Daddy, thank you for bringing me here

Okay! So I sent you some pictures!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY LOVED ONES!
It's tomorrow and rumor has it we may have some mission festivities tomorrow. Oh and i DID get that banana bread and candy and it was SO PERFECT, I had some banana bread for breakfast this morning, and it was SO MOIST and perfect. Thank you so much!!!!! I just walked around and was like, "my mom loves me!" I know you all do, because of all the different things you do for me.
Ganae I hope your ACT went well, it sounds like you feel goood about it so I feel EXTRA SUPERB MADAME! I was thinking of you that day. I bet you aced it ;). Such a smarty you are.

I GOT TO GO TO THE SPANISH CONCERT TOO! Except I went on Saturday. But on Friday, I was in a district meeting and in the teaching call center all night, and I admit, i was bummed because I knew there was no way I would see you if I was in such places. BUT its good. I did my best to focus. But when I walked home that night, past the conference center, I blew a kiss to y'all because you were RIGHT there---ah man! People tell me that we should see each other and get it over with and then it will be normal to just see you all around here all the time! ha, i don't know...i'm pretty focused right now. Maybe you should all come down at Christmas time and see me perform some of the Christmas carols on Temple Square!!! SO, I was so excited about the whole music thing that now, I am helping organize some of the Sisters and the musical numbers. The sister missionaries will be singing on Temple Square starting at the end of November, and I will be doing Mary's Lullaby with this other sweet sister missionary, and I am putting together another number of Were You There On That Christmas Night? --Credit to you mom for sending me that music. So yeah, that's something to think about! Hahah, but don't look to much ahead, we still have Halloween and Thanksgiving and life to enjoy until then, so live life now, and BE where you are at. I am so happy to be a missionary.

I love the Spanish concert though, all of the Spanish sisters go to go, and we flipped out. We almost cried, we were screaming, and trying to behave, but we had never been so excited to see a show before ever. It was really special.

I don't know if I have already shared this experience, I am sorry if I have...We were at the Christus Statue, which is the big statue of Jesus Christ. There was this little girl, wearing pink clothes, and she was holding her daddy's hand, and when she came around the corner, she just beamed and she said, "Daddy! Daddy! It's Jesus! Jesus! Oh look Daddy" and they went around to the front of the statue and then sat down on one of the couches and she was still jumping up and down and then she said, "Daddy, thank you so much for bringing me here. I just smiled, I have reflected on that experience again and again. At first, I thought of the times I have brought visitors there, and as a missionary, we literally try to bring people to Christ, just as the father did for his daughter. What a blessing and privilege. But then I think of my prayers at night and throughout the day, I say the same thing to my Father in Heaven. I thank my Heavenly Father for bringing me here to this visitor center. I thank my earthly father for enabling me to come here. I say thank you to my Father in Heaven for bringing me to earth, and for giving His Son so that I can live with peace today, and with salvation in the life to come. May we always say, "Daddy, thank you so much for bringing me here." We get to be here, in the gospel, lets bring others to the Savior and hopefully they will choose to be so thrilled to meet him, just as that little girl was!

I love you all so much. This week, I am going to try to pray so diligently. I love being a missionary, I'm definitely still working on loving with ALL MY HEART because I do, and I want to just give it all. I feel so steady, and peaceful, and calm, which is such a blessing and I know it comes from living the gospel and following God's plan for us. I will be praying that the house sells, that you are all strong, and faithful, and happy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN eat SO MUCH candy! (Jeshua not too much;)

I love you :) with all my heart, I pray for you with all my heart, too. Until next week!
Sister Osorio

An Honest Love

Sorry it has taken me SO long just to get this email out. I apologize! But it's a cute one and thought everyone would enjoy it! And also, a special shout out to those who have taken the time to read her blog and even write to her letters. I am so grateful to you and am so happy you love Elise like I do!

"Wow! So good to hear from you all!!!!!!!!!!! Mom, before I forget, that fudge you sent me is somehow still alive in my fridge.... as in there is not too much left, but it is definitely still being enjoyed so thank you. Anyways, again, so good to hear from you and from some of my friends throughout the week--so special! I keep all of my letters in this big folder thing, and its a special thing.

