A War Worth Fighting

"Brother G taught in Sunday school today and he said something that was really cool. He said, and don't quote me on this because I am relaying it from memory, "Your sister is coming in during the wave. She is getting ready to stand on the front line." Then, while D was here, T said something about you training too. Mom said it wasn't as grueling, but I don't know if that was totally true. You are training to fight a war, just like D is. Your training is spiritually demanding, his is physically. Except you have the Book of Mormon as your protection (so you need to know it inside and out and know what all the buttons and flippies do) and instead of boots and camouflage, you are wearing the armor of God [JUST LIKE IN SEMINARY! :)], and instead of ranks, you have your "Sister/Elder" titles. You are fighting a war that is already won. Everyone knows that good always wins. You are fighting on the winning team. You have been drafted into the Army of God. You go, Major Hess! :)" 

I sent this in a letter. I love my sister. I love to win too! This really put things in perspective! She could be in potentially life threatening situations. She is serving in a third world country. The living conditions are not what she is used to. She is well aware of this, but because of her love of God, she is willing to brave anything! I have never had so much respect for one person. She is excited and ready to go. 

 D&C 31:3 "Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."

While I wish she could be here, I am so grateful  that she has this experience. She is going to come back tan, blond, and humble. She is going to be changed mentally, spiritually, and physically. I wasn't able to see her off, but I will be the first one to hug her as she jumps off her plane! 

LOVE ALWAYS!

VERY FIRST LETTER (June 19, 2013)

Hello Family (pamilya ;))
     I have so much to tell you! Today was absolutely insane. My brain is on overload...
     My companion is Sister T (yes, its "sister" in Tagolog). She's awesome. We're both left-handed and our middle names are both Rebecca. Its kind of weird. She's a lot like me and super nice. We're living in the Nye building in a room with four other girls all going to Olongapo, all newbies, and all leaving the M.T.C. at the same time (June 29th) .They're super cool and so nice :) And we all run so we're all planning on going running tomorrow.
     So far the M.T.C. feels like a mix of E.F.Y. and Girl's Camp. Its so fun. Guro po si Brother C. Try to translate that! :) We went to class and our teacher only spoke Tagolog to us. I caught on pretty fast. It was really cool.
     It's weird to be called Sister Hess. I keep thinking people are talking about mom. I'm not sure what else to say. Tomorrow will be crazy.
     I love ya! The church is true!
Paalam!
Sister Hess


Pamilya: Family
Guro po si: My Teacher is 

And So It Begins

Hello!

My sister received her mission call on Friday February 22, 2013. Everyone was so excited. BUT! We all had to wait. That was probably the longest day of my life. I can't even imagine what it was like for my mom.

My mom had people from all around guess and predict where she was going. I personally had my money on the California Los Angeles mission. There were guesses for her to serve in Italy, Japan, Michigan, etc. Only one person guessed were she was actually called. My older sister was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines, Olongapo mission. She will learn the language of Tagalog.

Stay tuned for more!