Hola mi familia!
First off, I loved getting your email! P days have very quickly become my favorite day. We went to the temple again this morning. We catch a bus around 6:30 in the morning right outside of the CCM. The buses are tiny and they pack in as many people as they can. It's quite the experience. The bus drivers are actually super nice. They know the missionaries go to the temple every Wednesday morning so when they drive by to pick us up they yell "la iglesia la iglesia!" The temple is very beautiful. I hope one day, as a family, we get to go through the Peru temple. We also went shopping today at a store called Tottus. It's like a Peruvian Wal Mart. I bought a few Peruvian candies. The chocolate is different here, but it's good. There is this temple store that has really cool ties and scripture cases. Spencer and dad, I want to get you both ties. What color do you want? Do you want a llama or a temple on your ties?
Good news, the homesickness is getting better. Each day is better. I still have really hard days, but overall I am starting to love Peru more and more. I am learning to immerse myself in the work. Also, the language is coming along. Because we are surrounded by the language, that really helps. I can understand Spanish really well. The speaking it is a little harder for me (maybe because I am not very confident) but it is coming. I am trying to speak more and more during classes and in our fake lessons. Our teachers also have us teach the Latino missionaries all the time. That is super intimidating, but they are so warm and welcoming and help us a lot. We have also had them teach us a few times. Listening to them teach lessons is amazing. The spirit is so strong and it gives me hope that one day I will be able to speak just as easy as they do.
On Monday the missionaires who have been here for six weeks left. That was really sad because I had become really close with the sister trainer leaders. They have been so supportive through me being homesick and they were like my moms. On Sunday I was having a really hard day, and I had them come and give me some advice on how they deal with homesickness. They were so much help. They gave me some great scriptures as well as some great advice. It was hard to see them go, but the new sister trainer leaders are so wonderful! I will send a picture of me with them today so you can see them. Super cute girls who I have become really close with. That is the one nice thing about having a small CCM--you get really close with all the other missionaries.
The new north american missionaries came today which means my group isn't the babies anymore! It's crazy that I have only been here for two weeks. It feels like an eternity haha. I am really starting to like it. The days are sooo long, but the weeks are going quickly.
So on Monday we went to immigrations. That was exciting! We were gone for about 5 hours and it was my first time to really see some of the city. The immigrations building was hot, small, and really dirty. We have it pretty nice here in the CCM, so we haven't really seen a lot of poverty yet. Monday was our first experience. Interesting fact about Peru...they dont flush their toilet paper. We do here at the CCM, but everywhere else you don't. Because of this, the bathrooms really stink! Everyone just throws their toilet paper away in the trash can. Also, you have to bring your own toilet paper. I think once I get out in the field I will really begin to realize how blessed I have been in my home. We truly are blessed with so much.
Also, the drivers here are even worse than the drivers in Poland. There are like no traffic rules. People don't stay in lanes, and don't follow the stop lights. It is hard to explain how crazy it is, but honestly it's a miracle that I haven't seen a million car crahses yet. The buses are especially crazy. The drivers are swerving inbetween traffic and barely missing other cars. So yeah, I am not too upset I wont be driving here at all.
On the way back from immigrations I sat across from two elders from Colombia. For the 40 min drive back to the CCM they helped me with my Spanish. In return I had to help them with their English. They were trying to teach me how to roll my Rs haha I still can't do it. They told me to make a face like an angry dog. Well, I tried that and they only laughed harder at me. They told me that overall my pronunciation is pretty good. It is amazing to see how the gospel has no language. Spanish, Polish, or English the Spirit is the same. I have been in lessons or firesides where I don't really understand everything, but I feel the Spirit so strong.
Oh and a girl who is in my group was playing soccer the other day and hurt her knee really bad. They don't know what it is yet, but it might be a meniscus tear. So yeah, that is why I won't be playing soccer here at all. I don't want to chance anything. Just seeing her on crutches brought back a lot of bad memories from when I tore my ACL. I am continuing to work out everyday. I have to because the food they give us here is soo starchy. Bread and rice every day. Also chicken constantly. However the vegetables are also delicious and yes, I am drinking the juice. They have really good juice here and the fruit is always so fresh. I still haven't been sick from the food yet. I have felt really healthy the whole time which is such a blessing. I am super tired, but that is pretty normal. My room is really good at going to bed on time though. By the end of the day we are all so exhausted that we crash about 10:30pm.
I have started to keep a small notebook of tender mercies throughout the day of how I have seen God show his love for me. This has helped me stay positive and focused on the work. If we look for it, we can see how the Lord blesses us every single day. We just have to be willing to come to him. I love the scripture that says that we must abide in God for him to abide with us. That has been getting me through the week. This is the lords time, not Heather's time.
I am going to try to send a few pictures of the CCM. It is so small but so beautiful. It's super hot! I am staring to get a little tan! Haha barely any, but at least a little. Thank you for your prayers and your support. I feel your love every single day, especially today in the Celestial room. I literally felt like you guys were with me. I know I am here physically alone in Peru, but you guys are always with me in spirit. Thank you for being the best family. I hope this continues to answer a few of your questions about the CCM. There is so much to tell you! I am keeping a really good journal so when I get home I can share everything with you.
Until next week!
-Hermana Vernon
 |
| Sister Training Leaders and Hermana Vernon |
 |
| CCM |
 |
| Hermana Vernon at the Temple |
