HIII FAMILY!
So the more time I have in the mission, the more it gets real weird to me that I had a life before this life haha. Life at home just seems so foreign to me. I've been out 7 months, today! How weird. Speaking of, the other day we went grocery shopping here at a store called Carrefour. In my last area, all the shops are just super tiny markets, but this place was like WALMART. It BLEW my mind. I totally had forgotten about how nice grocery stores are. SO much selection! It was wild. Basically I fell in love.
Anyway, this week was soo good! It's been weird being in a new place. It was especially weird at first because I felt like I did when I left home. I felt like I left my family again (my san se family) because they were just gone, and I couldn't talk to them. It was super weird. The four of us missionaries up there were like family, so it was strange to be put in such a foreign world all over again.
BUTTT I looovvveee my new companion. Hermana Findlay. She's from Salt Lake and she did a year of school at LDS business college. She's super cute and super sweet. She's taller than me, so we look like a super tall pair walking down the street haha. She's brunette though.
Anyway, so I'm starting to figure out what whitewashing an area means.. its wild haha. I think 9 out of the 12 missionaries down here are new. They basically just cleared this place out. I think its because most of them really struggled in this area to find people to teach and such so they just did a complete wipe out. We definitely have a ton of work ahead of us, but I'm super excited for it. I'm ready for the challenge.
So basically we have been trying to figure out our area all week haha. This city is huge and there's a whole complex bus system we are learning. Luckily we found the church and our area, so were golden. We've been trying to get to know all the members that live in our area. So we passed by a few this week to visit with them, we literally know nothing about anyone.
Ok so this is cool. So the ayudantes in the mission told us to map out a route in our area for how we will pass by investigators and menos activos and such. So when we don't have stuff to do, we can follow a route mapped out on certain streets. This way, in between visits, we can contact everyone on the way, and then try and stop by peoples houses as we get to them. If that makes sense. That way, God will always know where we are and He can put people in our path. So we divided our area into five groups and made separate routes. I wish you could see what we did, but honestly it's genius. It gives us so much more purpose as well, cuz it's not just like we are wandering and contacting for hours, we actually have a route of where to go and people to try and stop by. It'll be sweet. It'll really help us to get to know our area as well and make really good use of our time.
Anyway, yesterday was our first Sunday and it was way fun. The branch here is super cute. The president and his wife are INCREDIBLE and all the leaders are super pumped about missionary work. So that makes it way fun. The next three Saturdays in a row we have missionary activities with the members. It'll be fun to help them have more animo about the work.
So basically, the Hermanas before only had one progressing investigator. His name is Kleber from Ecuador. He's incredible. He's been reading the BOM and is already in Alma 32 or something. The only thing is, he just moved in with his girlfriend, so he can't be baptized yet. But we will work with him. He always comes to church and always keeps his commitments. Other than that, they really didn't have anyone, so were starting from scratch. Kinda intimidating, but kind of fun. Our last area we always had people to teach, we rarely had extra time ever. So this is a huge change. But I feel super blessed to be here. I feel so grateful to know that God trusts my comp and I with helping the work progress here. He could have sent anyone, and He trusted us. I'm pumped.
We're still lost everywhere we go, but it's a huge adventure and I love it. It's fun to whitewash because we learn everything together, the members get to know us together and we learn the area together. It's super different than before. Anyway, I'm doing well, especially cuz its getting warmer here! And bonus, it never rains. Just windy sometimes. I love you all so much! Thanks for everything,
love,
Hermana Fry
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Zaragoza - Week one
HIIIII!!!
Soooo I'm still in San Sebastian!! Haha jk. not. So I got transferred! I'm in a big city called Zaragoza. This is where Hermana Woodbury got transferred from so she was so excited I was coming here! What are the chances?!! So I'm still in the north... well ish. Idk really. More towards the east. But it's flat as flat can be. And not rainy. But I hear its super windy here. Also you didn't hear this from me, but it's not as pretty as SanSe. But it's okay, I was ready for a little more ghetto in my life. So there are 12 missionaries here. A ward and a branch. I'm in the branch. There's 2 sets of sisters and 4 sets of elders. I think. If that adds to 12. Also Mom, Elder Ballam got transferred here too. The sweet thing is that us four sisters live together, so I'm pumped about that. The piso here is super nice. My new comps name is Hermana Findlay. She's not here yet actually. She's coming. She is one transfer ahead of me. She was comps with Hermana Woodbury in the mtc. She was in my zone for my first transfer so I kind of know her. Basically she's super cute and I'm way pumped to work with her. She will also be a sister training leader here. So we have a big adventure ahead of us.
