Pioner Children Sang as they walked, and walked, and walked

-Ok this title explains my week. It seems like we walked SO MUCH. I have a pedometer and the record is 13 miles... so yes, I feel like a pioneer. Saturdays are the big walking days. We go find all our investigators and try and get them pumped and ready for church. This week, we visited AND called people. 10 people said they were coming to church. Guess how many came? 0. I was sitting in sacrament thinking, you've got to be joking me. JUST COME TO CHURCH PEOPLE!  Bahh, so frustrating. I don´t know what else we can do to get people to church.
- Analia... oh man. This woman has got some major issues. She feels like every time she starts doing the right thing, major trials come into her life. The last time she almost got baptized, they were homeless and they almost took her children away. So sad. We prayed with her and she offered the most sincere, heart felt prayer. We had been wondering why we hadn't met her pareja and why she never really talked about him. WE NOW KNOW WHY!. We passed by last night and he answered the door... UM!!! He can't be a day over 18 years old. AH!!! SHE´S LIKE 38!!! WHAT IS SHE THINKING! No wonder she wants his parents permission, he's a BABY! So we don't know what we´re going to do. She hasn't been coming to church, so if she doesn't keep her commitments, we're going to have to drop her. So sad.
- We taught Hnas Legizamon and Linco to say ´nose goes´. They think it is the funniest thing ever.
- Pringles can't decide if it wants to be winter or not. It was SO WARM this week! So nice! More people are outside!
- We had another asada at Hno Achigar's. Lamb again... I wasn't a fan before, but man, these Argentines KNOW how to do it. So dang good. Did I mention Hno Achigar owns a BAR?! Haha the funniest thing ever. He also bought us a sacarropas- a thing that spins all the water out of our clothes. It doesn't dry them completely, but it does the job!! I never thought I would almost cry over a home appliance. SO AMAZING! We were so worried about what we were going to do in the winter with our clothes drying. This man is seriously the best.
- We had a noche de hogar (FHE) with a menos activo, Maria José. We did cookies of the restoration, using Sister Hobson's recipe! The brown sugar is different here, so they came out brown, but they were a hit! I love Maria José!
- We are also working with the Famila Varela, another menos activo family. They are going through a hard time with no work. We stopped by and shared a quick message and they expressed their desires about coming back to church. THEY CAME YESTERDAY! The best thing ever! Ahh. I've been think about what makes people go inactive. I read a talk by Elder Samuelsen (CECIL!!) about Testimony. The small and simple things like reading scriptures, praying, going to church are crucial. Satan will make you think that you don't have to pray one night, then the next, then you skip a Sunday... it's a gradual and vicious cycle. DO THE SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS! I´m begging you all, if you don't, your testimony will be in jeopardy. Another great point is that we need to trust in the things we believe in or know to sustain us in times of uncertainty or with issues where we struggle. Don't lose faith in what you do know because of what you don't know. Love that quote.
-Shoutouts: ASHTON CRAIG- I missed your bday. Sorry. Hope it was great! Hermano Larsen! Thank you so much for the package!! That was very kind of you, and I really appreciate it! Loved it! Greg Dunn: I read your letter you wrote me and I cried. Thank you so much. It was exactly what I needed at the time and I really, really appreciate it. You're the best. Also, I'm in gaucho land...(South American farmers- knee high boots, khakis, ascots, button ups and berets. THE BEST EVER) To everyone that wrote me a letter for my little book: THANK YOU! The one's I´ve read so far have been such a boost and such a support for me. I have the best family and friends in the world. VENICE! Letter on the way to you! You have some explaining to do, missy. IS JUSTIN STUCKI HOME??! If he is, RaRa, HaHa, give him a squid sized squeeze for me. TO ALL THE MOMS IN MY LIFE (Adrienne, Natalie Grant, Nancy Shriever, Aunt Lori, Grandma Squire, Grandma Hobson, Tia Alice, Soila, Aunt Jeni, Aunt Anne, Michelle Young, Adriana, Susan... and my mama,
the best lady around :-) HAPPY MOTHER´S DAY! I LOVE YOU ALL! Happy Mother's Day to ALL the mom's out there. I love you, and thank you for your example.
-This work is the Lord's work. I am so proud to wear His name on my chest every day. I am so happy to be trusted as His messenger. These people need this gospel. There is so much heartache that can be avoided if you follow the principles of the gospel. I love loving these people. I love when I can feel the love God has for them. The mission has already blessed my life so much!
I love you all as much as Argentine's love their mate! Besos!

