Elder Morillo and his amigos before they left for their mission

Mexico City temple trip Dec. 18th 2014

pictures of a mexico sunset and sunrise

Immunizations and visas

Things I have loved and missed

My room. I'm the bottom on the right. Reed is on
top of me and Duncan is on the other side on the bottom.

To answer some questions my companions are so great they just want me to succeed in Español so much!!! The Lord has blessed me with having two hermanas because when one is being dificíl i can just go to the otro! It´s so great! Hma Reed and I just click!!!!! Soooo much! it´s muay perfecto!! but Hma Duncan and I butt heads sometimes because we are both very strong willed and want differencia objetivos, but she is still super great!!!!

 I shall miss them in 5 weeks!

 I am the only one in the district not going back to the USA.

Ok some things I wish I had but can´t get because we can´t get packages:

Uno- my hoodie! It is soo cold in the morning it´s just like California and I miss having a hoodie haha

Duos- Febreeze sometimes I don't want to wait to do my laundry to wear the same cardigan or bra hahahahahha

Tres- Sprite!! they have this soda called Frukta- it´s lemon lime but it´s not the same!!!

Cuatro- more things from home

 Some things that I have loved while being here:

Uno - Bueno Bars they are made by the company of Nutella and they are a nutella ferror roche twix bar!!!!! SOOOOOO BUENO!!!!!!!

Duos- language study when I get to enseñar con Elder Fisher and see what I really learned ;D
Tres- the leccions donde i can actually speak full conversations in Español!!!

Where I study

Cuatro - our teacher Hmo Carmona!! he is such a great teacher!!!

Where I live.

Also just so you know the gift of tongues is sooooooo real!!!! I can totalyl testify! I came here with no Español and I have taught con mi hermanas CINCO FULL Lecciónes in Español! There is nothing like this place! But I do miss you! I am so happy to be here and to be a part of this wonderful place the teaching is hard but worth it!!! I couldn´t do this without the knowledge that you are cheering me on! It´s been easy to lose myself in the work hopefully more pictures will come this week!!!

I gotta go but  I just want to leave you with my testimony!!

   Yo sé que Dios es amoroso! Yo sé que Dios nos envio a la tierra para aprendar y proguesar.Y Dios preparo un plan para ayundarnos a regresar con Él. Yo sé que la Iglesia es inspirado de Dios y Jesucristo. esta Creencia me ayuda a tener esperanza! Esta conocimiento me ayuda a superar desafios y vivir feliz! En el nobre de JesuCristo, Amen!

Hermana Dugan (which the latinos pronounce dew-ghin hahahaha) it´s great!!!
 love ya!!!!!

I made it a week

Our elders - anderson, cagle, brodowski, collins, smith and fisher!!!

Hola!!!!!!!  SURPRISE!!!!!!! IT´S THURSDAY!!!!!

My p-day is Juevos!

Until I leave Jan 13! 

Also it only takes a week to send a letter WITH AN ENVELOPE TO the ccm address con USA stamps!!! PLEASE SEND LETTERS!!!!!!

I love you so much this week has been so freaking stressful but it´s been the best tambien!

     

So I got here on wWednesday and my roommate was Hma Reed she is so funny! Well she was waiting for her real compañeara who was named Hma Duncan there has been a lot of confusion about that!!! Well on Thursday both me and Hma Reed were alone so we just became that day compañeara so we were fine! that afternoon we got called to the office and were told that my real comp. went to Provo...so now me Hma Reed AND Hma Duncan are in a trio!

 We are sooo much better now and it´s true if you can make it to Domingo you can make it exito!

So we live in CASA 17 with 7 girls who all came in on the 3rd. Hma Ettinger = Ecuador Quito North Hma Hubner = is going back to th statees Hma Halleua going back to the states along with Hma Ferguson Hma Vargus and Hma Cole con me y mi compañearas. It´s really cool!!! 

My comps and I are in Distrito 13A and we are the solo hermanas!!!!! CRAZYYYYYY over 25 elderes y 3 hermanas!!!

Our Sister Training Leaders who left Monday to Honduras.
Left to right: Hmas Oram, Naegle, Reed me and Duncan.

 We have taught our first 5 lessons ( fake invetigador) con lots good and lots bad and finally nuestras  know how to enseñar a Lección in ESPANOL!!!!
 My Spanish is coming, having two fluent comps helps ALOT!!!!!!

My first few days were super stressful but I have gotten into a really happy positive pattern and hope to continue with it!!!! 