Anyways, I have learned so many things this week and I cannot wait to tell you all about them. But first, I want to tell you the most important thing: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, may we respect and love Him. Second most important thing (if I may flatter myself) I LOVE YOU. Man, I really do just love each of you. Individually, you each have different personalities but are all examples to me. Thank you so much for nourishing your divine qualities and attributes. I love reading letters from you, and I love my family fiercely!

We were  sitting in Sacrament Meeting (oh which I sang in with a group by the way, dad, your priesthood blessing is unfolding. I am still able to use music on my mission, i don't know if you remember lessing me with that but it's true. I use music frequently). Anyways, Sister Ito, a departing sister, gave her talk. She said growing up she became very less active, her mother had passed away, and she was so angry, and sad with Heavenly Father. Why would Heavenly Father take away her mother? It made no sense. So she did not believe and said she did all she could to break the commandments because she did not trust Him anymore. One morning, she came home after not being at her house in a while. She was expecting her father to be angry. She goes to the door and see a note waiting for her, expecting a reproof, she was stunned and the beginning of change came when she read this, "welcome home. You are so precious to me. I love you. I want to talk to you."--dad. That's why our Heavenly Father says to us every night in prayer, and especially when we ask him to forgive us. When we repent, and change EVERYDAY, we are coming closer to the Savior, we are coming back home. Isn't it cool how Sister It's dad handled that situation? With honest love! So, how is the mission going? There are no words to describe how grateful I am that I am learning how to love. I love my Savior. I learned that some more this week too. I love you Jeshua. I love my family with all that is in me. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Temple Square is beautiful. I will be taking all of your advice and tips to heart. I wish I could keep writing for there are not enough words!!! But yeah, the leafs are blowing all around temple square and I can't help but walk through the square with A BIG SMILE, this is such a safe, blessed place, and everyday I get to try to bring others one step closer to Christ.

Love,
Sister Osorio

I Am Just Loving and Living!

Oh Family, I am just so happy to hear from you today.
So happy!
This week has been another wonderful week on Temple Square. I do love being here. I love how beautiful it is, just like you said daddy! Man! Its just such an honor and a privilege to be serving on Temple Square. Mom and Ganae, that roadtrip sounded awesome!!!!! How exciting! Ganae, I totally believe you can get into BYU summer term if thats what you want, thats how i started, remember? And it was wonderful!
Okay, this kid R2 from your 5 year old primary class sounds like just about the cutest thing. I am so glad that you and mom have that calling. It just sounds like so much fun, and a wonderful way to serve. Not to mention thanksgiving dinner is gonna be AWESOME with the Robinson family!!! Oh please tell them hello and how much i love them. Brother Robinson is such a dedicated, dependable man. And Sister Robinson is so service-oriented. We have wonderful examples in our lives, don't we?! When I read that, I just thought how cool that is that they are coming up here. Just have fun!!!! JUST HAVE SO MUCH FUN! It can really be such a happy time.

So this transfer has started out wonderfully!!!!! Justin was baptized and confirmed this past weekend, and Jan Tahm, our Cambodian investigator, was too. It was such an honor to go to Jan Tahn's baptism! That's right! Her cambodia ward is in West Valley, so we got to drive out there, and they had us missionaries share our testimony at the baptism. It was SO COOL being with a family ward and visiting with members. I've forgotten what that's like!!!!! And to bear my testimony as a missionary in that ward was just super special, especially with Sister Pen. This is her last transfer before she goes home to Cambodia, so to go to the Cambodia ward with her was so special. It was her first time there, and man! Sister Pen and I have become close. I love her and I can't believe this will be my last transfer with her! Lets not think about that too much.

I am so happy here. I am really trying to lose myself and completely become a consecrated and dedicated missionary. There isn't anything else I need to worry about. I just want to give of myself completely to this work. How did you do that on your mission Jonathan? and Mom and Dad too?! I just need to remember that I really AM a missionary and to BE where I am at.

