Week 7

I’m officially out of the CCM and have spent my 1^st week in the field.  I have been born into Barrio 6 (ward), and my Madre (Trainer) is Hermana Hill.  She is from Missouri.  My oh my, do I love my Madre!!!  Hermana Hill is the perfect example of exact obedience.  We are two peas in a pod, best friends, peanut butter and jelly, and the best companions!  After having left the CCM we went to the Mission President’s home, had lunch, a devotional, and he announced our companionship’s and out the door we went.  We zipped straight to an appointment first thing.  Quick transition indeed!

This world couldn’t be any smaller.  Tell me the chances of this?  I met one of my Dad’s missionary companions (from his mission while serving in Spain) this week in Madrid.  My Dad hadn’t spoken to him since his mission, he had brought his family here on vacation and we ran into each other on the Temple grounds. 

I can read my email during the week, but I’m unable to respond until P-Day’s which are on Mondays.  I don’t mind regular mail either.  I will have my parents post my current mailing address and email on the blog.  Please keep in touch and don’t forget to read your scriptures!

Nos Vemos, Hermana Mik

Mission President and Sister Pack with Hermana Mikaela Charlesworth

Mission President and Missionaries

Grocery shopping on P-Day with my Madre (Trainer) Herman Hill from Missouri

Week 6

I can’t believe I’ve been here 6 weeks!  My time in the CCM has been one of both spiritual and physical growth.  I’ve gained 5 pounds, but some of the Elders up to 30 pounds.  It’s exciting to be leaving the CCM, but also sad to leave my new CCM amigos.  They are my Spanish familia.  There are some words in Spanish that by changing one vowel or letter can mean a whole different word.  I just wanted to share a few of those where the Elders have made us laugh not knowing those differences.  “Our Dear Heavenly Father” has been said, “Our Purple Heavenly Father”, “God has a body of flesh and bone”, turned into, “God has a body of flesh and cheese”, and my favorite, “I’m so embarrassed”, has been said, “I’m so pregnant”.

This week we changed things up a bit while proselyting in the park.  We sang hymns as a group and it was fun!  I got a picture with the CCM Mission President Lovell and his wife before leaving the CCM.  I’m excited to see where my first assignment will be.  My P-Day will be changing from Thursdays to Mondays.  I love your emails and letters and don’t forget to send me pictures.  Have a great week!  Con carino, Hermana Mik.

MTC President and Sister Lovell with Hermana Charlesworth

Talking to anyone who will listen

Singing hymns in the park

Week 5

Hey Family and Friends!  I can’t believe 1 month down, 17 to go.  The days in the CCM are slow but the weeks fly by fast.  I’m learning so much, and I’m surrounded by the best Elders and Hermanas in the world!  As mentioned before, we proselyte in the park on Saturdays for a few hours.  I was able to teach a 1st discussion in Spanglish on the metro while on our way to the park.  This park is HUGE!

They have a peacock garden for live peacocks, turtle ponds, and architecture that makes your hear melt.  While the view is breathtaking, the people are a bit hardened.  I have a lot of people tell me they are Catholic, and they will die Catholic, but they do not practice.  When asked about religion, it’s not uncommon for them to say “It’s not in my heart”.  (Brings light to the meaning hardened of heart)  I meet a handful of people who are willing to talk, and sadly the majority of these people have had tragic and rough childhoods.  We are so blessed to have been born of goodly parents who love the Lord and the gospel.  Don’t take it for granted.  I love the people of Spain, stubborn or not!

I stick out more than I thought I would.  A lot of people here are short, darker hair, and olive skin.  I feel like a giant next to them.  The teachers in the CCM cut hair, and are not professionals by any means.  A teacher, Hermana Griotti was trimming my hair and I told her to take about an inch off.  She held up 3 inches of cut hair and asked, “How much is an inch?”  I had to laugh, “close enough” I told her.  I forget they use the metric system in Spain.
Have a great week, and remember to give thanks for having the gospel in your life.  Nos Vemos,

Hermana Charlesworth

Teaching a 1st discussion on metro in Spanglish

Week 4

Hi Everyone, Wow this is easily the hardest thing I have ever done physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but it is also the most rewarding.  I see how I’m growing in all of these areas.  Learning the language is more difficult than I expected, but it’s getting better each day.  I finally got my residency here in Spain and I was able to leave the CCM for P-Day.  I’ve included some photos of the beautiful city of Madrid.  The history and architecture of the buildings are amazing!  There’s one of the Real Madrid Soccer Stadium that seats 80,000 people and we got a private tour.  I hope you all have a good week and stay up on your scripture reading.  Love you!  Hermana C

Madrid Roundabout

Overlooking Madrid's Rooftops

Missionary's at the Entrance of the Metro (Subway)

Real Madrid Soccer Stadium

Week 3

Hey Guys!  Love you and miss you sooo much.  I literally have no time, but know I love your emails and pictures, they are the best, and they keep me going.  The CCM (MTC) is insane, we study for 14 hours a day.  We’ve already been teaching 2 progressive investigators in Spanish, Giovanni and Cristina.  Our new investigators are Micaela and Jose.  We also spend Saturdays in the park proselyting, it’s so scary!  I love you all, I think of you and pray for you each day.  The gospel is truly amazing and we are so incredibly blessed to have it in our lives.  Keep praying and moving forward.  Love you bunches.  Hermana C.

Week 1 & 2

The CCM (MTC) is very...snug! I’ve looked up a picture online of the Spain CCM, you will notice we are actually located on the Temple grounds which is pretty fantastic. The CCM only takes up the 4, 5, and 6th floors of the building!  I apologize this is short, I don’t get long to write, but I did read everyone’s emails, thank you so much, that is literally the highlight of the week. Send pictures too! I love looking at them.

Although this is already the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and I feel like I have literally been here for a month, I know that I am extremely lucky and blessed to be here. We have people from Spain, Italy and Russia that come here, we make 40 missionaries all together. The Elders in our district consist of 4 companionships, they are stinking hilarious, and they make us laugh, but pack a spiritual punch.  All of the teachers are native which is great because we get a taste of the accents and real phrases.

We email Thursday and proselyte on Saturdays in the park! We also teach investigators every day in Spanish, which is super intimidating as well. 

Dang gotta go, love you!  Hermana Mik