Also I miss Hermana Woodbury. I'm having withdrawals. We were twins. It was hard to leave her. She's actually gonna be training this transfer. And I think she's getting a native cuz four out of the five newbies are natives. Hopefully!
So this last week in San Se was good! It was weird to say goodbye to the ward. They were my family! It's all I've ever known. But I'm excited for the new adventure here. The hardest part was leaving our Peruvian family. I sent pics. The boys are planning to be baptized on March first and couldn't be more excited. Their uncle who is a member is coming down from Las Arenas to baptize them. I love that family so much. I am having a hard time with the fact that I won't be there for their baptism. Gosh, they will be great.
We also had a lesson with Jeudi (Thursday) this week. We taught the word of wisdom and it went super well. I was glad cuz that's a hard one sometimes. The only thing is he doesn't have much prisa to be baptized. He just wants to take it slow and not rush into it, so well see. Well Hermana Woodbury will.
Okay moment of truth, I hardly remember anything about this week. Tyson mentioned Valentines Day in his email and I was like wait, that was this week? So sorry, I don't have many stories haah. This week was short anyway cuz we had conference Monday and Tuesday, preparation day Wednesday, and Hermana Woodbury was sick Thursday. So we didn't have a whole lot going on. Lots of last minute visits with people. Also Max fell off the face of the earth. We couldn't get a hold of him before I left, so I was sad about that. Hopefully he will get baptized someday soon..
Oh ps I think I ate animal tail yesterday. All I know is a member was telling us what was in his "ragu de todo" or ragu of everything and he told us there was tail meat in it, I don't know what animal.. or what kind.. but I think I ate tail. whatever it was, it tasted normal.
Oh also we had a lesson with a new lady on a bench the other day. She was saying the closing prayer and during it, I heard someone grunting.. at the end of the prayers I opened my eyes and this homeless wild man was standing right in front of us and mumbles "hola guapas" haha it was hilarious. My life here is so strange, I love it so much.
K well thats all really! I am SUPER PUMPED for this new adventure. It'll be wild. We are white washing which means both of us sisters are new to the area. So we don't know any of the investigators they were teaching before, or the members, or anything haha. We don't know this area at all. So it'll be an adventure figuring it out. I'm pumped for the challenge. I love the mission so much. I love you a lot! Thanks for everything!
Love Hermana Reid
Also Shannon... I got my hair trimmed. so I think it's shorter than yours. I'm sensitive. It wont grow. My life is so hard.
Soooo I'm still in San Sebastian!! Haha jk. not. So I got transferred! I'm in a big city called Zaragoza. This is where Hermana Woodbury got transferred from so she was so excited I was coming here! What are the chances?!! So I'm still in the north... well ish. Idk really. More towards the east. But it's flat as flat can be. And not rainy. But I hear its super windy here. Also you didn't hear this from me, but it's not as pretty as SanSe. But it's okay, I was ready for a little more ghetto in my life. So there are 12 missionaries here. A ward and a branch. I'm in the branch. There's 2 sets of sisters and 4 sets of elders. I think. If that adds to 12. Also Mom, Elder Ballam got transferred here too. The sweet thing is that us four sisters live together, so I'm pumped about that. The piso here is super nice. My new comps name is Hermana Findlay. She's not here yet actually. She's coming. She is one transfer ahead of me. She was comps with Hermana Woodbury in the mtc. She was in my zone for my first transfer so I kind of know her. Basically she's super cute and I'm way pumped to work with her. She will also be a sister training leader here. So we have a big adventure ahead of us.
Also I miss Hermana Woodbury. I'm having withdrawals. We were twins. It was hard to leave her. She's actually gonna be training this transfer. And I think she's getting a native cuz four out of the five newbies are natives. Hopefully!
So this last week in San Se was good! It was weird to say goodbye to the ward. They were my family! It's all I've ever known. But I'm excited for the new adventure here. The hardest part was leaving our Peruvian family. I sent pics. The boys are planning to be baptized on March first and couldn't be more excited. Their uncle who is a member is coming down from Las Arenas to baptize them. I love that family so much. I am having a hard time with the fact that I won't be there for their baptism. Gosh, they will be great.
We also had a lesson with Jeudi (Thursday) this week. We taught the word of wisdom and it went super well. I was glad cuz that's a hard one sometimes. The only thing is he doesn't have much prisa to be baptized. He just wants to take it slow and not rush into it, so well see. Well Hermana Woodbury will.
Okay moment of truth, I hardly remember anything about this week. Tyson mentioned Valentines Day in his email and I was like wait, that was this week? So sorry, I don't have many stories haah. This week was short anyway cuz we had conference Monday and Tuesday, preparation day Wednesday, and Hermana Woodbury was sick Thursday. So we didn't have a whole lot going on. Lots of last minute visits with people. Also Max fell off the face of the earth. We couldn't get a hold of him before I left, so I was sad about that. Hopefully he will get baptized someday soon..
