Here is Christina's mission home address.  I am hoping to get her mailing address tomorrow but packages should be sent to the mission home.
Sister Christina RoseTrickler
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission
5931 W 96th Street
 Bloomington MN 55348-1715

On Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 4:38 PM, Christina Trickler <christina.trickler@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Haha okay, It's Proverbs 3:4-5 I believe, the one about Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and He shall direct thy paths. I don't know how strong I am, but I sure try. It's really all about trusting in the Savior. I have noticed that whenever I find myself struggling, I'm not having the faith and the trust I need. I am not remembering His love, and all I have been given. I know I am too, honestly, there is no way I could do this if I didn't have that knowledge. It's a sacrifice, but It is well worth it. Thank you much. And thanks so much for the package!! It made my day :) I wrote letters to all the kids, so they will be on their way. I don't have lots of time, but I'll do my best. Letters are really the best thing ever!!! And cookies are pretty great too ;)o ! Thanks for letting me know how everything is going, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you're all doing fairly well :) Fun fun. I am leaving on Wednesday, I'll plan on calling home between 4 and 5ish (am)  if that works. If not, just dear elder me so I know not to call! Thanks much :) It has been a very good week, I'm telling you, make it to Sunday then time just flies by! It's crazy to see how much I have grown. I've struggled, but that's how we grow. My companion and I have had the opportunity to teach an investigator outside of class, one of our teachers came up to us and asked us if we would do it on our own time. It was so so hard the first time because she is Methodist and really knows her bible! We  talked about grace and mercy, and the atonement with her. I came out of there feeling like I just came out of a super intense spiritual calculus test! It was wonderful though to be able to talk to her. She sent up the appointment for the last night, and this time we were able to talk to her and get to understand her personally a little bit better, not just her beliefs. Although I'm still studying grace and faith lots, it's pretty darn deep. just sayin ;) Anyways, we came away with so much love for her, it's incredible. So very interesting. Oh I've heard that exercise time is the best thing ever, yes. It is pretty much a life saver. My companion and I played Volleyball last night with the Elders. We were pretty darn awful, but it was really fun :) I laughed so hard. Oh, other funny thing, My companion and I had to do a door approach the other day to our teacher. We knocked and I said, Hi, I'm sister Trickler, what's your name? It was so awkward! So I said that, and our teacher responded with What's awkward? (still pretending to be an investigator) It was so funny, our whole class started laughing, and couldn't stop. I think we were a little worn out....Haha it was great though. Good times ;) It was really fun to see sisters who had never seen snow before see it for the first time. Ah, snow. I love it so much, just sayin. Anyways, teaching has been good, heard at times. We had one investigator who wanted to know information about our gospel, but had absolutely no interest in coming closer to Christ, or finding out if it was true. It was a really tough lesson, because what do you do at that point? Everyone has there agency. I'm learning more and more about being a good example to everyone. Someone is always watching us. It's sad when the only thing keeping people away from the gospel is the awful example of a member. Just food for thought. Oh, What are your thoughts on Faith? I'm just trying to get different perspectives. Neat thing, for the devotional this Tuesday L. Tom Perry is coming to speak! I'm really excited :) Sorry, I don't have much time to write, and this letter was all over the place again, it's crazy how fast an hour goes! Well, I love you all, and I love the gospel. Just remember to trust in the Savior, He is always there for us, we just need to let Him in. I'm so excited to start serving, i'm a little nervous yes, but like the good nervousness before a race. Thank you for all your prayers, you are in mine. Have a lovely week!! :)

Love,

Sister Christina Trickler

 And sorry, I took lots of pictures, but can't send them right now, technical error or misunderstanding ;) Soon though! oh and I forgot to tell you that I met the nicest Native American Elder. And took a picture with him. He seriously looks and acts just like an older Konnor! I got his email in case you would like to email him about his customs or anything. He lives on a reservation and is very much into his culture, and wanted to share that information with us. I just that it would be interesting. So yep, I'll get it to you next week, or maybe write it. It was really neat. :) Love it. Love you all!

Christina was able to call home this morning from the airport.  She is doing well and excited to enter the mission field.   I expect to get her new address next Monday and will post it here.

Christina asked me to set up a blog before she left--she must have wanted me to do something besides miss her and knew this would be a good challenge.  This is all new to me so feel free to give me hints. I will post letters and updates as I get them.

