Hey Fam Bam,

How are you guys this week?? Sounds like everything is going great with the crazy basketball and school life!! Haha its so funny reading your emails about how crazy and packed the weekends can be sometimes with basketball, but I honestly miss it so much. Weird? Yes...but its the truth. 

This week has been filled with its ups and downs, thats for sure. But I definitely can be thankful to the Lord for giving me so many experiences to grow from. Hermana Valladares is a really fantastic missionary...she is an incredible teacher, and I already have learned so much from her. Im really thankful for the example she is to me. Saying that, its definitely been an adjustment (and still is) but I know its something thats going to make me stronger. 

I had two experiences this week that really made me appreciate the mission and my companion. One was earlier this week when me and my companion were visiting a less active member (also a member of two years) and her family. She has three kids. The two 11 and 9 year olds were downstairs with us when we arrived at her house. When we walked into her house, we could just tell she was SUPER stressed. She had just gotten home from work and was helping her kids with their homework (it was English homework so i basically did all of it for them...you know, thats what missionaries are here for.. ;)  Obviously I could tell that we were probably the LAST people that she wanted to have over, she probably wanted to help her kids get ready for bed, clean up the house...etc. Then, thats when her kids started throwing full on TEMPER TANTRUMS, screaming and crying and carrying on. I felt so awful. I kept thinking, "dang...we should probably leave...get out of her hair" and a couple of times I nudged my companion, trying to hint to her. But she just shook her head. I thought, oh gosh this is awful! Heck is breaking lose and the poor lady probably doesnt want to hear from us! But my companion asked if we could sing her a hymn, and of course she said yes. As we began to sing, "I Need Thee Every Hour" you could just feel the entire mood change in the house. The Spirit was so strong, and the contention just melted away! Afterwards, we shared a small scripture and were able to talk to her about everything that was going on. It was amazing to see the example of my companion....my first instinct in this situation was to get the heck out of there! But Hermana Valladares knew that Gabriela needed to feel the Spirit in her home, and by the end of our visit, the kids were hugging their mom and saying the closing prayer. Its amazing what the Holy Ghost can do to people's every day lives! The Spirit is so powerful!

My other experience is definitely more of a miracle. As the Hermanas of Cordillera (who happen to live a street away from our Stake President), we have the responsibility of opening the Stake Center every Tuesday for our District Class. This past Tuesday we were opening it up, and this lady and her boyfriend came up to us, and she says, "Do you have something you could give to me about what your church is about?" Literally we were shocked. Someone was ASKING us to share with them? hahaha that isnt something that happens very often. Anyway, we set a day and a time that we could visit her, and that was YESTERDAY. Yesterday we stopped by her house at the time we had planned and she wasnt there....but the place that she lives is a little scary, not going to lie. There are MANY people who live in the same little complex, a bunch of people who kind of gave us the creeps. As we were walking down the street, pretty bummed that she wasnt there and pretty creeped out that we didnt want to come back, we hear people yelling after us and there she was, walking down the street towards us! Basically we were able to have a really great lesson with her, and shes AMAZING. Not only her, but her boyfriend wants to listen AND their neighbor. This shows me that when we are obedient, our Heavenly Father has complete trust in us, and will send His children our way. He can have trust that theyre in our hands. Im grateful for little miracles like this, thats for sure. 

SHOUTOUT to my brotha-from-anotha-motha for getting his mission call to ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA ASL SPEAKING this week! Im so happy for you, Alec!!!!! 

I love you guys so much, and miss you even more. Dont forget it!

Lots of love 

Hermana Randall

 Hermana Jimenez! s

Shes my friend for life!

Hermana Rivero and I! Shes one of my favorite Argentinas

 

hola como estaiii

In case you were wondering, thats some Chilean spanish for ya. 