Oh ps I think I ate animal tail yesterday. All I know is a member was telling us what was in his "ragu de todo" or ragu of everything and he told us there was tail meat in it, I don't know what animal.. or what kind.. but I think I ate tail. whatever it was, it tasted normal.
Oh also we had a lesson with a new lady on a bench the other day. She was saying the closing prayer and during it, I heard someone grunting.. at the end of the prayers I opened my eyes and this homeless wild man was standing right in front of us and mumbles "hola guapas" haha it was hilarious. My life here is so strange, I love it so much.
K well thats all really! I am SUPER PUMPED for this new adventure. It'll be wild. We are white washing which means both of us sisters are new to the area. So we don't know any of the investigators they were teaching before, or the members, or anything haha. We don't know this area at all. So it'll be an adventure figuring it out. I'm pumped for the challenge. I love the mission so much. I love you a lot! Thanks for everything!
Love Hermana Reid
Also Shannon... I got my hair trimmed. so I think it's shorter than yours. I'm sensitive. It wont grow. My life is so hard.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Twenty-three
Hi family!
Soooo how is everyone? Who knew the olympics was on! We saw it on a tv we passed the other day, guess it's not really a big deal here in Spain haha no one has talked about it.
ALSO I GOT MY VALENTINES PACKAGE. BEST DAY EVER. And yes I ate all the Munsons already. judge me I dare you. THANK YOU. We put up all the decorations. I'll send pics.
So this week was good! I'll be honest I don't remember much of what happened haha. But I'll try. So Monday and Tuesday we had a two day conference with our President. It was absolutley incredible. It was really good to help all of us refocus. I love being with a bunch of missionaries as well. It just made me feel so blessed to be here on a mission. It just helped me realize all the ways I can become a better, more consecrated missionary. It is really the best decision I have ever made. The mission is the best.
Also mom.. I met elder Ballam! It was weird, because we both realized we were related.. but we have no idea how. And we couldn't figure it out. But it's weird cuz he knows Kaths family really well. It was fun to talk to him though. Also we took a picture together, don't worry. Also he said he lives where we used to live in Logan? On that bench part? Give me some details on that...
So I dont know if I told you about Bisente yet, he's a new investigator. He's from Bolivia and about 23. We met with him last week and he was super interested. We taught the restoration and he asked a bunch of questions and had a lot of animo about reading the Book of Mormon. We're meeting with him again tonight and are super excited about it. Hopefully we can get him a baptism goal soon.
So our Peruvian family came to church again on Sunday, so they are able to be baptized. We took the bishop with us last night to our cita with them and it was incredible. The boys have decided they want to be baptized on March 1st!! The mom wants to be baptized as well, but she hasn't been able to come still to church because of her job. The bishop promised them that if they pray morning and night this entire week to be able to be baptized as a family, as well as fast all together for it this coming Tuesday, that God would give them a miracle. So HOPEFULLY their whole family can be baptized together on the 1st. The only bummer is, I think I'm being transferred this week. I've been here 6 months so most likely I'm out. I was almost in tears last night thinking I won't be here to see their baptism. It breaks my heart. I love that family so, so much. But the important thing is they are being baptized. Gosh, they really are incredible. The boys LOVE church. The older one brought a backpack last week with his Book of Mormon in it and his hymn book to be prepared for church. So cute. I feel so blessed to be able to teach them.
Also this week we went an hour away on train to visit a menos activo. When we got there, she introduced us to a spainard friend of hers! A cute little 60 year old woman who is super interested in reading the Book of Mormon. She even said to us, who knows, maybe I'll even become a Mormon someday! Way cool. We've been trying to focus on working with our less active members lately to find people to teach, so that was a cool miracle that her friend came.
Anyway, that's all really, Max finally returned from his trip so we will see him tomorrow. He told us he went to go to church in France though! So that's good. He's progressing still. I'll keep you posted.
So next week are transfers! I think I'm out of here.. we will see! I'll email on Tuesday though, not Monday. I LOOOVEEEEE YOU AALLLLL!
love,
Hermana Reid
Soooo how is everyone? Who knew the olympics was on! We saw it on a tv we passed the other day, guess it's not really a big deal here in Spain haha no one has talked about it.
ALSO I GOT MY VALENTINES PACKAGE. BEST DAY EVER. And yes I ate all the Munsons already. judge me I dare you. THANK YOU. We put up all the decorations. I'll send pics.
