MLC & The Sabbath Day & LOTS of fun photos!

May 25, 2015

Hey Family and Friends,

This week was an incredible one. We got to go to MLC (Mission Leaders Council) in Zambia. MLC was from Tuesday morning at 4 am and we got back on Thursday at 9:30. These leadership councils are so great but I can never sleep during them because I’m in such deep thought. I love President and Sister Erickson! They are the best. I feel like they got to know me better this week. haha The person I gave 50 dollars to for my visa into Zambia didn’t give it back! So, Elder Sagers, our Zone Leader, had to use his own bank card to pay for my visa. It was so embarrassing…but I guess the mission is covering it. Haha!

I learned a lot at MLC. I am truly blessed to be a missionary that’s all I can say. I can't believe the blessings that it brings being a missionary, especially with the people you meet. I truly love every single missionary so much. I feel like on mission you just love people and I feel so much love for the other missionaries. I have never met such good young men and women. I look up to every single one of the people at MLC so much. Not to mention President and Sister Erickson! I love those two! I hope to be like them one day.

The number one thing I came away from MLC wanting to do differently or better when I go home is to keep the Sabbath day holy. I felt like I tried pretty hard in college, but was definitely not perfect especially during finals week or any week that I had a big test. Hah :) My goal is to never do my homework on a Sabbath day. And not only that but truly keep it a holy day. The time that we spend on mission is a privilege and I am so scared to go home and not feel this kind joy in the everyday activities. I realized something though in this MLC--when we accepted our call, we accepted to devote all your time and attention to the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. I love this. And to be honest when I feel like I’m truly living a consecrated life is the time I have felt SO SO much joy on my mission. And it so scary that I won't have the time "to devote all my time and attention to the Lord." But at this MLC I realized that the Sabbath is kind of the same thing. It’s the day we can devote our time and attention to the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. And the temple is another place where I can be totally focused on the things of God and leave the world behind. I can still have a taste of mission even when I am home; I can still have the joy that comes from consecration.

Well this week has been a fantastic one!! We didn't have much time in the area because of MLC, but it was still a good week! We had lots of investigators at church! I love being a missionary and am so grateful for this opportunity!!!

Love to all of you!

Sister Falco

 Chinese Restaurant with the Sisters @ MLC 

 I am totally grateful to be a missionary. This is the office that we do MLC in. Its the best! I don't want to wish away anyday. This is the best experience of my life. Not the easiest but the BEST!

 Ian, the one with the white hair, has been investigating the Church for over a year. He is the best! Evan--he is so cute, he can talk forever, also investigating the church.

 Sister Dlamini and I at Chinese Restaurant in Zambia

  Sister Quaye & I

 Sister Proctor and I with my companion, Sister Dlamini, who is the best!! . . .the most kind and loving person ever!

President and Sister Erickson. The Best!! President And Sister Erickson. Where do I even begin with these two people. They are literally the best people. They are in my opinion the perfect Mission President and wife. I have never met a couple who can have the perfect balance of compassion, but at the same time still holding the standard of obedience high. I love them. I look up to them a ton. I hope to be just like them someday. :) I am grateful to be a missionary under them. They always say part of the reason you get called to where you get called is because of your mission president, I don't know if its true, but they are the best. I love them.

 Sister Proctor: Probably one of the best people I have EVER met. She seriously she is an elect person. I have never met someone as good as she is. One in a million. This girl! Blessed to know her!

 Sister Dlamini--grateful to be her companion!

 Silly Sisters

 Sister Proctor and Sister Dlamini and I at MLC

 Great to see Sister Quaye again. Love this woman!!

 Sister Quaye is a babe!

 Beautiful Sisters--Quaye, Falco, Tuai Hirwa

 Some of the best missionaries!! Blantyre Zone Leaders and my companion, Sister Dlamini

 

We walk on this bridge to our area.

Zambia Mission Office

No showers for days!

May 18, 2015

FAMILY and FRIENDS!!

What an amazing week….

 
Well MLC (Mission Leader Council) is this week. We fly to Zambia for the meetings. The APS had us read 32 pages to prepare..... It was crazy. I am grateful to be a leader. I have learned a lot. I feel I will be released soon since I have been an STL since December. But it’s not a position to be aspired or denied. This calling has helped me a lot, helped me to build confidence--true confidence in the Lord. It has also helped me to focus on the Lord when I fall short.

We have not had water in our apartment 5 out of the 7 days this week! No showers for days. haha Just kidding—we’re taking bucket showers. Thanks to the zone leaders who bring us water.

We have a perfect investigator. She is a miracle! Chikondi. She asked us if she could pay for the Book of Mormon when we gave it to her. And then she showed up at church this week (for the second time) and when she arrived, the church was even open! J It is a blessing to have her as an investigator. The Lord is too good. Tears of joy only happen on mission. :)

I love being a missionary. I am grateful to be a missionary!!

Sister Falco

Photos Sent May 18th

 Hike on Preparation Day!

 Sister Mutungwa--"The Best Woman" (she finished up her mission this week)

 Journal...such great memories!

 Not sure where they are...

 Sister Falco loves to cook!  Teriyaki Chicken's for dinner!!