Dad, I talk about YOU all the time because I'm practically serving a Spanish speaking mission... haha In fact, I think i have 4 Colombian investigators right now!!! And each of them are SO KIND. I talked to two of them this morning, and it looks like next time we wanna go to Colombia, we definitely have a place to stay ;). Colombianos son tan amables, osea! Daddy, it really is so wonderful, I love speaking and testifying about my parents and I do almost everyday. I am glad you are here. I am SO glad to know that my family is so close. Its such a blessing. I love it. I love you! So thank you for bringing the family here. Utah is a great place, no matter what anyone says. Pioneers have given so much to be here and establish it, so i am grateful to live in such a state that also has a rich heritage.

Oh the joys of home! I am glad mom. Oh and mom, that FUDGE WAS AWESOME.  I have a little less than half of it in the fridge. But my trainer, Sister Pen, is an expert trainer. She knows all of the best candy deals in town, and trust me, we use them. OH something interesting: in this new transfer, we are in charge of some of the city bus tours -- you know those hop-on, hop-off buses? We hop on for like 10 minutes of the tour and we are not allowed to proselyte, but we go around the capitol building and give facts about temple square and invite them to get off the bus and take tours with us (where we CAN teach). Its really unique and fun! Its helped me calm down, and slow down, and serve in anyway possible. I love it! I thought you might find that interesting. SOOOO if you all take a city bus tour of Salt Lake, you just may run into some sister missionaries from temple square!!!!

Jonathan and Nat nat, you guys are just so cool. I am so glad you play music and wrestle with the family. Sounds like a happy place to be. Hehe. have oober amounts of fun at Thanksgiving okay, all of y'all! Man are to have joy!! Joyful joyful and glory!!!!!

GANAE AND JESHUA you two little pipsqueekers hows it going? I just love you, too. You both are growing up, too! Can y'all believe that we are halfway done with October? Who would've thought this is where our lives would take us. Do me a favor, will you two, as siblings, lead the lesson in a family home evening or scripture study and focus on the blessing found in Mosiah 5? I just think that would be awesome. I read it this morning and I was like, MAN, its like I've never seen this before!!! Will you do that, and tell me how it goes when you do/ Ganae, and Jeshua, I am SO proud of both of you. Jeshua, it sounds like you are loving having your older brother around. Everyone loves having Jeshua around I tell you what!!!

Ganay nay! Remember the Mormon message video: things that matter most? You know how thats like our favoritest one in the world!!!!! Its our favorite for a reason! Loving God, Jesus Christ, our parents and our siblings always come first. Then comes service, and have faith that Heavenly Father can help us accomplish anything He wants us to. I love that, I believe that, I know that. No, obviously, you have a life! You have school and friends and ACT/SAT and all that jazz, the list goes on and on. Here is the secret, you start everything with a prayer, you remember our Savior and that He wants the VERY BEST FOR YOU, and then you work as hard as you can, and you remember Jesus Christ. If we remember Him most, we will be confident in our lives. So how do we prioritize? We put Him first, and then move forward with confidence that we can accomplish anything that lays before us, then we will.
Even eternal marriage ;) !!!!!! hahahaha! Just kidding

My dear family, I'm sorry if this email wasn't too interesting. I am just loving and living! And i love hearing from each of you and from my good old friends too.

Love, your Sister Osorio

Look, I Used To Be A Missionary, Too!

Sister Osorio's email was so full of energy and the Spirit. She is so happy and so excited to be out and serving. I am so proud to call her my sister! You're in for a treat, enjoy her latest email!