Hermana Squire
cydnee.squire@myldsmail.net

PADRES! (answers to questions)
No guacamole... I haven't seen any avocados actually. But the food is SO DELISH. Wow! What we had at that house was NOT Argentine. We travel to Bahia via convi (15 seater van thing) or collectivo (bus with cushiony reclined seats) pretty nice. GOT MY PACKAGE! Both, actually. I'm such a baby. I cried when I opened it. You are seriously the best parents ever. Also, I CAN'T CHEW GUM! Haha I keep forgetting to tell you. I chew that in the morning.  Ok so what we don´t have in Argentina that you can still send: American candy. Kids LOVED it when I passed out tootsie rolls. If you can send mini stuff every once in a while that would be great. I miss my mama's cookin. Especially your bread. I almost cried thinking of the two loaves I had to leave behind at the MTC.
LOVE YOU! CAN'T WAIT TO TALK TO YOU!!!

Pray for Visas!

Que tal mi familia y amigos?

24 days and COUNTING until ARGENTINA! What the crazy? I'm so pumped and so ready to get out there. This week was so great, but every week is great when you're a missionary!

- I am now officially coordinating sister. Pretty much I take care of the Hermanas in our zone (3 of us), go to branch council, and tell people off in the residency for not observing quiet time... in a loving way of course. Then when new districts come in, I help the zone leaders do orientation and teach them a little about the MTC and such. We got a new district last week, they're going to Columbia and are leaving before us! But they'll be in the Columbian MTC for 6 more weeks. Hopefully we get a new district this week... there are only 3 districts left! Maybe we'll get some Hermanas, who knows!

- This week, we got to leave the MTC TWICE! Hna. Hinze's retainer broke so we had to go to the orthodontist. I got to venture out into the REAL WORLD! It was weird, but I liked it. They had real music playing in there too! It was hard not to stand up and sing along... " I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL, PUT ANOTHER DIME IN THE JUKEBOX BABY!" Don't worry, I refrained. We get to go back next week! Woo!

- So, the prayer for devotional went well on Tuesday. Except President Brown called me Cindy Squire. Yup, that's me. I sorta knew it would happen, but oh well. I was SO DANG NERVOUS that I couldn't eat dinner before. Ridiculous, I know. Elder Evans came and spoke to us and it was really great. We've been hearing the recurrent themes of Enduring to the End and using the Book of Mormon more. Missionaries HAVE GOT TO ENDURE after their missions! One of the saddest things is seeing a RM go inactive. We teach our investigators to endure to the end, SO WE HAVE TO ENDURE TO THE END TOO! It's so important. I don't know how one can go inactive after experiencing all the miracles of missionary work. This gospel is so engrained into me, I cannot possibly fall away. When investigators call me up when I'm 50 years old saying their son/daughter is marrying in the temple I want to say, I'LL BE THERE!

- On Sunday night, we had an interesting fireside. Alex Boye came and did sort of a talk/singing session. It was great. He was pretty hilarious but then got spiritual. He told his conversion story and promised that years from now, people we helped to convert will speak our names with reverance and with a heart full of gratitude for sharing what we know with them. That hit me hard. It made me think about how I want to be remembered. I want to be remembered as a humble missionary who was so full of love for the people and for the gospel.

- Investigators! Sergio: I love this man!! On Saturday, we went to teach him. We left him with Ether 12 and he told us that he loved the chapter. He read it 3 times and focused on Ether 12:27 (weak things become strong), and told us that he was up all night thinking about it and decided that he wanted...NEEDED... to be baptized. WHAT! The Book of Mormon works miracles!! The Hermanas are the only ones who have a baptismal date set in stone... why? Because of the Book of Mormon. That's why. Later, Hno. Larsen told us that Ether 12 was the EXACT scripture he shared with the REAL Sergio and it made him finally decide to be baptized. I was floored and so humbled by that. THE SPIRIT IS REAL!! It prompts us and tells us of the things we need to teach and share. We had more lessons with him, and we taught about how Satan was going to try and change his mind and be working on him really hard. We told him to write down his feelings of when he decided to be baptized and used the BoM a lot. After that, Hno Larsen told us that it was our best lesson by far. He told us that we, as 6 week missionaries, were teaching like we had been out for 6 months. It was the best compliment I could have ever gotten. Ruben- Sweet Ruben! I love this kid. We finished up the plan of salvation and talked a little about how to enter the celestial kingdom we needed to continually stay on the path and continually repent. He was like what is repentence and how can I do it? That right there is a proud moment for a missionary. When someone wants to do something without you even asking. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

