Questions from Dad

What I do on p-days.

I wash my clothes because the member that was washing them hates me now. Literally. I have never met someone so immature and rude. But that's okay. It's just hard because my comp is best friends with her. But it's okay. All is well, haha. But, I washed my clothes this morning. We shop for food and go home. Usually I do some quiet meditating or writing or sun bathing while my comp naps.

Oh! Tonight President Lorenzaza invited us to his house for the blessing on the house and dinner. I love that man. Ugh. I love him. He was like a taxi on Saturday for us. Taking people to the baptism and taking them back home. Good man.

Mish President, good man. Don't really know him though. He is more about numbers then us. But I am kinda forcing him to get to know me though emails. Haha. I write like I talk. And, he responds all the time. He told me I was great this week. Haha.

Food. I eat a lot of bread and eggs... and soup and Morcafe and mayo.

Haha.

Wonder of Wonder, Miracles of Miracles!

I just reread the subject. I miss Fiddler on the Roof and random times with the familia. I am listening to the song you sang. I think it's a good thing I got it. I think a part of me really wanted to hear from Sypher, but I knew I wouldn't. And you know it's true. There is someone so much better.

I am excited to eat healthy. I will be honest it is hard here to eat healthy. The terminal is part of my past. We just buy some veggies her in Esperanza, but I don't know. Yeah. Haha I am excited for home and cooking with a good kitchen and good company. And a frickin awesome Betty Blender. Ha. Love it.

I though about exercise science... I don't know yet.

Let's see. I had my first interview with President. Ten minutes and it was... just really different than President Lorenzana. I think it will take some time. He is a lot more about numbers and a lot less about the missionary. We shall see.

I made delicious coleslaw. Thank you mom.

I saw President yesterday in church. That was so wonderful. As always, he asked how I was doing and asked how all you were doing. I love that man. Ha.

Let's see.

We had two investigators in church. Hermano Matias finally came and he really loved it, and hermana Martha. She is probably getting baptized on Saturday. She couldn't get out of bed on Saturday, so we had some members come and give her a blessing and an injection of who knows what. But those two worked and she was at church all three hours. She is a sweet woman whose face says she has been through a lot. Good woman.

I gave a talk at a baptism of the son of some less actives we are working with. That was fun. It was a cool mile marker for me; that I could prepare a talk five minutes before giving it in Spanish. It was cool. :)

There isn't much to report this week. I was in conferences or interviews, or here or there all week. But, the best part was seeing investigators in church. Seeing people trying and desiring to come onto Christ. Please send up some prayers for Martha so that she can get baptized this week!

Love you!

What I Want to Share with You

Okay. Here it goes. I have so much to write and so little time...

Can you send me some info on John Tanner from church history?

I went on an adventure. Well, we went to a small pueblo about two hours from our house and it was beautiful. And, I got to cross something off my to do list, drink fresh cool water straight from the ground. It was delicious.

I had my last interview with President this last week. Wow. That man is incredible and has really helped to shape me into who I am today and who I will be later. He promised my hubby is a good man. Haha. And now I just hope that I can get to know my new President that is coming tomorrow.

Let's see... A puppy pooed all over me the other day. After I totally stepped into a hole and have a nice scrape on my leg. Haha. Oh the joys of the mission. I was telling a girl, that's 14 and from the states, and her mom about what happened. Her mom was like, this isn't helping her to want to go. I said no, it should. These are the adventures of the mission. What makes it funny is when you get to tell your kids later. And all of it is worth it.

Elections are in September and there are signs everywhere for all the parties. Well I was walking, and dad, guess what... I saw the FIST OF LOVE! One of the party's symbol is a fist and all of their signs have them with a fist of love. Just another manifestation that this is where I need to be. Nowhere else in the world would I be able to walk by the fist of love everyday! Love you dad.

Our investigator had her baby. C section. But they wanted to get baptized but can't do it soon because she can't get in the water. We've found some other really positive people just working to baptize them.

Can you send me that talk mom, about the gifts of the Spirit? When he lists gifts that aren't mentioned in the scriptures.

Okay here is what I want to share with you. More important than anything else.

We gad our last conference with President Lorenzana and he taught the plan of salvation and then... incredible... habits, attributes, and tools and instruments of Satan. For his last discourse, he taught us the habits of Satan so we can be more aware and begin to rid ourselves of them. I want to list them and then you should discuss them in your next FHE. Talk about how as a family you can begin to rid the family of them. He said, if anyone has one of these habits they can not enter the celestial kingdom because these habits do not exist there. Harsh, but true. The beauty of it, is that we can be pure and clean and rid ourselves of the habits of Satan through the atonement by using the Spirit intelligently and our self control.

They are...

