HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBI....

Hello from South America! My new nickname mission-wide is Rubi! Some guy passed by me and, like the others, he started calling me Rubio, but when I didn’t pay him any attention, he said, “Hey Rubi, Rubi!” I laughed so hard after he left. My comp too. She told others and my whole zone is calling me Rubi now.

Thank you all for making my birthday so amazing. My birthday was well. I enjoyed myself. I got your other package, one from Kenny’s parents and lots and lots of letters and other things from people here. I also got the goodies from the bishop that you sent home with him, as well as the hug and all the very many kisses from Estela (bishop’s wife) that you sent. I’ll have you know, two wards from our stake saw and all laughed at her attacking me with love. But, I knew it was from you guys so I let her.My birthday celebration with friends: Enrique, Noelia and Damian & Natalia

Thursday... my birthday. It was great. I hung my own birthday signs that you sent, but it was great. All the packages were FABULOUS! I loved everything, but more of that in letters that are on the way; I don’t have much time. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! My comp made me breakfast, we went to lunch at a nice restaurant. Members gave us money to go to lunch. How kind, no? We worked our little tails off. It poured rain, my hair got ugly and then went to a menos activo family. They surprised me with a cake. Then we got to spend the rest of the night with our ward mission leader, his wife, and Damian and Natalia. That was my only birthday wish. We had a blast. It was great.
All the girlies at Zone Conference: Hermanas Hite, Lundskog, Kirkham, ME and Puentes

Sharon is becoming one of my best friends. I love her some much, and she understands well the gospel. She’s trying and she will progress. She will have an eternal family. I just know it. She’s the first person I feel like I can really express my full, sarcastic, funny, giggly personality with, while in Spanish. No, that’s not true, but she’s the first one I feel like the language isn’t a real barrier and she’s a friend just like any other English speaking friend I have. Only we talk to each other in Spanish. Weird... but like dad said, I will form some of my best friendships here on the mish, both with my comps and the people I bring to the truth. I love it. It is true.

Saturday... We had Pablo’s baptism without flaw. Well, kind of, the ward Hermana Hite is in didn’t have water for the font and so they joined us. So it was a little crazy. But all is well. Pablo has completely changed his life for this gospel and he sincerely desires to follow Jesus Christ. He has a strong testimony. The miracles of our Heavenly Father are here, they are present, they are visible. I can’t describe to you the things and feelings that have gone through my mind, my heart, my body. This week has been crazy, but we are doing everything we can to teach the truth to all who will accept it. I know this is Heavenly Father’s work, I’m just simply the person teaching his children. I love the gospel. The beauty and glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can be made whole, and change our lives. The Dedos t-shirt I drew for Maldonado Zone Conference

I drew the Dedos and the zone elders made shirts for our whole zone. Wahoo! It’s so cool. I feel so privileged. Enjoy. I know I sure did. I love you all so much. I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you !!!! I love you, Ash
ZONE CONFERENCE: THE BEST!!