- Spanish is coming along great. I feel like I can speak more and more every day, and my fluidity is getting better during lessons. It's exciting!

- We're slightly worried that our visas won't make it on time. Other Argentine missionaries have been delayed. So, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR VISAS! I want to get out there! If we don't get them, we'll be temporarily reassigned to a state side Spanish speaking mission for a month or so. I would go if the Lord wanted it, but I WANT TO GET TO MY PEOPLE!

- Shoutouts: Squire Grandparents: thanks for the dearelder! Love you! Paige and Taylor- thanks for the dearelders! You two never fail to make me laugh until I'm crying. Tio Hector- I hope your surgery went well! I love all you Texas people! Grandma Hobson- You are a sweet angel! Your cookies are legendary on the 4th floor! Thank you so much! Dunn family- I was so sad about Lucky. I don't remember a time when you didn't have him. Love you all. TAHNEE OWENS: get your hiney in gear and send me a dearelder or SOMETHING! I miss you! A quick note on dearelders. I just found out that we CAN get those in Argentina! They can be sent via pouch and they send them out once a week! Who knows how long it will be till I actually GET them, but it is still an option! I don't know how, so ya'll are on your own on this one.

Being a missionary is one of the most rewarding things ever! I love it! It's challenging, but I know with the Lord's help I can do ANYTHING! This is HIS work and He will not let me fail! Thank you all for the prayers and support. I love each of you so much!

Con Amor,

Hermana Squire

Besos y Abrazos

Hola!

Another week has flown by here in the CCM! It's crazy! Next week we'll be on our 5th week here! I can't believe how quickly time has gone. But I'm happy it's going quick here in the CCM because I want to get out to Argentina! Let's begin on the highlights of this week!

- Every Wednesday morning at 6:15, we do service. And what have we done every single week? Clean bathrooms. Yup! We have to wear these dorky goggles and huge gloves and scrub urinals and toilets for an hour and a half. It's the BEST! I LOVE IT! Haha, so I'm being a little sarcastic, but we try and make the best of it.

- This week, we've been trying to learn a new teaching strategy. We're only going to take 30 seconds to say part of the lesson then switch off. It's been a challenge but is so much better than assigning parts! We are more unified and speak with one voice. It can be tough, but I think it will really help us out! We've also been working on keeping our lessons simple. After all, we're not here to offer information, we're here to offer salvation.

- So read Alma 16:16. Hermano Larsen told us that we are not only helping people to come unto Christ, but we are helping the people of Argentina prepare for the second coming of our Savior. How crazy is that? Our calling is so so important.

- Consider the first vision in ESPANOL memorized! YEAH!

- This past Tuesday, me and my companions did MTC choir. We sang 'Be Still My Soul' and OH MY GOSH. It was the most beautiful arrangement. I am by no means a singer, but I felt the spirit SO STRONG when singing that song. Our devotional was about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon WITH our investigators! We have got to help them understand the symbolism and be there to answer questions. Once they can gain a strong testimony through the Book of Mormon, there is nothing to keep them from baptism.

- 2 of our 5 districts have left to go into the field! We haven't gotten a new district in so long. We're still the babies of the zone and our zone is SO SMALL!! We will be getting a new one next week though, but they're all Elders. No Hermanas this time! Our sacrament is so small now. Did you know that we prepare talks on certain subjects IN SPANISH every week and you only find out if you're speaking when they call you from the pulpit? Yeah, it's a little nerve wracking... But we'll have 9 sacrament talks written in Spanish for the field!