I cannot express to you my incredible joy. HOLY SMOKES. its so crazy. Today has been the BEST PDAY EVER. You want to know how it started? It started with getting to sleep in because of the WONDERFUL WONDERFUL work of general conference. oh man, general conference was super uplifting. When the first day finished, all the sisters were walking home, exhausted... I was so thrilled that we had a wHOLE nother day to do it again. I got home, put my stuff down, and honestly said, "That was the best day of my life." Anyway, I'll tell you more about general conference soon, but first, i woke up today feeling well rested, got to study some wonderful Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 24 through 26, i think. And then, we rushed over to the teaching center because we had gotten a text from one of our investigators to give him a call last night after conference. He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has changed and grown and loves to serve, he is getting baptized this Friday. SISTER PEN AND I LEAPT UP FROM OUR CHAIRS AND JUST AHHHHH! there were tears in our eyes. You know how I met him? WE met him on MY FIRST DAY AT TEMPLE SQUARE, through CHAT ON MORMON.org!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He started chatting with Sister Pen and I and asked, "how can I get closer to God?" He is our chat miracle and we have been teaching him and just loving him for these past 6 weeks, will be praying for him forever and ever. We are so thrilled. This is seriously the BEST pday. Really. And it keeps getting better, we JUST got back from a Spanish walking lesson with this family and their friend, the Spirit was so strong when talking about Joseph Smith and Prophets, and they felt the Spirit, and they will be meeting with local missionaries when they get back home, and we will be in touch.

NOW sorry, wooo, that all just happened to me and i wanted to share it.

Holy smokes, time to describe General Conference. It is the biggest honor for me to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With 21,000 members at each session of conference, and there being 5 sessions, that is a lot of people. And we got to talk and uplift them all day. It was AMAZING. We took 20 minute lunches. In total, Sister Pen and I taught 59 lessons over the course of two days. And my dear cousin David was right, I was crying all morning. HAHAA, I do cry often because it is amazing to speak to all of these individuals, and as a representative of Jesus Christ, it is an honor and a privilege to listen to them as he would, love them as he would, and help them to DO things in their lives that would bring them closer to Him. My heart is a glow! And everyone comes here to Zion! I saw the Trejos outside of the conference center, I was announcing in Spanish, meaning I wear my Colombian name tag, hold a Spanish speaking sign among about 10 other sisters all holding up signs of their languages, and welcome them to conference center with our microphone and tell them if they would like to speak more about the restored gospel, come talk to us! We want to share it with you and your friends and family. Anyways, we saw them, the Trejos, the Proudfoots -- Michael has been called to wash DC North MANDARIN SPEAKING cacaho!!! And i walso saw DEAR SWEET DAVID, such an AWESOME power house cousin. What a leader. And i saw my friend Evan, and Tina who is NOW working on her mission papers... (i'll comment on that soon too) and I saw who else, oh yeah, MOM I saw Sister Jones, who used to be best friends with Gina in Austin! And i saw the Palmers! Back from being mission presidents, they were with Angela and a few of their kids. It was so happy.

Now, as for the Spirit of the conference! Wow. It was beautiful. Here is a good story, which you will like because of all the crying. We were outside of the North visitor center and a family from Guatemala was there. Big beautiful family. We spoke a lot! We shared our stories of how we or our parents found the gospel. (the reason why I cry so much is because i'm always talking about my pioneer dad, and the missionary work of mom and dad and how it brought em together). anywho, we were all uplifted and edified. As they were leaving, one of the fathers, maybe in his 50's, came to me and said, "Look, I was a missionary, too." And he opened his suit coat, and there, on the inside of his coat pocket was his old missionary tag, in Spanish, his name Hermano and La Iglesia de Jesus Cristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias, some of the whiteness of the name had faded with brown in time, but his tag was there, and it was amazing to see how this man had lived his life, daily, constant living and striving from a missionary and beyond and he still held this nametag close to his heart. I looked at his tag, then up at his face, which was beaming with a smile and tears filled his eyes, and of course, mine too, and he walked away and i just lost it. I was crying so hard to see such a beautiful example of faithful priesthood. Jonathan, I know you wear that tag on the inside of your suit coat, I remember catching glances of it. What an honor. What a privilege. And that is what conference is like. It is like that. All day. We also receive names of those who do not know how their families can be together forever, who do not know the blessings that come with living as the Savior would have us live, as living like him and with him. I cannot WAIT to call these individuals and help them come to know of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ay Papa, siempre estoy agradecida a ti y mama por este evangelio.