1. Curiosity.
2. The easy life.
3. Unbelief.
4. Procrastination.
5. Laziness.
6. Criticism.
7. Hidden intentions.
8. Apathy.
9. Me first.
10. Being followers of men and not of God.
11. Fighting with everyone. Being angry and liking contention.
12. Envy.
13. A thirst-hunger for power.
14. Justification.
15. Lack of character.
16. To live without purpose.
17. To love the world.
18. Irreverence.
19. Self pity.
20. Foolishness.
21. To not have goodwill.
22. Imitation of righteousness.
23. Double animo. Like having two sides.
24. Hiding things. Secrets.
25. I can't (I love this. It means I don't want to).
26. Spending money on things that don't have value.
27. Not studying.
28. Can't put on the brake. Don't have the ability to stop.
29. Trash talking. Negatively talking.
30. Low self-esteem.
31. Not liking or wanting responsibility.
32. Pride. The father of all.

Well family. This week I have learned a lot. And I am grateful that I can continue to learn and become who Heavenly Father wants me to be. I have immersed myself in conference talks from April. Amazing. Go and read and have the mysteries of heaven shown unto you. Love you all.

God Had a Remote Control

Just real quick. The time flew today. 

This is my last week with President Lorenzana. Dad, Daniel, tell me how changing of presidents went. Prepare me please.

I love my comp. That's all. We have a great time together. We had an extra mattress in our room last week and I was in the door way brushing my teeth. Romero was on the bed putting lotion on her feet. I made the quickest decision I have ever made in my life. I took off in a sprint and jumped into the bed. Flew backwards with my rain boots and landed on my bum. Romero is still laughing to this day. I don't know why I did what I did but we are still lauging. We think God had a remote control and had me do that. 

Let's see.... 

I was sick this week. I think it was a combination of not sleeping much. Because my whole body itches, and the weather changes, so sinus, and my body just needed to stop. But Hermana Bunting has been sick so we did divisions. What an amazing girl. She is from Vegas. Awesome. We have a lot of the same weaknesses so we talked a lot about how to over come them. Good times. 

Update of Vilma and Herncio, the familia Matais, we visited them casi every day. She is about to pop, she is expecting anytime now, but they are incredible. They have a fecha for July 9th. Please please please put their name in the temple. Familia Matias. Thank you!

Ahh. Time. Is gone. I love you all! Sorry there isn't more! Love you, love you. And i am feeling much better.

Hugs!

Highlights of the Week

I don't know where the time went. I still have to write president, but highlights of the week...

The first couple of weeks I was here in Jardines we went and had a visit with a super menos activo familia, the Boer family. For whatever reason, taking offence or whatever it might be, they hadn't gone to church for three years. They were sealed in the temple and a very active family before. I felt a strong connection to them, and I felt Heavenly Father's love for them so strongly. I decided to just keep going back every now and then. Brother Boer, Arturo, always had this feeling, this yearning to go back, but his wife didn't and he didn't want it to split them up. So he wouldn't come. Four weeks ago I saw him at the office and I felt strongly to tell him about Nefi. I told him he didn't always have the support he needed from his family, but that in the end he was an example. He acted in fe. Fe is accion. And so he came to church, it was amazing. He has come every week since. He came by himself the first week. The second with his son, and then last week was a miracle. His daughter in law (who two months ago said, "Don't come back here. I don't want the church. I am Evangelica. Do not come back.") was there and had her baby blessed. It was absolutely incredible. Hopefully Hermana Boer will come to church tomorrow. We've promised some cool blessings and I hope she has realized them. It's been and amazing experience for me to see the change in Arturo. There is a brightness in his eyes now. I love it.

Two weeks ago a man stopped us on the street and said he wanted to stop drinking and felt like we could help. Oh Benjamin. Ha. We got him to church on Sunday, but he was still slightly hung over. I was up on the stand playing the piano and Hermana was sitting next to a ward missionary and he tore a hymn book. And, who knows... It was so funny to watch, but very sad at the same time to see someone so completely unable to control himself.

Last Saturday, Hermana Lambert asked President about playing basketball. They used to play with the assistants awhile ago. Well we did again and it was so fun. Yesterday Lambert was having a rough time with some stuff and asked to talk to President. He responded to have a sita at 9:30. He said he'd by to pick us up. So we got to the church at ten with the president, his wife, their son and all of the ten assistants. We played for the next two hours and then he was mad that all the fast food was closed. So we went back to his house for hot chocolate and bread. And we just talked for awhile and he took us home after. He says that we all needed to relax and have some fun. We might play this afternoon again. He is amazing. I know he is one of the reasons that I am in the mission.

I hope all is going well. I am sorry the letter is so short. Know that I am loving the mission. Yes, there are hard times, but I am learning everyday. I am learning about my gifts and talents and trying to develop them. I love inviting people to listen to more of the gospel and I know it can change their lives. I am grateful for this experience. I need the refining process of the mission and the converting power of the mission. Thank you all for your support and love and examples. Love you.