Well, I dont want to save the best part for last....I LOVED SKYPING WITH THE BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD LAST NIGHT! It was the sweetest experience for me, but definitely scared me at how much you boys are growing up. Its only been 5 months and holy cow, you guys are turning into men and I dont like it! But Im seriously so pround of the MEN that you are becoming. I love and look up to you so much! It was really funny because as soon as I heard your guys' voices, and heard someone say, "mom, stop..." I felt at home. hahaha I love our family. I sobbed my eyes out for a solid 5 min and had makeup running all down my face!! They thought I was crazy! dang i had missed you guys way to much. i felt like i was right back at home!

This week has been rough, but it has been worth it. With every freshly new companionship there comes challenges and adjustments, of course. I expected that. As hard as this transition has been, I feel like the best that I can do is just pray and ask for patience. Every companion that I have had and am going to have has something to offer me...there is something that I need to learn from the experiences that I have with them, from their different way of growing up, from the way that they handle stress...etc. Thats definitely easier said than done and i would be lying if I said that I dont get frustrated and that its all rainbows and flowers haha. BUT theres something that the Lord needs me to learn, and maybe there is something that I can offer to my companions as well.

my windowsill...that temple is the temple in guayaquil, ecuador....
where lexis serving and it makes me think of her! love you lex!

Well, we have two new baptismal dates with a girl names Pamela and Veronica for June 7th. They are both amazing girls, both have kids and are both divorced. Its crazy to see the peace that the Gospel brings to their lives. We had a lesson with Pamela this week....and at the end of it she was explaining to us that its just the craziest thing, because when she is with us, she has the craziest, best feeling inside...that its something different that she has never felt before. It was a great experience for me to be able to tell her that that feeling that she has, is the Holy Ghost and he testifies of truth and that those feelings that she was having, the reason why she was on the verge of tears and didnt know why, was because of that. She is a great woman with great faith, and I am really looking forward to teaching her again and having her progress! Its the kind of thing that I want SO bad for her because I know how much peace its going to bring her, I know how happy she is going to be.

LANGUAGE WISE, this week has been awesome. Its been a GREAT blessing having a companion who only speaks Spanish and who happens to be very patient as well. I feel like I can actually communicate with people, have an actual conversation with these people. Yeah, it might not be super advanced, but my understanding has come along so much. I have so much more confidence now, because of it! I have really truly grown to love my ward so much, and Im starting to feel a part of it now. The ward members are so supportive and so loving to me. We have a FANTASTIC youth group, who are always willing to help us when we need it! I love the mission, and i love Cordillera! this place is amazing, and I consider it such a priviledge to serve here.

This scripture has come to mean a lot to me on my mission...for more than one reason. Don't forget it...

"Y ésta es la confianza que tenemos en él: que si pedimos alguna cosa conforme a su voluntad, él nos oye." 

1 Juan 5:14

xoxo

Hermana Randall

my companion is somewhat of a master chef. haha 

but honestly, I really love her cooking. 

typical honduranian meals, apparently! love it.

Hi my dearest family,

This week has been crazy, let me tell you. first of all, I need to apologize for not having time to write you guys individually. Today has been ABSOLUTELY CRAZY, the metro stopped working as me and my new comp were on our way back from dropping Hermana Garcia off at the office, and so we were stuck for a solid hour, PANICKING to get back so we could write to our families and get things done on pday! Luckily, Hermana Wright gave us a little more time to do these things. 

Hermana Garcia, my beloved mother of my mission, is officially on the road to being HOME. I just have to brag about her. She is literally the greatest. You know you have the best companion when she is leaving you, and your heart hurts the SAME way that you did when you left your family to come on your mission. My heart HURT because i love her so much...she was HOME to me these past 12 weeks. She has truly become one of my best friends, someone I can trust, someone I can count on, someone I know will always be there for be and I cant thank her enough. These past few days have been very difficult, seeing her pack her things, seeing her say goodbye to the people that she loves an cares about so much, but I am so happy that she gets to see her family again. SO PROUD of the woman that she has become! YOURE THE BOM.COM HERMANA GARCIA!

