Sunburns and Firesides

I don't have tons of time, but I will give you quantity versus quality this week. :) First off, it was 110 degrees the other day, no joke. And, you will be so proud of me because I have put on sunscreen EVERY MORNING (except two days ago and I got my first baby sunburn). It is ok though, Gram, it isn't a bad one and I won't do it again.

 I have been doing a lot of bonding this week with my companion. She has been telling me about her trainer the past couple of weeks, but I didn't think there was any way I would know who she was.  Well, the other night we were looking at pictures and sure enough, I TOTALLY know her trainer. Actually, she was one of my BEST friends on the MesoAmerica tour I went on a couple years ago! I knew she had gone on a mission, but I totally spaced she came here. She is almost done with her mission! She has made an impact on the mission, everyone knows her and the diligence/hard work she exhibits.

Before I forget, I just want to thank all of you for your sweet letters and emails. They have meant the WORLD to me. Christina Taylor, I got your sweet letter! Thank you so much. I will do my best to write back to all of you!

Back to my email here...we had a couple rough days this week to be honest. The heat and the people were tough. Some of our best investigators are getting scared. Honestly, I think it is because they are afraid of the changes they will have to make. We had a few people we are teaching act like they weren't home when they were. Also, there is just a lot of not responding to texts and calls. It is hard but let me tell you, the few that are still going strong make it all worth it. I am definitely not giving up on the others especially after the "charla foganera" or fireside we had with Elder Villareal.

Earlier on Saturday we had a meeting for the missionaries in the area and Elder Echohawk, Sister Echohawk, and Elder Villareal. It was such a special meeting. Read up on Elder Echohawk. He is a really neat man. He served in Idaho as something in the government and also raised his kids in Pocatello. I talked to him later and he told me he knew the Tingey’s. 

Later that night we had the big “charla foganera”. I wanted Elsa and all her family to come. She is the woman in all my pics this week. This is the Elsa we found knocking doors. She has really been a gem. Those kids in the pic are her children and her nieces. The nieces are such sweethearts! Anyway, we taught Elsa the day of the charla and we invited her to come. She kept making up all of these excuses. Some of them were a little silly, but some might have been a little real. I think her husband is abusive. She talks about him drinking a lot. :(

 

I am really getting better at speaking Spanish and understanding. My least favorite is trying to understand when people are talking to me over the phone. That is way hard. Anyway, we were so persistent and guess what? SHE CAME! There was a big dinner for all the Spanish speakers in the five stakes around here. They had a dinner, a talent show, and then games. Later we were able to listen to Elder Villareal but this time he spoke in Spanish. We decided to go sit on the very front row!  Elsa was soaking it ALL up. She would be baptized right now, but she wants her whole family to do it together, which is great! However, it might be some time before her husband comes along. Anyway, Elder Villareal, Elder Echohawk, AND Elder Echohawk's wife are all coverts. I loved hearing their stories.

This week at District Meeting, my comp and I taught for part of it. We did some really fun role plays. Because we are always teaching people on the bus, on the street, in the grocery store, etc, we decided to practice relating the gospel to EVERYTHING. We are always talking about the weather, people's dogs (some are super cute but some are so gross haha), etc. You need to have things on hand to be able to teach a gospel truth in an instant.

President and Sister Miller are leaving today and the new President and Sister Miller are coming!How exciting and sad. I LOVE Sister Miller so much...like so much. I am sad to see her and the President go, but there is a time for everything. :(

So in addition to the heat, the weather is just crazy here.  A couple of nights ago the wind was SO STRONG. I was so scared on my bike crossing this bridge...plus it started raining. Anyway, that night was awesome because we had a member coming with us to Lupe's house. Lupe has had such a hard life and it was so perfect that Hermana Mata came with us. They are really trying to the get the members involved with missionary work here.

We were late meeting up with her, because of the weather. When she told the people in the ward her experience on Sunday she told us she was about to leave, because we were so late. Then when she saw us pedaling so hard in the wind and rain, she felt bad for us, haha.  Anyway, she ended up being a PERFECT fit for Lupe and her family. They have kids about the same age and got each other's numbers. Hermanamiento (fellowship) really is the key. OH, and Lupe has three kittens!  I took pictures but they are on the other camera or I already sent them to you...don't remember.  :) The days are meshing together!

Hermana Mata told everyone during the combined meeting at church how awesome the experience was and how important it is for members to go out with the missionaries, because it helps you remember how easy you really have it. Trying to make it through this life without the gospel really would be so much harder. It is such a good reminder to all of us to be involved in missionary work, no matter our stage of life.

 

Yesterday, our district sang in church (two sisters, us, and three elders). It was ok (I mean we hardly practiced), but the people just loved it! :) I think I am going to get my companion to do a number with me. She has a great voice! Also, yesterday as we were on our way somewhere a truck stopped in the road. I went over to the driver and started talking to him. He has been a member for 10 years, but is in another ward because he still has a calling there. Technically he should be in our ward. Anyway, he is a single man in his 40’s or 50’s and is the sweetest! He wants to come out with us anytime. This is SUCH a blessing, because we don't have a ton of members from the ward that live in our area (the ward is split into three areas).

Like I was saying above, they are really trying to push getting the members involved with missionary work here, so that's what you ALL need to do! Go out with the missionaries, study Preach My Gospel, and don't be afraid to talk to your friends. Do you want to fear them in this life or the next life? In our combined meeting yesterday, they had all of the converts stand up in the room. I am not joking you, almost EVERYONE was a convert including the bishop, RS president and everyone. There were only a few that grew up in the church.

 Did you hear we can't have backpacks?   Yesterday, I tried riding my bike in my skirt, in the heat with my messenger bag. I thought I was going to die...it was really funny. I felt very lopsided. It kind of stinks though because we can't take very much stuff with us (extra Books of Mormon and stuff) and now we have to take even less. I might grab a basket to put on my bike today which will make my bike even heavier and more awkward when I carry it up and down the stairs. I think people must laugh at us all the time! :) Also, people keep thinking we are nuns or something- it makes me want to wear way more makeup and cuter outfits!  I am avoiding black. :)

Finally on an unrelated note, I get to ball it up today!  I haven't for almost four weeks and I have been dying!

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!