And She's Off!

Well, Sister Santos officially reported to the MTC this morning. I am Megan, her sister-in-law, and I will be in charge of keeping everyone updated on Pono's mission while she is away. Visit her blog to see her latest emails, pictures, and to find her current address. For those who may not follow her on facebook here was her final message (via her brother):

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished,

 and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I'm (Not me. Of course this isn't actually Pono. That would be against the rules.) off!!

Sister Pono Santos
MTC Mailbox #219
VAN-PV 1113
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

This is also in my info, and I'll (not me, see above) put my mission field address up later.

Write me (her)!! Thanks for all your love and support.
The Church is True!

Pono was beyond excited to leave today. She actually squeaked in the car as we got close to the MTC because she couldn't hold it in. I was so amazed at the fact that she honestly wasn't nervous at all. She will be an amazing missionary and we look forward to hearing all of her experiences. I will post an announcement on her facebook page whenever there is something new to read.

well, see ya!

Today, I needa pack like a crazy. But, I just thought I'd post one more time to say, "see ya later." because TONIGHT. I will be getting set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (see also, L'eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours!) And oh man. I'm excited. I dunno if there's an opposite of getting trunky... Like just being done with being home and needing to go on a mission, but if there is, I have that.

Yesterday, I gave my final farewell! (Of 3.) Which was great! And I got the opportunity to play a musical number with pup! We sang/played, "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." And I've played it and performed it lots of times. But THIS was the performance I've been waiting for. It was beautiful, and the Spirit was there so strong! It was great. I love cello. And music. After, Uncle Kenny, Aunty Nettie, and Megan came over for lunch, which was waaay fun! We ate, talked, took pics, laughed. It was great.

Also! After much stress and freaking out. (Ok, minor stress and no freaking out...) I figured out what my mission scripture is gonna be!! 2Nephi 2:6-9. The whole thing is a bit long, so I'll bold the part that's going on my plaque. But oh I love this scripture!

"6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved."

But I just love this scripture! This work is IMPORTANT!! It's amazing and exciting, but more than that, it is necessary! I'm so blessed to have this opportunity for the next 18 months, and I cannot WAIT to get going.

The Church is True!

Love, Soeur Pono Santos

my day in sanfran.

Today! I flew to San Francisco and back again. And I did some pretty cool stuff in between :]

The reason I was in SanFran today is cause I had to appear at the French Consulate to apply for my visa. So, I was there from this morning til late afternoon. And the fun thing was, applying for visas only took like 15, maybs 20 minutes. So, the rest of the time was free!

I got there and met up with Laurel and Katrina (who are both going to the same mish as me AND report the same day as me.) SO COOL! And then we caught a taxi to the consulate. We got there super early though, so we had some time to kill before. We spent it in a little shopping gallery (that reminded me of Covent Garden in London) and on the roof terrace which was GORGEOUS. Oh man I am in love with that place. The roof. It had flowers and plants all over and it was all landscaped and nice with benches and sunshine and yah. It was great.

We then went to the consulate and I got to speak a bit of french with the guy which was fun. Mostly though, he was just giving me directions in french cause he knew that I understood. SO FUN. I LOVE FRENCH. And I'm soooo excited to speak it ALL THE TIME.

After that, we started walking towards the pier. We walked through Chinatown and bought $3 memorabilia t-shirts and then got some delicious gelato in the Italian part of town. C'était delicieux! And, eventually, we made it down to the wharf and piers, which was fun! I gotta eat clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. OH SO GOOD. And we walked to the water and such. It was such a fun day!

And, it was great getting to know these girls that I will become so close to! They are soooo excited! Just like me! And it will be great working with them and getting to know them in the MTC.

Laurel (middle) and Katrina (right)

8 days. Word.

The Church is True!

my 4(ish) month wait.

On May 20th, 2012, I opened a large white envelope that would change my life forever. I know. I'm being dramatic. But it kinda already has, and I haven't even started yet.

I struggled through reading my mission name, immediately hopped on google maps to see where I was going, and then proceeded to have THE meltdown of the century. If you don't believe me, you can ask my witnesses that were there live. (J.J., Megs, Kalei, Elaine, Pup, Elise, or Ben.)

That was the middle of May. It is now September. September 2nd. And I have 10 MORE DAYS. And it's starting to feel real :]

I am oh so excited!! I just watched "Best Two Years," and on Tuesday, I fly to SanFran to apply for my visa at the French Consulate with two of my future mish buddies who are going to the same mission and enter the exact same day!

10 more days! I can hardly wait.
I may just be skipping into the MTC.

The Church is True!!

My current fave pic:

Sophie and I pointing to our missions!