So this week was good! I'll be honest I don't remember much of what happened haha. But I'll try. So Monday and Tuesday we had a two day conference with our President. It was absolutley incredible. It was really good to help all of us refocus. I love being with a bunch of missionaries as well. It just made me feel so blessed to be here on a mission. It just helped me realize all the ways I can become a better, more consecrated missionary. It is really the best decision I have ever made. The mission is the best.
Also mom.. I met elder Ballam! It was weird, because we both realized we were related.. but we have no idea how. And we couldn't figure it out. But it's weird cuz he knows Kaths family really well. It was fun to talk to him though. Also we took a picture together, don't worry. Also he said he lives where we used to live in Logan? On that bench part? Give me some details on that...
So I dont know if I told you about Bisente yet, he's a new investigator. He's from Bolivia and about 23. We met with him last week and he was super interested. We taught the restoration and he asked a bunch of questions and had a lot of animo about reading the Book of Mormon. We're meeting with him again tonight and are super excited about it. Hopefully we can get him a baptism goal soon.
So our Peruvian family came to church again on Sunday, so they are able to be baptized. We took the bishop with us last night to our cita with them and it was incredible. The boys have decided they want to be baptized on March 1st!! The mom wants to be baptized as well, but she hasn't been able to come still to church because of her job. The bishop promised them that if they pray morning and night this entire week to be able to be baptized as a family, as well as fast all together for it this coming Tuesday, that God would give them a miracle. So HOPEFULLY their whole family can be baptized together on the 1st. The only bummer is, I think I'm being transferred this week. I've been here 6 months so most likely I'm out. I was almost in tears last night thinking I won't be here to see their baptism. It breaks my heart. I love that family so, so much. But the important thing is they are being baptized. Gosh, they really are incredible. The boys LOVE church. The older one brought a backpack last week with his Book of Mormon in it and his hymn book to be prepared for church. So cute. I feel so blessed to be able to teach them.
Also this week we went an hour away on train to visit a menos activo. When we got there, she introduced us to a spainard friend of hers! A cute little 60 year old woman who is super interested in reading the Book of Mormon. She even said to us, who knows, maybe I'll even become a Mormon someday! Way cool. We've been trying to focus on working with our less active members lately to find people to teach, so that was a cool miracle that her friend came.
Anyway, that's all really, Max finally returned from his trip so we will see him tomorrow. He told us he went to go to church in France though! So that's good. He's progressing still. I'll keep you posted.
So next week are transfers! I think I'm out of here.. we will see! I'll email on Tuesday though, not Monday. I LOOOVEEEEE YOU AALLLLL!
love,
Hermana Reid
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Twenty-two
Hi everyone!
How was the week? It's cold here, but not as cold as there I don't think haha. It hasn't snowed here yet. But it did nearby. Apparently the weather and wind was so bad here the other day that it destroyed a bridge. Crazy right? Missed it though.
So this week was pretty uneventful. In fact, I don't have much to say at all haha. Monday we had a great FHE with Jeudi and a family here. He loved it. It was way fun. It's nice when the investigators start to bond with the members! We've been trying to focus on getting more members with us to our visits. It helps a ton. Also I got sick this week. Super bad. I wasn't feeling well the whole beginning of the week and then Friday I woke up with a fever of 104. Rough. I had super bad stomach issues too. We called the Presidents wife and she helped us know what meds to buy and stuff, but we were in piso for three days without leaving. My poor companion. It was rough haha. Luckily we had some church videos from the 80s to watch for part of it. I feel better today though, so I'm guessing the worst of it is over. Don't worry mom, my companion took really good care of me!
So as far as investigators go, the Peruvians couldn't come to church on Sunday, so were gonna have to move their baptism to the week after. I was pretty bummed about that, but it happens. Also Max decided to go to France haha. He went on a trip with his niece and will return in about a week and a half so his baptism date will be put off as well. Besides that, nothing else is new really haha. Sorry, not an exciting week to write about.
Watch those Doctrine and Covenants videos.. they're not half bad! haha
Anyway, love you all!
Love Hermana Reid
How was the week? It's cold here, but not as cold as there I don't think haha. It hasn't snowed here yet. But it did nearby. Apparently the weather and wind was so bad here the other day that it destroyed a bridge. Crazy right? Missed it though.
So this week was pretty uneventful. In fact, I don't have much to say at all haha. Monday we had a great FHE with Jeudi and a family here. He loved it. It was way fun. It's nice when the investigators start to bond with the members! We've been trying to focus on getting more members with us to our visits. It helps a ton. Also I got sick this week. Super bad. I wasn't feeling well the whole beginning of the week and then Friday I woke up with a fever of 104. Rough. I had super bad stomach issues too. We called the Presidents wife and she helped us know what meds to buy and stuff, but we were in piso for three days without leaving. My poor companion. It was rough haha. Luckily we had some church videos from the 80s to watch for part of it. I feel better today though, so I'm guessing the worst of it is over. Don't worry mom, my companion took really good care of me!