- We got new roommates this week, only two. Sister Thornton and Sister Marshall. Both are going to German speaking missions. Marshall is from England too! She's super nice but snores like a freight train. Ughhh. Dad, she could give you a run for your money. I just pray every night that I fall asleep before she starts snoring. Poor Sister Thornton hasn't slept in 2 nights :(

- Elise Leavitt is now in the MTC! I graduated with her and she will be serving in the Buenos Aires mission. It's like a Lone Peak reunion in our residency! There's me, Kaitlyn Brunsdale, Shelby Curtis, and Elise... ALL ON THE SAME FLOOR! We should take a picture sometime.

- I just LOVE my teachers here at the MTC. Hermano Larsen loves us SO MUCH and wants us to be our best. He is the greatest teacher and has helped me grow so much. My district has become my family, and now I have 5 little brothers that I can talk to about anything. Our Elders are SO great. I wish I could squeeze them all.

- I can honestly say that the gift of tongues is REAL! Before the CCM, I couldn't roll my 'R's. Well guess who's a rollin R MACHINE?! ME! Ahhh the power of the Lord is SO AMAZING! Everyday I am so grateful for this work. I have so many weaknesses, but my Heavenly Father is helping me to be better. I have been praying more sincerely, studying harder, and listening for the spirit in my every decision, be it teaching or anything else. THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!! There's no way I could progress so quickly in Spanish without the Spirit! I've been here 24 days!!! God loves us all! He has a perfect plan and He knows what is best for us. We just need to trust in Him! I love EACH AND EVERY ONE of you so much. I pray for you all every day.

Besos y abrazos,
Hermana Squire

Ima Wilde & Hermana Squire

Celebrating Hermana Hinze's (center) birthday! Elders decorated the classroom!

Buenas Tardes Familia!

Buenos Tardes Familia y Amigos!

I know, my Spanish is SO GOOD! Well, another week has flown by here at the CCM. All the days mush together here and go by so quickly. I'm loving my time here and I love feeling the unique spirit that resides here at the CCM. All these sweet 19 year old boys are so homesick but trying their best to be wonderful servants of the Lord. I really do admire them! And all the sisters!

-So Hna Hinze said that her birthday was the best thing ever. Our whole zone met together in our tiny class and surprised her! She was very touched.

- Our roommates left for St. George and we were supposed to get new sisters in our room but we didn't! So we're having a week to ourselves in a room for 6! YEAH! Hna Hinze and I switched beds so we are no longer by the door. Hallelujah. Also, can I just say that I LOVE my companeras? They are the greatest things ever. Hinze and I are the most sarcastic people and Brown is just sassy. What a combo! Last night right as we went to bed, we just sat and LAUGHED for 10 minutes straight. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

- At the devotional on Tues, I met another Sister Squire. Yup, SQUIRE! And the creepy thing was that we were wearing the SAME skirt in different colors. Weird. Our Devotional was from Elder Clarke from the 70 and was SO AMAZING! He talked about praying for the people of our missions NOW. I had never thought of that! But now, every night I am praying for the people I need to find in Bahia. Praying that they will be prepared and ready to recieve this great message. Elder Clark mentioned the scripture DC 101:1 saying our families are WELL and in God's hands! I really don't worry about you all anymore! I know God will take care of you and bless you!

- We have new investigators- Ruben y Sergio. Ruben is a 17 year old from Dominican Republic and is just rough around the edges but very humble. Sergio used to be an alcoholic and is so apathetic. It's frustrating teaching him because he just doesn't care! 'I don't like to read the bible' 'I don't like church' blah blah blah. I just want to whap him on the head!! We're working on figuring out how to teach him and get him to realize that he needs to change. Our teachers (since they role play our investigators) told us something so cool about the people they play. They are actual converts that THEY taught on their missions, and when we pray so much for them and try our best to figure out their needs, the actual converts, wherever they are, get blessings. That's why the spirit works so much during these role play lessons!

- I have a commitment to extend to everyone. Go on lds.org and WATCH Elder Hollands talk from Oct 2009 conference called Safety for the Soul. WATCH it, don't read it. It is an amazing testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. When you think about it, would Hyrum and Joseph really died for a book if it weren't true? We started a tradition of watching 1 conference talk every Sunday during our study time. It really helps boost us up!

