Weak things become strong

Minha Familia!!! I absolutely LOVE all of your letters- thank you SOOO much for writing me! As per usual, this e-mail will have lots of typos, but just bear with, sim? :) Lots to write!

I wanted to tell you more about the people i spend my entire day with- my District. I absolutely love them. We sit in class all day long with each other. We love each other, we hate each other, we laugh a TON, and we support each other. Elder Firouzi is a big footballer from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He is hilarious. He says it like it is. he believes in being very honest. Especially when the food is not agreeing with him. Jack, you would love him. He had a really hard time deciding to come on a mission and I know we have really helped him stay and enjoy it. Especially Irma Wilde, I know she has made a big difference in his desire to stay. His Dad is from Iraq, moved to the U.S. and got baptized. He is a bit rough around the edges, but I sure do love him. He says he pictures me laying in a bed of flowers. He says if I were Catholic, people would pick me as a saint they would worship. Not saying this in a prideful way at all, but just because I think this is hilarious. Obviously you all know I could never be a saint, but he is always so nice to me. Elder Gaertner's parents are from Brazil, so he had a bit of Portuguese in the home. He is also hilarious. More quiet, but he makes the funniest comments that don't make any sense. He reminds us of Patrick from Spongebob. He tends to take things from everyone. The teachers always ask him for their PMG's because they know he somehow pics them up. He doesn't try to steal, but he just uses whatever is around him. Whenever we are missing something we always ask Elder Gaertner if he has it and he usually does. Elder Brown is very sweet and soft spoken. Very surprisingly he and Elder Firouzi have become best friends- I know they would not be as good of friends in the real world. He is a good leader and tries to keep the peace. Sometimes I just have to laugh at how he does things.

Of course my Irmas are amazing. Irma Wilde is hilarious. Her brother sent her a chunk of his armpit hair in a letter this week. Serio. SO hilarious. I think I died laughing. She showed the whole Zone. She just brightens my day and lifts my spirits. We help each other through comp. inventory when Irma Rojo is being feisty- which is pretty much always. I love Irma Rojo. I am learning SOOO much from her. I learned this week that her escola was pretty ghetto. She was in lots of fights (doesn't surprise me) she is all about family and tells us that she has our back all the time. Good thing me and Irma Wilde can be fiesty and stubborn right back when we have trouble. She and her family delight in sharing scriptures with each other. She has so much faith. Last week she got an e-mail from her step-mom that her dad was going to the hospital because he had kidney stones. She absolutely broke down cryiing. I told her it would be alright but she was so upset that her dad was in pain. It was so sweet. We said a prayer together and it was the most sincere prayer. She said things like "I beg of you, help my Dad. I know I am borrowing him for now, and I leave it up to you to take him if it is your will..." The spirit was so strong. She is constantly reading pouring through the scriptures.

This past Sunday was truly incredible for me. I have been learning so much about repentance and the sacrament. I have been preparing more and more for the sacrament each week and it makes the biggest difference. Sunday morning I prayed and asked God what I need to do to accomplish what is required of me, because I know I have been given so much and so much is required of me. Throughout the whole day it was a spiritual feast of direction. Lots of hard things but lots of amazing things. I absolutely crumpled into bed at the end of the day because I was so spiritually exhausted. If we simply ASK the Lord with answer. If we seek to sincerely do His will, miracles happen. I am striving to do my best to do what he would have me do. I love the Ether 12:27- weak things become strong through God. i know this to be true. If you read the chapter, before that verse Moroni is saying what a horrible writer he is. And look at his writings now- making the biggest impact on the world. Through God, our weaknesses can become strengths. But we must act, and ASK for help. I have so much trouble even thinking to ask. But that is exactly what we must do. it is so simple. Just ask and the blessings are poured out abundantly.

This week in gym some elders were jumping and trying to touch their heads on the bottom of the basketball net. This black guy goes to try and jumps so high he hits his head on the back board. I thought that was about the coolest thing I have ever seen. I shot hoops yesterday during gym and holy Moses it made the biggest difference.. I was SOOO happy. All of my frustrations melted away. I was SO happy i was dancing in the shower.

