Hola Phoenix!

After nine weeks of joyous life in the MTC in Provo

 Sister Kathryn Alvarez finally boarded the plane to Arizona.

We had the opportunity to talk with her for a little bit at the airport and from what we could tell she is  SO ready to begin the work she was called to do
 and she has not lost that Katie spunk! 

Watch out Phoenix, I think a storm just blew in!!! :):)

Phoenix Airport March 22, 2011

President & Sister Beck 

Signing the Phoenix Arizona Mission Flag

The new recruits  @ the mission home 

She is going to be an AWESOME missionary!!!!

For Japan: PLEASE

If you can give a little help, it will make a BIG difference!

HELP HERE

or 

  http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

Finding Miracles

As I think back to last week at this time my mind is filled with sadness and 

yet an increased faith as well.

The devastation in Japan is heartbreaking and words can not describe how desperate

 I feel in helping these amazing people! 

I have met many Japanese people through my brother who served his mission in Sendai, the hardest hit area. 

They are warm, kind and loving people! 

What has come out of this tragedy for me the most though is an even stronger testimony of 

the power and love of our God. 

I could not sleep the first few days as my heart was turned to all the missionaries serving in Japan, I had to know if they were safe. I was crying for the mothers and fathers of these young stripling warriors. 

What an incredible miracle, EVERYONE is safe and well! 

God knows and loves each of HIS children and will protect them!

 I know there has been a great lose of life and the Japan is devastated by this tragedy. We can never know the whys of it all, personally I learned a long time ago to stop asking why?? 

What I do know is that our Heavenly Father is VERY aware of each speck of sand on this earth and He knows what he is doing. It is our job to find the opportunity to turn tragedy into joy, to turn a broken heart into one filled with love. We are on this earth to make ourselves better and become more God-like and to help our neighbor do the same.

I DO know that among tragedy we can find hope, among sorrow we can find peace.

 I had a friend yesterday complain that she was giving up soda and was drinking only water now. She was saying how much she hates the taste of water. We then started talking about Japan and she paused in mid sentence and looked over at me and said

"I guess I should stop complaining about having to drink only water, I am 

sure those people would love to have my water". 

Everything is a matter of perspective!:)

THIS IS A  MUST READ: Enjoy:):)

JAPAN KOBE MISSION

Photos from Here & Here

Update from Hermana Alvarez- 3-3-11

Family and Friends
Hola! Como esta?! I am loving the MTC!

I have learned & experienced so much here!

I know I still have lots more to learn though, especially when it comes to the language.

I only have 2 1/2 weeks left in the MTC then they will be shipping me off to Arizona!

I can't wait to get there but it will be really hard to leave all my new friends behind.

My first group of friends were a bunch of Elders in my Zone. They went to Malaga, Spain.

The other district in my Zone is also full of just Elders that leave a week before I do and they are all going to Chile. I think I'll miss them the most, except for my district.

Three  Elders and my two companions are going to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Another Elder (he's Hawaiian) is going to Jackson, Mississippi. Then there is only one Elder that is going to Phoenix with me.

My Zone has 3 other districts. We are the biggest zone in the MTC I think!

My companions are Hermana Hong and Hermana Geest. We are very diverse, haha. Hermana Hong

is of Chinese descent and Hermana Geest is of German descent. And of course I am of Irish, Fench and Spanish descent! We are all different but we get along really well....for the most part! HAHA.

It hard not having your independence but the experiences you gain here make it so worth it!

So we have a progressing investigator, her name is Alice. She lives in Brazil but her Mormon friend lives in the states.

She asked us to come by because she wants to know why her friend is so happy and seems to have direction in her life. It has been some what of a struggle teaching her because she wasn't very open until

last Thursday when we taught her.  We read Mosiah 4 together and she really enjoyed it!

She even came to church on Sunday. Today we are teaching her again, we've decided that we are going to do lesson #3 in Preach My Gospel. We are going to ask her to get baptized tonight!! So excited!!

That is all that's going on around here!

I miss and love you all and would love to hear from you!!

Remember to always have faith and trust in God. He will never lead us astray and he wants to help and bless us but we have to ask for it. Here is  a short testimony in Espanol.

Yo se que dios es nuestro Padre celestial. Yo se que Jesu Cristo es nuestro salvador y redentor.

Jesu Cristo murio en la cruz pro nosotros.

Yo se que Jose Smith fue al Profeta. Jose Smith restaurado la iglesia en la tierra.

Testifico que la iglesia es verdadera. Estoy agradecido por la oportunidad de estar aqui.

Peo la habilidad servirte. Estoy agradecido por Jesu Cristo y su Expiacion. Amo a Jesu Cristo y a mi Padre celestial y mi familia. Amo a evangelio. En el nombre de Jesu Cristo, Amen.

Love,

Hermana Katie Alvarez

(until March 22nd)

Hermana Kathryn Alvarez

MTC Mailbox #142

AZ-PHX 0322

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, Utah  84604

(After March 22nd)

Hermana Kathryn Alvarez

Arizona Phoenix Mission

18001 North 79th Ave.  Ste 50

Glendale, Arizona  85308