It´s been amazing mama! It´s so full of spirit and our Branch Presidencia con Presidente Suarte really cares!!! They really helped when we were first struggling to get along! But Monday we got locked out of our casa and had inventory it was muay importante!!!!!! It´s cleared the air and we are much more successful juntos!

So Tuesday Hma Reed and I got super sick!!!! SOUR STOMACH THE CULPRIT UNDER COOKED POTATOES. We are all better and finally back to our normal selves yet we have trust issues with the papas now hahahaha! But the food is really good usually the comedor tries soooo hard to give us American food and on Tuesday it´s Costco Pizza night!

Me, Hms Reed Ferguson, Vargus and Halleau.

So the weather is just like california COLD morning and hot afternoon. I wish I had brought a better hoodie but I shall survive since it´s only 5 weeks and then off to humidity!!!!

Our zone 13 is just freaking amazing they are all really strong elders and they could be spiritual giants if they learned to pay attention in clasa!!

So some fun facts canons go off ALL the time and since we are in districts it becomes a little bit of hunger games jokes!! people whistle that tune and raise their hands... Also tomorrow is some sort of celebration for the Virgin Maria and there are a ton of fireworks all the time!!!

The campus is HUGE!!!! and yet we have very little people here it´s really nice because all the workers here are from here and really easy to talk to and it´s super nice to just go up to someone and practice español! 

Me and mi compañeara = Hma Reed - dark hair and Hma Duncan red head :D

Our district studies in Joseph F. Smith room 506! It´s really cool all the buildings are named after profetas!!!

I love you!!!!!

Rach - Hma Dugan

Travel and arrival

Hi everyone!


It´s 8:37 pm here and that was the craziest day of traveling ever! I am trying not to use a lot of punctuation because this keyboard confuses me something awful!!!! Two hermanos picked me up from the airport!  I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!!!! I thought there would be more of us but nope just me and I was the only picked up!!!  The Mexico City airport is utter chaos!!!! I got through immigration just fine but then waited for my luggage and low and behold they were not there!!! Well some other lady waiting two mentioned the word Atlanta and the worker pointed her to another baggage claim...there they were!!!!!!!!!!!!! woooooooohooooo It took an hour to drive to the CCM and I dont even have my name badge yet but I made it! My stuff made it and I am feeling like a fish out of water......I DONT KNOW SPANISH!!!!!! hahahahhaha kindergarten all over, Mom!!!

The House

By the way the drivers here are crazy!!! There is a giant wall around the CCM I figure its to keep the world out and us in hahaa

And the first question asked to me at the CCM and  I quote, "Mi gusto pizza, Hermana?"

Ok I love you all be safe and you shall hear from me very soon!!!!

Keep the faith stay strong!!!! I love you!!!!!
 
Hermana Dugan  :)

clothing

   Ok so I made it in 2  identical 25 inch suitcases both weighing between 35-43 pounds! It felt awesome to be able to accomplish that!!!! Here are some of the clothing as a plus sized sister I packed.

Grey Jacket -Walmart $12
Purple pleated shirt - JC Penney's $17
Grey / Black Floral Skirt - Dress Barn $15

                                                      Blue and White Shirt - home
                                                 Red and blue floral skirt - Mom

Yellow Shirt - grandma hand me down
Purple argyle skirt - Dress Barn $ 20

                                            Red Cut Out Shirt  - Avenue $15
                            Black and White Striped Skirt - Torrid $30

 Black Cardigan - Macy's $11
Grey Pleated Shirt - JC Penney's $17
Vertical blue/grey/ black stripe skirt- KMart $18

                                                     Beige Cardigan -Macy's $11
                                                   Pink Cotton Shirt - KMart $5
                                  Brown hash pattern skirt - Dressbarn $20

Easter Egg Dress - Ross $25
Jackets - Blue and Pink - Ross $ 9 each

                                                            Purple Dress - Ross $26

Black and white Dress - Macy's 60% off - $30

                                                            All my shoes
                                         Tennis shoes- big 5 sporting goods
                                          black clarks - JC Penney's $35
                                            2 row K mart $15 each
                                        Bottom row - Sears $25 and $30

     

                a solid black skirt!

Some of my favorite shirts I am taking:

                                                          3 Scarves from Forever 21 $15 total

I also packed a plethra of little things required in my call packet
That's all folks!!! All packed and ready for the MTC tomorrow!!!
    Wish me luck!!!!


!