I really want to say something to my siblings. Even though i am far away, I still want you all to feel my absolute love and devotion to you. i want you to know that I am supporting you and praying for you and there for you even though I am far away. I want you to feel my love with every thing you do. Ben and Jackie- i am SOO excited for your baby. i am so sad that I can't be there to help out and love you and the baby as much as I want, but just know that my heart is over flowing with love here in the MTC and then in Portugal. Ali- I think about you and Brandon so much. I support you 100%. I am so sorry that I can't be more of a help to you. I desperately want to help you and want you to feel peace and comfort through this whole ordeal. I pray for you so much and I am SOOOO excited for you! I am sorry I can't share in your special day, but I promise that my heart will be with you throughout the whole day. Abs- I am so sorry i won't be there for you with your freshman year at the Y, but I am your cheer leader. Please write to me about about any doubts, questions, concerns, stories, that you have. I love you so much and I am soo pumped for the experience that is ahead of you! Snack- I am so sorry that i can't be there for you in school, but know that I always think about you and am so interested in what you do and what happens in your life. You all- I want to be the best sister possible for you all, because you all deserve it. I support you, I love you, I think about you all the time. I still feel apart of your lives. Please keep me in yours!

Parents, the same goes to you. I love you with my whole heart. I think about you and pray for you all the time. I am so grateful that I can serve this mission and that it is blessing your lives. If it didn't do anything but that, I would still do it. I love my mission. I love the Lord. I love this gospel. I delight in His work. i am so happy to be here. I am learning so much. It is so hard but so incredible. Thank you for your examples. The Lord loves you. He wants to hear from you. He is just waiting for you to ask. The Book of Mormon is the most powerful book- read it every single day!!! I promise you that your relationship with Jesus Christ will grow if you do. I am SOO excited for when He comes again!!!! LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!! Eu amo Voces!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!

A heart full of Love, Irma Tingey

MTC Pictures

Oupa!!!

2/21/12

OUPA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!

I LOVED all the letters I received through e-mail just now and through dearelder this whole week!!! You are all such a wonderful support to me, Me amo voces!!!!

For all the sisters out there who are thinking (or not thinking) of serving a mission, do it. It is incredible. I have changed so much already. If you have a willing heart, the Lord will help you become who He would have you become. It is such a joy to become even more converted to this gospel and have my testimony shine through and testify with strength and see others being touched with the Spirit and come unto Christ. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!! I love learning Portuguese. I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am learning to Rely on Him more and more and it is making all the difference. When we truly submit our will to Him, He works miracles through us. This week I have felt that in my learning and growing curve I am on a plateau. It has been really frustrating, but I have prayed and worked harder and I am starting to break through by making and keeping goals. i have stepped up my language and personal study, and my comps and I are now only talking Portuguese when we are in missionary clothes. It is awesome!!! i am so grateful for the examples of my comps- they are so amazing. They have such wonderful insights. We all are very diligent with being obedient and striving to have and listen to the spirit during our lessons. One of our teachers, Irmao Fife, started a new goal/pump-up phrase for our district- "Exigir Excellence"- "Demand Excellence". Life isn't about being normal or mediocre, life is about being awesome and demanding of ourselves to continue to grow every day of our lives. Demand excellence of yourself in everything you do!

It is very interesting being with 19 year old elders at the MTC. Jack, you would love them and think they were hilarious. And they are funny, and I do learn a lot from them, but it is interesting :).

Welcome home cousin Andrew!!!! I so wish I could see you, but alas we will have to wait another 17 months (I can't believe i have already been on my mission for a month!! Time is flying!) And welcome home to my good friend Shaun Livingston! You guys are awesome!

