THE DEDOS (Famous hand statue at Punta del Este)Hermana Hite called me this morning and sang the national anthem. Afterwards she said, "God bless America." Yeah!
Lots of stuff has happened this week. As for the work, I feel like we’re in a ditch with investigators. We still have no one, with the exception of one little girl. We are finding more success with the members and their incomplete families. If I can help with that in this area, then that’s fine by me. I’ll take whatever I can get as long as I’m helping the church grow in some way here. But this little girl is the granddaughter of a member. She’s so sweet. Natasha. 11 years old and has been going to church with them for almost two years, but isn’t baptized. Her gramps thought that she needed to change some things (her attitude) before getting baptized. Whoa! No! She needs it now! He said no at first, and then after talking to him he said, “Well... you’re the missionaries, what do you think?” Well, heck yeah she needs to be baptized! So we are starting teaching her this week. She already was at church yesterday. Score! The grandpa is really sweet. I said to my comp, he likes us (after we left the house). She said he likes YOU! What! noooo... she said It’s ok, every family, every investigator always has a favorite. But he trusts us. So it’s good. I hope nothing goes wrong. We’re excited for her.
Other than that, there has been so much opposition this week. I feel like I roam the streets with nothing to do. And we plan well, with back-up plan after back-up plan. Everything falls through, people won’t talk to us, it’s too cold... ugh. Yesterday we were in this richer area. One man came out and told us to pray with him. When we looked at him with confusion, he said if you won’t pray to Mary with me, I won’t listen to what you have to say... alright. Rude. Then another man said he didn’t believe in God. We asked if something had happened or... what? He said “No, I’m smart enough. I don’t need a God. I can think for myself.” OK.... then we invited him to church. Still he said we were stupid and that we were also invited... invited to "review" our brains... whoa. All I could do was shake my head and say wow as we walked away. This happened over and over again yesterday. We can’t even get people to talk with us, let alone teach lessons. We have been redoing our way of contacts because obviously this isn’t working. Oh well, we will move forward and keep working hard.
Mom, you’ll be happy to hear that the Relief Society has gone way out of their way to help us. They made calendars for meals, they are coming over to inspect our living conditions and many other things. I told the pres my mom would be very happy. And that made her happy. She is doing her calling soooo well. My comp said this is the best pres she’s had on the mish. I’m so grateful for people who fulfill their callings. We are being taken care of though.
We had a ward activity this week. Best part... we didn’t plan it. The ward is functioning on their OWN! It’s a miracle! And it had the best turnout of any I have seen here. The youth are doing EFY. It’s the 2nd time they’ve done it here in South America. They go to Argentina so it’s a big deal. They performed that cup game but so amazingly, they altered it a bit. They did it for everyone and the ward was in awe. We had 4 less actives come, 2 non members and many ward members. It was so great. The spirit was there, and then we ordered pizza! It is Guayan pizza, which is way different than ours, but still good. The bishop likes his sweets. After church all the kids run to his office to get sweets (including us). The youth here are amazing. Everyone of them reminds me of someone at home. They are cool. I love that they actually exist in this country.
During weekly planning I got so overwhelmed this week. We have so many people to take care of. I know we can only plan the best we can, work hard and the rest is in the Lord’s hands. So much to do better here.
Yes... we did go to Punta del Este. It was a blast! I ran and jumped and laughed along the ocean. I was giddy and crazy. It reminded me so much of Cali. Home Sweet Home. I wrote lots of stuff in the sand. My comp had never done that before. Whoa. She loved it. We saw the Dedos and other cool things. Sheyla, the recent convert, wanted to go into this 5 star hotel. So, we went. It’s called Conrad, so pretty and right on the beach. They were in AWE!!! My comp and Sheyla, that is. They had never seen anything like it. They were amazed that there was carpet, and in the bathrooms automatic paper towel dispensers. Wow, I was humbled. I said I missed carpet. They asked if we had that in our country... um... only every household. I didn’t say that, but man I am so grateful for my life. This hotel would be considered... not so great in comparison to most in the U.S. But they were excited. I was just glad the place was heated. We roamed around there doing some fun stuff. They even had a theater in there. Cool beans. Punta is gorgeous. The next day at district meeting our leader told us we're not allowed to go there ever. Even to teach people. Weird. Our pres is coming DOWN with the rules. Oh well, I know there’s a reason. I guess it helps us stay focused.
Today we are going to.... MCDONALDS!!!!! Wahoo! First time eating out in seven months! We’re so excited. Whoever knew McDonalds was so good. Not me. That’s what happens when you are deprived of American food. Also, we borrowed the movie "Errand of Angels." My comp hasn’t seen it so we are going to go to the church to watch that. She’s excited and so am I. Good stuff.