- We met with the Argentine Consulate on Thursday. She came all the way from LA to come talk to us! She told us all about Argentina and answered our many questions. She was the cutest little lady with an amazing accent and I loved listening to her! It made me SO EXCITED to get to Argentina! I might never come home! I already love the people so much and I haven't even met them.

- Every day we sing and pray in Spanish, and I LOVE IT! I might never sing hymns in English again! It's so beautiful. My Spanish is coming along well, I'm still having a hard time expressing myself, but I understand about 90% of what's going on. Right now, I'm working on memorizing the First Vision in Spanish. Not as easy as it sounds! It's so funny because I feel like I can't speak English OR Spanish anymore! It's like weird Spanglish gibberish. Funny story: the other night I had a half dream that Hno Larsen was in our room teaching Spanish. I kept taking out my ear plug to try and listen... I'm pretty sure my comp talks in her sleep so that's what I was hearing. I kept thinking, GO AWAY HERMANO LARSEN! I DON"T WANT TO SPEAK SPANISH RIGHT NOW! I'M TIRED! Haha.

- 3 Elders in our zone are going to LUBBOCK!! So you Lubbock people... keep a lookout for Elder Rodriguez and two others whose names I can't remember!

- The coolest thing at the temple is having people pray for the missionaries during the session. It's like HEY! I'M a missionary! I love that, and it means so much more to me now.

- We had a workshop where each missionary played the role of a potential investigator. The other missionary teaching got to see the screen where as the 'investigator' didn't but had to listen to this hard life these people had. Then we took turns teaching. It made me realize that the atonement of Christ is for EVERYONE. No matter your circumstances. Loved that day.

- So I am probably the most spoiled/loved missionary at the MTC. THANK YOU for the letters/dearelders/packages! I just got the Hiatts letter. THANK YOU! I loved hearing from you all. Everyone makes fun of me since I get a package almost every day! But it's a-okay with me! TPK- you guys make me laugh! I'm sure at the Argentine MTC they are wondering who the heck this Hermana Squire is, that's getting all of the dearelders! Please send those to the PROVO MTC! That's the first thing you click before sending the dear elder. Kels- bachelor update? Thank you all!! I love you all so much and I LOVE THIS WORK! My favorite part of the day is putting on my badge that bears the name of Christ. I am His servant and He trusts me with His children in Bahia Blanca! I want to make sure I'm the BEST MISSIONARY for Him! I'm still in awe that He trusts me with His work! Have a wonderful week and remember I'm praying for all of you and LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Hermana Squire

From her mom:

Feel free to email Cydnee at cydnee.squire@myldsmail.net

or dearelder.com; after you sign in for an account, which is free; be sure to pick PROVO MTC on first page. It will go to the second page..which is where you put her name, box #207; departure date 0403; ARG-BABL mission code. If you send a dearelder.com letter before noon, she gets it later that day. IF YOU DO NOT PICK PROVO MTC, she will not get the letter! (if you are choosing the Argentina BABL, then letter goes to Argentina!!..aye aye aye!)

Mailing address to MTC: 
Sister Cydnee Squire

MTC Box #207

ARG-BABL 0403

2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT  84604

My sweet district! Hermanas Hinze,  Brown,  Me,  Elders Kelly,  Robertson,
Haroldson,  Hall and Allred

For my Mama! She wanted a picture of me pointing @ "the map"!

Hermana Hinze & Hermana Brown! This was our first Sunday. Do we look tired or what??

Study time!

I'm ALIVE

Familia y Amigos!!

Hola! I made it to the MTC and I'm alive! It's been a crazy 4 days, but I'm here and I'm loving it. My pdays will be on Fridays, we only have kinda a weird half day today. So! Let's get started, shall we?