Sunday we watched 'The Testaments' for our weekly film and every time a scene came on with Jesus Christ in Jerusalem or Galilee I teared up and was filled with the spirit. I really miss Jerusalem. I am so grateful for my experience there- it has given me so much amazing insight here at the MTC. I feel like I understand Jesus Christ more. My relationship with Him has grown so much. I love Him so much. I know He loves each and every one of you with His whole heart, as does our Father in Heaven. I testify that He lives. He came to the Americas. He appeared to Joseph Smith. He is coming again!!! My heart is filled with love and gratitude- more than I can ever explain. If we have a desire and ask, He will change us to become like Him. We must do everything in our power to return to Him. And to bring our loved ones with us. I am so blessed to have all of my family strong members of the church. It is incredible to listen and see my comps talk about their families. What hardships. My heart breaks for them. Thank you so much for your strength, power, and examples. I pray for you all everyday. I am so excited for the wedding coming up!!! And baby Tingey!!! I pray for him/her too. Brandon, I am so grateful that you will soon be apart of our family.

I never have enough time to say all that I want to say, but just know that I am working as hard as I can. I love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I know that they live. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it every single day. It has power beyond our comprehension. I love you so much!!! Demand excellence!!! Rely on the Lord.

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!! LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!

Irma Tingey

Oy Oy Oy!!!

2/14/12

Wow my family is the greatest!! I am getting your e-mails Dad, I write you guys an extra letter every week to reply, but I can try to reply through e-mail. I haven't gotten any e-mails from Mom though, are you writing family e-mails or not yet? I AM SOOOOO excited about your experience in the MTC on Sunday!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!! The Lord's work is truly amazing, nao?! The MTC has the most incredible spirit. To tell you a little more about what I do each week here goes: Everyday- personal study, daily planning, 6 hours of class, teaching investigators (that are really our teachers), GYM!!!! (one of my personal favorites, I run a bit then play volleyball ;)), 3 meals in the cafeteria, Devotionals every Tuesday night! (I sing in the choir- SO awesome!), and Sundays are special- temple walk, Firesides, Sacrament, District meetings with a member of our Branch Presidency, ice cream, Wednesdays new missionaries come in! (We get four new elders this week!!! 6 left for Cape Verde this morning :( so sad, they were the ones that welcomed us in- so weird they are leaving!), btw we also get ice cream on Wednesdays :). Have I told you about this little group of missionaries from England? We know who each other are and we always say hi to each other- it is awesome! And they don't mind too much that I don't have an accent. ;) Thank you SOOO much for your letters!!!1 They mean the WORLD to me!!! I write you guys each individually back with handwritten letters! Aunt Charlene what is your address?! Maybe someone could dear elder it to me so I can hand write you a reply! I barely get my e-mails done in time, actually I don't say 1/4 of the things that happen but I try.

This week I feel like I have been pounded with a baseball bat over and over until I feel less than the dust of the earth. Serio. It has been really good and really dificil. I have been humbled hard core. I keep learning really good lessons. I am keep getting pushed, pulled, stretched to continue the journey to become who I need to become. It is sure a long ways away but I am trying my darndest. I really feel like I have been put through the meat grinder. On Sunday I was just going through this huge battle in my mind- Jack think of the biggest battle in history and then imagine my own battle in my head to be 5 times bigger. I was struggling. After Sacrament meeting we listened to music and teh spoken word. I saw that Sister Mary N. Cook was going to talk to the Relief Society women afterward and I felt the Lord say "I know you are here, Elizabeth." Then during the program the MoTab sang "Impossible Dream" form Man of La Mancha and How Firm a Foundation. I flat out bawled. It was embarrassing. I felt the Lord's love. I knew He knew what I was going through. It would take forever to describe what I have been thinking, learning, doing, etc. but I have realized I can't be so hard on myself. I can't ever be perfect while on this earth. No matter how hard I try and beat myself up. I need to enjoy the journey. And I am a lot better now- to sum everything up! :)

Sister Cook's lesson was incredible! She showed a Mormon message about a boy getting hit by lightening and an elder just gotten the Melchizedek priesthood 39 days before was able to bless him and he was saved and was so glad he was sanctified, worthy etc. During the video a girl fainted or something happened and Brother Cook jumped form the stage and gave her a blessing, or just helped her. It was silent as an ambulance was called and I cannot describe how strong the spirit was. It was an exact real life example of what just happened in the video. I know every single girl in that room was praying fervently for this sister. IT was pretty scary. She regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital. I will never forget that experience. I am so grateful that I feel like I was sanctified and worthy to pray to the Lord. I have learned SO much about repentance. Our Branch President said that is why we are at the MTC- to learn to repent. To sanctify ourselves for the work and to teach others the way to repentance. It is incredible. I feel the Saviors loves so much. My relationship with Him and with My Father is growing tremendously. I love my mission. I don't want to be anything else right now. My desire for worldly things has left. I am totally focused on the work. I am so grateful that I can take this time out of my life to fully focus on the Lord's work. I am so blessed to have this experience and opportunity. I am so grateful the Lord could accept me as His missionary.