So as far as investigators go, the Peruvians couldn't come to church on Sunday, so were gonna have to move their baptism to the week after. I was pretty bummed about that, but it happens. Also Max decided to go to France haha. He went on a trip with his niece and will return in about a week and a half so his baptism date will be put off as well. Besides that, nothing else is new really haha. Sorry, not an exciting week to write about.
Watch those Doctrine and Covenants videos.. they're not half bad! haha
Anyway, love you all!
Love Hermana Reid
Friday, January 31, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Twenty-one
HIIII FAMILY!
How are you? I miss you guys! Thanks for all the videos mom, I love seeing those. Also Austin is so manly now. willlldddd. SO this week was good! It rained every single day this week, makes me feel like I'm in CT again. Somedays it's super cold but some days it's not so bad, we're surviving okay. Especially cuz of my sweet rainboots gracias a TYLA. The best!
So we saw some pretty amazing miracles this week. So I think last you heard, our goal was to focus just on church attendance with Max because I think the goal of a baptism made him too nervous. Well turns out, he gave himself a goal to be baptized on the 8th haha. But something happened with him, he totally has been improving a ton. I think he's finally decided for himself that he wants to be baptized, without feeling the need to seek approval of other people. I think we saw him almost every day this week. He's been reading and praying super consistently, and all week long he told us he was going to come to church for sure. Towards the end of the week, we asked if he would like a blessing. He's been trying to stop smoking and has been doing pretty well. He used to smoke packs a day, but now he's down to one or two a day. On Saturday, Elder Green (who knows Cooper btw) gave him a blessing to help him to quit smoking for good. Before the blessing Elder Green told him that Christ always told people that blessings work according to our faith. The blessing was really incredible. After the blessing, Max told us he felt really good, really different. The next day, he called us right after he woke up and told us normally when he wakes up he wants to smoke really bad, but when he woke up, he had ZERO desire to smoke. He was so so excited. He's been trying to stop for 11 years I think and hasn't been able to. We met with him that day and in his prayer he said something like "thank you for this day, it is a very special day because I have finally quit smoking, thank you for my sisters, and I know the Book of Mormon is true". It was super tender. Also he came to church finally! He was so excited he showed up an hour early haha. He lives like 5 minutes from the building.. We were way excited to see him. The ward really welcomed him too. He's so close to baptism! Keep him in your prayers. He's been such a big miracle for me. I've really loved watching his conversion. He's progressing a ton.
Oh also, our Peruvians came to church! The mom didn't, cuz she works on the weekends, but the dad and the two boys came right when church started yesterday. It was a miracle. Getting people to church is one of the hardest things as a missionary, so seeing them show up was huge! They loved it too, the boys had a blast. Both the boys have a baptismal date for the 8th as well, so keep them in your prayers!
I can't think of a whole lot else this week. Thursday (Jeudi) is still doing well and hopefully we will have his baptism the 8th as well. Keep your fingers crossed! We're seeing tons of miracles up here. I'm loving it. It's cool to see how much my faith grows as I see the faith of my investigators grow. There's no better feeling than watching your investigators progress. I love it.
PS. blueberries are super expensive here. the worst right? I just realized I haven't had blueberries in six months. sensitive.
Haha anyway, I'm loving the mission! It's super fun to be here. Hermana Woodbury and I are having a blast together. Working hard, and soaking wet!
Love you all!
Hermana Reid
How are you? I miss you guys! Thanks for all the videos mom, I love seeing those. Also Austin is so manly now. willlldddd. SO this week was good! It rained every single day this week, makes me feel like I'm in CT again. Somedays it's super cold but some days it's not so bad, we're surviving okay. Especially cuz of my sweet rainboots gracias a TYLA. The best!
So we saw some pretty amazing miracles this week. So I think last you heard, our goal was to focus just on church attendance with Max because I think the goal of a baptism made him too nervous. Well turns out, he gave himself a goal to be baptized on the 8th haha. But something happened with him, he totally has been improving a ton. I think he's finally decided for himself that he wants to be baptized, without feeling the need to seek approval of other people. I think we saw him almost every day this week. He's been reading and praying super consistently, and all week long he told us he was going to come to church for sure. Towards the end of the week, we asked if he would like a blessing. He's been trying to stop smoking and has been doing pretty well. He used to smoke packs a day, but now he's down to one or two a day. On Saturday, Elder Green (who knows Cooper btw) gave him a blessing to help him to quit smoking for good. Before the blessing Elder Green told him that Christ always told people that blessings work according to our faith. The blessing was really incredible. After the blessing, Max told us he felt really good, really different. The next day, he called us right after he woke up and told us normally when he wakes up he wants to smoke really bad, but when he woke up, he had ZERO desire to smoke. He was so so excited. He's been trying to stop for 11 years I think and hasn't been able to. We met with him that day and in his prayer he said something like "thank you for this day, it is a very special day because I have finally quit smoking, thank you for my sisters, and I know the Book of Mormon is true". It was super tender. Also he came to church finally! He was so excited he showed up an hour early haha. He lives like 5 minutes from the building.. We were way excited to see him. The ward really welcomed him too. He's so close to baptism! Keep him in your prayers. He's been such a big miracle for me. I've really loved watching his conversion. He's progressing a ton.