Hermana Garcia with Samuel, our investigator.
They have a really special friendship and
he was VERY sad to see her leave!!

LAS HERMANAS DE CORDILLERA
one last time before Hermana Garcia left. 

Our new Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Hector Leon.
He is a FANTASTIC human being, thats for sure!
So grateful for the chance to get to work with him!!!

Well, I got my new companion and she is pretty dang awesome, too. Im sorry i dont have any pictures with her, but I will send some next week!!! Her name is Hermana Valladares and shes from Honduras. She is 25 years old, is a dentist, and has a year in the mission. Her entire mission she has been in ONE sector which is a CRAZY long time. But she is so sweet, so sincere, and knows 0 English...so this is going to be very interesting. But I truly am thrilled. I already feel closer to the people in my ward and sector because now I AM THE ONE having to do all of the talking and communicating. I am very excited for the week to come, but also very nervous!!

SO THIS NEXT SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!

I have to say, Momma: first of all, I am more than ecstatic to see you, Dad and the boys on Sunday. I cant describe my excitement. But I NEED to thank you for being the incredible mother that you are. You have made me...well, ME! You are my best friend, my number one fan, and I dont know what I would be doing in life if I didnt have you as a mother. Heavenly Father knows me better than I could ever know myself, and knew that I needed not anyone else, but YOU. I thank my Father in Heaven every day for the blessing of having you as my momma forever. I miss your hugs, your kisses, your singing, your crazy driving, your cravings for food (i know where i get it from), your everything! thank you for being you, mom. you are the greatest. 

EVERYONE, I hope you have the chance to be with or talk to your mom on Mothers Day. They truly are special women. Remember to thank God every day for the blessing of your mom!!!!! 

I love you guys so much you have no idea. I cant wait to print out all of your emails and read them this week!!! OH AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOUR FACES AND HEAR YOUR VOICES ON SUNDAY. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????? 

Well, on Sunday at 8 o clock my time, i will be skyping you guys. If for some reason something happens and I dont, it will be around 9ish. Well be at Familia Ponce de Leons house...theyre amazing. they feed us every thursday!!! IM SO EXCITED!!! I promise i will try to control my sobbing/crying because i want to talk as much as possible with you guys. i love you to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i miss you so much. 

xoxo,
Hermana Randall

Familia Alarcon Pino...we go over to their house every Sunday.
They were like family to Hermana Garcia
and now they are like family to me! 

I love Ceci! So glad I have the privildge to stay here
in Cordillera and continue this relationship with her.

Hna Garcias recent convert Patricia and her precious sister, Ceci.
I love them so much and have grown so close to them!

Hey everyone!

Hope youre all doing good and have had a wonderful week. Hows the weather in the States? Cuz here its pretty bipolar, thats for sure. There have been days where its incredibly hot and days where I need my winter coat. Notttt a big fan, thats for sure. 

This week has been pretty great. BUT I have to say that I am pretty heartbroken that Hermana Garcia is leaving me. I can truly say that she has not only been like a mother to me (which is her job as a trainer haha) but she has also been a true friend. We have been through SO much together in just these three short months. I know that when my mission president put us together as companions, that it was an inspired decision because I dont know if I would have had the strength to make it this far without her. Seriously! She has the most incredible testimony and I truly look up to her in every way!! The cool thing is, she is planning on going to school in the states, so after our missions, I will be able to see her a lot and that makes me so happy. Im so thankful for this girl!!

