Yuri got the priesthood!!!! Wahoo! He’s awesome. We are working on finding him a wife! haha
We FINALLY got our washing machine hooked up... yes just barely. We have already done 3 loads of laundry. It’s great even though things still have to air dry, but you don’t hear me complaining.
Our faucet in the kitchen broke off so we were without water for three days. I was disgustingly greasy. Ew. We went to Punta last week, and I found this bench. I loved what it said. Sometimes things sound better in Spanish, sometimes better in English. This is one time Spanish wins. “Life is beautiful”... or “La vida es Hermosa.” I love it.
I wish you guys got to meet all the people I do... they are so fantastic. We met a family yesterday, the wife went on a mish, the hubby didn’t because he was inactive, but now is second counselor. Just getting to know all these many people and see how the gospel has worked in their lives, to see that even when they went away for a little Heavenly Father was still looking out for them, he still had a plan for them and everything eventually works out. It’s so awesome to see their testimonies and hear their stories. I just love the people. They are fantastic. PLUS! Giant plus... haha he was so cool. I was telling them a story and he just looked at me wide eyed. I stopped and asked what was wrong, kinda giggling. He just stared and asked me how long I have been here. Once again... uh un año, mas o menos. He just said.... Wow, I’ve never heard anyone talk like you; you sound like an Uruguayan. You don’t take breaths to breathe when you talk and you can talk FAST! Score. That was the second compliment I got on my Spanish this week. So if Liana and Katherine are reading, I can’t wait to speak Spanish with you when I get home!
This week has been a little stressful for me. We got a new district leader, it just so happens to be Elder Hudsen who was my district leader in the CCM. Wahoo!! He’s cool, we "grew up together" at the MTC. He’s been great. Last week I mentioned numbers. The zone leaders are really focusing on numbers lately. We have to give them a number for baptisms this month that si o si we were going to get. Oh man. My comp and I put a high goal: 4! We have been eating, sleeping and drinking numbers. Not good. We know we can get it. So we have been making plans and setting goals and working really hard to achieve that, right?
Well, we decided to look through old investigators to see if now they could potentially progress. You know, harvest someone else's planted seeds. Well, instead we came across stacks and stacks of inactives. People who were baptized and never went back. You know the story. It broke my heart looking at this. We realized that no one in our ward is a recent convert of the last 5 years. That means every person ever baptized for the last 5 years is not attending (or moved). It stinks! The fact that we have probably found more inactives in the streets than ever before didn't help the situation. This place could seriously be Utah if every person who was baptized was active. I'm not joking either. People have been completely forgotten about. I hate the thought of it. This just cannot be! If it's one thing I've learned here on the mish, is how to be a better member. That's why I made that challenge last week. We cannot have people fall away like this.
We just got really discouraged about this. Ugh. And a good missionary always verifies on the assignment they have left behind. So don't think I forgot about you. I wanna hear your reports back on your work from last week ; ) please? We are the Lord's hands on earth. People need our help, let's go out and look for them. Families can be saved and lives changed, souls rescued through our efforts. One member here actually did that this week. She returned to our ward yesterday even though she belongs to another ward. She didn't know her son who is 9 could be baptized... golden reference. We sent our leaders over there. We will see what happens.
I had another opportunity to perform a real act of service to someone. Sheyla's mom. We have been working, working, working with her to keep her strong while she regains her mom's trust over some things that have happened. Her mom just knew it's the only thing she really enjoys so she took the privelege of attending church away from her. Ugh! She had her loooooong hair to the floor almost braided. I told her it looked so great. She had a wedding and said she had to pay someone 300 pesos, TWICE to do it because it fell out the first time. I yelled what! Why?! I could have done it. She said welp... tomorrow then, because I have another wedding. I french braided her hair, we did a pretty tie tuck thing (that I really can't explain). Sadly, I forgot my camera. I didnt get a pic, but it was so pretty. She was so happy and she let Sheyla go to church. Wahoo for service and talents that mom taught me. Thanks mom, you blessed a life here in Uruguay :)
Anywho, almost everyone got released in church yesterday, even our DOM (ward mission leader). I was so sad. I hope they call someone quick. Oh well, we are here for a reason so we will march on. I can handle it. I know the work will go on. It's the Lord's work and he has complete control and he knows what he is doing. I just gotta trust in that. I just miss my DOM really bad. He was so awesome. More changes to come next week they say. Oh boy.
Just wanna leave yas with my lil testimony. Oh man, nothing in this world matters besides the gospel. I wish I could hit people over the head with that info. No one wants to listen! They spend all their lives searching for stuff when what they really need is right in front of them. Makes me sad. I wish I could change the world, truth is... I cant, but we all can make a difference. I'm so glad I have the Lord by my side. He is my advocate, my strength and my brother. I love him with all my heart. You guys, sigan asi. Keep doing what you are, be strong as always, lead others to the waters and always be an example of the believers. Love you. Till next week.
Love, Ash
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