 

This is Christina's first letter home

On Fri, Nov 1, 2013 at 4:02 PM, Christina Trickler <christina.trickler@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hello!!!! Good job, you win ;) I do have p-day's on Friday, :) I sent you a letter in the mail that you should get tomorrow or the day after. The MTC is slightly overwhelming, scratch that it's quite overwhelming, but I really love it. It is mind boggling to be surrounded by so many missionaries, I keep reminding myself that I am one of them! Haha yes, I've been lucky not to have to eat 

Too many unique foods, but I did have some quacamolie? on my salad by accident....it was exciting. The food here is pretty good, don't worry I am making sure I eat three meals a day. It's good though, I have no room to complain. The lack of movement is killing me though, we haven't had time to exersize yet, but I think we get an hour tomorrow, I can't wait. My companion and I have taken to taking laps around buildings whenever we can, it feels good just to move! I can't wait to run or do something though, not in a skirt ;) Gotta love it :) Remind me never to complain about running or swimming when I get home!  I didn't forget my raincoat, I wasn't told to bring it and will let you know if I do need it. Thank you very much for the prayers, I desperately need them! If you find the quote could you maybe send it to me? I would really appreciate it. Lets see...I love my companion, she is wonderful. She's a great example of being nice all the time. I have much to learn from her, but we are getting along marvelously well. I am struggling with actually teaching people, but that's really not much of a surprise, I struggle talking in front of people, but I am getting much better. I really think that I was a little too worried though, I have done better than I thought. Sorry, that was sort of a contradictory statement. ;) We went to the temple today which was a much needed break. It was wonderful as always, I am catching on more and more all the time. Don't worry mom, I didn't ummm..... misplace anyone's items ;) It was really good though. It's different going to the temple as a missionary, but it was very uplifting. I just went trying to feel the spirit, and didn't really worry about learning a whole lot. It was wonderful, I would highly recommend it. Oh, funny thing that happened. So in our district we have 4 of us sisters, and 5 elders. In our zone we have one other district of all elders. P.S. The zone leader went to high school with me. It's sorta crazy ;) I've seen two other girls from my high school, but no one you would know. Anyways, the other district sort of shows us what to do and such. We went to the temple, and since there aren't any other sisters in the other district, we ended up following them, almost into the men's changing room....awkward! Haha it was quite amusing, but the sisters in the temple are so very nice, and showed us just where to go. It was lovely. How's the family doing? I hope they are all doing well, my prayers are with all of you as well. The spirit is so strong here, There is so much room for growth. I was told once that there's no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone. I don't know that that is 100% true, but it is to some extent. I have learned that I really have to reach out of my comfort zone and work really hard in order to grow. It's crazy how much I have learned in the short time I have been here so far. Crazy! But I love it, it's great. I really enjoy learning doctrines of the gospel, but I struggle learning how to teach, and rely on the spirit. I'll get it though, don't worry. I have two main teachers. Brother Kendall and Brother Sumerfeldt. Brother Kendall is great, I struggle a little bit with Brother Sumerfeldt, but it's good for me to struggle, right? ;) Today we had a teacher come in for just an hour teaching us more about how to role play. He was sarcastic and funny. It was a much needed break. Those chocolates that I brought have been a life saver. They work wonders, just sayin ;) Oh I thought it might make you laugh to here that in all my frantic packing I forgot a contact case, envelopes, and stamps! Luckily they have a good bookstore. :) Sorry, this is really scattered, my brain is a little bit fried, I haven't been studying like this for a long while. It has been really neat since I have been here to receive further conformation that I am supposed to be here, that this is the right thing for me. Yesterday, I learned through some scriptures in the New Testament, that we have a sort of partnership with Christ in this work. (and this goes for member missionaries as well as full time missionaries) We need to rely on Him in order to accomplish His work, but He also rely's on us to do His work. Isn't it incredible that young, inexperienced members of the church, like me, are entrusted with such a responsibility? It amazed me, and humbles me. I have found that it's important to take our weaknesses and turn them into strengths, instead of getting down or depressed. I was feeling very inadequate the other night, but I wrote down why, and have made goals to change. It is already really helping me. It's incredible, just a thought. :) Well, I love you all...you should all write me if you have time! ;) You guys really are all great though. I rely on your strength if that makes sense. I think of you to strengthen me and bring a smile to my face when life is hard. I don't have much time today, but will have more next week, and more to talk about I'm sure. I love you and hope you have a good day. Jackie: Give mom a hug for me, and go have a dance party with Jacob if you possibly can :) Matthew: Give mom a hug, she might need it, and read the little kids a story, let them pick which one ;) Jacob: Give mom a hug, your hugs make her smile and write me an enertaining letter :) Konnor, give mom a hug, I know you love her and run outside and play for a little while :) Tessa: Give mom a hug, and write me a letter please! :) Zander: Give mom a hug, and color me a picture. :) Braxton: Give mom a hug, and smile as big as you can :) Kaycee: Give mom a big hug, and help her make some cookies (you can have Jackie and Tessa help you if you want, it's up to you.) :)