On my first day, I said goodbye to my family and was lead to the sister's residency. It's actually pretty nice! I was able to take the elevator up with my luggage, so mom, I didn't have to carry my luggage up to the top floor! My host dropped my luggage off in the room (3 bunks, 6 sisters) and we went off to the bookstore to pick up my books. I got a heavy package of spanish books, grammar books, and even el Libro de Mormon y La Santa Biblia en Espanol! They emboss them for free here at the MTC so we'll be doing that soon! I went off to my classroom where I will be spending the majority of the next 9 weeks. We don't switch classes, so we just leave all our books in the classroom, it's super nice. I met my companions... yes, companions! I am in a trio with 2 other hermanas, Hermana Brown and Hermana Hinze. It's been 4 days and I already love them. We have gotten so close. Hna. Brown is from Mesa and was a nurse. She'll be serving in Bahia, but she'll be the missionary's nurse. It's pretty amazing! Hna. Hinze (like Hienz ketchup) is also from Mesa and is going to Nuequen. She is 5'11 and just a babe. I adore her. When we got oriented, we came back to class and our teacher started just teaching in spanish. It was crazy, but I understood most of what he said, and I was really surprised at how much I could understand. His name is Hermano Larsen and he's from Eagle! I wonder if you know him, Kristen? We met our Zone Leaders that night and they are so little. They're just small babies in suits! Haha but they are seriously so great.

Our district has 5 elders and 3 hermanas (we are the only hermanas in our zone right now!), and 6 of us are going on to Bahia, and 2 are going to Nuequen (that's where the penguins are). I LOVE OUR DISTRICT! It is seriously the best district ever! I LOVE our Elders. Elder Robertson is from Oklahoma and is so shy and so quiet. Elder Hall is so hilarious and writes notes on napkins to the kitchen crew every meal. Elder Allred is from Orem and so so nice. Elder Kelly is also so funny and loves talking to us Hermanas. Elder Harroldson is our district leader and is just so kind and is perfect for that calling. I seriously love them all like brothers and just want to pinch their cheeks every ten minutes. They are so mature and know why they are on missions. They work so hard and are so willing to learn.

The second day we studied more and I got pulled out of class. Some guy just started talking to me in spanish and I answered him the best I could. He told me he wanted to transfer me to an intermediate spanish class because I understood more than my district. Apparently, someone tipped him off! He even wanted to send me to the advanced class, then I'd leave for Argentina in 3 weeks! WHAT THE CRAZY! I don't think I'm ready for that and I definitely don't think my spanish is that good. I've been thinking about it a lot, and even though it would be a good opportunity, I would be a solo sister (no companion) and I would miss my district terribly. So we'll see what I decide... We also prepared to teach our progressing investigator, Favian. He's actually one of the teachers, but Favian is a real person, and a real convert, he's just acting like him. Did I mention we had to teach him in SPANISH!? Um, I don't know spanish yet...

On day 3 we prepped to teach Favion. We wanted to teach him about God and His love for him, so we mostly prepped on that. We had our lesson, and I think that it went as well as it could for a first lesson. I understood 80% of what he was saying, but I couldn't get my words organized to get across my message. Basically we told him that he had a loving heavenly father who was aware of him and that he could talk with him through prayer. It was amazing. This is what it's all about! That experience really boosted me up. We're going back tonight to teach him more about having a relationship with Heavenly Father.

The days are so long, but they are fulfilling. I feel like I'm learning so much already. Mornings are rough. They have exercise classes for the sisters at 6am but we have yet to make it to one. We do use our gym time well. They have a sweet gym with weights, ellipticals, bikes and resistance bands. Yesterday we did a lot of work with the reisistance bands and with pilates. It's great!

Had and Kels, thanks for the dearelders! Those are so great to get. Had- I loved your tweet from my favorite person and your story. I was almost crying from lauging. The food is ok, they have wraps and salads, so I mostly get that. There's no caffine so sometimes I get a diet coke (caffine free) and pretend that it's real. Haha oh man. Kels- I have seen Irma Wilde! She studies on the same floor so I've seen her almost every day. She is hilarious! I miss you both.

I got your package mom, the district loved it! I love healthy snacks! The only actual letters I got were from Mom and dad, and I think that's because my address is different. It's

MTC box 207

ARG-BABL 0402

2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT  84604

But letters and dearelders (dearelder.com) http://www.dearelder.com/  are so helpful! They literally make my night. I would add some pictures but I don't know how yet and the little time thing in the corner is freaking me out and ticking down. Everything is so scheduled here, you barely have time to go to the bathroom! We have like 1 hr of personal time at night where we can actually go to the bathroom by ourselves and stuff, but it goes by SO FAST! Before I know it, it's 10:30 and time for bed. I've been so tired, but I think that I will adjust. The best part of the day is putting on my nametag that bears the name of Christ. Sometimes it hits me at random times... I AM A MISSIONARY! I love it. Seriously.

