Hey Hey Hey Family!
Wow, what a crazy full week here in Independencia!
There are 3 new members in the ward! E, E, and D were all baptized Saturday night and it was really beautiful. There is a faunt here at the chapel so we didn't have to go very far. E was baptized by her husband J. He has been less active for a few years so while we were teaching E we were helping re activate him as well. They were also married on Friday, so they had a very full week. E was baptized by one of the brothers in the ward. He is about 35 years old and has one son. His wife is also a member and it's beautiful so see their family come together through the gospel. D was baptized by his brother. His brother was baptized a few years back and they are the only members in their family but their mom came and she is supportive. We didn't really have to plan the baptism because we have a ward missionary who is wonderful and helps a ton. He did a lot of the planning and we just had to make sure the people got there. Being able to see these people make convenants with our Heavenly Father was amazing. It helped remind me why I am here. Why I wanted to serve a mission in the first place. Also, the baptism was very beautiful in the Spanish language. I am to the point where I can understand quite a bit so hearing the covenants and also the testimonies after was beautiful.
Sunday in church I had to give a talk. I usually don't get nervous talking in front of people, but yeah this was scary. I spoke on missionary work and how it's important for the members of the ward to be missionaries as well. There are some really great quotes in Preach my Gospel that I used. I also talked about in Alma where Ammon talks about being full of joy because he had the opportunity to be an instrument in the Lords hands. I felt really good about my talk and the members of the ward said they could understand me so thats a plus haha.
I also had to do divisions (splits) twice this week with members of the ward. I was super nervous because it would be my first time going with a ward member. The first time I went, I went with the Young Womens president. She was a lot of help and a wonderful lady. Mom, she kinda reminded me of you. Then last night I did divisions as well with a girl in the ward that is preparing for her mission. She LOVES to talk and it was fun to be with her. We did a lot of contacting because we had extra time. I will be honest….I dont really like contacting, but it helps my Spanish a lot.
The Spanish is coming. Slower then I would like, but its coming. However, whenever I teach or talk, people say my Spanish is really good for the time I have been here. I need to learn how to be more patient with myself. This isn't something that I have ever been good at so the Lord knew I needed to learn a lesson. I am gaining more confidence to talk and really starting to love the members of the ward and our investigators.
Transfers in my mission are every 6 weeks. Hermana Guzman has been in Independencia for 6 months. There is a high chance she could be getting a transfer but we aren't sure because she is training. If she does transfer, I would get a new trainer who doesn't know the area. I would really have to step up my game and help. I am interested to see what President will do.
Mom, my health is doing alright! The pills really helped my stomach but now that I am off them I am having a little pain again. Nothing terrible, so I am going to wait it out. If it gets worse, I will talk to Hna Erickson again. I think it's just my body adjusting. Lunches here are huge. That is when we eat the most and that is really different for me. I am really missing dance classes, but walking everywhere (with a million stairs) is helping me keep the weight off. I can't even begin to tell you about the mountains of rice I eat each day.
Overall, I am doing better! This month has been crazy, but I have experienced things and felt the spirit like I never thought I would.
Thank you for your email. Its great to know what is going on back home.
I love you and pray for you!
P.S. I am getting the chance to play the piano a bit. I am the only one in my zone who does, so I get to play at meetings. Thank you mom and dad for making me take lessons :)