PS. Lydia and Huber and Angel Torres are slowly progressing. They need the courage to come to church and recognize the answers they are receiving. Please put them in the temple and pray for them. Thanks!

Ahhh, amazing. That's the word of this week.

Ok, so I am going to try to use full sentences and not cut things short, but this is so stressful. The time is now what's on the wall and not what's up in the corner...

So... I now have twenty seven minutes.

There is no enter button apparently. So big spaces will have to do.

I am so happy to hear that you are reading scriptures and praying together. It will bless the whole family. Dad! The time is now. 

I hear you are makin' buko bucks! 

What's Oktoberfest? In Disney it's like a lot of Germans drinking beer. So please explain, but I am so happy to hear that Sophie is all involved and everything!

You can put pictures in here by the way, my comp just got a picture in her's. 

I can't believe it was $48. My goodness! Sorry!

Tell Lisa I say thank you. It means a whole heck of a lot. 

But, I have been praying real hard for Eric. I pretty much lost it at conference. The first speaker Saturday morning was President Monson. He opened conference and said, I want to mention one thing. And, out of everything he could mention, he called the priesthood to go on missions. For the Aaronic priesthood to prepare themselves to go, for those able to go, to go. And for those older to prepare to go when they can. It was amazing. It was an answer to my prayers for Eric. I really hope he was listening. If it's about home sickness... you don't have time to miss home. You think about home at night before bed, but you are so busy. Learning so much. Feeling the Spirit. You can only think about that. We heard a talk from Holland. Have Eric find anything he can that Holland has spoke about concerning missionary work. Being called to be a missionary meant everything to Elder Holland. It has made my mission better already, knowing the depth of this call.

Conference was amazing. It's my favorite that I have ever heard. Absolutely amazing. Wow. Wow. Wow. I hope as a family you will read through the conference talks. Read through them. Study them. Apply them. They are words from living prophets. Family, take heed! 

This morning we went to the temple. What an amazing way to start off the day. About thirty missionaries and a witness couple squished into a small room. It was amazing though. Absolutely amazing. Ahhh, amazing. That's the word of this week.

My Spanish is getting much better. I have my missionary purpose and page one of Preach My Gospel memorized in Spanish. And I also learned the First Vision in Spanish. We are teaching a fake investigator named Raul. It's fun. We teach our teacher, but he takes on a role. We go to a house down the street, knock and everything. My Spanish is getting better. I broke down a couple of times, but always, the Lord lifts me back up. Hermana Aquino is a huge help.

Oh... Random. If you can ever send me a bottle of Pepto Bismol pills. Those things are pink miracle pills. The food here is delicious but my goodness my tummy is having a hay day. Oh man, I got on the scale last night and all the Latinas gasped. It was sad, but funny. So funny. I am taller than all of then too! Haha, yay!

Sophie, there is a building outside of my window. It looks like the Tower of Terror. I think of you every time I see it. 

Dad, I told the ferrocarile joke to the Latinas in Spanish! They laughed so hard!

Oh man, every time we leave the MTC they tell us, "Walk fast, with purpose, hurry." Me and Hermana Aquino aren't sure what's gonna happen when we are in our field. Haha.

Anyways... This is amazing. Seriously. I can't think of any other way to describe it. The rooms are homey and comfy. I have a princess blanket, so I am happy. Ha. Showers are hot and we take them at night so we don't have to wait in line in the morning. I am thinking about cutting my hair cause it takes FOREVER to wash here with the low water pressure. Thoughts?

Daniel, I am playing soccer here! My goal is one pull up before I leave the CCM. The Latinos were like WHOA! You are your companion are good. Bien hecho! So funny!

Well family and friends. I just want to say I love you. I miss you. Thank you for your support and prayers. I feel them. I know that our Father in Heaven loves us and is very aware of us and our lives. He wants us to be happy and to have joy. Even though sometimes things in life don't make sense. Take comfort - consuelo that He is in charge and has a plan. Yo se que José Smith fue una profeta de Dios.  Spanish takes too long to type and think in. But I do know he was a prophet. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and more then ever I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. Pray daily. Take the advice that one of mission president's wife at the Provo MTC gave us, "Pray hard. Study hard. Work hard. And if you aren't laughing, you are doing it wrong." Apply it to life. Dedicate your life to the Lord. Find His will and do it. Follow the promptings you get and you will never go wrong.

Let me know what you want to know from me. I love you all! Miss you.

PS. It takes about ten days for mail to get here and I get all the mail I receive on Tuesday. Hermana Aquino just reminded me... We have gym at 6:30 AM. And there is a guy out there that makes sure we aren't just standing around. Ya, he makes us run for like 5-10 minutes in the morning... Haha we are FORCED. Me and Hermana Aquino do a light jog laughing the whole time. We get along really well and she helps me all day reminding me, "En focar, en focar." Focus. Focus. Haha. Love you.