There was another girl, actually one of the church photographers! Jessie, she photographed me when I did that shoot for the church before i left, remember? Anyways, man, that was also special, we just said a few things to her and she was touched. I ended up giving her on of my favorite visuals... I think I will try and mail one to you all too :) So you can see, I LOVE using visuals. They can bring in the Spirit, and that's why a visitor center is so amazing. 

So, I was on the Square when they announced the new mission age. I was shocked. The work is going to roll forward, wow. The youth of the church, prepare yourself for this marvelous work and wonder, it truly will be through our youth "babes" who will carry their fathers and mothers to the gospel, and nurse the world back to Christ.

I won't lie, I was shocked for a little while, and then my heart sank a little because i thought of Ganae and Jeshua going sooner than i was thinking. Much like you mom! AH! I don't mean to be selfish--please forgive me! mom and I just love you two!!! I just love Ganae and Jeshua SO MUCH. Please tell me what you think about this new age you can go serve. It truly is a marvelous work and a wonder, and it is an honor and blessing. I am so committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I support both of you no matter what you choose to do. As long as you PRAY PRAY PRAY about it first, discern the timing of the Lord in your life because His timing and plan are just so wonderful. Jonathan, you're right, a lot of us were like OOOOHHH! and we were like, "Hey now! I waited!" hahahahaha, OH man this is going to change everything! The dynamics of the church, the youth, IM SO EXCITED, it truly is time for EVERYONE to hear the message. lets get kicking. And thats why i love being here.

Transfers have happened. And I will be staying here with my companion, finishing up my training. First transfer is almost over.....wow. This is Sister Pen's last transfer, so we are going to make it her bestest ever :). We have a new assignment with this transfer too --- we will be doing hospitality bus tours... I will let you know more about what that means when i know more about it :) hehe. It was so sad to see the departing missionaries, they were SOOO SAD. I can't imagine. I guess i'll find out later... it will be weird without them though, they are such familiar faces that i can't imagine serving without them. And a lot of sisters are going outbound, to California, Texas, Arizona, Washington. Those are the hotspots to send the sisters right now.

I love being a missionary. I really just loved being committed to the Savior. My goal this week is to try and get to know Him more. Hah, my lifetime goal, i guess. Family, I want you to know that i will be faithful and committed to Him through those steadily and constantly. I want you all to know that from here on out for forever, you can count on me. You can count on me. And so can my Savior Jesus Christ, I will always volunteer myself for him. You can count on me ---any errand, any deed, any command, any need, I am His, I am yours, and I will give myself to my Savior completely. You can always count on me! FOREVER and don't forget it. You need it, I am there. I love following the example of my Savior and DOING His will. I am so proud of our heritage. I am proud of you! Of our family. I love you, and pray for you everyday. I testify of my rich heritage. Man, it feels like a month since I last emailed you!!! HA!

Ganae and Jeshua, and especially Jeshua since your service is certain, prepare yourselves to be the Lord's army in these latter-days. You MUST be as the army of Helaman, Mom and Nataly, guess who has to be as the mothers of the armies of Helaman, and Jonathan and Papa, guess who has to be the covenant making and keeping fathers no matter what sacrifice. You are these people, I see more than ever how noble and great you are, I am forever and EVER grateful to you all! You are a covenant making and keeping people, let us all press on in this glorious work of the Lord. ALLAY WONDERFUL LUYA! I miss you, I am devoted to you. Lets pray for those who have not received this gospel.

Love,

your dedicated sister and daughter :)

Sister Osorio

Blessings Are Worth It

Hello everyone! Elise's letter brought me so much joy and a wide smile on my face. I just read it, like literally, it's still in my hand and i need to share it with everyone in this whole world! Enjoy!

"Oh my beloved family!!!

All of your emails and letters brought me so much joy! Really, it has been such a HAPPY HAPPY day and week. I love missionary work, it is such a blessing to be a part of. You all sound like you are doing well. I have stickers with me always, so that i can give them to children on the square and I listen to your advice mom, i get down on their level, i kneel down and look into their eyes and I just love them. Some of them are crazy. So I assume that you all go to the same ward, right, like Nataly and Jonathan go with you too?! That's so COOL!

