April 4, 2011

Wow wow wow, is it really April already? 3 months ago today we were in
Salt Lake City together (well, Mom, Dad, and me). My last day with the
family. It's been so fast and so slow at the same time. Before we
know it, I'll be home.

Anyway, me coming home is not the topic to talk about...hahaha. Here
is the update of my week!

Tuesday the 29th
In the morning, Hermana Parrales and I went contacting. We tried to
contact a lot this week because we don't have a lot of investigators.
We had a strange experience. We knocked on a house of an older man
and his nephew. They were super nice and invited us in. We started
sharing the message about the restoration, but the nephew, Alex (who
is in his 40s), stopped us and said he wanted to share his beliefs.
He went on for like 45 minutes, trying to prove that the bible is
incorrect and that there isn't a God. Obviously, I didn't understand
everything. We just sat there and let him talk, but seriously all I
thought was "We need to get the heck out of here". Eventually, we
were able to leave, but man oh man was that weird.

In the evening, we had Family Home Evening in the house of Famila
Herrera. There were a lot of people there. After the lesson and
before we ate dessert, Hermana Herrera had everyone sing Happy
Birthday to me in English. I got a bunch of hugs and "cheek" kisses
(from the women of course). One elderly woman in the ward, Hermana
Balaz, gave me a huge hug and said she was sad that I had to be away
from my family for my birthday, but me and my family will receive many
blessings. Everyone is seriously so kind and feel so loved here in
Huancavilca.

Wednesday the 30th
In the morning, Hermana Parralas decorated my desk with balloons and a
sign that said "Happy Birthay" (yes, there is no D, haha) and gave me
a loaf of sweet bread and lit two candles (saying 22) and sang Happy
Birthday to me.

We had our district meeting, where I received Mom's packages and 10
letters!!!! Thank you Mom for the candy, perfume, pictures, money, and
"beautifying" stuff. Also thank you to every one that wrote me! Even
though the packages and letters weren't for my birthday, they were
definitely the highlight of my day. At the end of our district
meeting we had some cake that the district leader brought, we
celebrated my birthday and Hermana Castillo's birthday.

In the afternoon, we went contacting. It was super hot and no one was
letting us in. We came to house and were greeted by a woman named
Jeanette. I totally pulled the birthday card too. I was like "Oh, my
grandma has the same name. Today is her birthday and my birthday
too". She let us in and we taught her and her daughter Jordana.

Also in the afternoon, we ran into Julio. I told him it was my
birthday and he gave me a huge hug. I did an awkward pat (because I'm
not allowed to hug men, hahaha). He was super nice and bought me a
coke.

We also ran into Carlos on the street as he was smoking a cigarette.
LONG story short, we threw away all his cigarettes, and testified that
he can change. We talked about his baptism and after asking him the
baptismal interview questions, he is ready for baptism...he just needs
to stop smoking

In the evening, we taught the Lamota family. Hermana Lamota made this
banana thingy with crackers and gave me some cookie dough so I could
make cookies.

I had always imagined that my birthday in my mission would be bad, but
it was actually really great. People don't believe I'm 22 though,
they all think I am 16 or 17. Hahaha

Thursday the 31st
Thursday was kind of a hard day. Most of the people we planned to
teach weren't home and I was struggling with my Spanish. I kept
telling myself "you can make it through this day, just keep going".
And then it started to rain. And then it started to POUR. We didn't
have our umbrellas and we were soaking wet. All I can say about this
day is to let out a big sigh. hahaha

Friday the 1st
In the morning we had our planning session. After lunch, we had to go
to the doctor because Hermana Parrales is having problems with her
stomach :( Poor girl.... there are a lot of foods she can't eat now,
like chocolate.

In the evening we taught lessons, but nothing spectacular. This day FLEW by!!!!

Saturday the 2nd
In the morning, we decided to contact instead of watch conference (we
had the choice of what we wanted to do). We taught this elderly lady
named Rosa. We offered to give service and she asked if we could pick
fruit from a tree. Since I am taller than her and Hermana Parrales, I
of course, had to climb the latter and pick fruit. Just imagine me,
in my missionary clothes, to pick fruit from a tree, AND being
directed of what to grab in Spanish. It was interesting, as you can
imagine.

We attended the afternoon session of conference. Here, the people
meet in the stake building where conference is broadcasted and
translated in Spanish. I am not going to lie, it was a tad bit
depressing, because I couldn't understand a lot, and the speakers, in
reality, were speaking in English.

In the evening we taught Julio. He is so funny, because we try to
teach him something simple, but then he asks questions about
EVERYTHING and we have to bring the conversation back. He seemed very
excited to attend conference in the morning.

Sunday the 3rd
Sunday was great! We had 5 investigators at the morning sessions. It
was a little overwhelming getting everyone there, but with the help of
some ward members, we had success.

Even though I hardly understood the speakers of conference, I really
felt the spirit and enjoyed it. It was nice to sit (inside with
airconditioning, haha) and listen to the prophets and apostles of the
Lord.

TODAY the 4th
At 7 o'clock this morning, we got a call that I needed to go and get
my idenfication card and that I needed to be there 8 o'clock. We
rushed to get ready and were off. I was alittle upset that it was
such a rush and random task, but it was good because I got to see
Hermana Cochran and Hermana Kendell (and some other missionaries from
my group and their companions). It was great to catch-up and talk
about how our mission have been!!!!! It was weird to talk in English.
I actually struggled to speak in English at some points. I guess
that's a good sign.

I haven't had time to write letters today :( After this, I'm going to
get my hair cut and then our pday is over. Mondays are seriously the
fastests days.

There aren't a lot of other updates. Carlos and Bryan have their
baptisms on Saturday. Bryan wants me to sing at his baptism. I am
excited and looking forward to Saturday. I am just hoping and praying
that it all works out.

I think and dream in Spanglish. I talk in my sleep in Spanish, mostly
when I dream about teaching lessons or I'm talking to people here in
Ecuador. And with my thoughts...it's mostly the simple things that I
say all the time. It's pretty cool to look and see my growth with
Spanish, but man oh man do I still have a lot to learn. It's
overwhelming, but I am trying to be patient, work hard, and
practice/learn little by little.

Alrighty, that's all I really have for now. 6 more weeks until
Mother's Day and we can actually talk on the phone, yeaaaaaa :)

Have a great week!

I LOVE YOU ALL

Love,
Hermana Smith