Women's Conference

Happy Monday!!

So it's been a good week. Numbers were a little lower than anticipated, but that's alright! It's not about numbers. It's about people. And as long as we were doing our best (which we were) we had success. In fact, as long as our desires were in the work, we had success. That's all that matters. Is that we desire to serve. And then we act on that. (Thanks for that reminder Charlie!) 

Sounds like Bryce had some adventures with choir tour. That sounds like no fun. I hope they get to extend a day. But yeah, CA has some crazy emission standards. So I've heard. I haven't really had to take a car for emissions, but I've heard stories. Hopefully everything is going okay now and they can all enjoy their time in sunny CA! 

Thank you so much for that talk mom. I loved it. At first I was like, what? huh? But then reading it again helped me to find some stuff that I really liked. I hope you like those talks I referred to. They are SO GOOD! If you could find the Bread or stones one printed and send it to me, that would be awesome. Because I borrowed it from Sister Spackman, but I can't find it on the internet. And you can send me links and I can print. But whatever works. Here in the family history library we print for free, so that's another plus. And I'm excited to read your talk dad! I can't wait!

So highlight of the week (you can probably guess) was Woman's conference! Holy crap, it was so good. And since I'm an emotional baby, I cried when they had us sing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" and then again for "I am a Child of God". Yup. I loved it. It was awesome. I took so many notes. The mission has done that to me. I am an avid conference note taker. It's the greatest. I loved the recurring themes in this conference. First, keeping covenants. That seems to be a popular one lately. The last RS broadcast was all about covenants as well. I just loved how they talked about the power we receive from keeping our covenants. I've been thinking about that a lot lately, because we get to go to the temple on Wednesday (ahhhh!!!!!). I just love the quote from Linda K. Burton: "We are to lay aside the things of the world, cleave to our covenants, and follow Him." Really, that's all we're commanded to do. Be in the world, but not of the world. And we do that by making and keeping covenants. We entered into that covenant path at baptism. Most of us at 8 years old. And we continue on that path for the rest of our lives. Through receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, the sacrament, priesthood, endowments, and sealing. And then we continue to renew those covenants through the sacrament. I looked over my notes from last conference, and I wrote down that when we take the sacrament ever week, we are renewing ALL of our covenants. Not just our baptismal covenants. How awesome is that?!?! And when we go to the temple, we are reminded of those sacred covenants. It's super cool. We make those covenants so that we can receive blessings. That's the whole purpose behind them! So cool. I love it. I also loved this: "Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessing available through the Atonement. Keeping these covenants helps rid feelings of inadequacy." I don't think I got that whole quote right, but it was something along those lines. But it's so true. The temple is what it's all about. For reals. That's where it all is. The most holy and sacred place on earth. Let's take advantage of that. Go to the temple!!! Do family history work! Help others get on the covenant path. That's what it's all about. I also loved the other theme: serving others. We are all brothers and sisters. We need to reach out and help one another. As we do, we are helping each other along that covenant path. See the big circle of life here? We keep our covenants, we serve others, and that helps them make and keep covenants. And in turn, we are blessed more with the Spirit, to help us keep our covenants more and become perfected. Let us reach out and help one another. 

One more quote I liked from Rosemary M. Wixom's talk: "As individuals we are strong- with God we are UNSTOPPABLE." 

I love you all. I hope you have a fantastic week. Enjoy conference! Remember to prepare! Go to the temple this week! It's a good way to prepare. I love you!!

Lots of love,

Hermana Bingham

 We all got matching mission sweat pants.
So this is us, in our mission hoodies and mission pants. Yup. Good stuff.

Prepare For Conference!

