Wow! What a great 2012 I have had so far! It is hard to believe that it is already 2012. I spent most of 2010 deciding on whether to serve a mission or not, putting in my papers, receiving my call, and preparing to serve. I remember thinking back in 2010 that I wouldn't even finish my mission until well into 2012 and that it was FOREVER away...and here it is. I am so excited for the possibilities of this new year, for the adventures and experiences that I know I will have, especially for the rest of my mission.
The Largo Spanish Branch started 2012 with a highlight as well! We met for the very first time in the chapel. We had 50 people there, since many are still vacationing for the holidays. My mission President and his wife came to support us. It was so cool to have them here. I have to say, that to some we probably looked kind of small, but to me, it was almost like a light was shining out of every empty seat just waiting to be filled! It is going to be a great year for the Largo Spanish Branch, and I am so grateful to have been here these past nine months. I can't think of a better place to start my year.
As it was the end of the year, and there are plenty of parties and shenanigans going on, we had a rule as missionaries to be in the house by eight o'clock. We celebrated the New Year at approximately 8:46 pm with some paper shooters and some Mormon Champaign, also known as Martinelli's Sparkling apple cider! We went to bed at 10:30 to the sounds of minor explosions going off all around our apartment! I have to say it was probably the first time since I was maybe seven years old that I didn't stay up for the new year. This may sound like I am getting old...but I kind of liked going to bed at a decent hour and starting my New Year alert and ready to go at 6:30 am!
As most of you know, today is my birthday. I have had a great day so far. I had excellent studies this morning, received a phone call from my district leader and another from one of the branch members we are working with. I also opened my presents at lunch time and was graced with several VERY NEEDED new shirts. In keeping with missionary tradition, I plan on burning most of the shirts I currently have on my one year anniversary. I also got some awesome new shoes, which were beyond needed, so much so that if I showed you my old brown shoes my mom would probably cry with shame!
I have felt so much love and support from each of you, as well as my family here, so far this year. I want to thank you all so much for your love and dedication to this one missionary in Largo, Florida. The letters, packages and e-mails mean so much. More than anything though, I want each of you to know just how much I appreciate your prayers. I know that there are a LOT of people praying for me right now, and I can only say thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for each and every one of those prayers in my behalf, as well as all the other things I know each of you have done. I'm sure I only know about a particle of the support that I have, and what I know about is more than I could ever hope for.
I invite each of you to really take stock of what Our Heavenly Father has done for us. We have each been blessed with a full year of hope and possibilities. I know He wants the very best of and for each one of us. I’m setting some serious goals this year, physical goals, spiritual goals, character goals and intellectual goals. I’m also setting some goals to have fun! I am really looking forward to my Florida vacation at the temple and the beach at the end of August this year!
Happy happy New Year to each and every one of you. Thank you so much for all that you are and do. Thank you for a wonderful 2011.
I love you All,
Hermana Levanger
PS Some interesting changes in the life of one Becky Levanger in 2011: I wore a skirt more than the rest of my life combined times about a thousand. The only things I wear are skirts and pajama pants - and those only slightly longer than I am asleep. I speak Spanish! (Not well, but a least enough to communicate). I drove 11,650 miles around Pinnellas County doing Heavenly Father’s work. I am a way better Becky Levanger than I have ever been, and can't wait to become the Becky of 2012!
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