Oh also, our Peruvians came to church! The mom didn't, cuz she works on the weekends, but the dad and the two boys came right when church started yesterday. It was a miracle. Getting people to church is one of the hardest things as a missionary, so seeing them show up was huge! They loved it too, the boys had a blast. Both the boys have a baptismal date for the 8th as well, so keep them in your prayers!
I can't think of a whole lot else this week. Thursday (Jeudi) is still doing well and hopefully we will have his baptism the 8th as well. Keep your fingers crossed! We're seeing tons of miracles up here. I'm loving it. It's cool to see how much my faith grows as I see the faith of my investigators grow. There's no better feeling than watching your investigators progress. I love it.
PS. blueberries are super expensive here. the worst right? I just realized I haven't had blueberries in six months. sensitive.
Haha anyway, I'm loving the mission! It's super fun to be here. Hermana Woodbury and I are having a blast together. Working hard, and soaking wet!
Love you all!
Hermana Reid
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Twenty
Hiiiii everyone!
How's everyone this week? So happy San Sebastian day! Apparently today is some huge holiday in SanSe. Still not sure what it is really. But basically, the entire town dressed up in these strange clothes (pics to follow) and drummed around the city.. for 24 hours straight. They started last night at midnight and they have different groups going around for the next 24 hours playing instruments and drumming... nonstop. It's wild. Needless to say I didn't sleep last night haha, it was pretty loud outside of our piso. Way cool though. These people have such SanSe pride I love it. We went to watch our friend Javi play with his group this morning, it was super fun. Except it poured. and hailed haha. That always makes it better.. the bummer is everything is closed here today.. Evvveerrryything haha so no shopping for us.. the worst.. probably better though right?
Anyway, this week was good! We had some way good stuff. Miracle man is progressing well. Found out his name, Jeudi.. means Thursday in french haha. So I'm gonna call him Thursday from now on. But we taught him the plan of salvation and it blew his mind. He loved it. He came to church on Sunday too and brought his girlfriend. So that was like the best thing ever. We're really excited to keep teaching him, he's reading and praying too. So keep him in your prayers!
We also had a great lesson this week with two of our investigators John and Gladys. We hadn't seen them in forever cuz they are super busy, but they finally had time this past week so we went to teach them the restoration. They LOVED it. It was great. The only thing is she works Sundays so she can't come to church, although I think shes got next Sunday off so they are gonna try to come together. They are really awesome. Two very prepared people. I don't remember if I told you this about them but last time they let us over John told us he doesn't usually answer the door for people like us but he felt like we were different so he let us in. They both really need the gospel in their lives, I'm excited to keep teaching them.
So one of our other investigators, Elizabeth from Nigeria, had a baptismal date for this weekend. She was so ready and everything, progressing super well, and coming to church consistently.. the only thing is, she's living with her boyfriend. So we taught her the law of chastity and surprisingly it went pretty well. She totally agrees it's something she needs to be living and she said she felt at peace when we were teaching her about it. It's hard to get married here though, from what I've heard. It costs a lot and takes time. So I think that'll delay her baptism a while. Which I'm super bummed about, but it happens sometimes.
Our Peruvian family is doing well, we taught their boys the plan of salvation and they loved it. They are reading and praying all the time together as a family. They always have questions for us and are eager to be baptized. They struggle money-wise to get to church, and the mom still works Sundays, but I think the dad and boys are gonna try and make it this next week. So pray for them!
Also Max... he's all over the place lately. The latest is that his mom told him again that he can't be baptized because he already was in his church. We talked to him last night and reassured him again. Our goal is to help him get to church first, and then we will talk about baptism. He's just so nervous about it all, and keeps finding excuses to not come to church, so were gonna help him through it, one Sunday at a time. He brought us pictures he painted though.. I attached them. Haha super funny. He's great.
Well, I think that's all for this week. I love you guys! I hope you have a greeat week! Miss you!