A miracle happened this week and we found two new investigators. One of them, Sebastian, was through a reference from another missionary and the other, Carina, was through the reference of a ward member. These wonderful people were huge answers to prayers. This goes to show HOW important ward members are in the role of missionary work. Being a missionary doesnt necessarily mean that you have to be wearing a name tag. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, we are ALL representatives of Christ, and people notice through our examples. Its truly incredible! This Friday we have a ward activity where there will be a dinner and a DANCE, so it will be fun to be a part of that, and ALSO have our investigators come and have a fun time too (PRAY THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COME). ¨

 Me and Hermana Garcia with Hermana Ponce de Leon.
We have lunch with her every Thursday and
she makes the BEST almuerzos EVER

My wonderful comp and my BEAUTIFUL ARGENTINAS

I am really grateful for the opportunity to serve in this ward. Though its hard for me to communicate sometimes, I know that theres a reason that I am here and that there are so many people here that are changing MY life for the better and Im so thankful for that!! 

I CANT believe that I only have 2 more Sundays until Mothers Day when I get to see and talk to my beautiful famliy over SKYPE! Its going to be the best day ever, full of tears tears and more tears. I cant wait!!! I hope everyone has had a fantastic week, and I want everyone to go to HeLives.Mormon.org to see a fantastic video about our Savior Jesus Christ. I love you all!

xoxo,
Hermana Randall

My dear family and friends...how are you guys!!!!

 

GAH I miss you all so much. Surprise surpise, right? 

In 4 days I hit my 4 month mark. Can you believe it? Time flies SO fast on the mission...I never believed it until I actually experienced it. When Ive had long days, its reassuring in a way. But most of the time, it scares me. I feel like 18 months is NOT enough time!

I got my packages from you, Mom, from Aunt Sherre, AND from Nana!!! They were the best surprises ever. I cant thank you guys enough. I loved every single thing in them,...and needed them so dearly. Thank you all SO much! Getting letters and packages are seriously my favorite thing in the entire world and they make me feel so much closer to home. One thing that has seriously struck me since Ive been out here is the amazing amount of support and love I have from my family and friends. Could I be any more blessed with you guys? The answer is no. I am forever thankful for the strength that you guys provide me!!!

The weather has finally cooled off and it is pretty darn cold, Im not going to lie. Its hilarious though, because once it gets to 60 degrees, everyone pops out there down coats and scarves. Haha I love it!

Here's some pictures from the Center of Santiago! Reminds me of Europe SO MUCH! Isnt it beautiful?? 

I can't believe the history here!!!!

This week we had the opportunity to go to the Center of Santiago to do a bunch of paperwork for Hermana Garcia's Visa stuff. Honestly, it was a pretty long and painful process, but a blessing to see such a different part of Santiago that I had never seen before. When we got off of the Metro at the Plaza de Armas and walked up the stairs I LITERALLY almost cried because I thought I was in Europe for a split second. It was absolutely beautiful, and definitely made me reminisce on the Randall Family days in Europe. The diversity and culture here is amazing, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to live here and have these kind of experiences.

Me and Hermana Garcia. I LOVE HER TO DEATH.

                                                      There happened to be a ferria little art festival thing 

                                                   going on the day we passed through, pretty lucky huh??

We had to say goodbye to our beloved Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Mario this week. He actually just got a calling in the Stake, which is AWESOME but we will seriously miss him so much. He was always so positive and so willing to help (and gave us multiple blessings for our sicknesses). Such a good man! 

 

Ward mission leader....Hermano Mario
Love him SO MUCH!

Well, Hermana Garcia has 2 weeks left. Crazy, right? Its scaring me to death, but in a good way. This week I have tried to be much more of a leader...leading lessons, calling our district leader, leading weekly and daily planning, and Ive noticed a growth in my self confidence that is really nice. Though I am going to miss Hermana Garcia like crazy because she truly is a sister to me, Im excited to have the challenge of her leaving (and I will probably regret saying that in 2 weeks). Haha. I love you all so much! Thank you for you letters and your continued support! Dont know what I would do without you.

Kade, Koy, Eli, Mom and Dad...

I just want you guys to know how much I love and miss you. I think about you guys and pray for you every day! Im so so so lucky to call you mine!!!!!!! I hope you guys have a great week, and I am so excited to see you in THREE WEEKS!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Its going to be the best day ever for me!!! I love you all to the moon and back and will have letters ready to send you through email!!! 