We watched Elder Bednar's talk on Sunday that he gave over Christmas. It was mission changing for me. He talked about The character of Christ. He challenged us to buy a cheap Livro de Mormon and highlight/find the characters of Christ. I want to turn out like the Savior. As natural men we always turn into ourselves- especially in times of trial. I always want to turn out. He promised us if we focus on turning out then we will be blessed to become who we need to become and we will help those the way we need to. It is a huge deal to be a representative of the Lord. I promise you that I am doing my best. I feel the power of the mantle. When I don't worry about the language and I just focus on the spirit and on the pesquisadore and what they might need, I teach with power- power form the Lord.

I cannot tell you how much I love you. I cannot express how much I love the Lord. Or how much I love this work. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. When our conversion is strong, that is when we are tools to bring people to Christ. THAT is why those early missionaries were so effective- it was their conversion. I challenge you to work as hard as you can on your personal conversion- it is a lifelong process. I am so grateful for the Sacrament. That I can be clean every week. I testify that we can be forgiven. The Lord loves us. Hurrah for Israel!!!

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Ps- I totally forgot to give Brother Hodges your phone number I apologize a million times over. I am so sorry, but maybe he can call you through vonage. :( I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!

OUPA FAMILY!!!!

OUPA FAMILY!!!! 2/7/12

Another amazing week as a missionary!!! I hope my letter makes at least some sense, chances are there will be zero flow. But here goes... Tuesday night we had an AMAZING devotional. Elder Holland and Elder Nelson spoke!!!! Elder Nelson was the main speaker so Elder Holland just said a few words to start the program. What he said made the biggest difference though. He said we as missionaries are OBLIGATED (He kept saying that) to be our very best. He challenged us to make a promise right this instant to be our very best self. He said he would make the same promise with us. Because it was the 50th anniversary of the MTC, Elder Nelson spoke a lot about heritage. He told of some amazing missionaries that have gone before us, especially focusing on the early church missionaries- Samuel Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, and Dan Jones. This whole week I have been thinking about them. I have been pondering and praying about what made them so effective. I have come up with a few reasons- their passion and zeal for the Book of Mormon, their character, and their hard-working work ethic. I want to be just like these missionaries. Any thoughts on why they were so effective/amazing?

Portuguese is coming wonderfully. We went to the TRC this yesterday for the first time yesterday and everyone we talked to and told that we had only been learning Portuguese for 2 weeks were completely astonished. It felt really good. :) Apparently they are shortening all the programs for future missionaries because we are learning so much faster. They have changed the program a lot apparently, you all would know more than I. :) Now we teach investigators (or teachers or friends that act as investigators) like they are real. We pray about them and study directly for them. It makes the biggest difference! Please pray for me to have the gift of tongues! I know it will come, but I need all the help I can get.