I hope you all are well and I love and miss each of you!
Love,
Hermana Squire

Do we turn left or do we turn right???

Last picture together for 18 months, people!

Final wave to the parents!!

So Long, Farewell

What an amazing day. Are you ready for a long post full of pictures? Here we go.

I woke up early because I had my final interview with my stake president at 8:30. The rest of the morning was spent getting ready and practicing my talk. We got to the church half an hour early and waited for the meeting to start. It was another Elder's homecoming, so we were expecting a full house. After the meeting started, nearly all the seats were packed. We couldn't use the triple overflow because the ward before us had their 3rd hour meeting in there. Some people even had to listen in the foyer!

Elder Mccolm spoke before me and he did a great job in inviting the spirit. My cousin, Dave, sang a beautiful missionary song called 'I Will Not Be Still' (listen to it at end of this post). It was hard to try and maintain my composure with a song so close to my heart, but I did it.

I got up to the podium and gave my talk, which was about doing hard things. It was perfect for me, because I've been feeling worried and inadequate about the work that I have to do. I talked a little bit about how God will never forsake His children during trials, even when you feel alone and I shared a personal experience about feeling alone in the middle of a trial. After my talk, the bishop got up and had me stand. He said something like, "If you're going to pray for Sister Squire, will you please stand?" Nearly the whole congregation stood up (well, everyone except the people who didn't know me). Bishop said, "See Sister? Take a mental picture of this. When you're out in Argentina and you feel like you're forgotten and alone, remember this picture, and remember that there are people here who love you and will be praying for you". That was probably my favorite part of the whole day. I felt so loved!

When I finally made it home, there was a line to get into my house out the door! I was hugged, congratulated, and took so many pictures. I have such a great support system of family, friends, and ward members. There was around 200+ people who came out to see me and I couldn't feel more grateful and humbled that so many people love and care about me. I had a warm and happy heart all day!

Study abroad gal pals.

Beautiful cousins (in-law?)

My handsome Dunn boys

The best guys around. Watch out, ladies.

G-ma, g-pa and great aunts and uncles!

Ah, can you feel the love? Thank you to everyone who came. It meant the world to me. 

Christmas Eve Traditions

Merry Christmas eve everyone! Before I get caught up in the festivities of tomorrow, I thought I would stop by and share a few of our Christmas Eve traditions.

During the day, we go see a movie. Today, it was Sherlock Holmes (GREAT show, I would definitely recommend it).  We eat Mexican food for dinner, and spend time with family, then we open our Christmas pajamas. Who doesn't get new pj's on Christmas?!

One special thing we do on Christmas Eve is go visit my brother's grave. We light luminaries, listen to the Polar Express (which has been a tradition since I don't know when), and sing a few Christmas songs. This has been a yearly tradition since he passed away in 2003 (well, every year except last year when we were in the Holy Land).

 

Happy Christmas everyone! (That always reminds me of Harry Potter 1)

It's Christmas Time

I can't believe Christmas is already here! I went to Target to get some last minute things, and man, I think I'll get my Christmas shopping done in November next time. TOO CRAZY. I almost had a mental breakdown standing in the never ending line behind screaming toddlers and moms in bedazzled sweat pants.

Hopefully we all remember what Christmas is really about... the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Him and His sacrifice for us!

I hope you and your family/friends have a wonderful Christmas.

My Cute Family

Once upon a time, these two youngsters fell in love.

They got married, and this is the result. Two awesome kids. 

Even though Brandon cannot physically be with us, he is still a big part of our family. The work he is doing on the other side is similar to the work I will be doing on my mission. Less than 3 months, can you believe it?! Anyway, here is a few of our family pictures. Enjoy!

Twenty-One

On Saturday, I woke up to a lovely breakfast and the first session of conference. It was a great way to start my birthday. After the first session, I opened presents. I got some cute, missionary perfect skirts and this baby:

A Michael Kors watch. Oh. My. Word. I have been coveting over one of these babies for about 7 months.

