakman

Monday, February 22, 2016

week 46 (2/22/2016)


hna Zelaya
She's the best. She cooks for us every Thursday and always makes food like a restaurant. She turns on her AC for us especially too ❤ two of her sons served in the US. one in Utah and the other in CA.  She calls us her princesses :,)


My companion, Heading home tomorrow.  Mission completed!



Monday, February 15, 2016

week 45 (2/15/2016)

Hi everyone!
This week its going to be short, but I wanted to share a quick thought that I have been trying to learn and remember this week on my mission. 
Out here, is one of the biggest blessings and one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. This week has not been an exception to the learning process haha. 
As we were passing through trials with leaders with members and as I started complaining John 8:7 came to my head... "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." ..... nice wake up call haha.
 There is always something more that we can all be doing, there is always something more others can be doing. But I realized that I would not appreciate it if everyone just looked at all the things I don't do and started complaining instead of looking for the way to help me do better.  So my personal goal this week, month, year, life, haha, is to try to remember that nobody is perfect, and instead of looking for what others don't do or what they lack.. look for what I can do to improve myself and to help lighten their burden. 
I've started this week and it has made a huge difference in my day and in theirs.
 
I hope you have a great week!! 
I miss you all! 
Thank you for your prayers, love and support! 
 
With love, 
Hermana Speakman
Inline image 2

Monday, February 8, 2016

week 44 (2/8/2016)

Hi everyone!! I hope you all had a great week.
 This week was pretty good :) Ovidio was baptized! :) it was a great experience and I am so happy to have had the opportunity to participate in this moment with him. Attached is a photo of him after leaving the water :) he walked out and was so happy! 
Today, I wanted to send a talk that has helped me out this week from President Uchtdorf. I know that it isn't always easy, sometimes things are harder than we thought possible and we don't understand why. But I know that the Lord has a plan for everything, and I know that these trials... are just for a moment, trust in Him, have faith in Him, in His plan and in His love. Stand firm and true and you will see at the end of it all, there is a grand purpose in our struggle in this life. 
¨Not long ago my wife, Harrietand were at an airport watching magnificent airplanes land. It was windy day, and fierce gusts of wind whipped against the approaching aircraft, causing each one to swerve and shudder during the approach.
As we observed this struggle between nature and machine, my mind went back to my own flight training and the principles I learned there—and later taught to other pilots in training.
“Don’t fight the controls during turbulence,” used to tell them.“Stay cool; don’t over re-act. Keep your eyes focused on the center line of the runway. If you deviate from your desired approach path, make prompt but measured corrections. Trust the potential of your airplane. Ride the turbulence out.”
Experienced pilots understand that they can’t always control the things that happen around them. They can’t just turn off the turbulence. They can’t makthe rain or snow vanish. They can’t cause the wind to stop blowing or change its direction.
But they also understand that it’s mistake to fear turbulence or strong winds—and especially to be paralyzed by them. The way to land safely when conditions are less than ideal is to stay on the correct track and glide path as perfectly as possible.
As watched one airplane afteanother make its final approach and recalled the principles learned from my years as pilot, wondered if there wasn’lesson in this for our daily lives.
We can’t always control the storms that life puts in our path. Sometimes things simply don’t go our way. We may feel shaken and blown about by the turbulence of disappointment, doubt, fear, sadness, or stress.
During those times, it is easy to get caught up in everything that is going wrong and to make our troubles the center of our thoughts. The temptation is to focus on the trials we are facing instead of on the Savioand our testimony of truth.
But that is not the best way tnavigate through our challenges in life.
Just as an experienced pilot keeps his focus not on the storm but on the center of the runway and the correct touch down point, so too should we keep our focus on the center of our faith—our Savior, His gospel, and the plan of our Heavenly Father—and on our ultimate goal—to return safely to our heavenly destination. We should trust God and make staying on the track of discipleship the focus of our efforts. We should keep our eyes, heart, and mind focused on living the way we know we should.
Showing our faith and trust in Heavenly Father by joyfully keeping His commandments will bring us happiness and glory. And if we stay on the path, we will get through any turbulence—no matter how strong it may appear—and return safely to our heavenly home.
Whether the skies around us arclear or filled with threatening clouds, as disciples of Jesus Christwe seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that if we do soeverything else we need will eventually be provided (seeMatthew 6:33).
What an important life lesson!
The more we obsess about our difficulties, our struggles, our doubts, and our fears, the more difficult things can become. But the more we focus on our final heavenly destination and on the joys of following the disciple’s path—loving God, serving our neighbor—the more likely we are to successfully navigate through times of trouble and turbulence.
Dear friends, no matter how violently the winds of our mortal existence howl around us, the gospel of Jesus Christ will always offer the best path to safe landing in our Heavenly Father’s kingdom.¨

love you all!! have a great week. 
love Hermana Speakman 
This is the gentleman that I wrote about a few weeks ago.  Before being baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he belong to the Jehovah witness church.