Dearest family,

Sounds like you all had a good week! Kyla, I'm sorry the judges robbed you. That sucks. I would beat them up for you, but I don't know how much good that would do... :) But I'm sure I would've been really mad too! Well, I kind of am. And I hope you get to move up too! Dad, good work on the talks. Mom said you did a really nice job. I'm not sure if you usually write your talks out, or just kind of make notes and then speak, but if you have them all written out, I would love to get a copy! I would love to see what you're learning and stuff! Mom, sounds like camp will be fun! Olympics, good idea! And I bet your authentic Australian cookies were yummy. Bryce, I want to see lots of pictures from choir tour. I LOVE choir tour! And disneyland is the best one. You'll love it! Enjoy yourself, and don't do anything I wouldn't do. Here's my advice: get to the big rides first, fast pass one, get in line for the other, and keep doing all that until you hit the big rides with long lines. Charlie's recommendation is Fast Pass Splash Mountain first, then go to Indiana Jones while you wait for your fast pass time.! Or, Uncle Josh has good Disneyland tips and tricks. :) Also, food is killer. But I can't remember if you can take stuff in. Huh... Jayson, I haven't heard anything from you, but I hope your scout camp was fun and you had a good time! I hope school is going awesome! 

I don't know what has been going on with me lately. This week was full of stress and meltdowns. Not really for any good reason. But I learned lots and lots of important lessons, and now I feel fine! WOOHOO! Get ready for this!

So on Thursday my companion felt sick, so we dropped her off with a member and I hung out with Sister Bench and Sister Spackman for the morning. We had district meeting, which was really good. It was on Chapter 4 of PMG- how to recognize and understand the spirit. It was awesome! Then we came back and ate lunch, and while I took a power nap, Sister Spackman had this awesome study. As she was telling us about it while we were doing service, I realized that my studies the past little while just hadn't been very good. Every day I pray that I'll learn something, but I"m reading the Old Testament right now in Leviticus, and it's really hard to understand sometimes. So I just haven't gotten a lot out of my personal studies. And then I had a lot of time to think, and I just realized that I really didn't feel like I was learning. Or progressing. And I had been feeling kind of out of it for a while. I got my companion that afternoon, and we finished up the day. When we got home that night, I was just feeling really really down. I didn't know what was going on, but I didn't like it. Sister Bench took one glance at me and knew something was wrong, so she asked if I was okay. Now normally in these moments I just say, yes, I'm fine, and go on with life. Because I hate crying and stuff, but this time I just broke down and started crying. So all four of us were in a little puddle on the floor, cuddling and just talking about everything. Everyone was trying to make me feel better and it was great, but it didn't really work. What did work was this: I knelt down to pray that night and begged, pleaded with my Heavenly Father to help me fix whatever it was that I needed to fix. I told Him that I want to learn, I want to progress, I want to be better, but I just didn't know how. And I prayed that I would have a good study the next morning. And immediately I felt better. I knew that I would receive an answer in my personal study the next morning. 

So Friday morning I woke up and got ready, and then I said I really long prayer before my personal study. I got up and sat at my desk, and there was a talk, and a sticky note from my companion with a little note. The talk was called "A Personal Relationship with the Savior" by James E. Faust. It was awesome! I received so much guidance and help! Then I read one that Sister Spackman gave me called "Bread or Stones: Understanding the God we Pray to" by S. Michael Wilcox. SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even explain. You just have to read them. And then it hit me. As I was learning so much. They key to progressing in the gospel is not only studying the scriptures, but also our modern scripture! and then, keeping a study journal! And just in the last few days, my studies have improved so much. So as well all prepare for General conference, study the words of the living prophets. Read talks, study them, search them, come up with questions you want answered! And you will receive! It's a miracle! We get to listen to the prophet and the apostles speak to us! Take advantage, PREPARE!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for conference. Also, I'm asking a little favor. Please start sending me talks. Send me some of your favorite ones. I want to start studying them more, but I don't know where to start! Help!!! 

I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic week. 

Love you bunches,

Hermana Bingham

 Carmel beach last pday

Jump!

We thought this would be all cool and shadowy.

 But it's not. Still a good picture though!

I love this one. We like jumping.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

HELLO FAMILIA!!!

Happy Saint Patrick's day! Also, saying a prayer now that this email doesn't get erased. Did you at least get my handwritten letter? It sounds like you did, so that's good!