My mom didn't tell me the activities she had planned for the day, so I had no idea what was next. After presents, she took me to American Fork. We got out of the car and walked towards the spa. I thought 'a mani/pedi with my mom!' But then, my friend Summer popped out. My mom had set up mani/pedis for me and four of my friends!

We left after that, planning on seeing each other again at 9pm for a sleepover. Later that night, my parents and I left to go to dinner. I thought it was just going to be the three of us, but I got a lovely surprise. All my close girl friends were already there!

Best card I've ever seen.

I also got a little present from my brother...

See the double one in the right corner??

I don't think he forgot this special day. He knows how much I love rainbows!

After dinner, we went back to my house and had a for a sleepover that included "Ten Things I Hate About You". I love that movie!! We woke up on Sunday to a great breakfast of waffles with all the fixings and some more general conference. I seriously have the greatest friends and parents.

Birthday weekend was one for the books.

Called to Serve...

Hello my lovely friends!! I know you all probably know this, but I got my mission call on Wednesday.

Want the whole story? Good, cause that's what you're getting!

As you know, last Friday, I found out that my call had been assigned. That meant five more sleepless nights.

I woke up on Wednesday and went to class, hoping, praying that my call would arrive at my house (you see, we weren't sure of the mailing situation because of Labor Day). Then, at 11 am, my mom called me, and screamed into the phone, "IT'S HERE!". I was pumped. But guess what? I wouldn't get done with class until 6:30 that night. Boo. I spent the rest of the day fidgeting, definitely not learning anything. I finally made it to my last class, and unfortunately it was my most boring one. I. Could. Not. Sit. Still. Luckily, we got out of class early, and I booked it home and waited for everyone to arrive at 7.

I am not the kind of person who paces, but man, I was pacing around that whole house. Every minute seemed like an hour. I was so nervous, and I could tell that my mom was a mess. She suggested that we go pray in my brother's room, just our family, and my adopted brothers Josh and Tyler. Tyler said a beautiful prayer that immediately put me at ease and invited the Spirit. I knew that wherever I was called, it would be perfect for me. I knew the God knew me, and that He knew where I needed to be.

Finally, everyone was there. I did not waste one second. I plopped down in my chair and announced that I would be opening it right then. There was no way that I was going to wait any longer!

Someone gave me the idea to try to cover up the mission with my hand so I wouldn't see it right when I opened it. But I kinda saw something Spanish... so it only worked a little bit.

"Dear Sister Squire,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the ARGENTINA BAHIA BLANCA mission."

I was so shocked and so excited. I was crying so hard, almost to the point of hysteria. I was that excited. You see, I wanted to go to South America so so bad. Everyone kept asking where I wanted to go, and I kept that desire a secret and would reply with anywhere Spanish speaking. My biggest fear was that I would be called to a visitor's center, or somewhere too close to Utah. My prayers were answered and I knew God knew the desires of my heart, and blessed me with the call to Argentina.

I had a group on facebook where my family and friends could guess where I would be serving. About 13 people guessed Argentina, but only ONE got it right on! So congratulations to Eileen Williams!!

Best friends right here. Gonna miss them SO BAD

I've got some beautiful friends!

I depart to the Provo MTC on February 1st. There, I will study the gospel and prepare to preach it in Spanish. I can't wait to go. I am so excited and so ready to be a missionary. I can't wait to share this wonderful truth with the people of Argentina.

My mission!

Bonjour (one more time)

Never ceases to amaze me.

My last day in London was bittersweet. I have grown to love that city so much, and I am going to miss it terribly. I was my parent's tour guide, so I hustled them around the city, getting them from place to place. We first went to the Tower of London and then to St. Paul's. I made my parents climb to the top for the amazing view  while I wandered around (520 steps a second time? No way no how). We had afternoon tea there, then went to Harrods to look around. That left us just enough time to get us to Wicked. I loved it even more the second time.

This morning, we got on the Eurostar to Paris. We had a lovely lunch in the front of a cafe, then walked to the Eiffel Tower. Well, it was a lot further than we thought. We hung around there for a few hours then headed back. We're guessing we walked around 6-7 miles total. Phew! My poor feet are not looking so pretty.

The next few days here will be packed and full of fun times as a family. I can't wait!