Lots of love,
Hermana Randall

Hello All,

I miss and love you so much, I hope you all know that. Your emails made me smile so big today! I cant thank you guys enough for always writing me and making me feel so loved. Yall are the best!

Well, this week has been pretty good. I actually had a really really cool experience that I want to share! So, for some reason, this week has been really hard for me language wise. I think its because Im slowly realizing that in 2 weeks I will be ending my training and my companion will be leaving and then there is a BIG possibility that I might train. Even if I dont, I will be the leading companion cuz I am the only one who knows the sector! Not going to lie, I have been freaking out a little bit. Haha. The usual! Ive definitely been questioning my ability to learn the language, and I have DEFINITELY been lacking in the confidence and patience areas. But I have realized that...why the heck am I scared or nervous or terrified? Because I am never truly going to be on my own. The Lord is always with me, and if He knows I can do it, then I need to believe in myself as well! 

Kenz didn't send any pics this week...so I chose this one! :)

We were in a lesson with one of our investigators Jimena this week. She has a complicated situation...married but separated from her husband, but dating and living with a man who is less active. Shes been through many different pairs of missionaries and has never committed to being baptized because of how complicated everything is. Well, in this lesson, the Spirit was so strong and I could understand almost everything she was saying...and thats saying something because her speech is very mushy and slurry and hard to understand haha. Scriptures that I had been studying throughout the week were coming to mind, that fit together PERFECTLY with what I wanted to say and what she needed to hear! And then, I felt this crazy impression to ask her to be baptized, even though Hermana Garcia had never told me to, and actually said that we shouldnt because of the situation and needing to work things out. WELL I just flat out asked her, because it just felt right. Next thing I know, shes looking at me, shaking her head yes with tears in her eyes. She was like "Yes, I want to get baptized! Yes yes yes." It was such a testimony building experience to me, to not only recognize a prompting from the Spirit, but to act on it. I realize that our Heavenly Father knows everyone, He knows what everyone needs to hear. Thats why its so important to listen to the Spirit, because that is how our Heavenly Father testifies of His truths. Im so grateful for this experience!

I love you guys so much, and I hope this week is great!!

AND this one! :)

Koy, I miss you like craaaaaazy dude. Im so glad that basketball and school is going well. You deserve the best! AND DUDE. I will read the BOM with you! 65? Lets do it!!! I promise you, the Book of Mormon has changed my life! Its such a blessing and such a strength! I will start over tomorrow!!!

Eli...bud you always crack me up!! I cant believe he brought back KINDER EGGS!!! THOSE ARE MY FAV. They have kinder chocolate bars here, but not actual eggs. How BORING is that?? Im so glad to hear youre doing such a great job in basketball, ya freaking beast. I love you tons!

Kade!! First of all, Im so excited about your trip with Alec to go to prom with Maddy! Thats going to be a freaking BLAST... something that you will remember for the rest of your life! Haha Im glad youwere about to make some money from Sis Almond! That sounds like an awesome hookup. AAAAHHHH dude you have got to keep me updated with alecs mission call okay?? I love you!

Dad! Im seriously so glad to hear that your trip went well. Is it okay to say that IM SO JEALOUS you were in Europe. I miss the Germany days so much. AND I miss the Alaska days. we were so fortunate to live in such amazing places. Hearing that story of Ivan Bily was inspriing. Youre right, it makes me feel so fortunate to be an American. I love Chile, I really do...but it has made me appreciate where i come from, where home is, so i definitely know what you mean. I love you so much, dad! You have no idea! Im sending a letter to you this week, so be on the look out for one!!! 

email convo: Koy wants to know how coke tastes there?

Kenz: hahahaha honestly I havent tasted a difference in the Coke but people LOVE it here. Still not a fan. Oh, so yall know how much I don't like cilantro...Well, the other day I had a soup with literally TEN POUNDS of cilantro in it and i was praying the entire time that I would be able to swallow it and not PUKE!!!!