So first off, Thanks for the cookies! I was super surprised, but it was fun to get them! Also, they are super yummy, so thanks! Also, please ask Richard and Becky if they remember an Alejandro (Alex) Contreras from high school. He's a member of the ward I'm serving in, and we ate at his house with his family the other day. We take him to lessons with us all the time because he's one of the Spanish speakers in the ward, and is super helpful. But as we were talking he said he went to Provo high, so I asked if he knew any Binghams. I knew he was 30, so I asked specifically about Richard and Becky and he says that he graduated with them. So that was kind of cool. Small world! So I was just curious if they knew him. Kind of funny. :) 

Sounds like you've all had a good week! Those pictures of Kyla's meet are BEAUTIFUL!!! I was so proud! Such good form! Good work woman! Also, I loved the stunt double pictures. Sounds like a good gig. :)

Dad asked what an STL is. It is a Sister Training Leader. They are basically like AP's and zone leaders all combined in one. It's a new sister leader position since there are so many sister missionaries now. It's pretty cool. 

So I'm doing pretty good. Stress levels have gone down, we're figuring stuff out, and my companion is great. She told me that she hasn't been this happy in a long time, and she hasn't been friends with a companion in a long time, but she feels like we are good friends, and that we'll stay friends. So I feel like this will be a good transfer. She's super cute. It's fun, and I'm learning a lot. But it's been a good week. We've seen lots of small miracles, and it's been fun. Always and adventure.

So I've been noticing a recurring topic this week: The Atonement. I was thinking last night about how much it's popped up this week, so I figured I better study it this morning, and write about it a little in my letter. It all started when Sister Craig and I were listening to a talk called "Sleeping Through Gethsemane" by Diane Holscher (or something like that). I had never heard this talk before, but it was SO good! Try to google it. I don't know if that's how you spell her last name, but this talk is amazing. She's funny, keeps you entertained, and still gets across a really fantastic message about repentance, the Sacrament, and the Atonement. She talks about really using the gift of the atonement and really repenting of our sins. We can feel exactly like we did at baptism, every week when we take the sacrament. Every week! That's something that I have kind of failed to understand in the past. For me, and probably for a lot of people, baptism at an older age sounds awesome. Because then you can truly understand what you're doing, and take full advantage of that. There have been times when I have wished that I could have gotten baptized older, so that I could truly use that wonderful gift and be COMPLETELY clean. Sure, I knew that when we take the sacrament we renew those baptismal covenants and can be "clean" again. Or at least I thought I knew. But while I was listening to this talk I realized that it's true! When we take the sacrament, we can feel that pure, clean, joyful feeling that comes from truly repenting, and forsaking our sins. We were reading Alma 36 with Carlos the other day. That is one of my FAVORITE chapters on repentance. I love how Alma says that there was no pain as bitter as was his guilt, but when he cried out and asked for forgiveness, there was nothing so sweet and exquisite as was his joy. And we can feel that all the time. Even with the little things. I've tried it this week! For every little thing, I make sure I ask for forgiveness. That is something I've always struggled with. Is repenting of the little things. But when I know I could've done better, I get down on my knees and let my Father in Heaven know that I know that I need to do better. That I'm sorry. And I've felt that joy. He hears us. Christ has already suffered. Let us take advantage of that, and be completely clean again. Pay attention to the words in the sacrament prayers. Let us really ponder what our Savior has done for us, and use that precious gift that He has given. 

I love you all. I hope you have a fantastic week. Be safe, Choose the Right, do missionary work, you know the drill. Love you!!

Lots of love,

Hermana Bingham

 Sister Bench and I matched for service one day. And we went a little nuts

 Sister Craig and I

 Matching!

The other day when we were matching, Sister Craig tried to get a piggy back. 

But that doesn't really work in a pencil skirt. ;)

 We all matched! Roomies!

Today. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Stupid Computers

Hello family! 

So I just wrote you this big long email, and it all got deleted because the computers are being stupid. So you just got a really good email, and now it's gone. And I only have a few minutes left. So I'm super frustrated right now, but that's just technology for you. So sorry, this email will be REALLY short. 