I hope you are all enjoying the warm summer heat. Jealousy times a thousand... but I still love you all, more than words can express. Be good!
Love me, Ash
Lots of stuff has happened this week. As for the work, I feel like we’re in a ditch with investigators. We still have no one, with the exception of one little girl. We are finding more success with the members and their incomplete families. If I can help with that in this area, then that’s fine by me. I’ll take whatever I can get as long as I’m helping the church grow in some way here. But this little girl is the granddaughter of a member. She’s so sweet. Natasha. 11 years old and has been going to church with them for almost two years, but isn’t baptized. Her gramps thought that she needed to change some things (her attitude) before getting baptized. Whoa! No! She needs it now! He said no at first, and then after talking to him he said, “Well... you’re the missionaries, what do you think?” Well, heck yeah she needs to be baptized! So we are starting teaching her this week. She already was at church yesterday. Score! The grandpa is really sweet. I said to my comp, he likes us (after we left the house). She said he likes YOU! What! noooo... she said It’s ok, every family, every investigator always has a favorite. But he trusts us. So it’s good. I hope nothing goes wrong. We’re excited for her.
Other than that, there has been so much opposition this week. I feel like I roam the streets with nothing to do. And we plan well, with back-up plan after back-up plan. Everything falls through, people won’t talk to us, it’s too cold... ugh. Yesterday we were in this richer area. One man came out and told us to pray with him. When we looked at him with confusion, he said if you won’t pray to Mary with me, I won’t listen to what you have to say... alright. Rude. Then another man said he didn’t believe in God. We asked if something had happened or... what? He said “No, I’m smart enough. I don’t need a God. I can think for myself.” OK.... then we invited him to church. Still he said we were stupid and that we were also invited... invited to "review" our brains... whoa. All I could do was shake my head and say wow as we walked away. This happened over and over again yesterday. We can’t even get people to talk with us, let alone teach lessons. We have been redoing our way of contacts because obviously this isn’t working. Oh well, we will move forward and keep working hard.
Mom, you’ll be happy to hear that the Relief Society has gone way out of their way to help us. They made calendars for meals, they are coming over to inspect our living conditions and many other things. I told the pres my mom would be very happy. And that made her happy. She is doing her calling soooo well. My comp said this is the best pres she’s had on the mish. I’m so grateful for people who fulfill their callings. We are being taken care of though.
We had a ward activity this week. Best part... we didn’t plan it. The ward is functioning on their OWN! It’s a miracle! And it had the best turnout of any I have seen here. The youth are doing EFY. It’s the 2nd time they’ve done it here in South America. They go to Argentina so it’s a big deal. They performed that cup game but so amazingly, they altered it a bit. They did it for everyone and the ward was in awe. We had 4 less actives come, 2 non members and many ward members. It was so great. The spirit was there, and then we ordered pizza! It is Guayan pizza, which is way different than ours, but still good. The bishop likes his sweets. After church all the kids run to his office to get sweets (including us). The youth here are amazing. Everyone of them reminds me of someone at home. They are cool. I love that they actually exist in this country.
During weekly planning I got so overwhelmed this week. We have so many people to take care of. I know we can only plan the best we can, work hard and the rest is in the Lord’s hands. So much to do better here.
Yes... we did go to Punta del Este. It was a blast! I ran and jumped and laughed along the ocean. I was giddy and crazy. It reminded me so much of Cali. Home Sweet Home. I wrote lots of stuff in the sand. My comp had never done that before. Whoa. She loved it. We saw the Dedos and other cool things. Sheyla, the recent convert, wanted to go into this 5 star hotel. So, we went. It’s called Conrad, so pretty and right on the beach. They were in AWE!!! My comp and Sheyla, that is. They had never seen anything like it. They were amazed that there was carpet, and in the bathrooms automatic paper towel dispensers. Wow, I was humbled. I said I missed carpet. They asked if we had that in our country... um... only every household. I didn’t say that, but man I am so grateful for my life. This hotel would be considered... not so great in comparison to most in the U.S. But they were excited. I was just glad the place was heated. We roamed around there doing some fun stuff. They even had a theater in there. Cool beans. Punta is gorgeous. The next day at district meeting our leader told us we're not allowed to go there ever. Even to teach people. Weird. Our pres is coming DOWN with the rules. Oh well, I know there’s a reason. I guess it helps us stay focused.
Today we are going to.... MCDONALDS!!!!! Wahoo! First time eating out in seven months! We’re so excited. Whoever knew McDonalds was so good. Not me. That’s what happens when you are deprived of American food. Also, we borrowed the movie "Errand of Angels." My comp hasn’t seen it so we are going to go to the church to watch that. She’s excited and so am I. Good stuff.
I hope you are all enjoying the warm summer heat. Jealousy times a thousand... but I still love you all, more than words can express. Be good!
Love me, Ash
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