This
week has been good. Thanks for asking. :)
Waffles sound good…there aren’t many mornings I have time to make waffles…there
aren’t any actually! Were the cherries yummy?? I got a little bag of cherries
from a little girl this week. So sweet.
Her name is America and she is the granddaughter of a less active that we found out lives in our ward. Fourth of July is a normal day for us accept we have to be home by 7:00 pm. People do fireworks in the dessert. I could see them in the distance last year. :) Maybe I’ll see a few a little closer this time. I forgot all about those international students! Where were they from? I can’t remember. Last night I met a man from Tanzania and his wife is from Ghana. Did you know that Zimba means Lion in Swahili? :) He was really nice and apparently they have the Elders in that area over for dinner from time to time. You mentioned singing patriotic songs in sacrament…I didn’t do that haha. I didn’t even realize it until we overheard the white ward doing it during their sacrament meeting. I guess we could do it since a lot of the ward is American…but they aren’t in the Himnario so…oh well! I’m glad you are going to accept the Book of Mormon reading challenge! It’s great that you listen in your car, but that’s going to make it hard to mark whenever the Doctrine of Christ is taught.
Her name is America and she is the granddaughter of a less active that we found out lives in our ward. Fourth of July is a normal day for us accept we have to be home by 7:00 pm. People do fireworks in the dessert. I could see them in the distance last year. :) Maybe I’ll see a few a little closer this time. I forgot all about those international students! Where were they from? I can’t remember. Last night I met a man from Tanzania and his wife is from Ghana. Did you know that Zimba means Lion in Swahili? :) He was really nice and apparently they have the Elders in that area over for dinner from time to time. You mentioned singing patriotic songs in sacrament…I didn’t do that haha. I didn’t even realize it until we overheard the white ward doing it during their sacrament meeting. I guess we could do it since a lot of the ward is American…but they aren’t in the Himnario so…oh well! I’m glad you are going to accept the Book of Mormon reading challenge! It’s great that you listen in your car, but that’s going to make it hard to mark whenever the Doctrine of Christ is taught.
Last Monday
we got our car back all brand newly remodeled. I’m going to do my very best
driving and not hit any walls again! That night we have a lesson with Andrade
family at Rene’s office and it went well. We stayed after and helped them clean
the office when we were done. I love doing service! It’s so much fun.
Tuesday
was good. We had our very first Spanish Training Meeting…which was pretty much
like a Zone Meeting, but for all of the Spanish missionaries. It went well and
Hna. Baldwin provided lunch from her restaurant so it was of course delicious. President
came by for a bit and he wanted to talk with me for a bit. About the area, my
companion, and about my release date. He checked and it was fine for October
and he told me I just had to coordinate with Sister Thornock to have her change
it in the computer. I called her later that day and she got it changed and
it only took her about 30 seconds to do it. It made my stomach drop at how fast
it was, but it is official now. I come home October 14th.
Thursday
was MLC and it was good. It felt a little different because so many of the
people have changed with 6 of them leaving this past transfer, a couple
stepping out of leadership positions and therefore new people being called, but
it was still good. I love being able to go.
Saturday
Hna. Mireles and I were trying to come up with unique finding ideas using our
talents. We thought of one that uses music talents. A lot of Hispanic people don’t know how to
play piano or sing very well and several have asked me to teach them how to
play/sing and so we were thinking that as a district (because there is another
elder in our district who is very musically talented. His piano and singing
skills are at least 10 times better than mine) we could hold free music lessons
once a week or so. We would invite members, investigators, potentials, formers,
and then we would have them invite people too. We would have it at the church
and then at the end of the lesson we would take them on a church tour and
invite them to learn more. It’s still in the developmental stages, but that’s
what we want to do. What do you think?
Yesterday
was good. The Elders came and gave Patricia a blessing and it was so great and
helped her right away. It makes me so grateful for the Priesthood. It is such a
wonderful gift and seeing the power of it and participating in that so many
times in my life, but especially in my mission, strengthens my desire to marry
a righteous priesthood holder in the future.
Then
this morning we got together as a mission and had an anniversary celebration.
As of tomorrow, our mission is one year old!!! We had breakfast and got to see
everyone and played a bunch of games. Water balloon toss, water balloon launcher,
watermelon seed spitting contest, Frisbee, fill the water bucket with a sponge
contest, etc. It was just a good time. J I love how close our
mission is. That’s definitely a benefit to being so small geographically! Tomorrow to continue the celebration, we are
all going to the temple (in 3 different sessions) and having a devotional with
the Temple President, and having a mission lunch. I can’t wait! I love going to
the temple. It’s my favorite. :)
I hope
that all is well with you! I’m happy and healthy and well. Things are good.
Edith is solid and just preparing to be baptized. August 2nd. The
Andrades have been out of town but should be getting back tonight. Natividad is
reading the Book of Mormon. Patricia is keeping reading assignments which is
huge for her. Everyone is good. I’m committed to making the most out of the
time left. No regrets. “Pray as if everything depends on God and then work as
if everything depends on you.” Something like that anyways…the teacher shared
it in class during 3rd hour and I liked it. I’m really focusing on
listening to the Spirit and acting on the promptings I receive. No matter how
small.
Have a
great week!
Con amor,
Hermana Baria