Sister Falco, Sister Browning, Sister Dlamini (her companion) & Sister Zohna

Just Photos This Week

We had a great call with Sister Falco!! So fun to hear her excitement, her laughter, her stories. She is one happy girl! She LOVES her companion and the other sisters she lives with. She was so excited to go on a hike today. "Blantyre is Beautiful!"

 Sister Falco's Companion - Sister Dlamini from South Africa

 Hiking for Pday - She's in Heaven!

 She loves this girl!!

 Flat-mate...loves the sisters she lives with!!

I am in Blantyre!

May 4, 2015

Hey Family and Friends,

I am in Blantyre!!! IT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN!!!! I am so very grateful to be a missionary!!! It’s the best!!! This place has a ton of mountains. Its green and its awesome!! I have been here before for the mission tour and the Christmas combined zone activity, but I never knew how beautiful it was until now!! There are hikes and there is everything here that makes me happy! Haha It’s the best!!!

In my area we hike everywhere! The houses are on hills. It’s so sweet!! I wish you could just be here!! I am very grateful for my area!! The area honestly has been dead for five months. They just had their first baptism in five months!! Hopefully we can find more people who are prepared and ready for the Gospel.

The sisters here are like perfect, celestial beings. haha I love them all. They are so NICE!--the epitome of nice. My companion is super sweet!!!!!!

So I studied an interesting thing this week. I’ve often wondered what causes people to rebel. I’ve always thought it was because of a lack of love or the obvious one—pride. But I’ve come to realize that another reason for rebellion is when someone is offended. I was studying the story in the Bible when Jesus Christ calls himself the “Bread of Life”. Many were offended by this statement and they “went away”. When we feel offended, we often want to leave and do our own thing. We become unteachable. Avoiding being offended is something we should work on. Human relationships are much like our relationship with our Father in Heaven. We need to work to not take offense with the requirements that come from God. We need to trust Him and seek to understand Him. I don’t know if this all makes sense. But I know that I need to be better and I know I want to be more like my Heavenly Father and be more swallowed up in His will.

I love being a missionary!

And, I love you!

Sister Falco

Sister Falco's New Address

If you'd like to send Sister Falco a letter, I'm sure she'd love it! Here's her new address:

Sister Carly Falco

Private Bag 277

1 Kufa Road Mandala

Blantyre Malawi

 

Last Week's Email - Sister Falco's been Transferred!

April 27, 2015

Hey Family and Friends

First off--I am being transferred!!! And, I am going to Blantyre!!!!! I am so sad to leave Lilongwe. It’s crazy that I actually am. haha I thought I was going to be here forever!! It’s hard to leave but I am also very excited to see the new area. Its definitely bittersweet!! I feel very happy and very grateful to be on a mission in Malawi! It’s one of the best experiences I will probably ever have in my life. :) I hope that I never take one day for granted as I serve as a missionary.

Conference was very good and I feel very blessed to have listened to it when I did. I feel like it helped uplift me and gave me the strength and courage to carry on. I am very grateful to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and even more grateful to be a missionary. I hope that I will be able to do all that I can to serve with all of my heart. I feel like I have felt more joy as a missionary the past couple weeks. And I haven't really been able to figure out why, but I feel my repentance is more sincere than it has been in the past. And honestly when I get on my knees every night I feel like it’s a privilege to kneel and ask for forgiveness.  I feel sorrow as I realize the mistakes I make each day--not being as focused as I should be, making jokes a little too much, not being patient. But each day I feel like I wake up with a desire to do what’s right and I feel so much joy in the work.  Although I make mistakes and I fall short I feel like my frustration level isn't always there like it has been in the past. It has turned instead into more gratitude for the Savior and a realization that I truly need to do all I can to be worthy and faithful.

I feel an indescribable gratitude for the Savior and all that he does. I feel like my relationship with my Heavenly Father is stronger than ever before and I understand more His true nature. This understanding has helped me to have the courage to face any difficulty and try to do so with an attitude like Job. “Happy is the man whom the Lord chastens.” This relationship with my Heavenly Father has motivated me to try to do my best and become the best I can. It has helped me to have charity for others.

I’ve learned that you never fully understand the joy of the Gospel until you experience it. You never know God’s true nature until you study it and come to know Him through prayer. And sometimes this happens because you’re motivated by a trial or a tribulation. I know it’s better to be self-motivated but trials help us to learn to lean on and trust in our Heavenly Father. I feel as we try to realign our will to God’s will, we learn to know Him, and we learn He truly knows us and cares about us and our trials and struggles. And if we feel forgotten, it’s might be because we have forgotten to trust Him or forgotten to listen.

I am grateful to be a missionary. I truly never want to wish any day away. I don't want to take any day for granted. Coming to know why I’m a missionary and what my purpose is is really the greatest gift Heavenly Father has ever given me.

I will be leaving to my new area tomorrow morning at 6:30 am! I’m all packed and ready to go. Remember that I love you and I am grateful for all that you do.

Love,
Sister Falco

Andy and His Cat

Great People!!

Lilongwe Missionaries

Sunset with Sister Quaye