So daddy, i got your written letter in the mail this week. I actually got mail everyday this week, and so when i went to check on Wednesday i think it was, anyways, i wasn't expecting mail cause i was like, "I can't get letters again!" So i got closer to my box and I saw a letter and I was like, "for me? For me!" So i pulled it out and saw it was from my daddy. I forgot anyone else was in the mail room, i just went, "Oh, oh! Oh! I got a letter from my daddy!" And i started walking out, and all of the sister missionaries were like, "AWWWWWW!!!! so cute!!!" hahahaha it was funny. But daddy, thank you so much for writing me. When I get letters from my family, it is like that, EVERY TIME. You think that you would get used to it, but letters from home are so special so thank you. I loved reading and re-reading every word. I do that with your letters too mom :).  And don't worry mama, I got mail this week from good, wonderful people, like Sister Horn and some friends from school, so i am so well taken care of. As to your question about the special package I AM EXCITED BOY OH BOY!

All of the sister missionaries have a wonderful friend on the square. His name is Bob. He is in this electric wheelchair, and also has a mental handicap because of a terrible car accident he endured when he was about 18 years old. I imagine that he was very bright as a young man. He now spends every day on Temple Square because he LOVES it here. He cruises around in his wheelchair like a champ. He is so funny too, I always say, "Bob you're back!" when he cruises up to the desk we are working on, and he always responds with, "Haa, like a bad dream!!" and it cracks me up every time. One day, on a particularly hard moment, i was on desk and he cruised up. He told me his story and it was hard to fight back tears, about how hes had to learn to talk, and walk, and eat, and do EVERYTHING, physical therapy for some odd 30-40 years ever since the car accident. His life has never been the same. He is such an example to me, to remind me that my life is blessed, and beautiful and wonderful. That I am able to do so much, his life has NEVER been the same since that accident. And he is a constant reminder to me of carrying on, i feel like Heavenly Father has him on the square for a reason. He loves the square, but he blesses more than he will ever know. He even brings cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory for us sisters sometimes! Sometimes, when I am speaking with guests, I'll see Bob, and we'll sneek each other a thumbs up. One time, I said, "Bob, its a good thing you are here, you can teach me how to do better, okay" and he just looked up at me and said, "Oh, i don't see how you can do better, when you are already doing your best." And he meant it, and all i could do was smile. It hit my heart and I was so grateful.

Spanish marathon: all of the hispanic sisters and spain sisters had a spanish marathon this week of calling all of our spanish contacts and it was an honor to be with them, and so fun!! So fun! i have a picture of a group of us, not all of the spanish sisters, but some from last night. Sometimes i feel like im on a spanish speaking mission! I had a special experience this week. I felt prompted to have personal study in Spanish this week because that was day, we would be teaching a spanish family on the square. Sure enough the first tour we had was 4 women from Spain, and they LOVED it. And boy does Heavenly Father love them, he told me to take care of them, and it was so powerful. They loved the Conference center and the Christus and two of them will be meeting with the missionaries in Spain to learn more about God's eternal plan, and how their families can be together forever. And we get to keep in touch, and teach them over the phone. It was such a blessing and miracle.

Another one of our investigators, Justin, had a huge turn around and is doing awesome. He LOVED church, missionaries and everything. He's in Virginia and we met him on chat. Anyways, its a quote of Justin's that I would like to leave you with, and it meant SO MUCH coming from him, because he has a lot of changes to make in his life. "The blessings of the church, I was like, man I want that! The blessings of the Church are worth every sacrifice."

I testify and bear witness of that truth. the blessings that come with the restored Church of Jesus Christ are worth every sacrifice, every change. Every day we ought to REPENT which means CHANGE a little more. Today is a day where I feel so much love for my Savior. Do I love Him? Yes. Thus, I will feed His sheep, forever.

Sister Osorio

P.S. - This REALLY helped me develop charity this week, it opened it up, "Do you love your companion more than yourself? Do you love her more than yourself, more than your own thoughts? Are her needs more important than yours?