The BEST experience I have had yet was at the TRC yesterday. The first lesson we taught wasn't that great- it was to 3 RM's and it was pretty intimidating. Our second lesson was different though. We taught a young man from Brazil named Philippe. We really tried to get to know him and I was prompted to ask if he was a member or not. He said he wasn't! The spirit wooshed into the room like crazy!!! I know that everything I said was from teh Holy Ghost. He said he had learned english from americans in Brazil and he wanted to give back by helping us with our Portuguese. We talked to him about o Livro de Mormon and he showed us this HUGE dictionary he had been using to read it in english. He said he was having trouble understanding it. surprise surprise :) I was prompted to ask if he had one in portuguese and he didn't and my companion gave him hers. He was SOOO happy he almost cried! I just felt the need to testify testify festify of the power of the book. Irma Wilde was prompted to ask if he would be baptized once he knew the truth. He said he wanted to be but he wanted to wait to do it with his family in Brazil. Our teacher afterward said we should really work to baptize him Now. At the end of the lesson Phillipe told us all the times he would come back on mondays to the TRC. We told him we weren't sure if we would be able to teach him again, he was really sad. OUr teacher talked to him after and told us it would be good if we taught him every monday. He is legit! I know some of you may be thinking he was acting, but he was not. It was INCReDIBLE!!! We were walking on air coming out of there! It was the best feeling in the world. I know that we were able to have teh spirit with us because we have been working SOOO hard to be obedient and to learn Protuguese as hard as we can. My whole focus now is to be3 obedient and to work as hard as I can for Phillippe.

In mission conference on Sunday this elder sang a gorgeous song that touched me deeply. The words were something like this: "He can't. So He is sending you. To wrap your arms around them- shelter, laughter, warmth, see Him through you, gentle touch loving words, your laughter, -will know Jesus knows them and loves them so, as they look and listen to you." That is why I am here.

Heavenly Father is building us up because it is more about who we are then what we say when we are teaching the gospel. The spirit will guide our words, ut they must know that we know. Brother Hodges of our Branch Presidency is traveling to London next week and wants to give you guys a call!!! Can you send me a number he can call over there through dear elder?! Can you send me some talks of Elder Bednar? Especially about agency? I sent you guys a little pouch with a memory card. Can you put it on the computer and send it to me again? And possibly print some pics of my and my comps and district? Also they made two extra nametags for me, so I sent you guys one! :) I LOVE hearing from you!!! Thank you so much for the letters!!! They mean SOO much and really bouy me up at teh end of the day!!!! I have really been working on humility this week. I have been very hard on myself. Heavenly Father helped me realize though that I am not perfect. And that I will not be able to be perfectly humble on this earth. That was such a good reminder. That is why we repent everyday and take the sacrament every week because we are not perfect. Please write me more dearelders!!!! Just a couple of words are wonderful!!!

I love you with my whole heart. I am trying to do my very very best. I owe it to the Lord and to the people in Portugal and to myself. This means everything to me. I LOVE being a missionary. Heavenly Father is taking this raw material and qualifying it. I promise you all that I am and will continue to do my best. Like me and Elder Holland, will you do the same? LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!

I only have a minute but: Eu sei que Jesus Cristo vive. Eu sei que Pai Celestial ajuda- me e tem muito amor para me e voces. O Livro de Mormon es verdedeiro!!!!

Irma Tingey

Bon Dia!!

Ola!! My P-days are Tuesdays! My MTC mailing address is:

Sister Elizabeth Tingey

MTC Mailbox #246

POR-LIS 0328

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!

I wear my tag 24/7- even when i am sleeping. I LOVE it!!! We are the lucky portuguese speakers that have Irma on our tag because in Cape Verde and Brazil it is just Sister. woot woot! I LOVE the MTC. It is a literal spiritual feast. My district is really legal (cool). There is Elder Brown, Gaertner, and Firouzi. Elder Firouzi is really having trouble. Some days he is having a great experience, other days he wants to hop the fence and go home. Please pray for him. My companions are incredible. Irma Wilde is so fun and boisterous and outgoing. She has taught me to communicate more openly. She took Portuguese at BYU so she really helps us with the language. Irma Rojo is Mexican and she is from California. She is a convert of 18 months and really gives us great insight of how the investigator might be feeling.