Love you all,

Hermana Randall

Hey my wonderful family!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend, and I hope that you were able to watch General Conference! I just have to say... I am SO grateful for the knowledge of a living Prophet and Apostles. Those men are inspired, and are so in tune with the counsel of our Father in Heaven. We are SO LUCKY to have the opportunity to listen to their messages!!! I learned so so so much from them, and my testimony grew in so many ways. I know President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and he truly is a good, good man!

letter Kenz wrote during conference

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Brother Cottam, my Dads TRAINER on his mission. CRAZY, right? It was the coolest experience...and I pretty much cried the whole time! (Tears of joy, always.) We were able to talk about their companionship, their mission, my dad as a missionary, and it was really incredible. I never ever dreamed I would have this experience, but I am so thankful for it. Daddy,  I cant even tell you how AMAZING it was to meet Brother Cottam and to hear him talk about you and your experiences together. It was really comforting to talk to him honestly, and made me feel close to you distance wise, for a brief moment! Im so thankful for that experience of meeting him, and am so grateful that I might be able to see him again soon! He gave me his business card and said if there was anything I needed, anything at all, to call him WHENEVER and he would help me. Im so grateful for him dad!

Brother Cottam and I! This man is truly amazing,
and I am so thankful for his kindness!!

Dad, I know you are headed to Slovakia right now, and that is SO COOL! Please take pictures and send them next week!!! Thats going to be such a cool adventure, even if its really really quick. I have been thinking about doing a study abroad when I get back...like in Europe or even Jerusalem or somewhere! Other cultures just fascinate me!!!!

Dad, I thought conference was soooo good. Its really special, being a missionary. This calling is so sacred, and comes with very special and sacred responsibilities and oppotunities and I feel like my spiritual mind is so much broader. That I am able to think of things in more of an eternal perspective and it has given me so much strength. Watching conference just blew my mind because I felt like I just soaked everything up! Im so glad you guys had the opportunity to watch it too!! Crazy that we were basically watching it together. I really really was drawn to Elder Nielsens talk too...lets just say it made me very emotional. It just shows me that those men really are inspired, and so are their messages!! I love you so much, dad. I hope you know that! I cant wait to talk to you in a month. ITS GOING TO BE SO GREAT!!!! I hope you have a great week, and cant wait to hear about it!!!! Love you!!!!

Me and Hermana Garcia (with my brand new
 awesome bag)  in Cordillera!

Well, this week I learned something very important. It was something I always knew, actually. But now, its engrained in my head because I have actually experienced it. If we want to know the Savior, if we want to have a relationship with him, we need to have faith and search for it. We cant just sit around, waiting for it to come! Ha, sounds pretty obvious right? I just have to say that I have searched and searched and YEARNED for this relationship and I know that through simple Gospel principles, like studying the scriptures, praying with real intent, and acting on faith, we CAN have this relationship with the Savior...we just need to demonstrate our loyalty to him. Nurturing your testimony a little bit every day will make the biggest difference, I promise! 

This cute little sign in Cordillera....
 I think I take too many pictures.

The language is continuing to come, sometimes I forget how to say prayers in English, so thats a good sign, right? My companion is amazing, and Im really sad that shes going home in 4 weeks, especially since I will be left with more responsibility and that makes me nervous. But I know that it is through the Lord that I can do all things, and I have complete faith in Him. I love you guys so much!!! So Im on antibiotics.... Hermana Wright and Dr Johnson, our mission doctor, I guess had talked with some other doctors and decided that there were too many missionaries in our mission that had ulcers for it to be a coincidence, so they thought it was a bacteria....A doctor hasnt checked up on me since Dr Johnson a month ago.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!!! LOVE YOU

xoxo,

Hermana Randall

Had intercambios in Florida this past week,
 and it was the most beautiful day