My new companion's name is Sister Craig. This is her last transfer, so I just get her for one transfer. She's an english program sister, so I'm teaching 100% by myself. So that's fun. But mostly stressful. We do teach a little in english, so she helps then, but it's hard. My Spanish is definitely improving. I'll have to write you all and tell you everything that happened this week. It was crazy. But hopefully today I'll be able to find time to write a letter home and tell you all what happened. But everything is great. We're a little squishy in our apartment, but we're getting bunkbeds this week so that's all good. I'm still really stressed. A little less stressed, but still stressed. But I"m doing better. We're figuring everything out, and I have a good companion and I still have Sister Bench and Sister Spackman, and the STLs live really close, so they help a lot too. We're getting it all figured out. 

Sounds like everyone had a good week. Mom, I'm glad new beginnings went well. I didn't not know that story, so thanks for sharing! What an amazing answer to a prayer. Bryce, when you get woman figured out, let me know! haha :) Congrats on getting your blessing. Kyla, good work at the gym meet! One more! Good luck! And Jayson, good job finishing range. Now just road! Woohoo! 

Sorry this is super short. I love you all, and I hope you have an awesome week. 

Lots of love,

Hermana Bingham

Stressed Out!

Hey everybody!! 

First off, I'm getting a new companion. Yup. So all three of us are staying down here in Monterey, but I'm getting a new companion. So there will be two Spanish speaking companionships down here. The work is progressing! And I am SO stressed out! I'm going to admit it. So we're dividing the area, but we have no clue how it's being divided. Also, there is no way our apartment will fit four of us... Well, it will work, but it will be difficult to get all the desks to fit and stuff. It will be interesting. We might be moving sometime soon, but that is not for sure yet. But I"m going to have to get a new phone, we'll probably be in a car share, it's going to be great. Please pray for us. I might go insane. But, I've got the Lord to help me out, so it's all going to be great! "Adventure is out there!!"

Secondly, mom, I am grateful for the curfew's I had when I was in high school. They did keep me safe, and you definitely know what you're doing. So thank you. For all the curfew's. :) And rules, and all that other good stuff. I really do have awesome parents! 

Mom, you may think your ear story will get old, but I can promise you all those girls will love it. They love stories. And you've got a pretty cool one. So they'll love it, even if you think it will get old. You can do it! Let me know how it goes! Sorry you don't get to hear the other speakers though. Tell Kyla to take notes. :)

So last night I learned a lot about the atonement. I was having a really awful day. Sunday morning we got a text that said that I would be the one getting a new companion, and it stressed me out, a lot. Because I have no clue how the area's are being divided, how dinners would work, how our housing situation would work... nothing. Everything is completely unknown. Even now. So yesterday I would put it out of my mind, but then things would happen that made me feel like I was already being shut out of this companionship. We taught the lesson in Sunday school like we do every week, but they both planned a lesson and somehow I wasn't even informed of what we were teaching. They weren't giving me opportunities to teach in lessons, I would try to open my mouth, and then someone would interrupt me. So I just felt really alone. All day yesterday. And you all know how I am. I don't share my feelings. I just let them boil inside and when multiple things pile up, I kind of am just quiet all day. So thus was my day yesterday. I was pretty quiet. And no one seemed to care. I felt 100%, completely alone. So I got ready for bed when we got home, I knelt down, and I prayed. I prayed so hard. I just wanted to feel like someone out there was listening. I asked Heavenly Father to just take those feelings away from me. I told Him that I knew that Christ suffered, so that I didn't have to. He knows me, and He knows what I feel, so He can help me feel better. And as soon as I closed my prayer and laid down, everything that I had been feeling that day was gone. I immediately felt better. The stress was gone, the pain was gone, and I knew that my Father in Heaven loved me, and so does my Savior. And I was able to think of all the people at home that I knew where always there for me. And it was all better. I know that Heavenly Father hears us. He answers our prayers. He wants us to be happy, so He sent His son to suffer and die for us. He already suffered, so that we don't have to. I love this gospel with all my heart. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is healing. It is the balm in Gilead, that heals the wounded soul. We just have to turn to Him. 

I love you all. I hope you have a great week. Keep me posted on everything!

Lots of love,

Hermana Bingham