Writing the Acceptance Letter (and other firsts)

   So Once I finally stopped screaming, jumping, crying and calling every single contact in my phone it was time to get serious and write my acceptance letter. I believe that  this is something that should be personal to you and something that you should really think about before writing! If you are lucky and have friends like me that have already written them ask them what is appropriate or what they wrote to give an idea of what should and should not be placed in this letter.

  Essentially this letter is you telling the general authorities that you accept this call and that you are going to serve where they have assigned you. I haven't really heard of anyone declining a call...
  So make sure that you literally accept the call and then just kind of write your testimony of the kind of missionary you want to be and or feel you will become through this call.

I feel like at some point the wording looks pretty similar on all of them as long as you don't write word for word someone's letter. Just let the spirit guide you personally to the right words and your letter will be pretty flawless! Since Today is Wednesday and I got my call Saturday ( no regular church Sunday) I will be getting it to my bishop this coming Sunday and yes even though your portal asked for an electronic copy you still need to write the paper form and get it endorsed and sent out to the Mission Headquarters.

Here is a copy of my acceptance letter. I show you mine only for reference please pray carefully and write your own letter.


Dear Brethren
 I am grateful and pleased to accept this amazing call that you and The Lord have asked of me. I am so excited to serve in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission. I know that this was extended through the Lord, and truly an inspired call. I know the Lord has full faith in me to teach the wonderful words of his gospel to his children. I also know that I am fully capable and ready to serve in the amazing country of Ecuador. 

I am excited to begin studying the gospel in the Spanish Language, but  I know that the Lord has and will continue to guide me in my endeavors! I will continue studying Preach My Gospel,  reading my scriptures, and praying to prepare for this amazing journey ahead of me. I know that this gospel is true. I know that this is the True Church and that Jesus Christ is the son of our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful to be given this sacred calling and I pray that I may have his Spirit to be with me. I pray that I may be strong enough to stand as a witness at all times, in all things, and in Ecuador of all places. I will continue to remain worthy of the Holy Ghost's promptings and I pray that I may be led by the Spirit to find those that the Lord has prepared me to teach. 

Thank you for this inspired calling and knowledge that this is where I am meant to serve. Also thank you for your constant example of faith in Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Sister Rachel Dugan

PS:

 If you are like me and leaving the country for the first time be prepared to stress and stress and stress about your passport and visa! Don't be afraid to expedite everything! ( more money but hey ON TIME to the MTC!)  It's extremely important that this be the first thing taken care of because without your passport you are not going to make it to your assigned Mission. You shall become the dreaded~~~~VISA WAITER~~~~ ( in my case I wont even make it to the MTC)

Also  take care of your license/ driving record early in advance because if you are anything like me ( i have 2 months and 3 days) that takes weeks of time and that's something we just don't have the luxary of!!!

Last but not least- talk to your bank! Make sure that your travel plans are known and that if you have any loans or outstanding debt that it gets taken care of pronto!!!

Ok I will give you more advice as I get it!
  Much Love,
Hermana Dugan

the opening of Hermana Dugan's Mission Call.

    I honestly lost my breath, wanted to cry, couldn't scream, couldn't think. My heart was racing so fast.     What a roller coaster of feeling all balled into one piece of paper. it's almost like reading your destiny and knowing that it's right, and feeling unprepared, and nervous, and excited, and all you can do is mispronounce the name of the place that is going to have a piece of your heart and be a part of your life story forever!

I'm going to serve in Ecuador!

  Dear Sister Dugan,
   You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are assigned to serve in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission.

and I leave in 74 days!!!

 This is Crazy! I don't know Spanish, I have never left the country and don't have a passport! ahhhh time to get cracking!


I love you all and i can't wait to start this awesome adventure!!!


Love you all,


  HERMANA DUGAN

Almost done

It has been a very long struggle to try and finish my papers.  I can definitely say it hasn't been easy or a breeze in the park. The Lord promises great rewards and with such brings great struggle from Lucifer.

I am so close to finishing my papers! The one thing I have really learned is that The Lord's time is the most important timing there is! I just have to keep trusting that he knows what is best for me in all things and once I trust that fully I then have to agree with his choices for me. This has always been the hard part. I have never been good with agreeing with his choices. I just keep praying and studying and working on fully preparing myself for the exact obedience of a mission.

I am hitting submit this week so let's pray that it is a swift process and the Lord is merciful to my prayers to help me receive a call to teach his wonderful children in this world.