Love Hermana Reid
The first is us and our friend Javi (from Honduras) dressed in his drumming costume
The second is a group of all of them
How's everyone this week? So happy San Sebastian day! Apparently today is some huge holiday in SanSe. Still not sure what it is really. But basically, the entire town dressed up in these strange clothes (pics to follow) and drummed around the city.. for 24 hours straight. They started last night at midnight and they have different groups going around for the next 24 hours playing instruments and drumming... nonstop. It's wild. Needless to say I didn't sleep last night haha, it was pretty loud outside of our piso. Way cool though. These people have such SanSe pride I love it. We went to watch our friend Javi play with his group this morning, it was super fun. Except it poured. and hailed haha. That always makes it better.. the bummer is everything is closed here today.. Evvveerrryything haha so no shopping for us.. the worst.. probably better though right?
Anyway, this week was good! We had some way good stuff. Miracle man is progressing well. Found out his name, Jeudi.. means Thursday in french haha. So I'm gonna call him Thursday from now on. But we taught him the plan of salvation and it blew his mind. He loved it. He came to church on Sunday too and brought his girlfriend. So that was like the best thing ever. We're really excited to keep teaching him, he's reading and praying too. So keep him in your prayers!
We also had a great lesson this week with two of our investigators John and Gladys. We hadn't seen them in forever cuz they are super busy, but they finally had time this past week so we went to teach them the restoration. They LOVED it. It was great. The only thing is she works Sundays so she can't come to church, although I think shes got next Sunday off so they are gonna try to come together. They are really awesome. Two very prepared people. I don't remember if I told you this about them but last time they let us over John told us he doesn't usually answer the door for people like us but he felt like we were different so he let us in. They both really need the gospel in their lives, I'm excited to keep teaching them.
So one of our other investigators, Elizabeth from Nigeria, had a baptismal date for this weekend. She was so ready and everything, progressing super well, and coming to church consistently.. the only thing is, she's living with her boyfriend. So we taught her the law of chastity and surprisingly it went pretty well. She totally agrees it's something she needs to be living and she said she felt at peace when we were teaching her about it. It's hard to get married here though, from what I've heard. It costs a lot and takes time. So I think that'll delay her baptism a while. Which I'm super bummed about, but it happens sometimes.
Our Peruvian family is doing well, we taught their boys the plan of salvation and they loved it. They are reading and praying all the time together as a family. They always have questions for us and are eager to be baptized. They struggle money-wise to get to church, and the mom still works Sundays, but I think the dad and boys are gonna try and make it this next week. So pray for them!
Also Max... he's all over the place lately. The latest is that his mom told him again that he can't be baptized because he already was in his church. We talked to him last night and reassured him again. Our goal is to help him get to church first, and then we will talk about baptism. He's just so nervous about it all, and keeps finding excuses to not come to church, so were gonna help him through it, one Sunday at a time. He brought us pictures he painted though.. I attached them. Haha super funny. He's great.
Well, I think that's all for this week. I love you guys! I hope you have a greeat week! Miss you!
Love Hermana Reid
The first is us and our friend Javi (from Honduras) dressed in his drumming costume
The second is a group of all of them
Monday, January 13, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Nineteen
Hey Everyone!
How are you all this week? My week was super good. As always. I love it here. I can't believe I've been here so long haha. I just realized I'll have spent a third of my mission here by the time I leave. I know this place like the back of my clammy hand. haha jk, my hands aren't clammy anymore. ANYWAYYY, life is good! It's still decently warm here in SanSe which is way weird, but I'm not complaining.
SO Max. Let me tell you, we've been on a rollercoaster with him this week. I think last you heard he was super pumped about baptism. Well the day after, he asked to meet us at the church cuz he had 30 new questions for us. Well, as well, he had a note for us that said he was going to the anglican church instead. He said he didn't know why, but his head was telling him he should go there. Strange right? Well, we started answering his questions, but ran out of time cuz we had another cita. He told us he was still going to come to church with us though.. we went to get him for church and someone he lives with told us he was sick and wasn't coming. We were way bummed. He texted us later that day and told us he would meet with us later in the week when he felt better.. and that he was still thinking about being baptized. Haha Max is all over the place. I think he's just nervous about making the wrong decision. We´re gonna help him out though, well see him this week again and clear it all up.
Also, Shan asked about Onome.. shes doing good! It was weird cuz we hadn't heard from her or been able to get ahold of her for a whole month basically. She fell off the face of the earth. Turns out she was super busy changing pisos and this that and the other, but now shes got her life settled again and seems super happy. She came to church Sunday and said she's got a goal to go every Sunday. She's doing well. Also funny story, in the middle of our lesson with her the other day she interrupts me and goes, excuse me, sorry.. but Hermana Woodbury.. why are you so white? haha. Super funny. WE ARE PALE WHERE'S SUMMER.