Portuguese is very overwhelming, but I already love it! I have learned so much already! We have already taught three lessons in Portuguese!!!! i already know how to pray in Portuguese and testify in portuguese!! AHHH!!!! OTIMO!!! (Awesome!) My zone is so otimo. Our Zone leaders Elders Funk and Clayton are HILARIOUS!!! They are an amazing example of a great companionship. They work off each other so well. One of the first nights in our room, some other Portuguese speaking sisters from our zone came to our room to talk to us. I was writing in my journal and so could listen to both of the conversations from my companions. My companions have had real horror and heartache in their lives. As I was listening I felt like my heart was being torn in half. I became overwhelmed of how I could possibly be able to help these sisters in anyway. i have had such a beautiful and relatively easy life. All my family are members of the church. Who am i to ever complain again?! i prayed to my Heavenly Father to know how to help my sisters. I got the answer that i just need to be myself. Tears are coming to my eyes as i remember. I just need to be me. That is all i can do and that is all they need. I am trying to serve them the best I can. We really get a long well. We talk to each other very openly. We pretty much have comp. inventory at least twice a day but we don't really call it that, it is just talking to each other about how we feel. Irma Rojo never gets any letters. i dont even think she got e-mails today. could you please write her? same MTC address, just different name. Anna Rojo. I think that would really help her.

Sunday was INCREDIBLE!!! The spirit was unreal. But it was real. :) We aren't allowed to listen to music in the MTC which is killing me. we are able to listen to music and the spoken work though on Sunday and the spirit spoke to me so much through the music. That was the first time I cried here. A lot of girls are having a really hard time. Lots of crying. I am hanging on for dear life to what Ben and Jackie told me before I came- "Don't get discouraged and don't compare yourself to others." It has made the difference. I am so happy to be here. i only have 18 months to serve a full time mission. i am drinking it in and really trying to put my whole soul into it. i LOVE being a missionary!!! That doesn't mean i don't get infuriatingly overwhelming.

Portuguese is hard. But i know it will come and i just go to work on it a little at a time. For our district meeting on Sunday, our branch president spoke to us about how in order to do our best, we need to repent. Repent everyday. i had a change in me. i wanted to become so humble and i have prayed so hard for it and my prayers are being answered. i am repenting really hard every day. i am striving to strip myself of everything that will keep me from the spirit. i have to be the best I can be so that I can teach the people in Portugal. i can feel the power of the mantle. i wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the whole wide world. Heavenly Father is changing me to who I need to become. i am trying my hardest to change. Our branch president told us not to pray and ask what Heavenly Father would have us do, but instead pray for what Heavenly Father would have you be. Me and my companions are striving for exact obedience. I am remembering to sorria :) (smile). I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. iT is such a powerful book!!! We need to study it every single day and it gives us so much power!!! Joseph smith is truly a prophet of God. Sincerely share the gospel with others with LOVE. Everyone responds to love.

Mum, can you send this to people? THANK YOU SO MUCH for organizing my things at Grandmas!!! You are the BEST!!!! I prayed to Heavenly Father that I am leaving my family in His hands while I am gone and i need Him to take care of you. i am so grateful He has answered my prayers- especially with Abby!!! I LOVE YOU LOVEY OU LOVEYOU!!!! Sorry typing is off, not a lot of time! :)

Thank yo SOOO much for my letters and dearelders- they make the biggest difference!!!

Love, Irma Tingey

I've arrived at the MTC!!!

Just received by post today, January 31st. (Go Royal Post!)

Ola' Familia!!!

WOW. It is my second day and it is already NUTS. (Meaning lots of things including super, awesome, scary, frustrating, fun and spiritual utopia.) Chances are you might get my 1st e-mail before this letter, but our branch president told us to write home to our families to say that we are okay. So...I am okay!!! Staying positive and happy and excited beyond belief. I am so grateful and happy to be here! This is the only chance in my life that I am able to do this! We have had one class of Portuguese so far and we are supposed to teach a 35 minute Portuguese lesson tomorrow...we have come up with alternative things to pass the time, haha. Like sing a hymn, and have him explain a scripture, because we can't even carry on a 5 minute conservation yet! But we will let the Spirit talk, not us. That's the real language we and the investigator needs to understand.

The MTC is so much FUN! Missionary HEAVEN!!! We have been to workshops, zone leader meetings, personal study, language study, meals...I am learning so much from the people around me! I am committing 100% of myself. I am not holding back, like Mom told me to do. Everything is great, this is a dream come true. I know this is where I am supposed to be. LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU!!! I'll tell you more details in the e-mail.

, Irma Tingey

P.S. I LOVE wearing my tag. I wear it 24/7, even when sleeping