WEEK 6

Life is... swell here. I felt like this week was a little uneventful here in Argentina, but I spoke too soon and last night gave me some... eh, some experiences haha. We were going to go proselyting two times this week, yesterday and Saturday but it was raining so hard that they actually cancelled. Who does that in the mission field! No one... it was lame. It was so stormy… you should have seen it. I tried going outside and the wind blew so hard that I couldn’t open the door. I pushed on it and it flew open and I flew with it, right smack into the door and now I have a huge bruise on my back.

Then, in class we had a sub teacher who spoke absolutely zero English and out of nowhere expected us to teach him the second lesson. We haven’t even learned the second lesson in English. .. We are still so far behind of where we should be. We should have gone through all the lessons in English and Spanish by now. So he decided to let us teach in English. That’s when I figured out I don’t know how to teach some of these things I’ve grown up with to someone who has no idea what it is. I didn’t even know the material in English. I was so sad... that’s a major letdown. So now instead of focusing my personal study time on scriptures and other meaningful things, I have to study and restudy the lessons in English so when we go over them in Spanish during class I can know how to translate my thoughts. That was frustrating... THEN!

As we are heading down to bed after a long night, they decide to spring on us that all our companionships are changing with the new group of missionaries that are arriving today. So Hermana Lundskog and I are no longer companions. I am in a threesome again with Hermana Kirkham again and Hermana Preston. But everything happens for a reason, eh? Besides I love Hermana Preston and Kirkham. We still all do stuff together anyway. So, it’s been a crazy couple of days. It’s even weirder that we have graduated to the senior class. We are out of here in 2 weeks and 4 days. Let the countdown begin. I’m getting more and more nervous. It’s crazy to think I waited for 4 months to get on my mission and I still feel like it hasn’t really started yet…. lots of buildup and excitement to get out there. Anywho.

I sent you all a letter on Monday that describes what happened for proselitismo last Saturday, but... Maria couldn’t meet with us. We were most excited for her, but she was out of town. She did read the things we told her, but she doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ so that creates a new barrier we didn’t think we had to get through. So we are turning her over to the real missionaries out in the area. It was a long Saturday when we literally had knocked on every household door and there was no one in the streets. It was rough and apparently January is vacation month, like July in the states. So stacks of mail sat at everyone’s house. I was starting wonder.... it was so hard, but at the very end of the day we ran into one girl. I realize that having faith isn’t just hoping someone will fall into our laps that we can teach. It is acting. And this girl, Gabriella... we almost let her go, but last minute, Hermana Lundskog chased after her and I ran too. She was so sweet, our age... and she has been to many churches in search of one that will help her feel good all the time. Certain churches make her happy for certain periods of her life, anyway, long story short, she went to church and then we get to meet with her on Saturday to see how it went. We are so excited! Anyway... that made everything better.

We also had someone try to kidnap us! ha not... but it was sketchy. These men tried to get us to go one street past our area boundary and have lunch with them but we resisted and we are safe. It was interesting.

On a little fun note... lots of girls here love the braids I do in my hair and therefore I have been braiding hair like crazy. It’s really fun. Also, every elder who had something to be fixed by a needle and thread… I fixed it. And since they all know I can and will fix things for them, they all come to me. I feel like a mom. It’s some good traits to be learning anyway I guess ha. Whatever the case, I am going to teach my sons how to sew. Elders... psh ha.

I miss you all so very much and love you to pieces. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Everything is so greatly appreciated. Have a great week. You’re in my prayers. This church is true : ) Love, Ash

THE MOMMA's PERSEPECTIVE: Kidnapped???? I hardly classify that as an "Interesting" event of your mission. I need a little more details than that, Ash!! And as for teaching your sons..... who says you'll have any? bahaha (wink wink)