Also Helen, idk if I've told you much about her, but shes from Mexico. She's awesome. She literally loves us. We taught her the Restoration and she loved it! The only thing is she works Sundays now. (this happens alllll the time) so she can't come to church, but she's way excited to learn more. God will provide a way for her to come to church, if she demonstrates her faith. Also her moms being taught by the missionaries in Mexico right now too. Way sweet.
Our miracle man Jeudi is doing super well too, we had a lesson with him and he's got a goal to be baptized. He's reading and progressing really well.
Also the other day we contacted this girl on the street and asked if we could share a message with her and she said no, laughed, and literally ran away. Haha people are so strange sometimes.
Also the other day we met with Joseph, and during the lesson I asked him how he knows that God loves him. He told us it's because God sent us to him. He told us the night we found him in the street he had thought about traveling to another city to see his sister but ended up not going. But he told us he's so glad he found us. He's incredible. I feel bad for the guy, he's got a lot of struggles in his life. He told us he's still struggling, but ever since he's been baptized he feels calm now. He has a lot more peace. There's so much power to baptism. I don't think I realized before my mission how incredibly important and life changing it can be. It's such an incredible blessing we have in this life.
Also we got locked out this morning without keys or a phone. It was an adventure. I sent a voice recording about it though haha. Handled it like a champ. Anyway, that's all really, for this week. I love the mission! Were having a blast.
Also do you like how all my paragraphs start with also? haha. sorrynotsorry?
Love you all!!
Love Hermana Reid
How are you all this week? My week was super good. As always. I love it here. I can't believe I've been here so long haha. I just realized I'll have spent a third of my mission here by the time I leave. I know this place like the back of my clammy hand. haha jk, my hands aren't clammy anymore. ANYWAYYY, life is good! It's still decently warm here in SanSe which is way weird, but I'm not complaining.
SO Max. Let me tell you, we've been on a rollercoaster with him this week. I think last you heard he was super pumped about baptism. Well the day after, he asked to meet us at the church cuz he had 30 new questions for us. Well, as well, he had a note for us that said he was going to the anglican church instead. He said he didn't know why, but his head was telling him he should go there. Strange right? Well, we started answering his questions, but ran out of time cuz we had another cita. He told us he was still going to come to church with us though.. we went to get him for church and someone he lives with told us he was sick and wasn't coming. We were way bummed. He texted us later that day and told us he would meet with us later in the week when he felt better.. and that he was still thinking about being baptized. Haha Max is all over the place. I think he's just nervous about making the wrong decision. We´re gonna help him out though, well see him this week again and clear it all up.
Also, Shan asked about Onome.. shes doing good! It was weird cuz we hadn't heard from her or been able to get ahold of her for a whole month basically. She fell off the face of the earth. Turns out she was super busy changing pisos and this that and the other, but now shes got her life settled again and seems super happy. She came to church Sunday and said she's got a goal to go every Sunday. She's doing well. Also funny story, in the middle of our lesson with her the other day she interrupts me and goes, excuse me, sorry.. but Hermana Woodbury.. why are you so white? haha. Super funny. WE ARE PALE WHERE'S SUMMER.
Also Helen, idk if I've told you much about her, but shes from Mexico. She's awesome. She literally loves us. We taught her the Restoration and she loved it! The only thing is she works Sundays now. (this happens alllll the time) so she can't come to church, but she's way excited to learn more. God will provide a way for her to come to church, if she demonstrates her faith. Also her moms being taught by the missionaries in Mexico right now too. Way sweet.
Our miracle man Jeudi is doing super well too, we had a lesson with him and he's got a goal to be baptized. He's reading and progressing really well.
Also the other day we contacted this girl on the street and asked if we could share a message with her and she said no, laughed, and literally ran away. Haha people are so strange sometimes.
Also the other day we met with Joseph, and during the lesson I asked him how he knows that God loves him. He told us it's because God sent us to him. He told us the night we found him in the street he had thought about traveling to another city to see his sister but ended up not going. But he told us he's so glad he found us. He's incredible. I feel bad for the guy, he's got a lot of struggles in his life. He told us he's still struggling, but ever since he's been baptized he feels calm now. He has a lot more peace. There's so much power to baptism. I don't think I realized before my mission how incredibly important and life changing it can be. It's such an incredible blessing we have in this life.
Also we got locked out this morning without keys or a phone. It was an adventure. I sent a voice recording about it though haha. Handled it like a champ. Anyway, that's all really, for this week. I love the mission! Were having a blast.
Also do you like how all my paragraphs start with also? haha. sorrynotsorry?
Love you all!!
Love Hermana Reid
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